A team at the Trento Proton Therapy Centre in Italy has successfully delivered the first clinical treatments using proton arc therapy, a new proton delivery technique that overcomes the limitations of traditional pencil-beam scanning. The technique, which involves moving the beam in an arc trajectory, enables the optimization of the number of energies used for each beam direction, resulting in superior dose distributions and reduced treatment times. The team has reported their findings in Medical Physics, highlighting the potential of proton arc therapy to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Forecast for 6 months: Proton arc therapy is expected to gain traction in the medical community, with more research institutions and hospitals adopting this technique to improve cancer treatment outcomes. We anticipate a significant increase in the number of clinical trials and studies focused on proton arc therapy, leading to a better understanding of its benefits and limitations.
Forecast for 1 year: As the adoption of proton arc therapy accelerates, we expect to see the development of new treatment planning systems and software that can optimize the delivery of proton arc therapy. This will enable clinicians to take full advantage of the technique’s benefits, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced treatment times.
Forecast for 5 years: Proton arc therapy is expected to become a standard treatment option for certain types of cancer, particularly those that are sensitive to radiation. We anticipate a significant increase in the number of patients treated with proton arc therapy, leading to a better understanding of its long-term effects and potential side effects.
Forecast for 10 years: As proton arc therapy continues to evolve, we expect to see the development of new technologies and techniques that can further improve its accuracy and effectiveness. This may include the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to optimize treatment planning and delivery. We also anticipate a significant increase in the number of proton therapy centers worldwide, making this treatment option more accessible to patients.
