Investigating the mechanistic basis of photon FLASH radiotherapy in tumours & normal tissues

放射治疗是治疗多种癌症的绝佳方法，大约一半的患者可以通过放射治疗治愈。一种新的方法是以超高剂量率进行放射治疗，称为闪光放射治疗。这种创新的方法可以减少放射治疗的副作用，同时保持其对肿瘤细胞的杀伤作用。目前，绝大多数闪光研究都是使用放射治疗类型(质子和电子)进行的，而大多数使用光子的临床治疗都没有使用这种放射治疗。最近，MRC为我们的实验室提供了资金，使AS得以建立世界上第一个光子闪光放射治疗研究设施。这一前沿技术使人们能够利用更接近大多数临床治疗的放射源，在超高剂量率下研究放射治疗的效果。在这个项目中，我们将使用这一最先进的技术来探索正常组织和肿瘤对闪光放射治疗的反应。使用不同的实验方法，我们将更好地了解Flash-RT的工作原理，并利用这些知识进一步优化治疗。这项工作将导致改进的模型，将促进闪光放射治疗的临床发展，最终目的是改善接受放射治疗的患者的结果。

Radiotherapy is an excellent treatment for many types of cancer and about half of all patients can be cured by its use. A new approach involves the delivery of radiotherapy at ultra-high dose rates, known as FLASH radiotherapy. This innovative approach can reduce the unwanted side effects of radiotherapy whilst maintaining its cell-killing effects in tumours. Currently, the vast majority of FLASH studies have been performed using types of radiotherapy (protons and electrons) that are not used in most clinical treatments delivered that use photons. Recent MRC funding to our laboratory has allowed as to establish one of the world's first photon FLASH radiotherapy research facilities. This leading-edge technology enables new lines of research into the effects of radiotherapy at ultra-high dose rates using a radiation source that is much closer to the majority of clinical treatments.In this project, we will use this state-of-the-art technology to explore how normal tissues and tumours respond to FLASH radiotherapy. Using different experimental methods, we will gain a better understanding of how FLASH-RT works and use this knowledge to further optimize treatments. This work will lead to improved models that will facilitate the development of FLASH-RT towards the clinic ultimately aiming to improve outcomes for patients receiving radiotherapy.