Lectio Magistralis FLASH-Radiotherapy, V. Favaudon, 25.10.2022
Aula Francesco Calasso -Law Building (Edificio di Giurisprudenza)
piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma
From conventional dose-rate to FLASH radiotherapy: unveiled aspects of the dynamic of cell and tissue response to ionizing radiation Lectio magistralis
by Vincent Favaudon, Institut Curie
The radiation dose-rate is the most versatile and badly controlled factor in radiotherapy and research in radiobiology.
From brachytherapy to external beam radiotherapy, most current facilities deliver electrons, photons or protons at dose-rates between 0.001 and 0.40 Gy/s. Eight years ago ultrahigh dose-rate irradiation (UHDR, intra-pulse dose-rate≥ 105 Gy/s) unexpectedly demonstrated dramatic sparing of mouse lung from radio-induced fibrosis without modification of the antitumor efficiency.
This disruptive concept, known as the FLASH effect, has been confirmed in all mouse organs tested so far as well in higher mammals and in a patient treated for surface-seated tumors.
