Radiation Oncology Medical Student Program
This summer research opportunity is a 10-week program that offers hands-on experience in radiation oncology research. Possible research experiences span a wide spectrum, including but not limited to laboratory-based scientific studies, large dataset analyses and review of patient clinical or imaging data. Throughout the summer, students participate in radiation oncology-specific as well as institution-wide programming to help familiarize students with oncology broadly and radiation oncology specifically. The program concludes with our annual Radiation Oncology Summer Research Symposium where participants present talks and posters on their research projects to peers and faculty. Students who participate in this program are introduced to the field of radiation oncology, have opportunities to learn about and engage in oncology research, and are afforded opportunities to establish mentorship relationships that may last well beyond the summer.
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Characterization of Fat Fraction Kinetics Using Dixon Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Association With Radiation-Related Lymphedema
Robert Aghoghovbia, Samuel L. Mulder, Rishabh Gaur, Trevor J. Abts, Sydney Thomas, Irin Luke, Kyle Spier, Praise Oderinde, Ahmed Tayloun, and Clifton D. Fuller
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Evaluation of the Dixon-Derived Fat Fraction Changes in Lymphatic Tissues Following Radiotherapy
Robert Aghoghovbia, Samuel L. Mulder, Rishabh Gaur, Trevor Abts, Sydney Thomas, Irin Luke, Kyle Spier, Praise Oderinde, Ahmed Tayloun, and Clifton D. Fuller MD PhD
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Math meets the Clinic: Modeling Patient Specific HNSCC Radiation Response Dynamics
Rohan Vijayvikram, Pirmin Schlicke, Mohammad U. Zahid, Dina M. El-Habashy, Cem Dede, Clifton D. Fuller, and Heiko Enderling
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) originate from the mucosal lining of the upper aerodigestive tract and radiation therapy has become a fundamental component in the standard care for these patients. However, the treatment's unique dynamics can lead to disparities in outcomes and biological responses in both tumor and normal tissues. A significant challenge remains in predicting individual patient responses to radiation, with variability often resulting in under or over-treatment and potentially adverse effects. The absence of reliable biomarkers highlights the need for predictive measures to guide clinical decisions in real-time. The integration of mathematical models in radiation therapy offers a promising solution, with models incorporating a global lambda demonstrating the ability to predict treatment responses beyond initial weeks. These models provide a framework to address patient response variability, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
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Patient-Reported Post-Radiotherapy Fatigue and Sleep Symptomatology in Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients
Rishabh Gaur, Cem Dede, and Clifton D. Fuller
This study analyzed patient-reported sleep symptoms in oropharyngeal cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. Using questionnaire data of 1,158 patients, we looked at trends in fatigue, drowsiness, and sleep disturbances over up to two years following radiation therapy and their association with overall survival. We found that worse fatigue, drowsiness, and sleep disturbances were associated with lower overall survival. This could inform future clinical practice and emphasizes the importance of monitoring sleep as a side effect of radiation therapy.
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"Proton vs. photon chemoradiation for locally advanced NSCLC: comparing dose to immune cells and organs-at-risk
Lizette Villanueva and David Qian
Dosimetric analysis of a phase III randomized trial comparing proton and photon therapy for locally advanced lung cancer.
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Using the RE-AIM Framework for Implementation of Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes in Head-Neck Cancer Patients Treated with Radiation Therapy
Sonali Joshi; Laia Humbert-Vidan PhD; Clifton Fuller MD, PhD; and Amy Moreno MD, MS
Patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancers can experience moderate-severe toxicities. To monitor symptoms, patient-reported outcomes have proven highly effective, but are hard to implement in clinic settings. We performed an implementation study in the head-neck radiation oncology clinic and evaluated this through the RE-AIM framework. The implementation study demonstrated increased PRO utilization and identified potential barriers to implementation and ways to address these.
