The European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)
Since their introduction in the 1980s, ESTRO Annual Conferences have become a must in the calendars of radiotherapy professionals not only in Europe, but around the globe. The unique environment of ESTRO events provides a platform for the various scientific disciplines that are essential to radiotherapy: biology, physics, technology and clinical. This year’s theme is Transformative Innovation Through Partnership and the event will be held at the Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center in Vienna, Austria, from 2 to 6 May.
FLASH Radiotherapy, a Groundbreaking Innovation in Radiotherapy Research
FLASH Radiotherapy is one of the latest innovations to embody the four pillars of ESTRO.
Biology – FLASH Radiotherapy is an innovative radiation technique in which treatment is delivered in a fraction of a second, at an ultra-high dose rate (commonly referred to using the acronym “UHDR”). Using this method, a remarkable biological effect can be observed, with pre-clinical research showing an enhanced differential response: damage to surrounding healthy tissue is reduced with a maintained level of tumor control compared to conventional treatments.
Physics – The triggering of the FLASH Effect is dependent on both irradiation time and dose rate. Particle beams are required to be capable of delivering entire prescribed doses in a fraction of a second, as opposed to over the 5 to 35 amount of sessions on average needed for the administration of conventional radiotherapy.
Technology – The need to generate particle beams that meet the necessary conditions for FLASH has led to significant advances in accelerator technology over the past decade. Before the discovery of FLASH, radiotherapy devices weren’t required to reach the ultra-high dose rates of particle accelerators which are now in development. For reference, the dose rates of systems used in conventional radiotherapy are typically in the range of 1 to 20 Gy/min, while FLASH radiotherapy devices, such as FLASHKNiFE, can reach over 300 Gy/s.
Clinical – Research into FLASH Radiotherapy is still in the pre-clinical phase. Clinical trials at a number of research centers worldwide look to confirm the repeatability of the benefits of FLASH Radiotherapy that have been identified in pre-clinical studies. Making FLASH radiation therapy available to all through clinical translation is at the very center of THERYQ’s mission.
THERYQ, Pioneers in FLASH Radiotherapy
THERYQ specializes in the development of FLASH Radiotherapy systems, with a view to pioneering the clinical application of the innovation. For over a decade, THERYQ’s teams have partnered with various leading cancer research centers in collaborative FLASH research projects.
As our portfolio of UHDR electron beam linacs continues to grow, we are proud to be an industrial partner with solutions for every step of the journey from pre-clinical research, to clinical translation.
FLASHLAB, 7 MeV low energy electron beam for research into the radiobiology of the “FLASH” effect.
FLASHKNiFE, 6 or 9 MeV low energy electron beam with penetration of 27 mm (R90).
FLASHDEEP, 100 to 200 MeV Very High Energy Electron Beam (VHEE) for deeper penetration.
Meet our team of experts at Booth n°810 in Vienna to discover how THERYQ is pioneering the clinical translation of FLASH Radiotherapy.