PTC 2016

Prof Borghesi speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about the A-SAIL project in laser-acceleration of ions for proton beam therapy, in place of linear accelerators commonly used. He considers how cost and implementation of laser therapy may reduce cost and open treatment towards heavier ion therapies, as discussed by Dr Tadashi Kamada. Prof Borghesi summarises the steps by which ions are accelerated to deliver high levels of radiation precisely, and considers the potential developments of laser-ion acceleration to deliver mixed-field radiation simultaneously, or reduce installation size and cost.

Dr Kamada meets with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 to discuss carbon-ion beams, which he considers an alternative to proton therapy. While the cost of carbon-ion beam installation is high, he describes how the options of hypofractionation offer patient benefits and clinical flexibility to handle a large number of patients. Prof Kamada also rates the higher outcomes of patients with advanced sarcoma, which might otherwise be unresectable nor susceptible to proton beam therapy. With dose escalation established, Prof Kamada considers a future for identifying radioresistance to carbon therapy to improve cure rates, and secure a place for it in treatment of cancer.

Prof Bosanquet speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about the funding and support proton beam therapy (PBT) should meet to achieve widespread adoption. Considering the improved toxicity profile in adult and paediatric tumours, and the impact on quality of life for patients and carers in having a facility available closer to home, he sets out the requirements for PBT to find a place in the UK healthcare system.

Prof Brada meets with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 to discuss the validity of scientific literature assessing the cost and indications for proton beam therapy. He considers the data supporting wider adoption of proton therapy as incomplete, and highlights risk assessment as a criterion for further research, and encourages more communication with patients and the public to maintain transparency and address high expectations.

Dr Cortés-Funes speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about the hurdles to widespread adoption of proton beam therapy (PBT). Beginning with the high cost and low return of early efforts in America and Europe, he describes how advances in the interim have halved costs and reduced space requirements for modern facilities. Dr Cortés-Funes also discusses the case of Ashya King, whose parents took him from the UK to receive proton radiotherapy in Europe.

Prof Royle speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about the multidisciplinary efforts of UCL to develop technology, experience and confidence with their upcoming proton beam facility. He highlights discussions from the conference on patient prioritisation, and from there delivering the most suitable treatment based on accurate image guidance. Prof Royle outlines room for further clinical trials of proton radiotherapy as a part of combined modalities, including alongside immunotherapy.

Dr Gaya speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about pressures on and within industry to adopt proton therapy, which he cautions may be too hasty Comparing past experiences with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and the lack of clinical data to support a wide number of indications, Dr Gaya considers collaboration and trialling necessary steps to ensure robust data in support of an otherwise costly investment.

Dr Rashbass speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about cancer registries and the data collection of every patient in the UK. He discusses the uses of data and how this affects treatment, outcomes and further research.

Dr Razek speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about developing proton therapy in the United Arab Emirates, and providing care in the region. He reports on the exchange of insight and expertise through the conference, and considers how proton therapy may replace current radiotherapy, as was discussed in the panel discussion by Prof Karol Sikora.

Dr Powell meets with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 to discuss the construction of the UKs' first proton beam therapy clinic in Newport. He highlights discussions with NHS Wales to provide chemotherapy, photon therapy, and proton therapy to patients, and provide training and development opportunities for staff ahead of NHS clinics opening in London and Manchester.

Prof Allinson meets with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress to discuss PRaVDA; a proton CT prototype that allows for more accurate imaging and monitoring of proton therapy during its administration. He outlines the advances he sees as necessary to bring proton CT therapy out of prototype phases and towards clinical readiness and considers how development in imaging techniques may work alongside existing and novel radiotherapeutics.

Mr Pettingell speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about the highlights of the proton congress and the future of proton therapy in the UK and worldwide. He also discusses the logistics and economics of proton therapy and the improvements in technology and imaging.

Dr Yock speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about results from a trial using proton beam therapy to treat children with medulloblastoma. She describes how follow-up data beyond five years for quality of life and neuro-cognitive impact for treating children with brain tumours is a more useful metric than only disease-free progression, considering the reduced impact of proton therapy on IQ, hearing loss and neuroendocrine deficiencies compared to photon therapy.

Prof Taylor speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about proton therapy for children with cancer in the UK. He outlines the potential benefits of proton therapy for paediatric indications, and the long-term economic investment in new technologies.

Dr Myers speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about technological advances in the drivers of proton therapy; particle accelerators. From the research efforts of CERN in 1996, Dr Myers sets out the path to a new 'LIGHT' linear accelerator with a specific design brief for affordable, effective proton therapy. He highlights the need for ongoing dialogue and collaborations across scientific and engineering disciplines to bring the expertise of each field to the fore.

Prof Langendijk speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about patient selection for proton therapy. Considering the altered toxicity profile and costs associated with proton beam therapy (PBT) compared to current radiotherapy techniques, he describes planning a pair of therapeutic options based on modelling of expected patient response for external beam or proton therapy. Overall, Prof Langendijk rates the cost effectiveness of PBT as potentially beneficial in some patients, and encourages further randomised trials of novel technologies.

Prof Mendenhall speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about results of trials from the University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute (UFHPTI). The UFHPTI opened in 2006 and has now treated over 6000 patients; 97% of these patients are enrolled on a prospective outcome tracking protocol and approximately 20% have also been enrolled on prospective clinical trials. Prof Mendenhall describes the impact of proton therapy therapy (PBT) on patient outcomes, especially a reduced incidence of adverse events, for patients with prostate cancer and sinus cancer. She also highlights the potential of hypofractionation to reduce patient burden, treatment cost and treatment duration, and how paediatric brain tumour patients undergoing PBT have displayed high disease control rates.

Prof Sikora speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about proton beam therapy in the UK. He addresses the divide in access to proton therapy between the UK and Europe, and considers the issue of funding from public or private healthcare providers. Looking forward, Prof Sikora estimates that the place of proton therapy in the UK as being established by 2020.

Dr Kubeš speaks with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 about using pencil beam scanning (PBS) to treat previously unreachable indications with proton beam therapy (PBT). Outlining how his clinic has changed with wider patient enrollment across different tumour types, Dr Kubeš describes how an increasing referral of patients to PBT may guide the future of radiotherapy.

Prof Metz meets with ecancertv at Proton Therapy Congress 2016 to discuss lessons learned in his experience of building and running proton therapy centres. He describes advances in imaging and target specificity, including pencil beam scanning, as advances taking the field forwards, and anticipates a growing role for proton therapy in combination with other modalities. Prof Metz encourages open dialogue between centres and colleagues to share experience between established clinical practices and those just opening.