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| Research Advances and Challenges in Proton Flash Radiotherapy |
| Chen Tianmei1,2, Li Yanyan1,2, Zhang Huojun2* |
1(School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China)
2(Radiotherapy Department, Changhai Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai 200433, China) |
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Abstract The objective of modern radiotherapy is to achieve an optimal balance between tumour control and the protection of normal tissues. Proton FLASH radiotherapy is a therapeutic method that outputs proton beams at an ultra-high dose rate. Its unique FLASH effect and proton properties enable it to efficiently kill the tumor while reducing radiation toxicity to the normal tissue. Despite the promising results observed in several studies, the clinical translation of proton FLASH-RT still faces several challenges and limitations. This review will introduce the biological mechanisms of FLASH-RT, provide a systematic analysis and discussion of the clinical advantages of proton FLASH-RT based on existing relevant studies, and summarize the difficulties and challenges in the clinical translation of FLASH-RT from four parts: proton acceleration equipment and delivery technology, dosimetric studies, dosimetry, and biological mechanisms, aiming to provide comprehesive information for the transition of proton FLASH-RT from theory to practice.
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Received: 24 February 2025
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