Improving proton therapy to better protect healthy tissues during cancer treatment
Official title: Sharpening the edge in pencil-beam proton therapy: an aftermarket collimation system to better spare normal tissue during radiation treatment
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-10930925 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to make proton therapy for cancer even better by adjusting the radiation beam in real-time, which could help more patients with brain tumors or head and neck cancers get more effective treatment while protecting healthy tissues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $395,858 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA226518-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930925 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with brain tumors or head and neck cancers who are undergoing proton therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not involve the brain or head and neck regions may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing proton therapy, a type of radiation treatment for cancer, by developing a new system that dynamically adjusts the beam of radiation as it targets tumors. The goal is to improve the precision of the radiation delivery, ensuring that more of the radiation hits the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissues, particularly in sensitive areas like the brain and head and neck. By utilizing advanced technology that allows for rapid changes in beam energy, this approach aims to make proton therapy faster and more effective for patients. Patients receiving treatment for brain tumors or head and neck cancers may particularly benefit from this innovative technique.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments with fewer side effects for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results with advanced proton therapy techniques, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hyer, Daniel Ellis — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Hyer, Daniel Ellis
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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.