Balancing innovation and safety in FLASH radiotherapy
摘要
FLASH radiotherapy, a new ultra-high dose rate modality, promises to improve cancer treatment by decreasing normal-tissue toxicity while maintaining effective tumour control. Unlike conventional radiotherapy, which delivers radiation over minutes, FLASH operates on sub-second timescales, which presents unique opportunities and challenges. Key aspects of FLASH radiotherapy development discussed in this Review include advances in treatment planning, dosimetry and beam delivery systems. Innovative strategies for real-time imaging and quality assurance are essential to address the complexities of ultra-fast delivery. We emphasize the importance of integrating safety measures and robust clinical protocols to achieve the transformative potential of FLASH radiotherapy.