Knowledge-based model for automated multi-isocenter total marrow and lymphoid irradiation planning across standard and large patient anatomies

Background and purpose

Total marrow and lymphoid irradiation (TMLI) planning is challenging. This study evaluates whether a knowledge-based (KB) model for TMLI delivered using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) can achieve clinically acceptable dose distributions through fully or semi-automated optimization and whether a single model is effective across varying patient anatomies.

Materials and methods

Fifty-one consecutive VMAT-TMLI patients were selected. A KB model was trained using 30 patients treated with standard configurations (5 body isocenters). Validation included two cohorts: 10 standard patients and 11 patients with a larger anatomy treated using separate isocenters for the arms (4 body and 2 arms isocenters). Two planning approaches were explored: fully automated (AutoKB), and KB with manual adjustments (HybridKB) by a planner with no prior experience in TMLI. KB plans were evaluated against clinical plans (CPs) using paired t-tests.

Results

The KB model reduced mean doses to major organs-at-risk (OARs). For standard configurations, mean OAR doses were 71% ± 2%, 66% ± 2%, and 66% ± 2% for CP, AutoKB, and HybridKB (both p < 0.01). For larger patients, the corresponding values were 75% ± 3%, 69% ± 2%, and 68% ± 2% (both p < 0.01). D2% of the planning target volume increased in AutoKB, reaching 122% ± 2% (p < 0.001) vs. 117% ± 3% in CP for standard configurations, and 126% ± 2% (p < 0.001) vs. 117% ± 3% in CP for arms configurations. HybridKB was on par with CPs.

Conclusions

A single KB model enabled effective planning for multi-isocenter TMLI, including anatomies requiring separate isocenters for the arms. Fully automated KB provided suboptimal dose distributions. KB with manual refinements reduced planner dependence and improved plan quality.