Why and when to use the Model-Based Approach to evaluate clinical effects of radiotherapy techniques?
Short project summary
Radiotherapy is part of treatment for more than 60% of cancer patients. New radiation techniques have recently been introduced, such as proton therapy and MR-Linac. The ‘gold standard’ method for evaluating the effectiveness and safety of new treatments is via a randomized controlled trial (RCT). An alternative to the RCT is the model-based evaluation method, for which further methodological development is required. This project will use clinical data as well as computer simulations to inventory when the model-based method is suitable for evaluating new radiotherapy techniques. Guidelines will also be drawn up that contribute to better use of the model-based design, as well as the quality of these studies. In this way, information about treatment effects can become available earlier and new techniques can possibly be introduced earlier in clinical practice and reimbursed by health insurers, for the benefit of the patient.