The treatment of cancer is at the dawn of a revolution, and at the center of all this is an innovative approach called flash radiotherapy. This ultra-fast treatment for cancer delivers radiation in less than a second, leaving hope for safer and more effective care.
Traditional radiotherapy is the cornerstone of cancer treatment. This usually involves exposing tumors to radiation for several minutes on dozens of sessions. Although effective, this method often damages healthy tissues surrounding cancer, especially in sensitive areas like the brain.
Flash radiotherapy reverses the situation by delivering ultra-high doses of radiation in a few milliseconds, targeting tumors with unprecedented precision while sparing healthy cells. Marie-Catherine Vozenin demonstrated for the first time this ultra-fast treatment for cancer in the early 2010s And has shown remarkable success in animal studies.
Experiments have revealed that Flash eliminates tumors and considerably reduces harmful side effects, such as alteration in the functioning of organs or development delays in pediatric patients. The ultra-fast flash approach allows oncologists to use higher radiation doses, thus increasing the chances of destroying tenacious cancers.
Human tests are already underway, promising for the treatment of metastatic cancers and complex tumors, such as glioblastomas and recurring cancers of the head and neck. These conditions are notoriously difficult, with limited treatment options and significant risks of damage to healthy tissues. Ultra-fast treatment for cancer could therefore be the best option.
Proton therapy, which is a type of radiotherapy based on particles, has become a favorite during these flash tests. Protons penetrate deep into the body, which makes them ideal for treating the internal organs without affecting the neighboring healthy tissues. However, researchers also explore alternatives such as electrons and carbon ions to extend applications.
Currently, the biggest obstacle is accessibility. Flash treatments require advanced particle accelerators, which are large and costly: there are only 14 installations in the world capable of operating one. If we manage to create smaller and more affordable accelerators, this ultra-fast cancer treatment could become one of the best ways to treat several types of cancer.
