Stories|A Leap for Radiation Therapy: PITZ's Breakthrough in FLASH-Beamline Research
A Leap for Radiation Therapy: PITZ's Breakthrough in FLASH-Beamline Research
Life Science and healthcare
In Vivo FLASH-Beamline Validation at PITZ: Advancing Radiation Therapy Research
In a bid to optimize radiation therapy, DESY's PITZ accelerator has taken a significant step forward with the establishment of cutting-edge infrastructure for in vivo FLASH-beamline validation. This €30,000 project, supported in 2023, aims to bridge the gap between preclinical research and clinical application, ultimately improving outcomes in radiation oncology.
Key Achievements
The installation of an advanced "Air Handling with Humidity Control System" has created an optimal environment for in vivo studies using mice models. This system ensures consistent air quality, maintaining relative humidity within ±3% for superior reproducibility and animal welfare. With HEPA filtration and a robust humidification system, the infrastructure minimizes contamination risks while adhering to best scientific and ethical practices.
The facility now includes dedicated spaces for mice, fish, and sample preparation, enabling a streamlined workflow for preclinical research. These advancements support sustainable and cost-effective research while fostering collaborations with clinics and industry.
Bridging Science and Industry
The PITZ accelerator’s unique capabilities provide an exceptional platform for studying Ultra-High Dose Rate (UHDR) and FLASH radiation therapy. UHDR are radiation doses which are applied within a very short time (a fraction of a second) instead of several treatments over different days or weeks. The FLASH effect leads to the result that healthy tissue is significantly less affected, while the tumor is still destroyed. As a consequence, FLASH radiotherapy promises to drastically reduce the side effects of radiotherapy. But significant R&D is still required to optimize the FLASH effect by tuning the required beam parameters for different kinds of tumor in different environments. With an infrastructure designed for precision and scalability, PITZ is well-positioned to attract partnerships with leading specialists in radiation oncology and to enable third-party-funded projects.
With an infrastructure designed for precision and scalability, PITZ is well-positioned to attract partnerships with leading specialists in radiation oncology and to enable third-party-funded projects.
The ability to systematically investigate the FLASH effect under controlled conditions will aid in optimizing treatment parameters, guiding the development of advanced accelerator technologies for the healthcare industry.
Future Outlook
As the infrastructure gains traction, collaborations with clinics and pharmaceutical companies are expected to grow. The project’s long-term objectives include defining the best parameters for FLASH therapy, contributing to its clinical translation, and driving innovations in accelerator-based healthcare solutions.
This initiative exemplifies DESY’s commitment to advancing multidisciplinary research, with a focus on improving treatment outcomes and expanding the therapeutic window in radiation oncology.
Are you interested in collaborating on Advancing Radiation Therapy Research? Feel free to contact us at Info@Hi-Acts.de.