Direct visualization of proton beam irradiation effects in liquids by MRI

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The main advantage proton beams offer over photon beams in radiation therapy of cancer patients is the dose maximum at their finite range, yielding a reduction in the dose deposited in healthy tissues surrounding the tumor. Since no direct method exists to measure the beam's range during dose delivery, safety margins around the tumor are applied, compromising the dose conformality and reducing the targeting accuracy. Here, we demonstrate that online MRI can visualize the proton beam and reveal its range during irradiation of liquid-filled phantoms. A clear dependence on beam energy and current was found. These results stimulate research into novel MRI-detectable beam signatures and already find application in the geometric quality assurance for magnetic resonance-integrated proton therapy systems currently under development.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2301160120
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America : PNAS
Volume120
Issue number23
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jun 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC10265969
Scopus 85160604924

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging, Proton Therapy/methods, Protons