Researchers Present New Evidence of RapidPlan Software Improving Quality of Treatment Planning for Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- RapidPlan™ knowledge-based treatment planning software can improve quality control in radiotherapy and radiosurgery treatment plans, according to research presented at the 2016 American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM).  Researchers found that using the RapidPlan tool from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) helped them develop plans that improved targeting of tumors and spared more healthy tissue.

RapidPlan is a machine-learning tool that studies best practices from past successful treatment plans and creates knowledge based treatment models that are applied to improve the treatment plans for future patients. These RapidPlan models help to quickly generate and validate new high-quality treatment plans based on shared expertise. 

Kathryn Masi and Maria Ditman from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, found that RapidPlan software creates consistent, efficient, quality plans while standardizing the treatment planning process. They used a prostate-specific RapidPlan model, based on 60 prostate intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans. Applying their knowledge-based planning (KBP) model to 10 patients from four community-based clinics, they found that RapidPlan could improve the quality control of smaller community-based clinics by helping them "identify the areas in their treatment plans that may be improved whether that be in normal tissue sparing or improved target coverage."¹

Similar findings were reported by researchers conducting a multi-institutional phase II clinical trial (https://www.nrgoncology.org/Clinical-Trials/NRG-GY006) sponsored by the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) for patients with uterine cervix or vaginal cancer. Using a KBP model, researchers reported that RapidPlan greatly improved plan quality assurance for IMRT pre-treatment plans.²

The use of RapidPlan is expanding to other areas, including motion management for treating lung cancer during stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Ronald Lalonde, M. Saiful Huq, and Dwight Heron from UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, found that RapidPlan "may be a useful tool in identifying patients where motion management may be necessary for SBRT treatment."³

"Since RapidPlan's launch in 2014, scientific data shows that Varian has delivered on its promise to improve knowledge-based planning. We've developed a software tool that creates consistent, efficient, high-quality plans across disease sites and treatment methods," said Corey Zankowski, Varian's vice president of product and portfolio management. "We look forward to continuing to advance treatment planning and to enhancing access to quality cancer treatment around the world."

To learn more about RapidPlan, visit www.varian.com/oncology/products/software/treatment-planning/rapidplan-knowledge-based-planning.

Funding Support, Disclosures, and Conflict of Interest: The Kathryn Masi et al. and Ronald Lalonde et al. presentations were based on work supported by Varian Medical Systems.

¹Masi K, Ditman M, Marsh R, Dai J, Huberts M, Khadija M, Tatro D, Archer P, Matuszak M. Quality control of treatment planning using knowledge-based planning across a system of radiation oncology practices [abstract]. Presented at: American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) 58^th Annual Meeting & Exhibition; July 31-August 4, 2016; Washington, DC.

²Giaddui T, Li N, Curry K, Moore K, Mell L, Leath C, Kunos C, Xiao Y. Establishing a workflow for IMRT pre-treatment reviews for NRG-GY006 Clinical Trial [abstract]. Presented at: American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) 58^th Annual Meeting & Exhibition; July 31-August 4, 2016; Washington, DC.

³ Lalonde R, Huq M, Heron D. Use of knowledge-based planning to evaluate the need for motion management in lung SBRT [abstract]. Presented at: American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) 58^th Annual Meeting & Exhibition; July 31-August 4, 2016; Washington, DC.

About Varian Medical Systems 
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, focuses energy on saving lives by equipping the world with advanced technology for fighting cancer and for X-ray imaging.  The company is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiation. The company provides comprehensive solutions for radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is also a premier supplier of X-ray imaging components, including tubes, digital detectors, cables and connectors as well as image processing software and workstations for use in medical and industrial settings, as well as for security and non-destructive testing.  Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 7,700 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and sales and support offices around the world.  For more information, visit http://www.varian.com or follow us on Twitter.

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