Reducing radiation damage for sarcoma with ultra-fast 'FLASH' proton therapy
Official title: Project 2: Mitigation of radiation toxicity in treatment of sarcoma with FLASH vs. Standard dose rates
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11298924 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project compares ultra-fast 'FLASH' proton radiation with standard proton therapy to see if people treated for sarcoma have fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $569,327 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA257904-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11298924 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with bone or soft-tissue sarcoma who need high-dose radiation as part of their treatment would be the main candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving radiation, are treated only with surgery or chemotherapy, or whose care does not involve proton therapy may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers are comparing 'FLASH' proton radiotherapy — an ultra-fast way to deliver radiation — with the usual proton dose rates to see how healthy tissues respond. They will examine common problems after sarcoma radiation such as skin damage, non-healing ulcers, lymphedema, bone weakening or fractures, and blood vessel injury. The work uses laboratory and preclinical models and modeling of radiation effects, aiming to show whether FLASH can spare normal tissue while still controlling tumor growth. If the data look promising, the approach would be moved toward clinical testing for people who need high-dose radiation for sarcoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, FLASH proton therapy could reduce short- and long-term damage to skin, bone, and soft tissues while maintaining cancer control.
How similar studies have gone: FLASH radiation has shown promising reductions in normal-tissue injury in laboratory and animal studies but has only limited early clinical testing so far.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Busch, Theresa M — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Busch, Theresa M
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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.