Very High Energy Electrons Beam for Radiotherapy

Introduction

Despite advanced treatment planning and delivery, conventional oncologic radiotherapy (RT) is limited by acute toxicity and long-term side effects caused by radiation delivery to healthy tissues. This limitation often restricts the ability to deliver a sufficient dose of radiation to the tumours.

Challenges in Conventional RT

The problem is exacerbated when treating cancers that are either deep inside the human body or in delicate areas where toxicity to nearby organs could cause serious side effects. This issue is especially pronounced when treating obese patients, whose numbers are increasing globally.

Need for Alternatives

Thus, an accessible and cost-effective alternative to current RT modalities is urgently needed.

Project Overview

In the ERC-PoC project Vherapy, we made a breakthrough in demonstrating the viability of delivering high-quality particle beams with compact laser plasma accelerators for very high energy electron radiotherapy (VHEE-RT).

Key Innovations

• We demonstrated that such a VHEE beam can be produced with a single laser beam using a new injection scheme.
• This advancement makes the acceleration machinery small, simple, and cost-effective, giving this device of the future a substantial competitive advantage.

Objectives of eBeam4Therapy

The objectives of the eBeam4Therapy project are to:

1. Optimize VHEE beam performances for radiotherapy applications.
2. Characterize the 3D dose deposition.
3. Improve and scale down each component of the machine.
4. Build a machine prototype that demonstrates technical feasibility in an economically competitive setting.

Commercial Feasibility

The commercial feasibility is validated with real market players. The project expands the existing network of collaborators and sources additional investment to accomplish the next steps in technological and commercial development to speed up market entry.

Impact on Cancer Therapy

eBeam4Therapy aims to revolutionize cancer therapy by:

• Providing better clinical outcomes.
• Radically improving the quality of life of cancer patients.
• Lowering the financial burden to payers and economies.

This initiative addresses a real and immediate global societal challenge.