A pioneering new treatment promises to tackle a wider range of cancers with fewer side-effects than conventional radiotherapy. The treatment, known as Flash, delivers radiation at ultra-high dose rates, with exposures of less than a second, and has been shown to destroy tumours in rodents and humans while sparing healthy tissue.
The concept of Flash resonated with international experts, who described it as a seminal breakthrough. The treatment addresses some of the long-standing limitations of radiotherapy, which is one of the most common cancer therapies. Typically, radiotherapy involves exposing cancerous tissues to radiation over several minutes, but Flash delivers the radiation in less than a second.
Researchers at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (Cern) have been working on the Flash concept, which uses protons to deliver the radiation. The treatment has been shown to be effective in treating various types of cancer, including lung cancer, brain cancer, and head and neck cancer.
One of the advantages of Flash is that it can be used to treat tumours that are difficult to reach with conventional radiotherapy. The treatment can also be used to treat patients who have previously been considered incurable.
However, there are still challenges to overcome before Flash can be widely adopted. One of the main challenges is the cost of the machines required to deliver the treatment. The machines are still relatively large and expensive, which limits patient access.
Researchers are working to develop smaller and more affordable machines that can deliver Flash. They are also exploring the use of different types of radiation, such as X-rays and electrons, to see if they can be used to deliver the treatment.
The ultimate goal is to make Flash available to all patients who need it, regardless of their location or financial situation. The treatment has the potential to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and to increase their chances of survival.
In addition to its potential benefits for patients, Flash could also have a significant impact on the global health system. The treatment could help to reduce the number of hospitalisations and complications associated with cancer treatment, which could lead to cost savings for the health system.
Overall, Flash is a promising new treatment that has the potential to revolutionize the way we treat cancer. While there are still challenges to overcome, the treatment has the potential to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and to increase their chances of survival.
