Validation of RapidPlan Knowledge-Based Model for Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy in Prostate Cancer

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the viability of using RapidPlan (RP) knowledge-based (KB) treatment plans to initiate the new prostate volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The planning data for 120 prostate VMAT treatment plans were entered into the RP system's database. The database of previous VMAT plans was divided into four model groups for training in the RP system. The models were based on the numbers of 20, 60, and 120 prostate VMAT plans. The model of 120 plans used automated priority and manual priority for the optimization process. The models of 20 and 60 plans used only manual priority for optimization. Each model was validated on 15 cases of new prostate cancer patients by comparing RP model plans against manual clinical plans optimized according to the clinical dose constraints. RESULTS: The RP models can estimate the dose comparable target volume to the manual clinical plan, which evaluated values of Dmax, D95%, D98%, HI, and CI and showed comparable results. For the normal organ doses of the bladder, rectum, penile bulb, and femoral head, all RP models exhibited a comparable or better dose than the manual clinical plan, except for the RP models using the automated priority for the optimization process, which cannot control the rectum dose below the dose constraints. CONCLUSIONS: The Varian RP KB planning can produce comparable doses or better doses with the clinical manual in a single optimization, although the RP model uses a minimum requirement of the planning number for the model training. The RP models can enhance the efficacy and quality of plans, which depend on the number of VMAT plans used in RP model training for prostate cancer.