Louisiana State University reported on May 8 that Chloe DiTusa, a Physics and Astronomy PhD candidate graduating this month, has created a web-based dashboard designed to help clinicians adjust radiation treatment plans for cancer patients. The tool computes metrics necessary for modifying daily radiation doses, recognizing that patient anatomy can change from day to day during therapy.
The development of the dashboard is significant because it supports a move away from uniform treatment protocols toward more individualized care in radiotherapy. By tailoring treatments based on daily anatomical changes, the approach aims to improve outcomes and reduce side effects for patients undergoing cancer therapy.
DiTusa said her interest in adaptive radiotherapy stemmed from “improving medicine by moving away from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach and toward care that is tailored to the individual patient.” She added, “Being able to contribute to research that supports a more personalized approach to care was something that immediately resonated with me.”
She described her journey into medical physics as influenced by personal experience: “Early in college, someone close to me was diagnosed with cancer, and watching them go through treatment had a profound impact on me. At the time, it was difficult feeling like there was nothing meaningful I could do to help. When I was introduced to medical physics and research in radiation oncology, it changed that perspective entirely.”
A notable aspect of her research involves natural body processes affecting treatment delivery. DiTusa explained, “In many prostate cancer treatments, patients are asked to arrive with a fuller bladder because bladder filling changes the position of the prostate and surrounding anatomy…something as simple and natural as hydration can become part of treatment optimization.” She highlighted challenges such as ensuring accurate calculations related to dose distribution while making the system user-friendly for clinicians.
Reflecting on her findings, DiTusa noted differences between disease sites: “Anatomical changes affect treatment differently depending on the disease site…these differences are not only clinically important but also measurable using the geometric, dosimetric, and radiobiological metrics developed in the dashboard.” After graduation she plans to attend residency at the University of Miami.
