1
Return

Integration of AI-Based Synthetic CT Generation and Auto-Segmentation for CBCT-Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer: A Feasibility Study

delete2026-08-13
delete0
delete
OA
AI
X
Xin Feng
W
Wenwen Zhang
F
Fukui Huan
Y
Yuxiang Liu
D
Deqi Chen
H
Huan Chen
N
Ningyu Wang
Q
Qian Liu
H
Huijuan Peng
G
Guodong Jin
J
Jianrong Dai
Y
Yueping Liu *
K
Kuo Men *
DOI:10.3390/cancers18162607delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Background/Objectives: Adaptive radiotherapy (ART) is essential yet expensive in prostate cancer treatment. This study aims to preliminarily validate the feasibility of an integrated AI workflow for CBCT-guided adaptive radiotherapy in prostate cancer, and to provide a technical foundation for subsequent clinical translation. Methods: Planning CT and CBCT images from 120 patients were used for training and validation, while 21 patients were reserved for testing. A CycleGAN-ResNet generated synthetic CT (sCT) from CBCT, and an nnU-Net model performed auto-segmentation on the sCT. Image quality and segmentation accuracy were quantitatively assessed. The original plan was recalculated on sCT to evaluate actual dose delivery; if clinical constraints were unmet, adaptive re-optimization was performed, and plans were compared. Results: The total time per fraction in this study was approximately 19 ± 6 min, falling within the reported feasibility range for online ART. sCT image quality was significantly improved, making them suitable for subsequent auto-segmentation and treatment planning. The auto-segmentation technique substantially enhanced contouring efficiency, with the automatically generated contours requiring only minor modifications to meet clinical standards. In dosimetric analysis, the adaptive plans provided superior target coverage, CI, and HI. Compared with the actual dose delivered by the original plan, the adaptive plans yielded lower bladder V40 and lower rectal mean dose/V30/V40/V50. Conclusions: This study preliminarily validated the feasibility of an integrated AI workflow that concatenates CycleGAN-based sCT generation, nnU-Net-based auto-segmentation, and sCT-based adaptive plan re-optimization. Compared with conventional segmented studies, this integrated exploration facilitates a more comprehensive assessment of the potential value of AI technologies in CBCT-guided prostate cancer ART, offering a preliminary solution for promoting a cost-effective adaptive radiotherapy approach.
Keywords:
artificial intelligence
synthetic CT
auto-segmentation
prostate cancer
adaptive radiotherapy

Journal

Cancers cover
Cancers
IF:
4.4
Papers:
6.3K
Citations:
12.5W

Organization

T
these authors contributed equally to this work.
Scholars:
1.4K
Papers: 689
Citations: 0
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers