FLASH radiotherapy with carbon ion beams. 2022

Uli Andreas Weber, and Emanuele Scifoni, and Marco Durante
Biophysics Department, GSI Helhmoltzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany.

FLASH radiotherapy is considered a new potential breakthrough in cancer treatment. Ultra-high dose rates (>40 Gy/s) have been shown to reduce toxicity in the normal tissue without compromising tumor control, resulting in a widened therapeutic window. These high dose rates are more easily achievable in the clinic with charged particles, and clinical trials are, indeed, ongoing using electrons or protons. FLASH could be an attractive solution also for heavier ions such as carbon and could even enhance the therapeutic window. However, it is not yet known whether the FLASH effect will be the same as for sparsely ionizing radiation when densely ionizing carbons ions are used. Here we discuss the technical challenges in beam delivery and present a promising solution using 3D range-modulators in order to apply ultra-high dose rates (UHDR) compatible with FLASH with carbon ions. Furthermore, we will discuss the possible outcome of C-ion therapy at UHDR on the level of the radiobiological and radiation chemical effects.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007477 Ions An atom or group of atoms that have a positive or negative electric charge due to a gain (negative charge) or loss (positive charge) of one or more electrons. Atoms with a positive charge are known as CATIONS; those with a negative charge are ANIONS.
D011522 Protons Stable elementary particles having the smallest known positive charge, found in the nuclei of all elements. The proton mass is less than that of a neutron. A proton is the nucleus of the light hydrogen atom, i.e., the hydrogen ion. Hydrogen Ions,Hydrogen Ion,Ion, Hydrogen,Ions, Hydrogen,Proton
D011853 Radiobiology Study of the scientific principles, mechanisms, and effects of the interaction of ionizing radiation with living matter. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Radiation Biology,Biology, Radiation
D011878 Radiotherapy The use of IONIZING RADIATION to treat malignant NEOPLASMS and some benign conditions. Radiotherapy, Targeted,Targeted Radiotherapy,Radiation Therapy,Radiation Therapy, Targeted,Radiation Treatment,Targeted Radiation Therapy,Radiation Therapies,Radiation Therapies, Targeted,Radiation Treatments,Radiotherapies,Radiotherapies, Targeted,Targeted Radiation Therapies,Targeted Radiotherapies,Therapies, Radiation,Therapies, Targeted Radiation,Therapy, Radiation,Therapy, Targeted Radiation,Treatment, Radiation
D011879 Radiotherapy Dosage The total amount of radiation absorbed by tissues as a result of radiotherapy. Dosage, Radiotherapy,Dosages, Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy Dosages
D002244 Carbon A nonmetallic element with atomic symbol C, atomic number 6, and atomic weight [12.0096; 12.0116]. It may occur as several different allotropes including DIAMOND; CHARCOAL; and GRAPHITE; and as SOOT from incompletely burned fuel. Carbon-12,Vitreous Carbon,Carbon 12,Carbon, Vitreous
D018787 Radiation Oncology A subspecialty of medical oncology and radiology concerned with the radiotherapy of cancer. Oncology, Radiation,Radiology, Therapeutic,Therapeutic Radiology

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