Microbeam Radiation Therapy | #OnTheBeamlines photos

This first appeared as a Facebook post for the Canadian Light Source

Microbeam radiation therapy is an experimental cancer treatment being developed using synchrotrons. The technique would deliver a high radiation dose to the tumor with an array of microbeams, which is less damaging to healthy tissues than normal treatments, while still shrinking the tumour.

MRT is still in pre-clinical development, and this team, with researchers from Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, the University of Saskatchewan, and MicroBeam Advancement Inc, is studying its safety in patients who have already received their lifetime dose of conventional radiation.

Al Hanson, Farley Chicilo, Whitney Curtis, Andrew Alexander, Danielle Sherin, Fred Geisler

Arash Panahifar demonstrates BMIT mount to Andrew Alexander, Whitney Curtis, Danielle Sherin, Al Hanson and Farley Chicilo. Monique Mayer, a professor at WCVM, is also part of the team.

A synchrotron light source, like the one at the CLS BMIT beamline is the best source for creating the type of beam needed for MRT, but other sources are being developed for clinical applications

The ability to overcome the conventional maximum tolerance dose to the spinal cord is of great importance to the radiation oncology community. This study will determine the efficacy of microbeam radiotherapy in the spinal cord for patients who have already received high doses in previous treatments and eventually guide decisions for clinical trials.