Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Radiotherapy Delivery Systems for Cancer Treatment: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness, Cost-Effectiveness and Guidelines

Details

Files
Project Status:
Completed
Project Line:
Health Technology Review
Project Sub Line:
Summary with Critical Appraisal
Project Number:
RC1085-000

Question

  1. What is the clinical effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging-guided radiotherapy delivery systems for the treatment of patients with cancer requiring radiotherapy?
  2. What is the cost-effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging-guided radiotherapy delivery systems for the treatment of patients with cancer requiring radiotherapy?
  3. What are the evidence-based guidelines regarding the use of magnetic resonance imaging-guided radiotherapy delivery systems for the treatment of patients with cancer requiring radiotherapy?

Key Message

One relevant non-randomized, retrospective cohort study was identified comparing the clinical effectiveness of a magnetic resonance imaging-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) delivery system to a linear accelerator delivery system for the treatment of lung cancer patients with cancer requiring radiotherapy. This study examined mean lung density changes after treatment as an approach to examine early radiological lung damage. Evidence of limited quality from this study found no significant differences in mean lung density changes for patients who had lung stereotactic ablative radiotherapy using a MRgRT delivery system (i.e., tri-60Co MRgRT) versus a linear accelerator delivery system.No evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of MRgRT delivery systems for the treatment of patients with cancer requiring radiotherapy were identified.No relevant evidence-based guidelines were identified for the use of MRgRT delivery systems for the treatment of patients with cancer requiring radiotherapy.Given the limited availability and low quality of evidence, the effectiveness and utility of MRgRT delivery systems for the treatment of patients with cancer requiring radiotherapy remains uncertain.