CERN Technology Underlies Next Generation Cancer Treatment

STFC and Advanced Oncotherapy are collaborating in the construction of a proton therapy assembly and test facility at STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory, that will build on the technology at the heart of the Large Hadron Collider (CERN Geneva)) to develop treatments for patients with cancer.

Proton beams targeted precisely at cancerous tumours will limit damage to surrounding organs or tissue, produce fewer side effects and also offer the potential for higher disease-free survival rates. This therapy is most often used to treat brain tumours in young children whose organs and tissues are still developing, or cancers adjacent to critical part of the body (liver, lung, head and neck, prostate, breast).

Advanced Oncotherapy said that its ‘LIGHT’ system, expected to be the first commercially available linear proton accelerator, would be represent a milestone advancement in cancer therapy, with reduce construction costs and ability to provide hospitals and treatment centres with customisd treatment plans based on a wide range of energies.

UK Science Minister Sam Gyimah said: “Almost all of us have been affected by cancer in some way, whether that’s receiving treatment ourselves or through people we know who have battled the disease. Today’s investment will help develop the next generation of treatments and could take us one step closer to finding a cure, making a huge difference to millions of peoples’ lives.

“The UK remains a leading destination for science, research and innovation and has been home to many of the world’s greatest medical discoveries and development of treatments. Through the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy and Life Sciences Sector Deal, we are encouraging collaboration between industry, academia and business to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of the latest technologies and developments – building a Britain fit for the future.”

Professor Susan Smith, Head of STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory, said the decision was recognition of the Laboratory’s world leading skills and experience in the field of particle accelerators. “At STFC we are committed to developing accelerator technology and expertise to address the world’s key challenges, as well as to help businesses innovate to the benefit of our society and our economy.”