New project to improve tumor delineation

Fruit of the joint work of researchers from the Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRYCIS)the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM)the Technological Applications company and the metrodora educational group, with the participation of the students of its metrodora Center of Excellence FP–Madrid Chamber of Commercehave created the tool OAR-Train to improve the precision in tumor delineation through clinical simulation, thus optimizing technical training and patient safety.

In radiotherapy, every millimeter counts: correctly marking the limits can be the difference between preserving a healthy organ or compromising the effectiveness of the treatment. OAR-Train provides a safe environment for healthcare personnel in training to practice tumor and organ at risk (OAR) delineation in oncology patients. The platform offers real cases, expert feedback and a comparison system with results from specialists, allowing autonomous learning, flexible practice and continuous improvement.

The Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, driving the clinical need, has provided scientific and technical knowledge through IRYCIS: reference standards, case supervision and health validation. The UPM has defined the requirements and developed the prototype; Technological Applications has designed the training tool in a context of technology transfer; and metrodora, with teachers and students from its center of excellence, has validated and adapted the platform to the needs of the end user. As pointed out Angel Asensiopresident of the Madrid Chamber of Commercethis project is an example of public-private collaboration and intergenerational collaboration of professionals.

“With projects like this, the Community of Madrid reaffirms its commitment to a advanced technical trainingbased on applied science, technological innovation and collaboration between university and business,” he noted. Mercedes ZarzalejoDeputy Minister of Universities, Research and Science, during the official presentation on Thursday at the Metrodora FP Center of Excellence – Chamber of Commerce of Madrid.

Also participating in the event were Ana Isabel Gonzálezhead of the International Innovation and Research Promotion Area of ​​the Ministry of Health, who highlighted that “Madrid is once again positioned as a reference in biomedical progress and digital health, demonstrating how public-private collaboration improves patient safety”; and Angel Asensio, president of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, who stressed his “satisfaction for being part of this pioneering initiative in which our students have actively contributed with their talent and enthusiasm.”

On the part of the collaborating entities, Hector Martinez, CEO of the educational group metrodora, highlighted: “This training tool, linked to real clinical practice, transforms the preparation of healthcare students. It is a pride to work with partners who share our passion for excellence.”

The presentation of the project was carried out by the Dr. Carolina de la Pinta, medical specialist in Radiation Oncology at HURyC and researcher at IRYCIS, who stressed that “although radiotherapy is the most important tool after surgery in the treatment of cancer, until now there was no safe digital environment to train the contouring of organs without limit and without risk for the patient.”

She was accompanied by Dr. María Elena Hernando, professor at the UPM Biomedical Technology Center, who noted that “it is a privilege to contribute our experience in biomedical technology to create a tool that combines scientific rigor and clinical practice, offering more precise and safe training.”

From the technological field, Pablo Bellido, head of the Department of Radiological Protection and Medical Physics of Technological Applications, highlighted that “OAR-Train has been an exciting project full of challenges. The multidisciplinary team created brings real clinical experience to the training of specialists.”

Finally, Alejandro de Cózar, José Antonio Rojo —FP metrodora teachers— and Paula Torres, student of the Higher Degree in Radiotherapy and Dosimetry, shared their experience as pilot users of OAR-Train, confirming a significant improvement in learning organ contouring and in the safety of the training process.