Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41656319›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2026

Experimental characterization of proton minibeam therapy delivery under FLASH dose-rate conditions.

Yuting Lin, Wei Wu, Jufri Setianegara, Aoxiang Wang, Nicolas Gerard, Jarrick Nys, Gregory N Gan, Hao Gao

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Yuting LinDepartment of Radiation Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA. yuting.lin@utsouthwestern.edu.
Wei WuDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansa City, USA.
Jufri SetianegaraDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansa City, USA.
Aoxiang WangDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansa City, USA.
Nicolas GerardIon Beam Applications (IBA), Walloon Brabant, Belgium.
Jarrick NysIon Beam Applications (IBA), Walloon Brabant, Belgium.
Gregory N GanDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansa City, USA.
Hao GaoDepartment of Radiation Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.

Funding

Novel Optimization Methods and Treatment Planning System for Clinically-Deliverable Truly-Hybrid Proton-Photon RadiotherapyR37CA250921 · NCI · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · PI Hao Gao · 2021 to 2026
$2.2M
Ion Beam Applications GR#527249NCI NIH HHS R37CA250921
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Proton minibeam radiation therapy (pMBRT) introduces spatial fractionation of dose distributions at submillimeter resolution, offering a promising approach to reducing normal tissue toxicity while maintaining effective tumor control. However, the high monitor unit (MU) requirements of multi-slit collimators (MSC) result in extended delivery times, posing a significant challenge. This study explores the feasibility of integrating pMBRT with ultra-high-dose-rates (UHDR) to overcome this limitation while leveraging potential biological synergies to enhance the therapeutic index and advance clinical applications. The study utilized the IBA ProteusONE compact proton therapy system equipped with two MSCs, each with center-to-center distances of 2.8 mm, slit widths of 1.0 mm, and thicknesses of 6.5 cm and 10 cm. UHDR delivery was achieved with 228 MeV protons at a current of 125 nA, while clinical beams operated at 226 MeV with 1-5 nA. Dose measurements using Gafchromic films in solid water phantoms were compared with Monte Carlo simulations. Delivery times were compared for FLASH and clinical beams. PBS dose rate was calculated based on the spot delivery log file. The study successfully demonstrated pMBRT dose distributions under UHDR, significantly reducing treatment times to 2.5 s compared to 3 min for clinical beams. The 10 cm collimator achieved higher peak-to-valley dose ratios (PVDRs) at 2 cm depth (4.36) than the 6.5 cm collimator (2.57), optimizing UHDR delivery conditions. Results highlight the potential to improve dose delivery efficiency while maintaining spatial resolution and dose modulation, supporting future clinical advancements. This study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating pMBRT with UHDR using a clinical proton therapy system. By addressing challenges associated with delivery times and leveraging the combined advantages of spatial fractionation and ultra-high-dose-rates, this work paves the way for the clinical translation of pMBRT with UHDR, offering innovative possibilities for treating challenging malignancies with high-dose precision therapy.

Indexed as

Proton TherapyHumansMonte Carlo MethodPhantoms, ImagingRadiotherapy DosageRadiotherapy Planning, Computer-AssistedFLASHMinibeamPencil beam scanningSpatially fractioned radiation therapyUHDR

Identifiers

PMID41656319
PMCPMC12949032

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.