Prototyping of a Proton Computed Tomography System for Treatment Planning and Real-Time Monitoring of Dose Deposition in Particle Therapy

Project summary

Radiation therapy using particle beams such as protons and carbon ions is emerging as an invaluable alternative to conventional radiation therapy with X-rays. This is mainly due to the fact that particle beams have the potential to deposit much of the prescribed dose in the tumorous regions whereas the dose to healthy tissue is reduced significantly.

Motivated by these observations, the commissioning of a proton therapy center in Bergen located at HUS is being planned. It is anticipated that the facility would be operational within the next 5-6 years. This time window is crucially important to enhance capabilities and competence with relevance to medical physics and in particular, within particle beam therapy.

Therefore, the objective of the project at hand is twofold. Firstly, research on the development of a proton CT system is proposed where research collaboration among UiB, HVL and HUS will be crucial. Proton CT systems will be an important component of proton therapy centers as these will allow accurate treatment planning and dose calculations. The results of this work will be published in scholarly journals, popular science journals, PhD theses and presented at relevant conferences.

Secondly, the project has focus on establishment of a regional research and education consortium among the three key regional institutions; UiB, HVL and HUS, with the aim of enhancing the capabilities and competence with relevance to medical physics and in particular, within particle beam therapy at each institution. A goal of the consortium will be education of engineers and technical personnel within medical technologies. Students at both UiB and HiB will be made well aware of the consortium activities and encouraged to pursue medical physics and technology studies. This will be achieved through seminars and workshops where also the results of research activities related to proton CT will be disseminated.