CERN-based experiments and Monte-Carlo studies on focused dose delivery with very high energy electron (VHEE) beams for radiotherapy applications

Very High Energy Electron (VHEE) beams are a promising alternative to conventional radiotherapy due to their highly penetrating nature and their applicability as a modality for FLASH (ultra-high dose-rate) radiotherapy. The dose distributions due to VHEE need to be optimised; one option is through t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2024-05, Vol.14 (1), p.11120-11120, Article 11120
Main Authors: Whitmore, L., Mackay, R. I., van Herk, M., Korysko, P., Farabolini, W., Malyzhenkov, A., Corsini, R., Jones, R. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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631/67/1059
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Dosimetry
Electrons
Energy
Experiments
Health facilities
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humans
Monte Carlo Method
Monte Carlo simulation
multidisciplinary
Particle Accelerators - instrumentation
Physics
Radiation therapy
Radiotherapy - methods
Radiotherapy Dosage
Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted - methods
Radiotherapy, High-Energy - instrumentation
Radiotherapy, High-Energy - methods
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Stainless steel
Tumors
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Summary:Very High Energy Electron (VHEE) beams are a promising alternative to conventional radiotherapy due to their highly penetrating nature and their applicability as a modality for FLASH (ultra-high dose-rate) radiotherapy. The dose distributions due to VHEE need to be optimised; one option is through the use of quadrupole magnets to focus the beam, reducing the dose to healthy tissue and allowing for targeted dose delivery at conventional or FLASH dose-rates. This paper presents an in depth exploration of the focusing achievable at the current CLEAR (CERN Linear Electron Accelerator for Research) facility, for beam energies >200 MeV. A shorter, more optimal quadrupole setup was also investigated using the TOPAS code in Monte Carlo simulations, with dimensions and beam parameters more appropriate to a clinical situation. This work provides insight into how a focused VHEE radiotherapy beam delivery system might be achieved.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-60997-5