Spatially fractionated radiation therapy (SFRT)

Spatially fractionated radiation therapy (SFRT), sometimes referred to as spatial dose fractionation, is an approach in radiation oncology in which the radiation dose is intentionally delivered to the tumor in a non-uniform, spatially heterogeneous pattern, often using GRID-blocks, multileaf collimators, or lattice arrangements, creating regions of high-dose (“peaks”) alternating with low-dose (“valleys”) zones within the targeted tissue. This design distinguishes SFRT from conventional homogeneous dosing and is used to treat large or radioresistant tumors, aiming to spare surrounding normal tissues, stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, and exploit radiobiological phenomena such as the bystander effect and vascular disruption. SFRT is a technique and not a discrete molecular target[1][4][3][2]. To clarify: Spatial dose fractionation/SFRT is a treatment modality/technique and should not be considered a druggable molecular or cellular target.

Other names

GRID therapyLattice radiotherapy (LRT)Minibeam radiotherapy (MBRT)Microbeam radiotherapy (MRT)Spatial dose fractionationSpatial fractionation