3D in vivo dosimetry for FLASH proton therapy
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11393103 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new protoacoustic dosimeter will help doctors precisely measure dose delivery in proton FLASH therapy for adults with cancer.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $593,914 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA288351-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393103 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cancer considered for proton FLASH therapy who would benefit from improved dose verification.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing proton FLASH therapy or without access to this technology may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant aims to create a 3D, in vivo dosimetry system called PUDIS to verify how much radiation reaches a tumor and surrounding tissues during ultra-fast proton FLASH therapy. It brings together university and industry partners to translate this technology into routine clinical use over the next 5–10 years. The team will develop and validate the Protoacoustic/Ultrasound Dual-modality Imaging System to ensure safe, accurate proton FLASH dosing. The work focuses on improving treatment precision while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Patients could benefit from more reliable dose measurements during complex, high-speed radiation treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive proton FLASH therapy with greater accuracy and potentially fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous proton dosimetry approaches lack real-time 3D in vivo capability at ultra-high dose rates, making this a novel step.
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
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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.