The Dose Verification System (DVS^®) for cancer patients receiving radiation therapy

Abstract

The Dose Verification System (DVS^®) is the first implantable radiation dosimeter designed for in situ measurement of dose delivered to the tissue being irradiated. The success of radiation therapy is predicated on maximizing tumor cell death and minimizing normal tissue toxicity. Tumor control increases with the delivery of appropriate radiation doses to the target area. These doses have been determined from in vitro and animal studies, which generated specific dose–response data. However, there has not been a practical system available to ensure that the appropriate dose was being delivered in situ to monitor the daily patient dose during radiation therapy. Studies have shown that dose variations can occur. Recently completed pivotal clinical studies using the DVS found a greater than 7% (positive or negative) change in cumulative dose in seven out of 36 (19%) breast cancer patients; and six out of 29 (21%) and eight out of 19 (42%) patients during large-field and boost irradiation of the prostate. The device is an important step to enable physicians to expand the concept of individualization of therapy.

Keywords::

• image-guided radiation therapy
• implantable dosimeter
• individualization of therapy
• in situ dosimetry
• intensity-modulated radiation therapy

Financial & competing interests disclosure:

Charles Scarantino, along with other investigators, was involved in the clinical studies. He is a cofounder and Medical Director of Sicel Technologies Inc and practices as a radiation oncologist at Rex Cancer Center in Raleigh, NC, USA. Gloria P Beyer is Vice President of Clinical Operations/Sr Medical Physicist for Sicel Technologies and continues to practice as a clinical medical physicist as a consultant. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.