Mohan Lab for Particle Radiation Therapy Research
Radhe Mohan, Ph.D.
Professor, Radiation Physics
Larry and Pat McNeil Chair in Radiation Oncology
- Departments, Labs and Institutes
- Labs
- Mohan Lab for Particle Radiation Therapy Research
Areas of Research
- Radiation Physics
- Radiation Oncology
Our lab is engaged in the research and development in various areas of radiotherapy with particles (protons and heavier ions). These include intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) optimization, quality assurance, commissioning, image guidance, treatment response assessment and modeling, and clinical, biological and immuno modulatory aspects. Most recently, our activities have branched into ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) radiotherapy. The goals of our research include the following: (1) Expand our understanding of the basic physical, biophysical, biochemical, biological and immunomodulatory mechanisms of the clinical effects of photon and particle irradiations. (2) Employ the knowledge thus gained to develop personalized treatment response models. (3) Improve the accuracy, robustness (resilience to uncertainties) and optimality (clinical effectiveness) of biologically effective dose distributions. (4) Incorporate personalized models into the criteria of optimization of IMRT and IMPT to enhance the therapeutic ratio and to achieve greater confidence in the estimates of outcomes based on planned treatments. (5) Improve our understanding of the basic physics, radiochemical and biological mechanisms of FLASH radiotherapy.
Our Research
Clinical, biological and immunomodulatory aspects of radiation therapy with focus on particles (protons and heavier ions):
- Personalized treatment response assessment and predictive modeling using advanced biostatical and machine learning approaches
- Understanding and personalized modeling of radiation-induced immune system toxicity and developing dosimetric approaches to prevent or mitigate it
- Understanding and modeling of radiation-induced stimulation of tumor suppression mechanism of the immune system
- Understanding the biological effects of protons and heavier ions and clinically relevant relative biological effect (RBE) modeling for particle therapy
- Robust optimization of IMPT and beam configurations for protons and heavier ions incorporating linear energy transfer and RBE
- Understanding underlying physical, radiochemical and radiobiological mechanisms of FLASH radiotherapy with electrons and protons
Funding Support
- NIH R01 (04/01/2021-03/31/2026) Risk prediction and longitudinal assessment of cardiotoxicity and functional capacity trajectory in NSCLC patients, Zhongxing Liao (PI)
- NCI R01 (12/01/2020-11/30/2025) Determining the optimal ion and fractionation scheme for the treatment of GBM in a comprehensive human organoid model, David Grosshans, PI
- NIH P01 Program Project (9/1/2021-8/31/2026) Integrating patient-specific clinical and biological factors towards individualizing utilization of proton and photon radiation therapy, Radhe Mohan, PI
- Larry and Pat McNeil Endowed Chair, Radhe Mohan, PI