Research Publications
Welcome to The Radiophotonics Lab, where we share our latest research publications and scientific findings. Feel free to explore our work and learn more about our contributions to the scientific community.
Recent Articles
Prognostic factors for local failure and overall survival in patients with epidural disease at the cauda equina following stereotactic body radiotherapy: a clinical, anatomic and dosimetric analysis
The relationship between spine SBRT outcomes and the extent of epidural cauda equina compression (ECEC) by malignant epidural disease has yet to be reported. Our objective was to determine clinical, anatomic and dosimetric factors that predict for local failure (LF) and overall survival (OS) specific to ECEC.
Tumor Dynamics and Dosimetric Impact during Multi-Day Adaptive Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) for Multiple Brain Metastases
Our frameless Spatially Partitioned Adaptive RadiosurgEry (SPARE) approach using the non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery instrument icon consists of multi-day single-fraction and/or hypofractionated SRS for the treatment of multiple brain metastases. As treatment may span several days, our practice has been to perform an interim MRI (iMRI) typically 7 to 14 days from the reference treatment planning MRI (rMRI) or last iMRI, on which the plan is adapted for untreated lesions. The goal of this study was to assess target dynamics and consequent dosimetric impact of the re-planned metastases during GKI-Spr.
Optimal Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) Thresholds for Predicting Geographic Recurrence in Glioblastoma during Chemoradiation (CRT)
ADC from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) detects early treatment response in glioblastoma. We hypothesized that ADC changes during radiation identify glioblastoma regions prone to recurrence. Our objective was to determine optimal thresholds for predicting geographic recurrence from ADC values or voxel-wise ADC changes.
Radiation activated photodynamic therapy (radioPDT) induces lipid peroxidation and vascular mediated tumor regression of prostate cancer
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) represents a promising cancer treatment strategy, leveraging external light sources to activate photosensitizers, which in turn generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) to target and destroy tumor cells. However, PDT’s efficacy has traditionally been limited to surface tumors due to limited light penetration through deep tissue structures requiring complex fiber optic delivery. Recent advancements have introduced nanoscintillators as an internal light source for photosensitizers, triggered by targeted X-ray radiation, thus extending the applicability of PDT to deep-seated tumors. While the in vitro tumor cell killing mechanisms of PDT have been extensively documented, comprehensive in vivo studies elucidating the mechanisms underlying radiation-activated photodynamic therapy (radioPDT) remain limited. In this study, we demonstrated that protoporphyrin IX-based radioPDT augments ROS generation, leading to PC3 prostate tumor cell killing in vivo, impeding tumor growth. ROS production led to a reduction in tumor vascular density with corresponding intratumoral hypoxia, while tumor vascular maturity remained unaffected. These results shed light on the multifaceted effects of radioPDT on the tumor microenvironment, emphasizing the potential for synergistic radiotherapeutic strategies in cancer treatment.