The concept of virtual clinical trials: A game changer in radiation oncology research?
Virtual clinical trials use computer simulations (e.g. radiation physics and radiobiology) and/or real-world data (e.g. patient anatomy and tissue characteristics) to model radiation oncology treatments, addressing limitations of traditional clinical trials. They aim to enhance subsequent trial design, improve patient selection, and reduce risk of unsuccessful trials. AI promises to boost their precision, enabling faster, more efficient research that keeps pace with evolving technologies and better reflects real-world clinical practice. Note: Many different terms are used in the literature to describe computer-simulated research approaches, including virtual clinical trials, simulated trials, and in silico trials. In this paper, we have chosen to use the term virtual clinical trials for consistency and clarity.
Authors
- Corinne Faivre‐Finn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5617-9781)
- Marcel van Herk (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6448-898X)
- Eliana Vásquez Osorio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0741-994X)
- Alan McWilliam (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7344-2868)
- Gareth Price (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4353-3360)
- David Woolf (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4469-553X)
- Crispin T. Hiley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5869-0775)
- Romélie Rieu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9750-7200)
- Alejandro Federico Frangi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2675-528X)
- Clare Dempsey
- Jasmin Fisher (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4477-9047)
- Marianne Aznar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6452-0310)
- Tom Marchant (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3603-4275)
- Matthew Lowe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7685-8156)
- Colin Baker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7293-3330)
- Andrew J. Gosling (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1776-4969)
Institutions
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- University of Manchester (GB)
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (GB)
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence (GB)
- University College London (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Radiotherapy and Oncology
- Published
- 2025-11-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2025.111264
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Cancer Research UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Research
- Department of Health and Social Care
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Centre
- Manchester Biomedical Research Centre
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- Research England