DOSELIA
Computing whole-body radiation dose distributions and subsequent cancer risks from modern radiotherapy techniques in paediatric patients
Project objectives and goals
The DOSELIA project aims to significantly enhance the assessment of whole-body doses and the risk of subsequent primary cancers in paediatric patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Recent technological advances in EBRT have drastically improved irradiation precision, making it crucial to optimise treatment delivery to minimise exposure to healthy tissues, especially in children who are more vulnerable to long-term side effects. Current treatment planning systems cannot accurately calculate out-of-field doses or do not incorporate risk projection models specifically tailored to paediatric patients.
DOSELIA represents a major advancement in paediatric radiation therapy by integrating cutting-edge AI technology with rigorous scientific methodology to protect the healthy tissues and enhance the long-term health outcomes of young cancer patients. The project will develop a new AI-based software prototype capable of providing rapid and accurate whole-body dose distributions. This software will include modules for assessing doses from therapeutic irradiation (photons and protons) and imaging processes (planning and positioning), as well as risk prediction models for subsequent primary cancers. The study will develop and validate the algorithms using existing research infrastructures and data, particularly from the EU-funded HARMONIC project.
The dosimetry and risk projection models will leverage the latest scientific insights from biological and epidemiological research, along with advanced statistical methods, to offer comprehensive risk evaluations. Applied prospectively, this tool could help clinicians determine the optimum treatment plan or modality—such as photon irradiation strategy or photons versus protons—and evaluate the impact of image-guided radiotherapy schemes. The proposed tools will be developed in collaboration with medical professionals, including physicians, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and other stakeholders, to ensure adequation with user’s needs and effective risk communication.
DOSELIA software is designed to facilitate its integration into clinical practice to improve decision-making and patient safety. The expected result is a reduction in the effects of radiation, including the incidence of secondary malignancies on healthy tissue in paediatric patients receiving modern radiotherapy.
Project coordinator
Charlotte Robert, Gustave Roussy Radiotherapy, France
Deliverables
