Digital Twin Software for Optimization of Cancer Radiation Therapy

Fast-Track proposals will be accepted. Direct-to-Phase II proposals will be accepted. Number of anticipated awards: 2-4 Budget (total costs, per award): Phase I: up to $400,000 for up to 12 months Phase II: up to $2,250,000 for up to 2 years PROPOSALS THAT EXCEED THE BUDGET OR PROJECT DURATION LISTED ABOVE MAY NOT BE FUNDED. Summary Digital Twins (DTs) are virtual multidimensional models of systems designed to allow virtual testing and prediction. DTs are a new and highly promising tool for medicine as noted in a recent report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM). Recent publications indicated that the application of DT-based disease models could greatly benefit patients under treatments with complex scales, where intervention is expensive, and outcomes if improper processes are employed, can be suboptimal. Research evidence has shown that radiation therapy, which has multidimensional variables, could take advantage of DT's tools to optimize treatments. The purpose of this solicitation is to support the development of DT software that can help optimize the use of therapeutic radiation in patient care by utilizing multi-scale data, with examples of dimensions or scales being the following: molecular fingerprinting, the organ at risk location, and treatment modality (brachytherapy, proton, electron, photon, and all subtypes of these options) including potential combination therapy available to the patient that may include other classes of agents such as chemotherapy, biologic therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and other types of therapies based on geography, standard treatment options and/or real-time trial availability. The outcomes sought via the DT software will be variable based on proposals, but the underlying overall goal is to help patients receive optimal treatment, follow-up, and referral by assisting in decision-making on all levels. It should be noted that DTs are relevant to the NCI Cancer Moonshot Program in terms of the integration of multi-scale data as a priority area.