Emerging Opportunities in Radiation Oncology: AI, Radiomics, and Particle Therapy Breakthroughs

Dear Colleagues,

Radiotherapy is undergoing a transformation driven by innovations in artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, and particle therapy technologies. This Special Issue aims to highlight emerging opportunities that elevate the precision, personalization, and effectiveness of cancer treatment. Topics include AI-guided treatment plan optimization, automated workflows to support adaptive radiotherapy, and predictive modeling integrating radiomics with clinical and molecular features. Additionally, the unique physical and biological benefits of proton and heavy-ion therapy offer new frontiers for improving tumor control and reducing toxicity across diverse malignancies.

Contributions addressing clinical validation, comparative effectiveness, long-term outcomes, and health-economic perspectives are encouraged, as well as research exploring ethical deployment and equitable access. By bringing together multidisciplinary perspectives, this collection will help accelerate the translation of cutting-edge technologies into patient-centered radiotherapy.

We invite you to contribute to this Special Issue focusing on transformative advances in radiotherapy. The Issue will explore the following topics:

• AI-enhanced treatment planning and adaptive workflows;
• Radiomics for precision outcome prediction;
• Integration of particle therapy (protons and heavy ions);
• New clinical evidence on particle therapies;
• Cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and ethical implications.

This Issue aims to highlight how emerging technologies and clinical data are reshaping radiation oncology. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives from across disciplines. The Issue will complement existing research by offering fresh insights into AI applications, radiomics-driven personalization, and the evolving role of particle therapy in clinical practice.

We look forward to your valuable submissions.

Dr. Antonio Pontoriero
Dr. Sara Lillo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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