Flash radiotherapy - window of opportunity at an embryonic stage

Abstract

No tumor group can be irresponsive to chemotherapy, especially radiotherapy, when applied in sufficient doses. However, in most cases, it is not possible to give effective doses that can destroy the tumor due to side effects and damage that may occur in healthy, normal tissues. Although current technological possibilities transmit the rays to the target area and protect the surrounding healthy tissues and organs much more effectively than before, there is a need for more studies and scientific content on this subject. FLASH-RT has theoretical advantages over conventional radiotherapy. Giving radiation in small, daily doses helps protect healthy cells by giving more time to repair. However, new research shows that there may be a way to deliver radiation at record speeds while sparing healthy tissue. FLASH (ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy), an innovative technique, uses electrons to target tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. More importantly, FLASH is claimed to achieve these effects in less than a second, which can exponentially shorten the duration of radiation sessions. Recent studies indicated how using proton radiation instead of electrons or photons and other technical tweaks could turn FLASH into a powerful tool that can deliver radiation in milliseconds. Significant technological advances are needed to generate FLASH photons, potentially protons, very high energy electrons, and heavy ions. Such radiation sources will allow the required dose distribution to be obtained at more immense depths inside the human body, where most tumors occur.