A method of proton beam therapy using a single energy proton beam delivered at multiple angles to the tumor. Problem: Proton therapy is a type of radiation treatment that uses high-energy protons to damage and kill cancer cells. To maximize therapeutic efficacy while limiting collateral damage to healthy cells, proton pencil beams are delivered from multiple directions, using multiple energies and are scanned to fully cover the target. Energy switching and beam scanning require a time that does not allow a continuous beam delivery while the proton gantry rotates. At the same time, the use multiple energies from any give gantry angle, reduce the biological effectiveness of the beam. The use of a single energy beam that scans the target volume as the gantry continuously rotates, would decrease treatment time and increase effectiveness. Solution: The inventors developed a proton therapy method, Proton Arc Therapy, where proton beams are delivered to a tumor while the gantry or patient positioning system rotates through multiple positions. Irradiation occurs at selected points using a single energy beam. This eliminates the need for energy switching during rotation, reducing treatment time while maintaining precise dose delivery. The method also allows the deposition of higher Linear Energy Transfer (LET) protons within the target. Technology: Proton Arc Therapy uses existing proton delivery systems, such as cyclotrons or synchrotrons, but introduces beam delivery during continuous gantry or patient rotation. Radiation is delivered at a single, fixed proton beam energy to selected positions during the rotation. This enables the maximum radiation dose to be concentrated within the tumor while varying the beam angle to achieve full volumetric coverage of the tumor. For more complex tumors, an additional rotation with a second energy level may be applied to ensure complete coverage. This approach enhances precision and clinical effectiveness, decreases treatment time, and minimizes unnecessary radiation to surrounding healthy tissues. Advantages:
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Comparison of proton therapy dose delivery between the inventor's Proton Arc Therapy (left) and a conventional Pencil Beam Scanning approach (right). The tumor, outlined in light blue on a patient's CT scan, shows a sharply confirmed high-dose region (red) with Proton Arc Therapy, minimizing radiation to surrounding tissue. In contrast, Pencil Beam Scanning delivers higher doses beyond the tumor margins. Proton Arc Therapy also reduces radiation exposure at the beam entry point and along the beam path, further minimizing dose to healthy tissues. Intellectual Property:
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Docket: 14-7167