3-D in-body dose monitor for FLASH proton radiation
Official title: 3D In vivo dosimetry for FLASH proton therapy
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11167545 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating a 3-D in-body device that monitors the radiation dose delivered during ultra-fast 'FLASH' proton therapy for adult cancer patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $602,581 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA288351-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11167545 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adult cancer patients treated with or planned for proton FLASH therapy at centers offering experimental or early-phase FLASH protocols.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving proton or FLASH radiation (for example those treated with conventional photon RT), pediatric patients if the device is tuned for adults, or those unable to access participating proton centers may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
If I were getting proton FLASH therapy, this project would build a device that listens for tiny sound waves produced when radiation hits tissue and combines that with ultrasound to make a 3-D map of dose inside my body. The team will develop a protoacoustic/ultrasound dual-modality imaging system (PUDIS) and test it through laboratory and preclinical work with academic and industry partners. They plan to ensure the system can handle the ultra-high dose rates of FLASH and provide accurate volumetric dose information that current dosimeters cannot. The aim is to ready this technology for clinical use within several years to improve safety and precision of proton FLASH treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make proton FLASH therapy safer and more precise by confirming the actual 3-D dose delivered inside the body during ultra-fast treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Protoacoustic dosimetry has shown promising results in laboratory and preclinical work, but full 3-D in vivo dosimetry for clinical proton FLASH remains largely novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xiang, Shawn Liangzhong — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Xiang, Shawn Liangzhong
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Intelligent and Personalized Online Adaptive Proton Therapy
A new, AI-powered online system aims to tailor proton therapy in real time for patients with cancers near vital organs, to reduce side effects and improve outcomes.
-
Efficient AI-Driven Image Guidance for Upright Lung Proton Therapy
A patient-focused AI-powered system helps guide upright proton therapy for lung cancer to improve accuracy and accessibility.
-
3D in vivo dosimetry for FLASH proton therapy
A new protoacoustic dosimeter will help doctors precisely measure dose delivery in proton FLASH therapy for adults with cancer.
-
Dose-LET Volume Histogram to Improve Safe Proton Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer
A Mayo Clinic study will develop a new tool to map dose and LET in spot-scanning proton therapy to reduce severe side effects for head and neck patients.
-
AI-guided proton therapy that adapts during treatment for head and neck cancer
Using AI to build 3D images from routine X-rays so proton therapy can be updated during treatment for people with head and neck cancer.
-
Real-time guided proton radiation for more precise liver tumor treatment
Trying a proton radiation approach that tracks liver tumors in real time to treat people with liver cancer more precisely while protecting healthy liver tissue.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.