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Fu J, Yang Z, Melemenidis S, Viswanathan V, Dutt S, Manjappa R, Lau B, Soto LA, Ashraf MR, Skinner L, Yu SJ, Surucu M, Casey KM, Rankin EB, Graves E, Lu W, Loo BW, Gu X. Exploring Deep Learning for Estimating the Isoeffective Dose of FLASH Irradiation From Mouse Intestinal Histological Images. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 119:1001-1010. [PMID: 38171387 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ultrahigh-dose-rate (FLASH) irradiation has been reported to reduce normal tissue damage compared with conventional dose rate (CONV) irradiation without compromising tumor control. This proof-of-concept study aims to develop a deep learning (DL) approach to quantify the FLASH isoeffective dose (dose of CONV that would be required to produce the same effect as the given physical FLASH dose) with postirradiation mouse intestinal histology images. METHODS AND MATERIALS Eighty-four healthy C57BL/6J female mice underwent 16 MeV electron CONV (0.12 Gy/s; n = 41) or FLASH (200 Gy/s; n = 43) single fraction whole abdominal irradiation. Physical dose ranged from 12 to 16 Gy for FLASH and 11 to 15 Gy for CONV in 1 Gy increments. Four days after irradiation, 9 jejunum cross-sections from each mouse were hematoxylin and eosin stained and digitized for histological analysis. CONV data set was randomly split into training (n = 33) and testing (n = 8) data sets. ResNet101-based DL models were retrained using the CONV training data set to estimate the dose based on histological features. The classical manual crypt counting (CC) approach was implemented for model comparison. Cross-section-wise mean squared error was computed to evaluate the dose estimation accuracy of both approaches. The validated DL model was applied to the FLASH data set to map the physical FLASH dose into the isoeffective dose. RESULTS The DL model achieved a cross-section-wise mean squared error of 0.20 Gy2 on the CONV testing data set compared with 0.40 Gy2 of the CC approach. Isoeffective doses estimated by the DL model for FLASH doses of 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 Gy were 12.19 ± 0.46, 12.54 ± 0.37, 12.69 ± 0.26, 12.84 ± 0.26, and 13.03 ± 0.28 Gy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our proposed DL model achieved accurate CONV dose estimation. The DL model results indicate that in the physical dose range of 13 to 16 Gy, the biologic dose response of small intestinal tissue to FLASH irradiation is represented by a lower isoeffective dose compared with the physical dose. Our DL approach can be a tool for studying isoeffective doses of other radiation dose modifying interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Fu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Zi Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Medical Artificial Intelligence and Automation (MAIA) Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Stavros Melemenidis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Vignesh Viswanathan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Suparna Dutt
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Rakesh Manjappa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Brianna Lau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Luis A Soto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - M Ramish Ashraf
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Lawrie Skinner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Shu-Jung Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Murat Surucu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Kerriann M Casey
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Erinn B Rankin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Edward Graves
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Weiguo Lu
- Medical Artificial Intelligence and Automation (MAIA) Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Billy W Loo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
| | - Xuejun Gu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
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Harrison N, Kang M, Liu R, Charyyev S, Wahl N, Liu W, Zhou J, Higgins KA, Simone CB, Bradley JD, Dynan WS, Lin L. A Novel Inverse Algorithm To Solve the Integrated Optimization of Dose, Dose Rate, and Linear Energy Transfer of Proton FLASH Therapy With Sparse Filters. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 119:957-967. [PMID: 38104869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.11.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The recently proposed Integrated Physical Optimization Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IPO-IMPT) framework allows simultaneous optimization of dose, dose rate, and linear energy transfer (LET) for ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) treatment planning. Finding solutions to IPO-IMPT is difficult because of computational intensiveness. Nevertheless, an inverse solution that simultaneously specifies the geometry of a sparse filter and weights of a proton intensity map is desirable for both clinical and preclinical applications. Such solutions can reduce effective biologic dose to organs at risk in patients with cancer as well as reduce the number of animal irradiations needed to derive extra biologic dose models in preclinical studies. METHODS AND MATERIALS Unlike the initial forward heuristic, this inverse IPO-IMPT solution includes simultaneous optimization of sparse range compensation, sparse range modulation, and spot intensity. The daunting computational tasks vital to this endeavor were resolved iteratively with a distributed computing framework to enable Simultaneous Intensity and Energy Modulation and Compensation (SIEMAC). SIEMAC was demonstrated on a human patient with central lung cancer and a minipig. RESULTS SIEMAC simultaneously improves maps of spot intensities and patient-field-specific sparse range compensators and range modulators. For the patient with lung cancer, at our maximum nozzle current of 300 nA, dose rate coverage above 100 Gy/s increased from 57% to 96% in the lung and from 93% to 100% in the heart, and LET coverage above 4 keV/µm dropped from 68% to 9% in the lung and from 26% to <1% in the heart. For a simple minipig plan, the full-width half-maximum of the dose, dose rate, and LET distributions decreased by 30%, 1.6%, and 57%, respectively, again with similar target dose coverage, thus reducing uncertainty in these quantities for preclinical studies. CONCLUSIONS The inverse solution to IPO-IMPT demonstrated the capability to simultaneously modulate subspot proton energy and intensity distributions for clinical and preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ruirui Liu
- Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska
| | | | - Niklas Wahl
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wei Liu
- Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Jun Zhou
- Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Kim K, Pandey PK, Gonzalez G, Chen Y, Xiang L. Simulation study of protoacoustics as a real-time in-line dosimetry tool for FLASH proton therapy. Med Phys 2024; 51:5070-5080. [PMID: 38116792 PMCID: PMC11186976 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Applying ultra-high dose rates to radiation therapy, otherwise known as FLASH, has been shown to be just as effective while sparing more normal tissue compared to conventional radiation therapy. However, there is a need for a dosimeter that is able to detect such high instantaneous dose, particularly in vivo. To fulfill this need, protoacoustics is introduced, which is an in vivo range verification method with submillimeter accuracy. PURPOSE The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of using protoacoustics as a method of in vivo real-time monitoring during FLASH proton therapy and investigating the resulting protoacoustic signal when dose per pulse and pulsewidth are varied through multiple simulation studies. METHODS The dose distribution of a proton pencil beam was calculated through a Monte Carlo toolbox, TOPAS. Next, the k-Wave toolbox in MATLAB was used for performing protoacoustic simulations, where the initial proton dose deposition was inputted to model acoustic propagations, which were also used for reconstructions. Simulations involving the manipulation of the dose per pulse and pulsewidth were performed, and the temporal and spatial resolution for protoacoustic reconstructions were investigated as well. A 3D reconstruction was performed with a multiple beam spot profile to investigate the spatial resolution as well as determine the feasibility of 3D imaging with protoacoustics. RESULTS Our results showed consistent linearity in the increasing dose-per-pulse, even up to rates considered for FLASH. The simulations and reconstructions were performed for a range of pulsewidths from 0.1 to 10 μs. The results show the characteristics of the proton beam after convolving the protoacoustic signal with the varying pulsewidths. 3D reconstruction was successfully performed with each beam being distinguishable using an 8 cm × 8 cm planar array. These simulation results show that measurements using protoacoustics has the potential for in vivo dosimetry in FLASH therapy during patient treatments in real time. CONCLUSION Through this simulation study, the use of protoacoustics in FLASH therapy was verified and explored through observations of varying parameters, such as the dose per pulse and pulsewidth. 2D and 3D reconstructions were also completed. This study shows the significance of using protoacoustics and provides necessary information, which can further be explored in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Prabodh Kumar Pandey
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Gilberto Gonzalez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Liangzhong Xiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
- Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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Clark M, Harms J, Vasyltsiv R, Sloop A, Kozelka J, Simon B, Zhang R, Gladstone D, Bruza P. Quantitative, real-time scintillation imaging for experimental comparison of different dose and dose rate estimations in UHDR proton pencil beams. Med Phys 2024. [PMID: 38860497 DOI: 10.1002/mp.17247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy (UHDR-RT) has demonstrated normal tissue sparing capabilities, termed the FLASH effect; however, available dosimetry tools make it challenging to characterize the UHDR beams with sufficiently high concurrent spatial and temporal resolution. Novel dosimeters are needed for safe clinical implementation and improved understanding of the effect of UHDR-RT. PURPOSE Ultra-fast scintillation imaging has been shown to provide a unique tool for spatio-temporal dosimetry of conventional cyclotron pencil beam scanning (PBS) deliveries, indicating the potential use for characterization of UHDR PBS proton beams. The goal of this work is to introduce this novel concept and demonstrate its capabilities in recording high-resolution dose rate maps at FLASH-capable proton beam currents, as compared to log-based dose rate calculation, internally developed UHDR beam simulation, and a fast point detector (EDGE diode). METHODS The light response of a scintillator sheet located at isocenter and irradiated by PBS proton fields (40-210 nA, 250 MeV) was imaged by an ultra-fast iCMOS camera at 4.5-12 kHz sampling frequency. Camera sensor and image intensifier gain were optimized to maximize the dynamic range; the camera acquisition rate was also varied to evaluate the optimal sampling frequency. Large field delivery enabled flat field acquisition for evaluation of system response homogeneity. Image intensity was calibrated to dose with film and the recorded spatio-temporal data was compared to a PPC05 ion chamber, log-based reconstruction, and EDGE diode. Dose and dose rate linearity studies were performed to evaluate agreement under various beam conditions. Calculation of full-field mean and PBS dose rate maps were calculated to highlight the importance of high resolution, full-field information in UHDR studies. RESULTS Camera response was linear with dose (R2 = 0.997) and current (R22 = 0.98) in the range from 2-22 Gy and 40-210 nA, respectively, when compared to ion chamber readings. The deviation of total irradiation time calculated with the imaging system from the log file recordings decreased from 0.07% to 0.03% when imaging at 12 kfps versus 4.5 kfps. Planned and delivered spot positions agreed within 0.2 ± $\pm$ 0.1 mm and total irradiation time agreed within 0.2 ± $\pm$ 0.2 ms when compared with the log files, indicating the high concurrent spatial and temporal resolution. For all deliveries, the PBS dose rate measured at the diode location agreed between the imaging and the diode within 3% ± $\pm$ 2% and with the simulation within 5% ± $\pm$ 3% CONCLUSIONS: Full-field mapping of dose and dose rate is imperative for complete understanding of UHDR PBS proton dose delivery. The high linearity and various spatiotemporal metric reporting capabilities confirm the continued use of this camera system for UHDR beam characterization, especially for spatially resolved dose rate information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Clark
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Joseph Harms
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Roman Vasyltsiv
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Austin Sloop
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | | | - Bill Simon
- Sun Nuclear Inc., Melbourne, Florida, USA
| | - Rongxiao Zhang
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - David Gladstone
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Petr Bruza
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
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Tsai P, Yang Y, Wu M, Chen CC, Yu F, Simone CB, Choi JI, Tomé WA, Lin H. A comprehensive pre-clinical treatment quality assurance program using unique spot patterns for proton pencil beam scanning FLASH radiotherapy. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2024:e14400. [PMID: 38831639 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.14400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quality assurance (QA) for ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) irradiation is a crucial aspect in the emerging field of FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT). This innovative treatment approach delivers radiation at UHDR, demanding careful adoption of QA protocols and procedures. A comprehensive understanding of beam properties and dosimetry consistency is vital to ensure the safe and effective delivery of FLASH-RT. PURPOSE To develop a comprehensive pre-treatment QA program for cyclotron-based proton pencil beam scanning (PBS) FLASH-RT. Establish appropriate tolerances for QA items based on this study's outcomes and TG-224 recommendations. METHODS A 250 MeV proton spot pattern was designed and implemented using UHDR with a 215nA nozzle beam current. The QA pattern that covers a central uniform field area, various spot spacings, spot delivery modes and scanning directions, and enabling the assessment of absolute, relative and temporal dosimetry QA parameters. A strip ionization chamber array (SICA) and an Advanced Markus chamber were utilized in conjunction with a 2 cm polyethylene slab and a range (R80) verification wedge. The data have been monitored for over 3 months. RESULTS The relative dosimetries were compliant with TG-224. The variations of temporal dosimetry for scanning speed, spot dwell time, and spot transition time were within ± 1 mm/ms, ± 0.2 ms, and ± 0.2 ms, respectively. While the beam-to-beam absolute output on the same day reached up to 2.14%, the day-to-day variation was as high as 9.69%. High correlation between the absolute dose and dose rate fluctuations were identified. The dose rate of the central 5 × 5 cm2 field exhibited variations within 5% of the baseline value (155 Gy/s) during an experimental session. CONCLUSIONS A comprehensive QA program for FLASH-RT was developed and effectively assesses the performance of a UHDR delivery system. Establishing tolerances to unify standards and offering direction for future advancements in the evolving FLASH-RT field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yunjie Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mengjou Wu
- New York Proton Center, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Francis Yu
- New York Proton Center, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Wolfgang A Tomé
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Haibo Lin
- New York Proton Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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Stokkevåg CH, Journy N, Vogelius IR, Howell RM, Hodgson D, Bentzen SM. Radiation Therapy Technology Advances and Mitigation of Subsequent Neoplasms in Childhood Cancer Survivors. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 119:681-696. [PMID: 38430101 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.01.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE In this Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (PENTEC) vision paper, challenges and opportunities in the assessment of subsequent neoplasms (SNs) from radiation therapy (RT) are presented and discussed in the context of technology advancement. METHODS AND MATERIALS The paper discusses the current knowledge of SN risks associated with historic, contemporary, and future RT technologies. Opportunities for research and SN mitigation strategies in pediatric patients with cancer are reviewed. RESULTS Present experience with radiation carcinogenesis is from populations exposed during widely different scenarios. Knowledge gaps exist within clinical cohorts and follow-up; dose-response and volume effects; dose-rate and fractionation effects; radiation quality and proton/particle therapy; age considerations; susceptibility of specific tissues; and risks related to genetic predisposition. The biological mechanisms associated with local and patient-level risks are largely unknown. CONCLUSIONS Future cancer care is expected to involve several available RT technologies, necessitating evidence and strategies to assess the performance of competing treatments. It is essential to maximize the utilization of existing follow-up while planning for prospective data collection, including standardized registration of individual treatment information with linkage across patient databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla H Stokkevåg
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Neige Journy
- French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) Unit 1018, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Paris Saclay University, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Ivan R Vogelius
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rebecca M Howell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David Hodgson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Søren M Bentzen
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
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Yagi M, Shimizu S, Hamatani N, Miyoshi T, Nomura T, Toyoda T, Nakatani M, Tsubouchi T, Shimizu M, Kuwana Y, Umezawa M, Takashina M, Nishio T, Koizumi M, Ogawa K, Kanai T. Development and characterization of a dedicated dose monitor for ultrahigh-dose-rate scanned carbon-ion beams. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11574. [PMID: 38773165 PMCID: PMC11109334 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62148-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The current monochromatic beam mode (i.e., uHDR irradiation mode) of the scanned carbon-ion beam lacks a dedicated dose monitor, making the beam control challenging. We developed and characterized a dedicated dose monitor for uHDR-scanned carbon-ion beams. Furthermore, a simple measurable dose rate (dose rate per spot (DRspot)) was suggested by using the developed dose monitor and experimentally validating quantities relevant to the uHDR scanned carbon-ion beam. A large plane-parallel ionization chamber (IC) with a smaller electrode spacing was used to reduce uHDR recombination effects, and a dedicated operational amplifier was manufactured for the uHDR-scanned carbon-ion beam. The dose linearity of the IC was within ± 1% in the range of 1.8-12.3 Gy. The spatial inhomogeneity of the dose response of the IC was ± 0.38% inside the ± 40-mm detector area, and a systematic deviation of approximately 2% was measured at the edge of the detector. uHDR irradiation with beam scanning was tested and verified for different doses at the corresponding dose rates (in terms of both the average dose rate and DRspot). We confirmed that the dose monitor can highlight the characteristics (i.e., dose, dose rate, and dose profile) of uHDR-scanned carbon-ion beams at several dose levels in the monochromatic beam mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Yagi
- Department of Carbon Ion Radiotherapy, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Shinichi Shimizu
- Department of Carbon Ion Radiotherapy, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Noriaki Hamatani
- Department of Medical Physics, Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takuto Miyoshi
- Hitachi, Ltd. Research & Development Group, Ibaraki, Japan
- Healthcare Business Groupe, Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takuya Nomura
- Healthcare Business Division, Hitachi, Ltd, Chiba, Japan
- Healthcare Business Groupe, Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takashi Toyoda
- Healthcare Business Division, Hitachi, Ltd, Chiba, Japan
- Healthcare Business Groupe, Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, Chiba, Japan
| | - Mahoro Nakatani
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Division of Health Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshiro Tsubouchi
- Department of Medical Physics, Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaki Shimizu
- Healthcare Business Division, Hitachi, Ltd, Chiba, Japan
- Healthcare Business Groupe, Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Kuwana
- Healthcare Business Division, Hitachi, Ltd, Chiba, Japan
- Healthcare Business Groupe, Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masumi Umezawa
- Healthcare Business Division, Hitachi, Ltd, Chiba, Japan
- Healthcare Business Groupe, Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masaaki Takashina
- Department of Medical Physics, Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Teiji Nishio
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Division of Health Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiko Koizumi
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nozaki Tokushukai Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ogawa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tatsuaki Kanai
- Department of Medical Physics, Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center, Osaka, Japan
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Chow JCL, Ruda HE. Mechanisms of Action in FLASH Radiotherapy: A Comprehensive Review of Physicochemical and Biological Processes on Cancerous and Normal Cells. Cells 2024; 13:835. [PMID: 38786057 PMCID: PMC11120005 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The advent of FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) has brought forth a paradigm shift in cancer treatment, showcasing remarkable normal cell sparing effects with ultra-high dose rates (>40 Gy/s). This review delves into the multifaceted mechanisms underpinning the efficacy of FLASH effect, examining both physicochemical and biological hypotheses in cell biophysics. The physicochemical process encompasses oxygen depletion, reactive oxygen species, and free radical recombination. In parallel, the biological process explores the FLASH effect on the immune system and on blood vessels in treatment sites such as the brain, lung, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and subcutaneous tissue. This review investigated the selective targeting of cancer cells and the modulation of the tumor microenvironment through FLASH-RT. Examining these mechanisms, we explore the implications and challenges of integrating FLASH-RT into cancer treatment. The potential to spare normal cells, boost the immune response, and modify the tumor vasculature offers new therapeutic strategies. Despite progress in understanding FLASH-RT, this review highlights knowledge gaps, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize its clinical applications. The synthesis of physicochemical and biological insights serves as a comprehensive resource for cell biology, molecular biology, and biophysics researchers and clinicians navigating the evolution of FLASH-RT in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C. L. Chow
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1X6, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
| | - Harry E. Ruda
- Centre of Advance Nanotechnology, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E4, Canada;
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E4, Canada
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Schneider M, Schilz JD, Schürer M, Gantz S, Dreyer A, Rothe G, Tillner F, Bodenstein E, Horst F, Beyreuther E. SAPPHIRE -establishment of small animal proton and photon image-guided radiation experiments. Phys Med Biol 2024; 69:095020. [PMID: 38537301 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad3887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Thein vivoevolution of radiotherapy necessitates innovative platforms for preclinical investigation, bridging the gap between bench research and clinical applications. Understanding the nuances of radiation response, specifically tailored to proton and photon therapies, is critical for optimizing treatment outcomes. Within this context, preclinicalin vivoexperimental setups incorporating image guidance for both photon and proton therapies are pivotal, enabling the translation of findings from small animal models to clinical settings. TheSAPPHIREproject represents a milestone in this pursuit, presenting the installation of the small animal radiation therapy integrated beamline (SmART+ IB, Precision X-Ray Inc., Madison, Connecticut, USA) designed for preclinical image-guided proton and photon therapy experiments at University Proton Therapy Dresden. Through Monte Carlo simulations, low-dose on-site cone beam computed tomography imaging and quality assurance alignment protocols, the project ensures the safe and precise application of radiation, crucial for replicating clinical scenarios in small animal models. The creation of Hounsfield lookup tables and comprehensive proton and photon beam characterizations within this system enable accurate dose calculations, allowing for targeted and controlled comparison experiments. By integrating these capabilities,SAPPHIREbridges preclinical investigations and potential clinical applications, offering a platform for translational radiobiology research and cancer therapy advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Schneider
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Joshua D Schilz
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Schürer
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Medizinische Fakultät and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian Gantz
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anne Dreyer
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
| | - Gert Rothe
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Falk Tillner
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Bodenstein
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
| | - Felix Horst
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elke Beyreuther
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Dresden, Germany
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10
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Cao N, Erickson DPJ, Ford EC, Emery RC, Kranz M, Goff P, Schwarz M, Meyer J, Wong T, Saini J, Bloch C, Stewart RD, Sandison GA, Morimoto A, DeLonais-Dick A, Shaver BA, Rengan R, Zeng J. Preclinical Ultra-High Dose Rate (FLASH) Proton Radiation Therapy System for Small Animal Studies. Adv Radiat Oncol 2024; 9:101425. [PMID: 38379895 PMCID: PMC10877683 DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2023.101425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Animal studies with ultrahigh dose-rate radiation therapy (FLASH, >40 Gy/s) preferentially spare normal tissues without sacrificing antitumor efficacy compared with conventional dose-rate radiation therapy (CONV). At the University of Washington, we developed a cyclotron-generated preclinical scattered proton beam with FLASH dose rates. We present the technical details of our FLASH radiation system and preliminary biologic results from whole pelvis radiation. Methods and Materials A Scanditronix MC50 compact cyclotron beamline has been modified to produce a 48.7 MeV proton beam at dose rates between 0.1 and 150 Gy/s. The system produces a 6 cm diameter scattered proton beam (flat to ± 3%) at the target location. Female C57BL/6 mice 5 to 6 weeks old were used for all experiments. To study normal tissue effects in the distal colon, mice were irradiated using the entrance region of the proton beam to the whole pelvis, 18.5 Gy at different dose rates: control, CONV (0.6-1 Gy/s) and FLASH (50-80 Gy/s). Survival was monitored daily and EdU (5-ethynyl-2´-deoxyuridine) staining was performed at 24- and 96-hours postradiation. Cleaved caspase-3 staining was performed 24-hours postradiation. To study tumor control, allograft B16F10 tumors were implanted in the right flank and received 18 Gy CONV or FLASH proton radiation. Tumor growth and survival were monitored. Results After 18.5 Gy whole pelvis radiation, survival was 100% in the control group, 0% in the CONV group, and 44% in the FLASH group (P < .01). EdU staining showed cell proliferation was significantly higher in the FLASH versus CONV group at both 24-hours and 96-hours postradiation in the distal colon, although both radiation groups showed decreased proliferation compared with controls (P < .05). Lower cleaved caspase-3 staining was seen in the FLASH versus conventional group postradiation (P < .05). Comparable flank tumor control was observed in the CONV and FLASH groups. Conclusions We present our preclinical FLASH proton radiation system and biologic results showing improved survival after whole pelvis radiation, with equivalent tumor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Cao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Eric C. Ford
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Robert C. Emery
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Marissa Kranz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Peter Goff
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Marco Schwarz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Juergen Meyer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Tony Wong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jatinder Saini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Charles Bloch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Robert D. Stewart
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - George A. Sandison
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Alec Morimoto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ava DeLonais-Dick
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ben A. Shaver
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ramesh Rengan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jing Zeng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
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11
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Moteabbed M, Bobić M, Paganetti H, Efstathiou JA. The Role of Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer in the Setting of Hip Prosthesis. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:330. [PMID: 38254818 PMCID: PMC10813677 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Given that the current standard of proton therapy (PT) for prostate cancer is through bilateral beams, this modality is typically avoided when it comes to treatment of patients with hip prosthesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether novel PT methods, i.e., anterior proton beams and proton arc therapy (PArc), could be feasible options to treat this patient subpopulation. We evaluate PT methods in the context of dosimetry and robustness and compare with standard of practice volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to explore any potential benefits. METHODS Two PT and one VMAT treatment plans were retrospectively created for 10 patients who participated in a clinical trial with a weekly repeat CT (rCT) imaging component. All plans were robustly optimized and featured: (1) combination anterior oblique and lateral proton beams (AoL), (2) PArc, and (3) VMAT. All patients had hydrogel spacers in place, which enabled safe application of anterior proton beams. The planned dose was 70 Gy (RBE) to the entire prostate gland and 50 Gy (RBE) to the proximal seminal vesicles in 28 fractions. Along with plan dose-volume metrics, robustness to setup and interfractional variations were evaluated using the weekly rCT images. The linear energy transfer (LET)-weighted dose was evaluated for PArc plans to ensure urethra sparing given the typical high-LET region at the end of range. RESULTS Both PT methods were dosimetrically feasible and provided reduction of some key OAR metrics compared to VMAT except for penile bulb, while providing equally good target coverage. Significant differences in median rectum V35 (22-25%), penile bulb Dmean (5 Gy), rectum V61 (2%), right femoral head Dmean (5 Gy), and bladder V39 (4%) were found between PT and VMAT. All plans were equally robust to variations. LET-weighted dose in urethra was equivalent to the physical dose for PArc plans and hence no added urethral toxicity was expected. CONCLUSIONS PT for treatment of prostate cancer patients with hip prosthesis is feasible and equivalent or potentially superior to VMAT in quality in some cases. The choice of radiotherapy regimen can be personalized based on patient characteristics to achieve the best treatment outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Moteabbed
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA (J.A.E.)
| | - Mislav Bobić
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA (J.A.E.)
- Department of Physics, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Harald Paganetti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA (J.A.E.)
| | - Jason A. Efstathiou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA (J.A.E.)
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12
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Esplen N, Egoriti L, Planche T, Rädel S, Koay HW, Humphries B, Ren X, Ford N, Hoehr C, Gottberg A, Bazalova-Carter M. Dosimetric characterization of a novel UHDR megavoltage X-ray source for FLASH radiobiological experiments. Sci Rep 2024; 14:822. [PMID: 38191885 PMCID: PMC10774358 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50412-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
A first irradiation platform capable of delivering 10 MV X-ray beams at ultra-high dose rates (UHDR) has been developed and characterized for FLASH radiobiological research at TRIUMF. Delivery of both UHDR (FLASH mode) and low dose-rate conventional (CONV mode) irradiations was demonstrated using a common source and experimental setup. Dose rates were calculated using film dosimetry and a non-intercepting beam monitoring device; mean values for a 100 μA pulse (peak) current were nominally 82.6 and 4.40 × 10-2 Gy/s for UHDR and CONV modes, respectively. The field size for which > 40 Gy/s could be achieved exceeded 1 cm down to a depth of 4.1 cm, suitable for total lung irradiations in mouse models. The calculated delivery metrics were used to inform subsequent pre-clinical treatments. Four groups of 6 healthy male C57Bl/6J mice were treated using thoracic irradiations to target doses of either 15 or 30 Gy using both FLASH and CONV modes. Administration of UHDR X-ray irradiation to healthy mouse models was demonstrated for the first time at the clinically-relevant beam energy of 10 MV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolan Esplen
- Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria, Victoria, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Luca Egoriti
- TRIUMF, Vancouver, V6T 2A3, Canada
- Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Xi Ren
- Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Nancy Ford
- Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z1, Canada
- Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Cornelia Hoehr
- Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria, Victoria, V8P 5C2, Canada
- TRIUMF, Vancouver, V6T 2A3, Canada
| | - Alexander Gottberg
- Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria, Victoria, V8P 5C2, Canada
- TRIUMF, Vancouver, V6T 2A3, Canada
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13
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Metzkes-Ng J, Brack FE, Kroll F, Bernert C, Bock S, Bodenstein E, Brand M, Cowan TE, Gebhardt R, Hans S, Helbig U, Horst F, Jansen J, Kraft SD, Krause M, Leßmann E, Löck S, Pawelke J, Püschel T, Reimold M, Rehwald M, Richter C, Schlenvoigt HP, Schramm U, Schürer M, Seco J, Szabó ER, Umlandt MEP, Zeil K, Ziegler T, Beyreuther E. The DRESDEN PLATFORM is a research hub for ultra-high dose rate radiobiology. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20611. [PMID: 37996453 PMCID: PMC10667545 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46873-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The recently observed FLASH effect describes the observation of normal tissue protection by ultra-high dose rates (UHDR), or dose delivery in a fraction of a second, at similar tumor-killing efficacy of conventional dose delivery and promises great benefits for radiotherapy patients. Dedicated studies are now necessary to define a robust set of dose application parameters for FLASH radiotherapy and to identify underlying mechanisms. These studies require particle accelerators with variable temporal dose application characteristics for numerous radiation qualities, equipped for preclinical radiobiological research. Here we present the DRESDEN PLATFORM, a research hub for ultra-high dose rate radiobiology. By uniting clinical and research accelerators with radiobiology infrastructure and know-how, the DRESDEN PLATFORM offers a unique environment for studying the FLASH effect. We introduce its experimental capabilities and demonstrate the platform's suitability for systematic investigation of FLASH by presenting results from a concerted in vivo radiobiology study with zebrafish embryos. The comparative pre-clinical study was conducted across one electron and two proton accelerator facilities, including an advanced laser-driven proton source applied for FLASH-relevant in vivo irradiations for the first time. The data show a protective effect of UHDR irradiation up to [Formula: see text] and suggests consistency of the protective effect even at escalated dose rates of [Formula: see text]. With the first clinical FLASH studies underway, research facilities like the DRESDEN PLATFORM, addressing the open questions surrounding FLASH, are essential to accelerate FLASH's translation into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Florian Kroll
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Constantin Bernert
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Bock
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Bodenstein
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Brand
- Center for Regenerative Therapies (CRTD), TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence - Physics of Life, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas E Cowan
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - René Gebhardt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Hans
- Center for Regenerative Therapies (CRTD), TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence - Physics of Life, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Uwe Helbig
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Felix Horst
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jeannette Jansen
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Mechthild Krause
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Medizinische Fakultät and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Steffen Löck
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jörg Pawelke
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Christian Richter
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Ulrich Schramm
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Schürer
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Medizinische Fakultät and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Joao Seco
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Emília Rita Szabó
- ELI ALPS, ELI-HU Non-Profit Ltd., Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Oncotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Marvin E P Umlandt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Karl Zeil
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tim Ziegler
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elke Beyreuther
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany.
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany.
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14
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Dal Bello R, von der Grün J, Fabiano S, Rudolf T, Saltybaeva N, Stark LS, Ahmed M, Bathula M, Kucuker Dogan S, McNeur J, Guckenberger M, Tanadini-Lang S. Enabling ultra-high dose rate electron beams at a clinical linear accelerator for isocentric treatments. Radiother Oncol 2023; 187:109822. [PMID: 37516362 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Radiotherapy delivery with ultra-high dose rates (UHDR) has consistently produced normal tissue sparing while maintaining efficacy for tumour control in preclinical studies, known as the FLASH effect. Modified clinical electron linacs have been used for pre-clinical studies at reduced source-surface distance (SSD) and novel intra-operative devices are becoming available. In this context, we modified a clinical linac to deliver 16 MeV UHDR electron beams with an isocentric setup. MATERIALS AND METHODS The first Varian TrueBeam (SN 1001) was clinically operative between 2009-2022, it was then decommissioned and converted into a research platform. The 18 MeV electron beam was converted into the experimental 16 MeV UHDR. Modifications were performed by Varian and included a software patch, thinner scattering foil and beam tuning. The dose rate, beam characteristics and reproducibility were measured with electron applicators at SSD = 100 cm. RESULTS The dose per pulse at isocenter was up to 1.28 Gy/pulse, corresponding to average and instantaneous dose rates up to 256 Gy/s and 3⋅105 Gy/s, respectively. Beam characteristics were equivalent between 16 MeV UHDR and conventional for field sizes up to 10x10cm2 and an overall beam reproducibility within ± 2.5% was measured. CONCLUSIONS We report on the first technical conversion of a Varian TrueBeam to produce 16 MeV UHDR electron beams. This research platform will allow isocenter experiments and deliveries with conventional setups up to field sizes of 10x10 cm2 within a hospital environment, reducing the gap between preclinical and clinical electron FLASH investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Dal Bello
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Jens von der Grün
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Fabiano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Rudolf
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Natalia Saltybaeva
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Luisa S Stark
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Md Ahmed
- Varian Medical Systems a Siemens Healthineers Company, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Manohar Bathula
- Varian Medical Systems a Siemens Healthineers Company, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | - Joshua McNeur
- Varian Medical Systems a Siemens Healthineers Company, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Matthias Guckenberger
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Tanadini-Lang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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15
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Ghannam Y, Chiavassa S, Saade G, Koumeir C, Blain G, Delpon G, Evin M, Haddad F, Maigne L, Mouchard Q, Servagent N, Potiron V, Supiot S. First evidence of in vivo effect of FLASH radiotherapy with helium ions in zebrafish embryos. Radiother Oncol 2023; 187:109820. [PMID: 37516363 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
The ability to reduce toxicity of ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) helium ion irradiation has not been reported in vivo. Here, we tested UHDR helium ion irradiation in an embryonic zebrafish model. Our results show that UHDR helium ions spare body development and reduce spine curvature, compared to conventional dose rate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sophie Chiavassa
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457 CNRS-IN2P3, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, France; Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, site Saint-Herblain, France
| | | | - Charbel Koumeir
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457 CNRS-IN2P3, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, France; GIP ARRONAX, Saint-Herblain, France
| | - Guillaume Blain
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457 CNRS-IN2P3, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, France
| | - Grégory Delpon
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457 CNRS-IN2P3, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, France; Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, site Saint-Herblain, France
| | - Manon Evin
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457 CNRS-IN2P3, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, France
| | - Ferid Haddad
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457 CNRS-IN2P3, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, France; GIP ARRONAX, Saint-Herblain, France
| | - Lydia Maigne
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS/IN2P3, LPC, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Quentin Mouchard
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457 CNRS-IN2P3, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, France
| | - Noël Servagent
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457 CNRS-IN2P3, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, France
| | - Vincent Potiron
- CNRS, UMR 6286, Nantes Université, France; Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, site Saint-Herblain, France.
| | - Stéphane Supiot
- CNRS, UMR 6286, Nantes Université, France; Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, site Saint-Herblain, France
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16
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Jo HJ, Oh T, Lee YR, Kang GS, Park HJ, Ahn GO. FLASH Radiotherapy: A FLASHing Idea to Preserve Neurocognitive Function. Brain Tumor Res Treat 2023; 11:223-231. [PMID: 37953445 PMCID: PMC10641319 DOI: 10.14791/btrt.2023.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH RT) is a technique to deliver ultra-high dose rate in a fraction of a second. Evidence from experimental animal models suggest that FLASH RT spares various normal tissues including the lung, gastrointestinal track, and brain from radiation-induced toxicity (a phenomenon known as FLASH effect), which is otherwise commonly observed with conventional dose rate RT. However, it is not simply the ultra-high dose rate alone that brings the FLASH effect. Multiple parameters such as instantaneous dose rate, pulse size, pulse repetition frequency, and the total duration of exposure all need to be carefully optimized simultaneously. Furthermore it is critical to validate FLASH effects in an in vivo experimental model system. The exact molecular mechanism responsible for this FLASH effect is not yet understood although a number of hypotheses have been proposed including oxygen depletion and less reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by FLASH RT, and enhanced ability of normal tissues to handle ROS and labile iron pool compared to tumors. In this review, we briefly overview the process of ionization event and history of radiotherapy and fractionation of ionizing radiation. We also highlight some of the latest FLASH RT reviews and results with a special interest to neurocognitive protection in rodent model with whole brain irradiation. Lastly we discuss some of the issues remain to be answered with FLASH RT including undefined molecular mechanism, lack of standardized parameters, low penetration depth for electron beam, and tumor hypoxia still being a major hurdle for local control. Nevertheless, researchers are close to having all answers to the issues that we have raised, hence we believe that advancement of FLASH RT will be made more quickly than one can anticipate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Ju Jo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Taerim Oh
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ye-Rim Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gi-Sue Kang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye-Joon Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - G-One Ahn
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
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17
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Siddique S, Ruda HE, Chow JCL. FLASH Radiotherapy and the Use of Radiation Dosimeters. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3883. [PMID: 37568699 PMCID: PMC10417829 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) using ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) radiation, known as FLASH RT, has shown promising results in reducing normal tissue toxicity while maintaining tumor control. However, implementing FLASH RT in clinical settings presents technical challenges, including limited depth penetration and complex treatment planning. Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is a valuable tool for dose calculation in RT and has been investigated for optimizing FLASH RT. Various MC codes, such as EGSnrc, DOSXYZnrc, and Geant4, have been used to simulate dose distributions and optimize treatment plans. Accurate dosimetry is essential for FLASH RT, and radiation detectors play a crucial role in measuring dose delivery. Solid-state detectors, including diamond detectors such as microDiamond, have demonstrated linear responses and good agreement with reference detectors in UHDR and ultra-high dose per pulse (UHDPP) ranges. Ionization chambers are commonly used for dose measurement, and advancements have been made to address their response nonlinearities at UHDPP. Studies have proposed new calculation methods and empirical models for ion recombination in ionization chambers to improve their accuracy in FLASH RT. Additionally, strip-segmented ionization chamber arrays have shown potential for the experimental measurement of dose rate distribution in proton pencil beam scanning. Radiochromic films, such as GafchromicTM EBT3, have been used for absolute dose measurement and to validate MC simulation results in high-energy X-rays, triggering the FLASH effect. These films have been utilized to characterize ionization chambers and measure off-axis and depth dose distributions in FLASH RT. In conclusion, MC simulation provides accurate dose calculation and optimization for FLASH RT, while radiation detectors, including diamond detectors, ionization chambers, and radiochromic films, offer valuable tools for dosimetry in UHDR environments. Further research is needed to refine treatment planning techniques and improve detector performance to facilitate the widespread implementation of FLASH RT, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarkar Siddique
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada;
| | - Harry E. Ruda
- Centre of Advance Nanotechnology, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E4, Canada;
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E4, Canada
| | - James C. L. Chow
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1X6, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
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18
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Hachadorian R, Cascio E, Schuemann J. Increased flexibility and efficiency of a double-scattering FLASH proton beamline configuration for in vivoSOBP radiotherapy treatments. Phys Med Biol 2023; 68:10.1088/1361-6560/ace23c. [PMID: 37369231 PMCID: PMC10652226 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ace23c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Objective. To commission a proton, double-scattering FLASH beamline by maximizing efficiency and field size, enabling higher-linear energy transfer FLASH radiotherapy to cells and small animals using a spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) treatment configuration. We further aim to provide a configuration guide for the design of future FLASH proton double-scattering (DS) beamlines.Approach. Beam spot size and spread were measured with film and implemented into TOol for PArticle Simulation (TOPAS). Monte Carlo simulations were optimized to verify the ideal positioning, dimensions, and material of scattering foils, secondary scatterers, ridge filters, range compensators, and apertures. A ridge filter with three discrete heights was used to create a spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) and was experimentally verified using our in-house experimental FLASH beamline. The increase in dose rate was compared to nominal shoot-through techniques.Results. The configuration and scatterer distance producing the largest field size of acceptable flatness, without drastically compromising dose rate was determined to be an elliptical field of 2 cm × 1.5 cm (25% larger than a previous configuration). SOBP testing yielded three distinct but connected spikes in dose with flatness under 5%. Reducing the thickness of the (first) scattering foil by a factor of two was found to increase efficiency by 50%. The new settings increased the field size, provided a Bragg peak treatment option, and increased the maximum available dose rate by 85%, as compared to the previous, shoot through method.Significance. Beam line updates established FLASH dose rates of over 135 Gy s-1(potentially higher) at our double-scattering beamline, increased the efficiency and field size, and enabled SOBP treatments by incorporating an optimized ridge filter. Based on our simulations we provide parametric suggestions when commissioning a new proton DS beamline. This enhanced FLASH beamline for SOBP irradiations with higher dose rates and larger field sizes will enable a wider variety of experimentation in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Hachadorian
- Massachusetts General Hospital Division of Radiation Oncology, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
- Harvard Medical School - Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
| | - E. Cascio
- Massachusetts General Hospital Division of Radiation Oncology, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
| | - J. Schuemann
- Massachusetts General Hospital Division of Radiation Oncology, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
- Harvard Medical School - Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
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19
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Mirzaei M, Rowshanfarzad P, Gill S, Ebert MA, Dass J. Risk of cardiac implantable device malfunction in cancer patients receiving proton therapy: an overview. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1181450. [PMID: 37469405 PMCID: PMC10352826 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1181450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Age is a risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and cancer, and as such radiation oncologists frequently see a number of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) receiving proton therapy (PT). CIED malfunctions induced by PT are nonnegligible and can occur in both passive scattering and pencil beam scanning modes. In the absence of an evidence-based protocol, the authors emphasise that this patient cohort should be managed differently to electron- and photon- external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) patients due to distinct properties of proton beams. Given the lack of a PT-specific guideline for managing this cohort and limited studies on this important topic; the process was initiated by evaluating all PT-related CIED malfunctions to provide a baseline for future reporting and research. In this review, different modes of PT and their interactions with a variety of CIEDs and pacing leads are discussed. Effects of PT on CIEDs were classified into a variety of hardware and software malfunctions. Apart from secondary neutrons, cumulative radiation dose, dose rate, CIED model/manufacturer, distance from CIED to proton field, and materials used in CIEDs/pacing leads were all evaluated to determine the probability of malfunctions. The importance of proton beam arrangements is highlighted in this study. Manufacturers should specify recommended dose limits for patients undergoing PT. The establishment of an international multidisciplinary team dedicated to CIED-bearing patients receiving PT may be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Mirzaei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Pejman Rowshanfarzad
- School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Suki Gill
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Martin A. Ebert
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Joshua Dass
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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20
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Graeff C, Volz L, Durante M. Emerging technologies for cancer therapy using accelerated particles. PROGRESS IN PARTICLE AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS 2023; 131:104046. [PMID: 37207092 PMCID: PMC7614547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ppnp.2023.104046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Cancer therapy with accelerated charged particles is one of the most valuable biomedical applications of nuclear physics. The technology has vastly evolved in the past 50 years, the number of clinical centers is exponentially growing, and recent clinical results support the physics and radiobiology rationale that particles should be less toxic and more effective than conventional X-rays for many cancer patients. Charged particles are also the most mature technology for clinical translation of ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) radiotherapy. However, the fraction of patients treated with accelerated particles is still very small and the therapy is only applied to a few solid cancer indications. The growth of particle therapy strongly depends on technological innovations aiming to make the therapy cheaper, more conformal and faster. The most promising solutions to reach these goals are superconductive magnets to build compact accelerators; gantryless beam delivery; online image-guidance and adaptive therapy with the support of machine learning algorithms; and high-intensity accelerators coupled to online imaging. Large international collaborations are needed to hasten the clinical translation of the research results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Graeff
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Biophysics Department, Planckstraße 1, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lennart Volz
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Biophysics Department, Planckstraße 1, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Marco Durante
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Biophysics Department, Planckstraße 1, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- Dipartimento di Fisica “Ettore Pancini”, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
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21
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Tubin S, Vozenin M, Prezado Y, Durante M, Prise K, Lara P, Greco C, Massaccesi M, Guha C, Wu X, Mohiuddin M, Vestergaard A, Bassler N, Gupta S, Stock M, Timmerman R. Novel unconventional radiotherapy techniques: Current status and future perspectives - Report from the 2nd international radiation oncology online seminar. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2023; 40:100605. [PMID: 36910025 PMCID: PMC9996385 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2023.100605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
•Improvement of therapeutic ratio by novel unconventional radiotherapy approaches.•Immunomodulation using high-dose spatially fractionated radiotherapy.•Boosting radiation anti-tumor effects by adding an immune-mediated cell killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Tubin
- Medaustron Center for Ion Therapy, Marie-Curie Strasse 5, Wiener Neustadt 2700, Austria
- Corresponding author.
| | - M.C. Vozenin
- Radiation Oncology Laboratory, Radiation Oncology Service, Oncology Department, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Y. Prezado
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay 91400, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay 91400, France
| | - M. Durante
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Planckstraße 1, Darmstadt 64291, Germany
- Technsiche Universität Darmstadt, Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - K.M. Prise
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AE, United Kingdom
| | - P.C. Lara
- Canarian Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Roque University Hospital & Fernando Pessoa Canarias University, C/Dolores de la Rocha 9, Las Palmas GC 35001, Spain
| | - C. Greco
- Department of Radiation Oncology Champalimaud Foundation, Av. Brasilia, Lisbon 1400-038, Portugal
| | - M. Massaccesi
- UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - C. Guha
- Montefiore Medical Center Radiation Oncology, 111 E 210th St, New York, NY, United States
| | - X. Wu
- Executive Medical Physics Associates, 19470 NE 22nd Road, Miami, FL 33179, United States
| | - M.M. Mohiuddin
- Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Warrenville and Northwestern Medicine Proton Center, 4455 Weaver Pkwy, Warrenville, IL 60555, United States
| | - A. Vestergaard
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - N. Bassler
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - S. Gupta
- The Loop Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
| | - M. Stock
- Medaustron Center for Ion Therapy, Marie-Curie Strasse 5, Wiener Neustadt 2700, Austria
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Marie-Curie Strasse 5, Wiener Neustadt 2700, Austria
| | - R. Timmerman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Inwood Road Dallas, TX 2280, United States
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22
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Schulte R, Johnstone C, Boucher S, Esarey E, Geddes CGR, Kravchenko M, Kutsaev S, Loo BW, Méot F, Mustapha B, Nakamura K, Nanni EA, Obst-Huebl L, Sampayan SE, Schroeder CB, Sheng K, Snijders AM, Snively E, Tantawi SG, Van Tilborg J. Transformative Technology for FLASH Radiation Therapy. APPLIED SCIENCES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:5021. [PMID: 38240007 PMCID: PMC10795821 DOI: 10.3390/app13085021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The general concept of radiation therapy used in conventional cancer treatment is to increase the therapeutic index by creating a physical dose differential between tumors and normal tissues through precision dose targeting, image guidance, and radiation beams that deliver a radiation dose with high conformality, e.g., protons and ions. However, the treatment and cure are still limited by normal tissue radiation toxicity, with the corresponding side effects. A fundamentally different paradigm for increasing the therapeutic index of radiation therapy has emerged recently, supported by preclinical research, and based on the FLASH radiation effect. FLASH radiation therapy (FLASH-RT) is an ultra-high-dose-rate delivery of a therapeutic radiation dose within a fraction of a second. Experimental studies have shown that normal tissues seem to be universally spared at these high dose rates, whereas tumors are not. While dose delivery conditions to achieve a FLASH effect are not yet fully characterized, it is currently estimated that doses delivered in less than 200 ms produce normal-tissue-sparing effects, yet effectively kill tumor cells. Despite a great opportunity, there are many technical challenges for the accelerator community to create the required dose rates with novel compact accelerators to ensure the safe delivery of FLASH radiation beams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Schulte
- Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Carol Johnstone
- Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL 60510, USA
| | - Salime Boucher
- RadiaBeam Technologies, LLC, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA
| | - Eric Esarey
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | | | - Sergey Kutsaev
- RadiaBeam Technologies, LLC, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA
| | - Billy W. Loo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - François Méot
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA
| | | | - Kei Nakamura
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Emilio A. Nanni
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | | | - Stephen E. Sampayan
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
- Opcondys, Inc., Manteca, CA 95336, USA
| | | | - Ke Sheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | | | - Emma Snively
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Sami G. Tantawi
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
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23
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Helm A, Totis C, Durante M, Fournier C. Are charged particles a good match for combination with immunotherapy? Current knowledge and perspectives. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 376:1-36. [PMID: 36997266 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Charged particle radiotherapy, mainly using protons and carbon ions, provides physical characteristics allowing for a volume conformal irradiation and a reduction of the integral dose to normal tissue. Carbon ion therapy additionally features an increased biological effectiveness resulting in peculiar molecular effects. Immunotherapy, mostly performed with immune checkpoint inhibitors, is nowadays considered a pillar in cancer therapy. Based on the advantageous features of charged particle radiotherapy, we review pre-clinical evidence revealing a strong potential of its combination with immunotherapy. We argue that the combination therapy deserves further investigation with the aim of translation in clinics, where a few studies have been set up already.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Helm
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - C Totis
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - M Durante
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - C Fournier
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
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24
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Ramesh P, Gu W, Ruan D, Sheng K. Dose and dose rate objectives in Bragg peak and shoot-through beam orientation optimization for FLASH proton therapy. Med Phys 2022; 49:7826-7837. [PMID: 36222217 PMCID: PMC9829523 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The combined use of Bragg peak (BP) and shoot-through (ST) beams has previously been shown to increase the normal tissue volume receiving FLASH dose rates while maintaining dose conformality compared to conventional intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) methods. However, the fixed beam optimization method has not considered the effects of beam orientation on the dose and dose rates. To maximize the proton FLASH effect, here, we incorporate dose rate objectives into our beam orientation optimization framework. METHODS From our previously developed group-sparsity dose objectives, we add upper and lower dose rate terms using a surrogate dose-averaged dose rate definition and solve using the fast-iterative shrinking threshold algorithm. We compare the dosimetry for three head-and-neck cases between four techniques: (1) spread-out BP IMPT (BP), (2) dose rate optimization using BP beams only (BP-DR), (3) dose rate optimization using ST beams only (ST-DR), and (4) dose rate optimization using combined BP and ST (BPST-DR), with the goal of sparing organs at risk without loss of tumor coverage and maintaining high dose rate within a 10 mm region of interest (ROI) surrounding the clinical target volume (CTV). RESULTS For BP, BP-DR, ST-DR, and BPST-DR, CTV homogeneity index and Dmax were found to be on average 0.886, 0.867, 0.687, and 0.936 and 107%, 109%, 135%, and 101% of prescription, respectively. Although ST-DR plans were not able to meet dosimetric standards, BPST-DR was able to match or improve either maximum or mean dose in the right submandibular gland, left and right parotids, constrictors, larynx, and spinal cord compared to BP plans. Volume of ROIs receiving greater than 40 Gy/s ( V γ 0 ) ${V_{\gamma 0}})$ was 51.0%, 91.4%, 95.5%, and 92.1% on average. CONCLUSIONS The dose rate techniques, particularly BPST-DR, were able to significantly increase dose rate without compromising physical dose compared with BP. Our algorithm efficiently selects beams that are optimal for both dose and dose rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavitra Ramesh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Wenbo Gu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dan Ruan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ke Sheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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25
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Lv Y, Lv Y, Wang Z, Lan T, Feng X, Chen H, Zhu J, Ma X, Du J, Hou G, Liao W, Yuan K, Wu H. FLASH radiotherapy: A promising new method for radiotherapy. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:419. [PMID: 36284652 PMCID: PMC9580247 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the treatments for malignant tumors, radiotherapy is of great significance both as a main treatment and as an adjuvant treatment. Radiation therapy damages cancer cells with ionizing radiation, leading to their death. However, radiation-induced toxicity limits the dose delivered to the tumor, thereby constraining the control effect of radiotherapy on tumor growth. In addition, the delayed toxicity caused by radiotherapy significantly harms the physical and mental health of patients. FLASH-RT, an emerging class of radiotherapy, causes a phenomenon known as the 'FLASH effect', which delivers radiotherapy at an ultra-high dose rate with lower toxicity to normal tissue than conventional radiotherapy to achieve local tumor control. Although its mechanism remains to be fully elucidated, this modality constitutes a potential new approach to treating malignant tumors. In the present review, the current research progress of FLASH-RT and its various particular effects are described, including the status of research on FLASH-RT and its influencing factors. The hypothetic mechanism of action of FLASH-RT is also summarized, providing insight into future tumor treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghao Lv
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Yue Lv
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Tian Lan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Xuping Feng
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Ma
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Jinpeng Du
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Guimin Hou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Wenwei Liao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Kefei Yuan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Hong Wu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
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Vozenin MC, Bourhis J, Durante M. Towards clinical translation of FLASH radiotherapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:791-803. [DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00697-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Hageman E, Che PP, Dahele M, Slotman BJ, Sminia P. Radiobiological Aspects of FLASH Radiotherapy. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101376. [PMID: 36291585 PMCID: PMC9599153 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the primary treatment modalities for cancer patients. The clinical use of RT requires a balance to be struck between tumor effect and the risk of toxicity. Sparing normal tissue is the cornerstone of reducing toxicity. Advances in physical targeting and dose-shaping technology have helped to achieve this. FLASH RT is a promising, novel treatment technique that seeks to exploit a potential normal tissue-sparing effect of ultra-high dose rate irradiation. A significant body of in vitro and in vivo data has highlighted a decrease in acute and late radiation toxicities, while preserving the radiation effect in tumor cells. The underlying biological mechanisms of FLASH RT, however, remain unclear. Three main mechanisms have been hypothesized to account for this differential FLASH RT effect between the tumor and healthy tissue: the oxygen depletion, the DNA damage, and the immune-mediated hypothesis. These hypotheses and molecular mechanisms have been evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the effect of ultra-high dose rate radiation with extremely short delivery times on the dynamic tumor microenvironment involving circulating blood cells and immune cells in humans is essentially unknown. Therefore, while there is great interest in FLASH RT as a means of targeting tumors with the promise of an increased therapeutic ratio, evidence of a generalized FLASH effect in humans and data to show that FLASH in humans is safe and at least effective against tumors as standard photon RT is currently lacking. FLASH RT needs further preclinical investigation and well-designed in-human studies before it can be introduced into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Hageman
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Radiation Oncology, Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pei-Pei Che
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Radiation Oncology, Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Max Dahele
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Radiation Oncology, Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ben J. Slotman
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Radiation Oncology, Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Sminia
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Radiation Oncology, Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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Dubois LJ. Commentary on the article: Sørensen BS et al., Pencil beam scanning proton FLASH maintains tumor control while normal tissue damage is reduced in a mouse model. Radiother Oncol 2022; 175:191-192. [PMID: 35988775 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ludwig J Dubois
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW - School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Comparing radiolytic production of H 2O 2 and development of Zebrafish embryos after ultra high dose rate exposure with electron and transmission proton beams. Radiother Oncol 2022; 175:197-202. [PMID: 35868604 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The physico-chemical and biological response to conventional and UHDR electron and proton beams was investigated, along with conventional photons. The temporal structure and nature of the beam affected both, with electron beam at ≥1400 Gy/s and proton beam at 0.1 and 1260 Gy/s found to be isoefficient at sparing zebrafish embryos.
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Karsch L, Pawelke J, Brand M, Hans S, Hideghéty K, Jansen J, Lessmann E, Löck S, Schürer M, Schurig R, Seco J, Szabó ER, Beyreuther E. Beam pulse structure and dose rate as determinants for the flash effect observed in zebrafish embryo. Radiother Oncol 2022; 173:49-54. [PMID: 35661675 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Continuing recent experiments at the research electron accelerator ELBE at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf the influence of beam pulse structure on the Flash effect was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS The proton beam pulse structure of an isochronous cyclotron (UHDRiso) and a synchrocyclotron (UHDRsynchro) was mimicked at ELBE by quasi-continuous electron bunches at 13 MHz delivering mean dose rates of 287 Gy/s and 177 Gy/s and bunch dose rates of 106Gy/s and 109 Gy/s, respectively. For UHDRsynchro, 40 ms macro pulses at a frequency of 25 Hz superimposed the bunch delivery. For comparison, a maximum beam intensity (2.5 x 105 Gy/s mean and ∼109 Gy/s bunch dose rate) and a reference irradiation (of ∼8 Gy/min mean dose rate) were applied. Radiation induced changes were assessed in zebrafish embryos over four days post irradiation. RESULTS Relative to the reference a significant protecting Flash effect was observed for all electron beam pulse regimes with less severe damage the higher the mean dose rate of the electron beam. Accordingly, the macro pulsing induced prolongation of treatment time at UHDRsynchro regime reduces the protecting effect compared to the maximum regime delivered at same bunch but higher mean dose rate. The Flash effect of the UHDRiso regime was confirmed at a clinical isochronous cyclotron comparing the damage induced by proton beams delivered at 300 Gy/s and ∼9 Gy/min. CONCLUSION The recent findings indicate that the mean dose rate or treatment time are decisive for the normal tissue protecting Flash effect in zebrafish embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonhard Karsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiooncology - OncoRay, Dresden, Germany; OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jörg Pawelke
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiooncology - OncoRay, Dresden, Germany; OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Brand
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), and Cluster of Excellence 'Physics of Life', Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Hans
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden (CRTD), and Cluster of Excellence 'Physics of Life', Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katalin Hideghéty
- ELI-ALPS, ELI-HU Non-Profit Ltd., Szeged, Hungary; Oncotherapy Department, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Jeannette Jansen
- Division of Biomedical Physics in Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Lessmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Steffen Löck
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany; Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Schürer
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC), Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rico Schurig
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Joao Seco
- Division of Biomedical Physics in Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | | | - Elke Beyreuther
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Dresden, Germany.
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Sørensen BS, Sitarz MK, Ankjærgaard C, Johansen JG, Andersen CE, Kanouta E, Grau C, Poulsen P. Pencil beam scanning proton FLASH maintains tumor control while normal tissue damage is reduced in a mouse model. Radiother Oncol 2022; 175:178-184. [PMID: 35595175 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Preclinical studies indicate a normal tissue sparing effect when ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) radiation is used, while tumor response is maintained. This differential response has promising perspectives for improved clinical outcome. This study investigates tumor control and normal tissue toxicity of pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton FLASH in a mouse model. METHODS AND MATERIALS Tumor bearing hind limbs of non-anaesthetized CDF1 mice were irradiated in a single fraction with a PBS proton beam using either conventional (CONV) dose rate (0.33-0.63 Gy/s field dose rate, 244 MeV) or FLASH (71-89 Gy/s field dose rate, 250 MeV). 162 mice with a C3H mouse mammary carcinoma subcutaneously implanted in the foot were irradiated with physical doses of 40-60 Gy (8-14 mice per dose point). The endpoints were tumor control (TC) assessed as no recurrent tumor at 90 days after treatment, the level of acute moist desquamation (MD) to the skin of the foot within 25 days post irradiation, and radiation induced fibrosis (RIF) within 24 weeks post irradiation. RESULTS TCD50 (dose for 50% tumor control) was similar for CONV and FLASH with values (and 95% confidence intervals) of 49.1 (47.0-51.4) Gy for CONV and 51.3 (48.6-54.2) Gy for FLASH. RIF analysis was restricted to mice with tumor control. Both endpoints showed distinct normal tissue sparing effect of proton FLASH with MDD50 (dose for 50% of mice displaying moist desquamation) of <40.1 Gy for CONV and 52.3 (50.0-54.6) Gy for FLASH, (dose modifying factor at least 1.3) and FD50 (dose for 50% of mice displaying fibrosis) of 48.6 (43.2-50.8) Gy for CONV and 55.6 (52.5-60.1) Gy for FLASH (dose modifying factor of 1.14). CONCLUSIONS FLASH had the same tumor control as CONV, but reduced normal tissue damage assessed as acute skin damage and radiation induced fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brita Singers Sørensen
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
| | | | | | - Jacob G Johansen
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Eleni Kanouta
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Cai Grau
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Per Poulsen
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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32
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Taylor PA, Moran JM, Jaffray DA, Buchsbaum JC. A roadmap to clinical trials for FLASH. Med Phys 2022; 49:4099-4108. [PMID: 35366339 PMCID: PMC9321729 DOI: 10.1002/mp.15623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
While FLASH radiation therapy is inspiring enthusiasm to transform the field, it is neither new nor well understood with respect to the radiobiological mechanisms. As FLASH clinical trials are designed, it will be important to ensure we can deliver dose consistently and safely to every patient. Much like hyperthermia and proton therapy, FLASH is a promising new technology that will be complex to implement in the clinic and similarly will require customized credentialing for multi‐institutional clinical trials. There is no doubt that FLASH seems promising, but many technologies that we take for granted in conventional radiation oncology, such as rigorous dosimetry, 3D treatment planning, volumetric image guidance, or motion management, may play a major role in defining how to use, or whether to use, FLASH radiotherapy. Given the extended time frame for patients to experience late effects, we recommend moving deliberately but cautiously forward toward clinical trials. In this paper, we review the state of quality assurance and safety systems in FLASH, identify critical pre‐clinical data points that need to be defined, and suggest how lessons learned from previous technological advancements will help us close the gaps and build a successful path to evidence‐driven FLASH implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige A Taylor
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jean M Moran
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, New York
| | - David A Jaffray
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Buchsbaum
- Radiation Research Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Yap J, De Franco A, Sheehy S. Future Developments in Charged Particle Therapy: Improving Beam Delivery for Efficiency and Efficacy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:780025. [PMID: 34956897 PMCID: PMC8697351 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.780025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The physical and clinical benefits of charged particle therapy (CPT) are well recognized. However, the availability of CPT and complete exploitation of dosimetric advantages are still limited by high facility costs and technological challenges. There are extensive ongoing efforts to improve upon these, which will lead to greater accessibility, superior delivery, and therefore better treatment outcomes. Yet, the issue of cost remains a primary hurdle as utility of CPT is largely driven by the affordability, complexity and performance of current technology. Modern delivery techniques are necessary but limited by extended treatment times. Several of these aspects can be addressed by developments in the beam delivery system (BDS) which determines the overall shaping and timing capabilities enabling high quality treatments. The energy layer switching time (ELST) is a limiting constraint of the BDS and a determinant of the beam delivery time (BDT), along with the accelerator and other factors. This review evaluates the delivery process in detail, presenting the limitations and developments for the BDS and related accelerator technology, toward decreasing the BDT. As extended BDT impacts motion and has dosimetric implications for treatment, we discuss avenues to minimize the ELST and overview the clinical benefits and feasibility of a large energy acceptance BDS. These developments support the possibility of advanced modalities and faster delivery for a greater range of treatment indications which could also further reduce costs. Further work to realize methodologies such as volumetric rescanning, FLASH, arc, multi-ion and online image guided therapies are discussed. In this review we examine how increased treatment efficiency and efficacy could be achieved with improvements in beam delivery and how this could lead to faster and higher quality treatments for the future of CPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta Yap
- School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrea De Franco
- IFMIF Accelerator Development Group, Rokkasho Fusion Institute, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Aomori, Japan
| | - Suzie Sheehy
- School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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