Developing a new system for faster proton therapy treatment
Official title: A compact beam delivery system enabling ultra-fast dose delivery for upright proton therapy
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11045771 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to deliver proton therapy quickly and efficiently, especially for kids with cancer, so that treatments are faster and more comfortable for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $440,035 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA288343-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045771 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents undergoing proton therapy for various types of cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving proton therapy or those with conditions that do not require this specific treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a compact beam delivery system that uses advanced technology to enable ultra-fast dose delivery in proton therapy. By designing a novel energy degrader and a fixed beamline, the project aims to significantly reduce treatment times for patients, making proton therapy more efficient and accessible. The system is designed to accommodate moving targets, which is particularly beneficial for treating cancers in children. The ultimate goal is to enhance patient comfort and improve the overall quality of cancer treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more effective proton therapy treatments, improving outcomes for patients with cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in enhancing proton therapy techniques, but this specific approach utilizing ultra-fast dose delivery is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nesteruk, Konrad Pawel — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Nesteruk, Konrad Pawel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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-
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.
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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.