A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
KaSARi: a national framework for standardized, automated, and predictive radiotherapy in Finland; 
Authors: Seppälä, Jan; Tengström, Maria; Korkalainen, Henri; Virén, Tuomas; Honkanen, Juuso TJ; Nikkinen, Juha; Lehtiö, Kaisa; Ålgars, Annika; Keyriläinen, Jani; Suilamo, Sami; Nurmi, Heidi; Skyttä, Tanja; Boman, Eeva; Vatanen, Tero; Sailas, Liisa; Arkko, Ulla-Mari; Vuolukka, Kristiina; Koivumäki, Tuomas; Metsäharju, Tiina; Voivalin, Timo; Heikkilä, Janne
Publisher: MJS Publishing, Medical Journals Sweden AB
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Acta Oncologica
Volume: 65
First page : 430
Last page: 436
ISSN: 0284-186X
eISSN: 1651-226X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/1651-226X.2026.45682
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.2340/1651-226x.2026.45682
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/526541192
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
Background and purpose: National radiotherapy (RT) data infrastructures are emerging to support treatment quality assurance and outcome research. However, prospective nationwide integration of full DICOM-RT data with toxicity and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) remains uncommon. KaSARi (Key advances in Standardizing, Automating, and predicting Risks in RT) was established to create national research infrastructure for prospective RT data collection and integration in Finland.
Materials and methods: KaSARi is a prospective, consent-based multicenter cohort infrastructure involving Finnish university and central hospitals. All adult patients receiving RT are eligible. DICOM-RT datasets from treatment planning and oncology information systems are linked to clinician-graded toxicity, PROMs and relevant clinical variables. The infrastructure builds on previously validated multi-institutional DICOM workflows and follows FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles. Predefined work packages support data harmonization, scalable data processing and enable downstream applications such as AI-based segmentation, dose prediction, and outcome modeling.
Results: Patient recruitment started in May 2025. By February 2026, 221 patients had been enrolled at the coordinating center, initially including breast cancer patients and subsequently expanding to all RT indications. Recruitment at a second center began in November 2025, with 37 patients enrolled. The infrastructure is projected to include approximately 29,000 patients over 15 years. Integration of dosimetric, clinical and PROM data is progressing through a phased national implementation as additional centers join the network.
Interpretation: KaSARi represents a national infrastructure prospectively integrating full DICOM-RT datasets with clinician-graded toxicity and PROMs across all RT indications within a unified research protocol. The study provides a foundation for nationwide outcome modeling, harmonization of RT practices and development and validation of data-driven AI-based methods.
Keywords:
national data collection
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |
Funding information in the publication:
The authors have received funding from the Emil Aaltonen Foundation and State Research Funding for university-level
health research, KUH, Wellbeing Service County of North Savo (Project number 5654256). The initiative operates within the framework of the Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN) collaboration network. NACP 2026 was financially supported by the Acta Oncologica Foundation.