Recent research indicates that proton therapy, a targeted approach to destroying cancer tumors, produces significantly fewer side effects than conventional radiotherapy.
Data from France's National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) shows that over half of cancer patients receive radiotherapy. This method uses a focused beam of ionizing radiation to damage cancer cells' DNA.
The most common form employs X-rays, where high-energy photons converge from multiple angles on the tumor. However, some radiation inevitably affects nearby healthy cells, potentially damaging their DNA.
This can result in unwanted side effects like diarrhea, nausea, breathing or swallowing difficulties, and more.
While radiotherapy has proven effective against many cancers, can we achieve similar outcomes with fewer risks? A new study says yes.
Unlike X-ray-based radiotherapy, proton therapy uses positively charged particles—primarily protons from hydrogen ions. These allow for more precise dosing, minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue and reducing the overall radiation dose to the patient.
Proton therapy has long been used in cases requiring high precision, such as tumors near radiation-sensitive organs.
Until recently, long-term outcomes and toxicity comparisons were limited. Brian Baumann from the University of Pennsylvania analyzed both treatments, publishing findings in JAMA Oncology.
Baumann tracked 1,092 radiotherapy patients and 391 proton therapy patients for months. One-year survival rates were similar: 83% for proton therapy versus 81% for radiotherapy—a non-significant difference.
Side effects differed markedly. After adjusting for age and risk factors, proton therapy patients had a two-thirds reduction in relative risk of serious side effects in the first 90 days compared to the radiotherapy group.
"This is exciting because it shows proton therapy can reduce serious side effects and improve patient well-being without compromising treatment efficacy," Baumann notes.
Proton therapy lags behind radiotherapy due to high costs: facilities and equipment run 40-60 million euros, with sessions over 1,000 euros each. France has just three centers—in Orsay, Nice, and Caen.
Expanding access could lower costs in coming years.
Related articles:
