New Model Quantifies Radiation Exposure to Blood During cancer Therapy
For years, radiotherapy has focused on shielding organs near tumors, but the impact of radiation on blood – a crucial, constantly circulating tissue – has largely been overlooked in dose calculations. Even small amounts of energy absorbed by blood cells as thay pass through a radiation field can accumulate, possibly weakening the immune system or causing hematological toxicity. Now, a new model aims to address this gap and improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, spain, have developed Flip-hedos, a tool designed to quantify the radiation dose absorbed by blood during therapy. The method integrates patient-specific anatomy, blood circulation data, and radiotherapy plans to simulate the timing and extent of blood irradiation. This approach treats blood as an “organ at risk,” drawing on expertise in physics, oncology, and engineering to inform personalized radiotherapy planning.
A validation study conducted in collaboration with clinical doctors demonstrated that factors like tumor proximity to major blood vessels, the type of radiation used, and variations in cardiac output significantly influence blood irradiation levels. The research highlighted that even low doses of radiation can damage lymphocytes, potentially compromising the immune response during cancer treatment.
Flip-Hedos has garnered attention at several international conferences, including the European Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) in Austria (May 2025), the Radiation Research Society Conference in the USA (September 2024), and the Spanish Society of Medical Physics (May 2025). Findings from the research have also been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Physics in Medicine & Biology, and Clinical Cancer Research. These recognitions underscore the tool’s validity and potential to advance radiotherapeutic oncology.
Beyond radiotherapy planning,the Flip-Hedos method could be adapted to simulate the distribution of drugs or radiopharmaceuticals and to evaluate radioprotection strategies. By modeling cumulative exposure,the tool offers opportunities to optimize treatment regimens and beam targeting to minimize damage to blood. Researchers believe this represents a significant shift in focus towards protecting the immune system and improving the quality of life for patients undergoing precision oncology.
“Considering blood as a dynamic organ that must be protected represents a paradigm shift in modern radiotherapy,” stated Professor Javier Burguete, Professor of Medical and Biophysical physics at the University of Navarra and director of the research. “This research not only responds to a scientific need, but also to a clinical imperative: to offer safer treatments without compromising oncological efficacy.”
