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Real-time in vivo proton range verification in proton therapy with thallium bromide detectors

Award Number: R01EB029533
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/15/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2024

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Real-time in vivo proton range verification in proton therapy with thallium bromide detectors - Summary Radiotherapy using protons is an attractive option as it has the potential to better preserve healthy tissue compared to radiation with photons or electrons, and because trial outcomes indicate it can replace surgery for radical cancer treatments as well. Proton therapy makes use of the finite range of heavy charged particles with an intensity maximum at the end of their path (Bragg peak) followed by a sharp fall-off of the dose. However, predicting the proton range based on computed tomography (CT) scans carries an estimation uncertainty. For treatments with proximal critical organs and limited accessibility (head and neck), high heterogeneities (lung), or significant breath motion (liver) such uncertainty is too high and the therapy is in the best case challenging, if not impossible. New instrumentation is needed to monitor the location of the Bragg peak to 1-2 mm accuracy within several seconds in these challenging scenarios. We propose to use the novel Cerenkov Charge Induction (CCI) thallium bromide (TlBr) detectors for proton range verification (PRV) in proton therapy. CCI TlBr detectors combine the detection of Cerenkov light, which provides sub-nanosecond timing resolution with the conventional readout of semiconductor detectors, which provides excellent energy resolution and 3-D segmentation. Moreover, TlBr has a shorter attenuation length than most commonly used scintillation materials for prompt-gammas up to 6.1 MeV. CCI TlBr detectors provide a unique performance, as they offer simultaneous excellent performance in energy, time, and spatial resolution, that fits the needs of PRV in proton therapy. In this project, we will test the feasibility of using a non-collimated prompt gamma timing – Compton camera (PGT-CC) camera based on pixel CCI TlBr detectors for PRV in proton therapy. We will 1) manufacture pixel CCI TlBr detectors with optimized surface treatment to couple the photodetector and with highly-stable long- lasting electrodes; 2) characterize the detector features of pixel CCI TlBr devices in a benchtop setting using sealed sources, including energy, spatial, and timing resolution; 3) evaluate the performance of a PGT-CC camera for PRV made with pixel CCI TlBr detectors in a beamline with protons accelerated to 67.5 MeV; and 4) compare the performance of our PGT-CC camera prototype with gold standard techniques following realistic treatment protocols at a clinical beamline with protons accelerated to >200 MeV. The accomplishment of the aims of this project will determine the potential of CCI TlBr detectors to become the most competitive devices for PRV in proton therapy. A successful performance of the proposed detection system would allow to exploit the benefits of proton therapy in treatment regions that are currently very challenging, leading to increased treatment efficacy and lower toxicity in the healthy organs of the patients.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $608,309 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	4	4/29/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$49,658
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	4	3/20/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$558,651
														Subtotal = $608,309

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $682,577 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	3	1/24/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$682,577
														Subtotal = $682,577

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $693,569 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	2	2/1/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$624,211
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	2	6/30/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$69,358
														Subtotal = $693,569

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $663,295 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	1	5/28/2021	NEW	$0
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	1	4/9/2021	NEW	$663,295
														Subtotal = $663,295

Grand Total All Awards = $2,647,750

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Real-time in vivo proton range verification in proton therapy with thallium bromide detectors

Award Number: R01EB029533

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/15/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2024

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