Latest Research Publications from the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute
Each research study published is one step forward to better understanding cancer and the effectiveness of cancer treatment options. Below are the latest publications by our physicians and physicists, either as primary investigators or coauthors with oncology experts from around the world. Many of the studies had University of Florida radiation oncology residents as the principal investigator: which highlights the multifaceted mission of UF as an academic medical center: clinical care, research, and medical education. Incorporating training and research at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute is an integral part of the UF radiation oncology residency program.
The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute physicians, physicists and contributing staff members are indicated in bold.
Read our full research portfolio here.
Pediatric Cancer
Article Title:
Long-Term Outcomes of Consolidative Proton Therapy for Pediatric Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma. December 2025
Authors:
Daniela Martir-Vargas, MD, Daniel J Indelicato, MD, Allison Bechtel, Manisha Bansal, Jordan Milner, Jennifer B Dean, Christopher G Morris, MS, Nancy P Mendenhall, MD, FACR, FASTRO, Raymond B Mailhot Vega
Why this is important:
This study examines the long-term outcomes and safety of proton therapy in 74 pediatric patients with Hodgkin lymphoma treated at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute since 2007. At a median follow-up of 5.5 years, the survival rate was 96% and the relapse-free survival rate was 84%. Recurrences were uncommon (n=9) and predominantly occurred in patients with high-risk features but were successfully salvaged in most cases. No serious side effects were observed, and only 1 patient developed a secondary radiation-induced tumor, which has been a longstanding concern in the treatment of children with lymphoma using traditional radiation. These findings support the use of proton therapy as an effective and well-tolerated treatment for young patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, including those with relapsed/refractory disease.
The principal investigator was a University of Florida radiation oncology resident.
Article Title:
Outcomes Following Proton Radiation for Pediatric Meningiomas. January 2026
Authors:
Elizabeth Thompson, MD, Daniel J Indelicato, MD, Ryan J Brisson, Julie A Bradley, MD, MHCDS, Darren Klawinski, Nathan J Ranalli, Raymond B Mailhot Vega
Why this is important:
This study reports outcomes of 18 pediatric patients with meningiomas treated with proton therapy at the University of Florida between 2006-2024. Meningiomas are rare in children, representing about 2% of all pediatric brain tumors. Pediatric meningiomas are distinct from adult meningiomas, often occurring in patients with neurofibromatosis. At 10 years, the study found tumor control rate of 87% and overall survival rate of 94%. To date, this represents the largest study of children treated with radiation for meningioma. This is important as multiple studies suggest that children with brain tumors have better outcomes when treated at high volume centers like the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute.
The principal investigator was a UF radiation oncology resident.
Prostate Cancer
Article Title:
Combining Statins with Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: From Photon Experience to Proton Potential. January 2026
Authors:
Mohammad Saki, DSc, PhD, Mark E Artz, Jiyeon Park, PhD, Perry B Johnson, PhD, Curtis Bryant, MD, MPH, K C Balaji, Hardev Grewal, PhD
Why this is important:
While statins are known to be used to manage cholesterol, they also make tumor cells more susceptible to radiation, also known as radiosensitization. As a result, statins have been used to improve treatment outcomes for patients with prostate cancer in conjunction with traditional (photon) radiation treatment. This publication explores the use of statins in radiation treatment and encourages clinical trials to find out if there will be similar effects with proton therapy, especially in high-risk patients.
Improving Cancer Treatment for Patients
Article Title:
Automated Treatment Plan Integrity Verification for Proton Therapy: Enhancing Error Detection and Workflow Efficiency. December 2025
Authors:
Jiyeon Park, PhD, Emily Feldman, BS, Mark Artz, PhD, Jobin George, BS, Hardev Grewal, PhD, Meng Wei Ho, MS, Perry Johnson, PhD, Emma Viviers, MS, Yawei Zhang, PhD
Why this is important:
In 2025, the medical physics team at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute was awarded the W. Martin Smith Interdisciplinary Patient Safety and Loss Prevention Award for their project to develop a program called “Auto-IniCheck”. They recently published some of the first outcomes of the use of Auto-IniCheck with the goal of improving workflow efficiency and reviewing proton therapy treatment plans for errors and plan optimization before a patient starts treatment. The medical physicists found that Auto-IniCheck was able to reduce the time it took to review plans by 60% - 65%. This is critical in maintaining high quality assurance of the treatment planning process at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute.
Radiation Oncology Education
Book Title:
Perez, Brady, Halperin, and Wazer's Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology. August 2025
Chapter 20 - Particle Therapy: Protons, Heavy Ions, and Neutrons
Authors:
Nancy P. Mendenhall, MD, FACR, FASTRO, Perry B. Johnson, PhD
Why this is important:
The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute Medical Director Nancy Mendenhall, MD, FACR, FASTRO, and Director of Physics Perry Johnson, PhD, were invited to write a chapter in the 8th Edition of one of the leading medical textbooks for the field of radiation oncology. This chapter focuses on the principles of radiation therapy with particles such as protons, heavy ions and neutrons. The benefits of proton therapy due to the properties of protons and their radiation dose distribution is now fully included in the training of radiation oncologists in medical school.