Novel Technology of Laser Driven Proton Beams for a Potential Application in Cancer Therapy: in Vitro Dose Response Studies


Novel Technology of Laser Driven Proton Beams for a Potential Application in Cancer Therapy: in Vitro Dose Response Studies

Laschinsky, L.; Baumann, M.; Beyreuther, E.; Karsch, L.; Lessmann, E.; Oppelt, M.; Richter, C.; Schramm, U.; Schürer, M.; Pawelke, J.

Background: The development of the new technology of proton and ion acceleration by ultra-high intensity lasers for cancer therapy is the goal of the German joint research project “onCOOPtics”. The laser based acceleration promises compact and economic therapy facilities that are suitable for already existing clinics. In contrast to conventional particle acceleration the laser based method results in beams of very short pulses with ultra-high pulse dose and correspondingly peak dose rate. Within the project multidisciplinary issues like development and optimization of high-intensity laser systems, efficient proton acceleration schemes and proton beam transport are handled. Moreover, the physical and real-time dosimetric characterization as well as the investigation of radiobiological consequences of laser accelerated beams are essential. These imply translational investigations starting from in vitro cell irradiation.

Material and Methods: Systematic in vitro cell experiments were performed at the 150 terawatt laser facility DRACO at HZDR. Proton pulses up to 20MeV were accelerated, whereas the broad proton spectrum was downward limited to 6MeV using an energy-filter-system. An in-house developed integrated dosimetry and cell irradiation system (IDOCIS) was tested and calibrated allowing precise dosimetry as well as the exact positioning of each cell sample. Cell survival and residual DNA double strand breaks were determined after irradiation of the tumour cell line SKX in a dose range from 0.5Gy to 4.3Gy. Additionally, reference irradiation were performed with continuous proton beam at a conventional Tandem accelerator and with a 200 kVp X-ray tube.

Results: A stable and reproducible laser driven proton beam was achieved for experiments over weeks including real-time dose and energy spectrum monitoring as well as precise absolute dosimetry. The comparison of the radiobiological effectiveness of conventional and laser accelerated proton beams show no significant difference for in vitro cell irradiation.

Conclusions: These first systematic in vitro cell response studies with precise dosimetry of laser driven protons represent an important step toward the development of laser accelerated particles for radiotherapeutic application. Further experiments with other human cell lines and in vivo studies are under way.

The work was supported by the BMBF, grant no. 03ZIK445.

  • Open Access Logo Contribution to proceedings
    ECCO 16 - ESMO 36 Stockholm Cancer Conference, 23.-27.09.2011, Stockholm, Sweden
    Novel Technology of Laser Driven Proton Beams for a Potential Application in Cancer Therapy: in Vitro Dose Response Studies, 0959-8049
  • European Journal of Cancer 47(2011), S190
    DOI: 10.1016/S0959-8049(11)70964-9
    ISSN: 0959-8049

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Publ.-Id: 16252