Niels Bassler, a professor of experimental particle therapy, is the coordinator and principal investigator of the research project PRESTO (PRoton therapy Enhancement by Spatially fractionated Treatment Optimization).

“With PRESTO, we are taking the first steps towards investigating whether radiotherapy using grid-shaped beams can revolutionise cancer treatment. Our preliminary results indicate significantly fewer acute injuries to healthy tissue, and we hope that this method can make a real difference for patients. Current treatments inevitably cause side effects, and our aim is to minimise these as much as possible,” says Niels Bassler.

As part of the project, the researchers will conduct preclinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of the novel method, which involves placing a grid that splits a single beam into many smaller beams. Additionally, a specialised planning system for this radiotherapy method will be developed, along with models to predict side effects in healthy tissue. The goal is to establish a scientific and technical foundation for future clinical trials.

“The funding that enables this research is particularly important for cancer patients who require re-irradiation, but for whom the risk of damage to healthy tissue currently limits treatment options. Patients with tumours requiring a higher radiation dose, as well as children, for whom sparing healthy tissue is especially critical, may also benefit from this new method in the future,” says Niels Bassler.

Over the next four years, the PRESTO project will have a total budget of 1.5 million euros, of which nearly 1 million comes from the EU’s PIANOFORTE programme.

Contact

Professor Niels Bassler
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine and
Aarhus University Hospital, Danish Centre for Particle Therapy
Email: bassler@clin.au.dk