Preclinical tumor control with a laser-accelerated high-energy electron radiotherapy prototype
Zhiyuan Guo1, Shuang Liu1, Bing Zhou1,2
1Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Nature Communications
|February 23, 2025
Summary
A new compact laser-driven system for very-high-energy electron (VHEE) radiotherapy shows promise. This stable prototype effectively controlled tumor growth in mice, comparable to commercial X-ray machines.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Particle Accelerator Technology
- Oncology
Background:
- Very-high-energy electron (VHEE) beams offer advantageous dose deposition for radiotherapy.
- Laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) provides a compact and cost-effective method for generating VHEE beams.
- Transitioning LWFA to clinical radiotherapy requires functional, stable prototypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a prototype for LWFA-based VHEE radiotherapy.
- To assess the efficacy of this system in a preclinical tumor model.
- To demonstrate the potential for clinical translation of LWFA VHEE technology.
Main Methods:
- Development of a compact, stable LWFA-based VHEE radiotherapy prototype (occupying <5 m²).
- Validation of long-term operational stability over one month.
- Irradiation of a mouse tumor model with precise dose delivery (5.8 ± 0.2 Gy).
Main Results:
- The prototype demonstrated long-term operational stability.
- Precise tumor conformity and dose delivery were achieved.
- Significant tumor growth control was observed in irradiated mice, comparable to commercial X-ray radiotherapy.
Conclusions:
- A compact and stable laser-driven VHEE system for preclinical studies has been successfully developed.
- LWFA-based VHEE radiotherapy shows significant promise for effective tumor control.
- This technology holds potential for future clinical translation in cancer therapy.
