RaySearch Laboratories has developed a groundbreaking technology for online adaptive radiation, significantly advancing the field of cancer treatment. This novel solution uses advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) to expedite the adaptive planning process, making it faster, more predictable, and user-friendly. The advancement is expected to transform the way radiation therapy is provided, enabling more precise and personalised treatments for cancer patients.

Radiation therapy, a common cancer treatment, often entails delivering targeted radiation over several weeks using a plan optimised based on a CT scan performed before treatment begins. However, the shape of the tumour and surrounding anatomy may change at this time, prompting changes to the treatment approach. Adaptive radiation overcomes this by using patient photos collected throughout the treatment to update the initial plan, resulting in more precise and efficient radiotherapy.

RaySearch Laboratories created RayStation to meet the growing demand for innovative and adaptable software that supports adaptive radiotherapy. The system includes a number of complex algorithms that perform critical functions such as segmentation, deformable registration, CBCT image enhancement, and recontouring. These characteristics enable rapid adaptive planning, allowing you to generate an adjusted plan in less than a minute.

Anna Lundin, RaySearch Laboratories' technical product manager, highlighted the importance of speed and predictability in adaptive radiotherapy. "We need to be fast, we need to be predictable, and we need to be user-friendly," she replied. "Fast and predictable replanning is crucial to allow us to treat more patients with greater specificity using fewer clinical resources."

RayStation's user-friendly design enables doctors to concentrate on clinical decisions while the program handles the data. The system allows clinics to predefine and validate clinical procedures, minimising the need for repetitive planning. This strategy reduces time while simultaneously improving treatment precision.

Lundin emphasised the value of protocol-based planning for adaptive radiotherapy. "One of the big challenges with adaptive radiotherapy has been that a lot of the decision-making and processes have been done on an ad hoc basis," she said. "We need to use the same protocol-based planning for adaptive treatment as we do for standard treatment planning."

Looking ahead, RayStation's AI integration is likely to play a critical role in the evolution of adaptive radiotherapy. AI improves the speed and consistency of treatment planning, allowing for the management of massive data sets and better treatment outcomes. Lundin voiced hope for the future of adaptive radiotherapy, citing developments in imaging techniques and data processing rates.

"RaySearch, with the foundation that we have for optimising and advancing treatment planning and workflows, is very well equipped to take on the challenges of these future developments," she told me. "We are looking forward to the improvements that come and are determined to meet expectations with our holistic software."

RayStation's advances in online adaptive radiation are a big step forward for cancer treatment. RaySearch Laboratories is poised to improve radiation therapy delivery by offering a rapid, predictable, and user-friendly solution, resulting in a more precise and personalised treatment for patients. As adaptive radiation evolves, RayStation's revolutionary technique promises to boost the overall effectiveness of cancer treatment, eventually improving patient outcomes.