A fast optimization algorithm for multicriteria intensity modulated proton therapy planning.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a fast projection algorithm for optimizing intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plans and to describe and demonstrate the use of this algorithm in multicriteria IMPT planning.


METHODS
The authors develop a projection-based solver for a class of convex optimization problems and apply it to IMPT treatment planning. The speed of the solver permits its use in multicriteria optimization, where several optimizations are performed which span the space of possible treatment plans. The authors describe a plan database generation procedure which is customized to the requirements of the solver. The optimality precision of the solver can be specified by the user.


RESULTS
The authors apply the algorithm to three clinical cases: A pancreas case, an esophagus case, and a tumor along the rib cage case. Detailed analysis of the pancreas case shows that the algorithm is orders of magnitude faster than industry-standard general purpose algorithms (MOSEK'S interior point optimizer, primal simplex optimizer, and dual simplex optimizer). Additionally, the projection solver has almost no memory overhead.


CONCLUSIONS
The speed and guaranteed accuracy of the algorithm make it suitable for use in multicriteria treatment planning, which requires the computation of several diverse treatment plans. Additionally, given the low memory overhead of the algorithm, the method can be extended to include multiple geometric instances and proton range possibilities, for robust optimization.
Chen
Wei
W
Department of Computer Science, Graduate Center City University of New York, New York, New York 10016, USA.
Craft
David
D
Madden
Thomas M
TM
Zhang
Kewu
K
Kooy
Hanne M
HM
Herman
Gabor T
GT
D000465:Algorithms; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D061766:Proton Therapy; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D011522:Protons
D011522:Protons