Microdosimetric comparison of scanned and conventional proton beams used in radiation therapy

Abstract

Multiple groups have hypothesised that the use of scanning beams in proton therapy will reduce the neutron component of secondary radiation in comparison with conventional methods with a corresponding reduction in risks of radiation-induced cancers. Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) has had FDA marketing clearance for scanning beams since 1988 and an experimental scanning beam has been available at the LLUMC proton facility since 2001. The facility has a dedicated research room with a scanning beam and fast switching that allows its use during patient treatments. Dosimetric measurements and microdosimetric distributions for a scanned beam are presented and compared with beams produced with the conventional methods presently used in proton therapy.

Impact of total-body irradiation on the response to a live bacterial challenge

“…In fact, according to the 2006 National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement (NCRP) report, most of the large SPE characterized in the last 60 years suggest that SPE proton energies fall off around 200 MeV (NCRP 2006). In contrast, the peak fl ux for protons in GCR occurs at ∼ 300 MeV (NCRP 2006, Adriani et al 2013, and 250 MeV is a typical energy used in the clinic at LLUMC (Dicello et al 2011a(Dicello et al , 2011b. We believe 250 MeV is a good balance between the goals of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and those of the ground-based clinical radiotherapy communities.…”

Biological Effects of Passive Versus Active Scanning Proton Beams on Human Lung Epithelial Cells

“…Many of the patients who have received proton radiotherapy have been treated at the Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) where the first hospital-based facility was developed (1,2). Exploiting the full potential of energized protons requires multiple beam delivery techniques to be employed (3)(4)(5)(6). To a large extent, the necessary techniques are a function of the size and/or complexity of the target volume.…”