Logo of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt

UHDpulse – the new European research project on metrology for radiotherapy using particle beams with ultra-high pulse dose rates

20.12.2019

Fig. 1: UHDpulse logo

“UHDpulse – Metrology for advanced radiotherapy using particle beams with ultra‑high pulse dose rates” is an EMPIR project launched in September 2019. It aims at developing and improving dosimetry standards for FLASH radiotherapy, VHEE radiotherapy and laser‑driven medical accelerators. In the case of these novel radiation modalities, the pulse dose rates are significantly higher than in the case of conventional medical accelerators. Prior to their introduction into clinical practice, a method must be developed to measure the radiation dose at ultra‑high pulse dose rates exactly and to ensure in this way that the prescribed dose is applied to the patient reliably. The aim of the UHDpulse project is to develop measurement concepts which include traceable reference standards and validated reference methods for dose measurements at ultra‑high pulse dose rates. Five national metrology institutes (NMIs) and eleven other research institutes from eight countries are participating in UHDpulse. For up‑to‑date information, please refer to the project website at http://uhdpulse-empir.eu/.

“UHDpulse – Metrology for advanced radiotherapy using particle beams with ultra‑high pulse dose rates” is an EMPIR project launched in September 2019. It aims at developing and improving dosimetry standards for FLASH radiotherapy, VHEE radiotherapy, and laser‑driven medical accelerators.

FLASH radiotherapy is a promising radiation modality which is currently in the process of development for cancer treatment [1]. In this approach, the total prescribed radiation dose is applied to the patient in less than one second by means of just a few radiation pulses at an ultra‑high pulse dose rate (instead of several fractions lasting a couple of minutes). This approach can drastically reduce the undesirable side effects of radiation on the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor, with the curative effect on the tumor being as effective as that of conventional radiotherapy [1 - 3].

VHEE radiotherapy uses electron beams with very high energy (> 100 MeV). This has several advantages over the clinical electron and photon beams that are currently used in radiotherapy [4, 5]. The low energy of clinical electron beams (< 22 MeV) is a significant obstacle to treating tumors that are located at greater depths in the human body. VHEE might be able to overcome this obstacle and make it possible for deep-seated tumors to be treated in the FLASH regime, too.

Laser‑driven medical accelerators are considered to be the next generation of cost‑effective, compact accelerators for radiation therapy [6]. They provide ultrashort pulses of radiation at extremely high dose rates.

The ultra‑high pulse dose rate in FLASH and VHEE radiotherapy as well as in laser‑driven medical accelerators is a considerable metrological challenge when it comes to measuring the radiation doses in the case of these new radiation modalities. Prior to introducing these modalities into clinical practice, a traceable method must be developed to measure the radiation doses exactly and to ensure that the prescribed dose is applied to the patient reliably.

The aim of the UHDpulse project is to develop measurement concepts which include traceable reference standards and validated reference methods for dose measurements at ultra‑high pulse dose rates. Existing detector systems as well as detector systems that are to be newly or further developed will be investigated within the scope of the project with regard to their suitability for dosimetry at ultra‑high pulse dose rates. Furthermore, validated methods for relative dosimetry and for the determination of pulsed scattered radiation are to be developed. At the end, a set of rules is to be compiled which will summarize recommendations on the basis of the findings gained in the project.

The UHDpulse consortium unites European NMIs, universities, research institutes and university hospitals which are leading in the field of radiation dosimetry and dosimetry detector development. Sixteen institutes from eight countries are participating in UHDpulse as partners. In addition to five NMIs (PTB, CMI, METAS, GUM and NPL), the pioneers in the field of FLASH radiotherapy, the Institut Curie in Paris, the University Hospital CHUV in Lausanne and the Proton Therapy Center in Orsay, are involved. Furthermore, the companies ADVACAM from Prague and PTW Freiburg as well as the Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, the Politecnico di Milano and the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela are involved as detector developers. As leading institutes in the field of laser‑driven accelerators, Queen’s University Belfast, ELI Beamlines Prague and Helmholtz‑Zentrum Dresden‑Rossendorf are also participating. For more detailed and up‑to‑date information, please refer to the project website at: https://uhdpulse-empir.eu/.

 Fig. 2: Partners of the UHDpulse project

Literature:

(1)   J. Bourhis et al., “Treatment of a first patient with FLASH-radiotherapy”, Radiotherapy and Oncology 139 (2019), 18-22.
DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2019.06.019

(2)   V. Favaudon et al., “Ultrahigh dose-rate FLASH irradiation increases the differential response between normal and tumor tissue in mice”, Science Translational Medicine 6 (2014) 245ra93-245ra93.
DOI: 10.1118/1.598799

(3)   M.-C. Vozenin et al., “The Advantage of FLASH Radiotherapy Confirmed in Mini-pig and Cat-cancer Patients”, Clinical Cancer Research 25 (2018), 35-42.
DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-17-3375

(4)   C. DesRosiers et al., “150-250 MeV electron beams in radiation therapy”, Physics in Medicine and Biology 45 (2000), 1781-1805.
DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/45/7/306

(5)   M. Bazalova‑Carter et al., “Treatment planning for radiotherapy with very high‑energy electron beams and comparison of VHEE and VMAT plans”, Medical Physics 42 (2015), 2615–2625.
DOI: 10.1118/1.4918923

(6)     K. Ledingham et al., “Towards Laser Driven Hadron Cancer Radiotherapy: A Review of Progress”, Appl. Sci. 4 (2014), 402-443.
DOI: 10.3390/app4030402

Contact at PTB:

Opens local program for sending emailA. Schüller, Department 6.2, Working Group 6.21

Opens local program for sending emailR.-P. Kapsch, Department 6.2, Working Group 6.21

Contact

Head of Press and Information Office

Dr. Dr. Jens Simon

Phone: +49 531 592-3005
Email:
jens.simon(at)ptb.de

Address

Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
Bundesallee 100
38116 Braunschweig