The concept of virtual clinical trials: A game changer in radiation oncology research?

Corinne Faivre-Finn; Colin Baker; Clare Dempsey; Jasmin Fisher; Alejandro F. Frangi; Andrew Gosling; Crispin Hiley; Matthew Lowe; Tom Marchant; Alan McWilliam; Gareth Price; Romelie Rieu; Marcel van Herk; Eliana Vasquez Osorio; David Woolf; Marianne Aznar

doi:10.1016/j.radonc.2025.111264

The concept of virtual clinical trials: A game changer in radiation oncology research?

Corinne Faivre-Finn^*
, Colin Baker
, Clare Dempsey
, Jasmin Fisher
, Alejandro F. Frangi
, Andrew Gosling
, Crispin Hiley
, Matthew Lowe
, Tom Marchant
, Alan McWilliam
, Gareth Price
, Romelie Rieu
, Marcel van Herk
, Eliana Vasquez Osorio
, David Woolf
, Marianne Aznar

^*Corresponding author for this work

University of Manchester
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
University College London
The Institute of Cancer Research
Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Article number	111264
Journal	Radiotherapy and oncology
Volume	214
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2025.111264
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2026

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Faivre-Finn, C., Baker, C., Dempsey, C., Fisher, J., Frangi, A. F., Gosling, A., Hiley, C., Lowe, M., Marchant, T., McWilliam, A., Price, G., Rieu, R., van Herk, M., Vasquez Osorio, E., Woolf, D., & Aznar, M. (2026). The concept of virtual clinical trials: A game changer in radiation oncology research? Radiotherapy and oncology, 214, Article 111264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2025.111264

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title = "The concept of virtual clinical trials: A game changer in radiation oncology research?",

abstract = "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.",

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Faivre-Finn, C, Baker, C, Dempsey, C, Fisher, J, Frangi, AF, Gosling, A, Hiley, C, Lowe, M, Marchant, T, McWilliam, A, Price, G, Rieu, R, van Herk, M, Vasquez Osorio, E, Woolf, D & Aznar, M 2026, 'The concept of virtual clinical trials: A game changer in radiation oncology research?', Radiotherapy and oncology, vol. 214, 111264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2025.111264

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T1 - The concept of virtual clinical trials

T2 - A game changer in radiation oncology research?

AU - Faivre-Finn, Corinne

AU - Baker, Colin

AU - Dempsey, Clare

AU - Fisher, Jasmin

AU - Frangi, Alejandro F.

AU - Gosling, Andrew

AU - Hiley, Crispin

AU - Lowe, Matthew

AU - Marchant, Tom

AU - McWilliam, Alan

AU - Price, Gareth

AU - Rieu, Romelie

AU - van Herk, Marcel

AU - Vasquez Osorio, Eliana

AU - Woolf, David

AU - Aznar, Marianne

PY - 2026/1/1

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020783410

U2 - 10.1016/j.radonc.2025.111264

DO - 10.1016/j.radonc.2025.111264

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SN - 0167-8140

VL - 214

JO - Radiotherapy and oncology

JF - Radiotherapy and oncology

M1 - 111264

ER -

The concept of virtual clinical trials: A game changer in radiation oncology research?

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