ABSTRACT

In radiation treatment planning, there is continuing interest in replacing empirical methods and dose-volume (DV)-based surrogate measures of treatment e¢ectiveness with quantities that provide more intuitive descriptions of treatment outcomes. Recent progress in the application of biologically based models in radiation therapy (RT) is the subject of this chapter. Ÿe current section highlights conventional approaches in treatment planning and describes how biologically based models can help enhance the current methods. In Section 6.2, desired properties of biologically based models are discussed using examples of existing formalisms. Section 6.3 provides a historical overview of applications of biologically based models in research and clinical settings. Section 6.4 provides a short description of recent developments in implementing biologically based models in commercial treatment planning so«ware. Ÿe chapter concludes with remarks about the current and future role of biologically based models in treatment planning (Section 6.5).