Proton beam breakthrough could transform cancer treatment

Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast have unveiled a pioneering method to generate high-quality proton beams using high-intensity lasers, a breakthrough with the potential to transform cancer treatment and other industries.

Proton beams, currently used in a variety of sectors such as satellite testing, nuclear reactor component analysis, and medical imaging, have also proven effective in cancer treatment. Proton beam radiotherapy offers more precise targeting of cancerous tissue compared to traditional X-ray radiotherapy, minimising damage to surrounding healthy cells and vital organs.

However, current proton beam generation relies on large, expensive cyclotrons - machines that are scarce and not widely available, especially for cancer therapy. In the UK, only three cyclotrons serve the National Health Service (NHS), limiting access for cancer treatment and research.

To address this, Dr Charlotte Palmer and her team at Queen’s have developed a compact and flexible alternative using a laser-plasma accelerator. This innovation creates protons by focusing high-powered laser pulses onto small solid materials, vaporising them to produce proton bursts. The new method could significantly expand access to proton therapy, bringing it closer to hospitals and research centres.

The challenge, however, has been to stabilise proton pulses, which typically vary from shot to shot, and to focus the beams, as they often spread out much like light from a bulb. In their latest research [1], published in Nature Communications, the team has overcome both of these hurdles. By introducing an innovative thin liquid sheet target in collaboration with international partners at the SLAC National Accelerator Lab and the University of Michigan, they have achieved a stable, focused proton beam with five pulses per second.

Dr Matthew Streeter, the study’s lead author, explains the breakthrough: “The liquid target renews quickly, allowing for hundreds of pulses per second. As the liquid evaporates, it forms a vapour cloud around the proton source. This cloud causes the proton beam to focus, resulting in a brighter, more precise beam.”

This development not only solves several longstanding issues but also demonstrates that proton beam generation can be compact, cost-effective, and applicable across multiple fields, including medicine, research, and industry.

With further research, this method could open new possibilities for proton-based applications, advancing cancer treatments and enhancing a variety of technological industries.

More information online

Published in Nature Communications