[ad_1]
Particle accelerator technology has long been used in medical procedures to eliminate dangerous tumors. Cancers are subject to one-minute bombardment of particles that, hopefully, destroy many tumor cells.
However, researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have received funding to further develop two projects that may force accelerators to destroy cancer cells with beams lasting less than one year. second. The much shorter duration will make these accelerator-based cancer treatment approaches more efficient and safer.
"Providing the radiation dose of an entire therapy session with a single flash lasting less than one second would be the ultimate way to manage the constant movement of organs and tissues, and a major advance over the methods that we use it today, "said Professor Billy. Loo, of the Stanford School of Medicine, said in a statement.
"We saw in mice that healthy cells suffered less damage when we applied the radiation dose very quickly, and yet, the tumor-killing effect is equal to, if not slightly greater than, that of a tumor." If the result is valid for humans, it would be a whole new paradigm for the field of radiotherapy. "
Both projects use different methods. One will focus on X-rays, while the other will use protons. The first, called PHASER, creates X-rays by accelerating electrons in a small space. In recent years, researchers have studied critical technologies, examined improvements, and built prototypes. The two current components are working as planned and the team is now considering making these devices more compact.
"Then we will build the accelerator structure and test the risks of the technology, which in three to five years could lead to a first device that can be used in clinical trials," added Professor Sami Tantawi, Scientific Director of the RF Accelerator Research Division of SLAC's Directorate of Technological Innovation, who works with Loo on both projects.
The proton accelerator is not as advanced as PHASER, but it has an advantage. In principle, protons are less harmful to healthy tissue because they provide energy in a smaller volume inside the body. The team will take particle accelerator technologies and find a way to reduce them.
"We can now design, build, and test an accelerator structure similar to that of the PHASER project, which will be able to direct the proton beam, regulate its energy, and deliver high radiation doses virtually instantaneously." said Emilio Nanni, a member of SLAC's scientific staff, who is leading the project with Tantawi and Loo.
The projects will require additional funding, but they are an exciting start.
[ad_2]
Source link
