Abstract
Abstract
FLASH-RT represents a novel therapeutic radiation modality
that holds remarkable potential for mitigating radiation therapy's
adverse side effects. This cutting-edge technology allows for
sparing healthy tissue while precisely targeting cancerous
cells. This is possible by administering an ultra-high-dose-rate in
less than a few hundred milliseconds. FLASH-RT has demonstrated
impressive results in small-animal models, prompting scientists to
adapt and advance existing technologies to make it a viable
treatment option for humans. However, producing the
ultra-high-dose-rate radiation required for the therapy remains a
significant challenge. Several radiation sources, such as very high
energy electrons (VHEEs), low energy electrons, x-rays, and protons,
have been studied for their ability to deliver the necessary
dose. Among them, FLASH-x-ray has gained the most attention owing to
its capacity to penetrate deep-seated tumors. Despite the complexity
of the process, the potential advantages of FLASH-RT made it an
exciting area of research. To achieve the FLASH effect,
high-frequency, pulsed irradiated accelerator technology can be
employed. Sparing healthy tissue may allow for more aggressive and
effective cancer treatments, leading to a better quality of life for
patients. Ongoing research and development will be necessary to
refine and optimize this approach to radiation therapy.