The ERC PoC VHERAPY project proposes a novel Radio-Therapy approach with very high energy electrons (VHEE) in the range of 150-250MeV for the treatment of deep tissue tumors. The value proposition of VHERAPY is to improve the quality of deep tissue cancer treatment by reducing associated radiation damage in safe tissues and sensitive organs. VHEE-RT is poised to improve outcomes for cancers that are either deep down inside the human body, or in delicate areas where toxicity to nearby organs could cause serious side effects. It will also improve the response of obese patients to radiation therapy, especially for deep tissue tumors. The machinery required to deliver this RT modality is expected to be compact and cost effective relative to current alternatives. Our laser plasma approach to VHEE-RT is expected to achieve a superior, dosimetric parameters and treatment outcomes to conventional X-ray therapy, with comparable size and machine complexity.
The technical studies performed in the context of VHERAPY project show the different options for improving at moderate cost Very High Energy Electron properties for Radiotherapy (VHEE-RT). Shock-injection in laser driven plasma-based accelerators appears to be an elegant and efficient approach for generating high quality electron beams. State-of-the-art particle-in-cells simulations have been performed to optimize the VHEE beam with energy around 250 MeV using a single laser beam. Parameters of the plasma density profile were changed systematically to study alternative options to obtain higher beam charge (up to 200 pico-Coulomb) with reasonable relative energy spread (less than 3%) compatible for RT treatments. Dose deposition simulations were performed to simulate the VHEE beam transport using magnetic focusing components with focusing-defocusing quadrupole. Start to end simulations was realized to get accurate predictive beam parameters. The most suitable arrangements of magnetic components for given beam parameters have been then reached. The Geant4 simulations were also performed to determine the dose deposition properties of focused beam ranging from 150 MeV to 250 MeV. These investigations were performed to find adequacy of VHEE to treat deep-seated tumors. In addition, the implementation of the focusing device allows to check whether dose can be concentrated into a small volume that can be shaped to treat deep-seated tumor.
The second part of the study performed in the project is related to define the relevant market situation in radiotherapy sectors for VHEE therapy, to decide on the initial starting points for commercialization and understand the near and middle term go to market strategy, and to find out the needed resources to attain the necessary technology readiness level. This was done by collecting information and desktop market research, with an initial market study that includes detailed information regarding the innovation, applications, possible stakeholders, markets, competition, customers, and business opportunities. Then through the analysis of the collected information the knowledge of the market was deepened looking at needs for stakeholders, value chains, trends, market opportunity, market size, and analysis of the competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, focusing predominantly on the current players and suppliers in the RT space in the US and Europe. The analysis then identifies a list of stakeholders and potential collaborators, and the collected information was then used to draft the content of the interviews to relevant stakeholders and organisations around our initial value chain positioning, and the correct individuals within these organisations were identified and approached.
This market study concludes that there is a clear scope for commercialisation of this technology. The industry and the related communities are keen to support the development of laser plasma VHEE-RT and see great potential for its eventual use in patient treatment. The appropriate commercialisation vehicle for this technology would be to first achieve IP protection, then license the technology to an organisation that can develop it further. This will first require significant advancements in technology development, so that the value of the technology can be clearly demonstrated to licensees.
The technical advancements and the market study performed in the VHERAPY have encouraged us to push further the feasibility study of VHEE-RT with a new EIC Transition ebeam4therapy project that will start soon.
