Predicting lymphocyte dose and surviving fraction for VMAT and IMPT treatments with a dynamic lymphocyte flow model for locally advanced cervical cancer

Journal Article (2025)
Author(s)

Sander C Kuipers (Erasmus MC, HollandPTC)

Marianne M van Tuyll van Serooskerken (Student TU Delft, Erasmus MC)

Danny Lathouwers (TU Delft - Applied Sciences)

Anouk Corbeau (Student TU Delft, Leiden University Medical Center)

Stephanie M de Boer (Leiden University Medical Center)

Remi A Nout (Erasmus MC)

Mischa S Hoogeman (TU Delft - Applied Sciences, HollandPTC, Erasmus MC)

Jérémy Godart (HollandPTC, Erasmus MC)

Research Group
RST/Reactor Physics and Nuclear Materials
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6560/ae0d29 Final published version
More Info
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Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Research Group
RST/Reactor Physics and Nuclear Materials
Journal title
Physics in medicine and biology
Issue number
21
Volume number
70
Article number
215005
Downloads counter
101
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Abstract

Objective. A dynamic model is developed to predict the impact of radiotherapy on circulating lymphocyte counts in women with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). This study aims to compare the effects of photon and proton therapy, as well as the influence of bone marrow sparing (BMS) techniques, on relative lymphocyte preservation over time. Approach. A dynamic lymphocyte flow model was developed to simulate the migration of lymphocytes based on seven compartments. Biological cell death and lymphocyte production were integrated across compartments. The lymphocyte flow model was applied to 19 LACC patients. Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) treatment plans were created for each patient without BMS and with BMS. The model calculated radiation dose to lymphocytes to estimate radiation-induced cell death over time. The output of the model was the relative lymphocyte count relative to baseline (RLC) over time and the RLC nadir in the blood and total body. Main results. According to the model, IMPT resulted in lower doses to lymphocyte and higher RLC nadirs compared to VMAT for all 19 patients. The total RLC nadir (mean ± SD) was 48.4% ± 4.0% for VMAT and 62.5% ± 5.1% for IMPT. In the blood compartment, the RLC nadir was 32.7% ± 3.5% for VMAT and 47.7% ± 5.9% for IMPT. The RLC nadir in the blood compartment improved with 3Gy BMS from 32.7% ± 3.5% to 33.0% ± 3.5% , while it decreased for IMPT from 47.7% ± 5.9% to 46.6% ± 6.0%. Total RLC nadir decreased with BMS for VMAT from 48.4% ± 4.0% to 48.2% ± 3.9% and for IMPT from 62.5% ± 5.1% to 60.9% ± 5.3%. Significance. By incorporating a dynamic flow model, we predicted the RLC over time. The model predicted a substantial sparing effect IMPT has on the lymphocytes compared to VMAT. This sparing was both present in the blood and the total body. Sparing the bone marrow showed only a minimal effect on the RLC.