Crister Ceberg
Professor
FLASH radiotherapy and the associated dosimetric challenges
Författare
Summary, in English
At Lund University and Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Sweden, we have, as the first clinic, modified a clinical Elekta Precise linear accelerator for convertible delivery of ultrahigh dose rate (FLASH) irradiation. Whereas recently published reviews highlighted the need for standardised protocols for ultra-high dose rate beam dosimetry to be able to determine the true potential of FLASH irradiation, several dosimetry studies as well as in-vitro and in-vivo experiments have been carried out at our unit. Dosimetric procedures for verification of accurate dose delivery of FLASH irradiation to cell cultures, zebrafish embryos and small animals have been established using radiochromic films and thermo-luminescent dosimeters. Also, recently the first experience of electron FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) in canine patients in our clinical setting was published. Our research facilities also include a laboratory for 3D polymer gel manufacturing. Recently, we started investigating the feasibility of a NIPAM polymer gel dosimeter for ultra-high dose rate dosimetry. Furthermore, in the bunker of the modified Elekta linear accelerator, a Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) system is accessible. The CatalystTM system (C-Rad Positioning, Uppsala, Sweden) provides optical surface imaging for patient setup, real-time motion monitoring and breathing adapted treatment. Aiming at treating patients using ultra-high dose rates, a real-time validation of the alignment between the beam and the target is crucial as the dose is delivered in a fraction of a second. Our research group has during the last decade investigated and developed SGRT workflows which improved patient setup and breathing adapted treatment for several cancer patient groups. Recently, we also started investigating the feasibility of a real-time motion monitoring system for surface guided FLASH-RT. Both FLASH related studies; 3D polymer gel dosimetry and surface guided FLASH-RT are to our knowledge the first of their kind. Following an introduction to the field of FLASH and the associated dosimetric challenges, we here aim to present the two ongoing studies including some preliminary results.
Avdelning/ar
- Medicinsk strålningsfysik, Lund
- Radiotherapy Physics
- LUCC: Lunds universitets cancercentrum
- Rausinglaboratoriet i Lund - Tumörsektionen
Publiceringsår
2023
Språk
Engelska
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Volym
2630
Länkar
Dokumenttyp
Konferensbidrag
Ämne
- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging
Conference name
12th International Conference on 3D and Advanced Dosimetry, IC3DDose 2022
Conference date
2022-07-19 - 2022-07-22
Conference place
Quebec City, Canada
Status
Published
Forskningsgrupp
- Radiotherapy Physics
- Rausing laboratory of Lund - Tumor section