Preclinical tumor control with a laser-accelerated high-energy electron radiotherapy prototype

Abstract Radiotherapy using very-high-energy electron (VHEE) beams (50-300 MeV) has attracted considerable attention due to its advantageous dose deposition characteristics, enabling deep penetration and easy manipulation by magnetic components. One promising approach to compactly delivering these h...

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Main Authors: Zhiyuan Guo, Shuang Liu, Bing Zhou, Junqi Liu, Haiyang Wang, Yifei Pi, Xiaoyan Wang, Yingyi Mo, Bo Guo, Jianfei Hua, Yang Wan, Wei Lu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57122-z
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author Zhiyuan Guo
Shuang Liu
Bing Zhou
Junqi Liu
Haiyang Wang
Yifei Pi
Xiaoyan Wang
Yingyi Mo
Bo Guo
Jianfei Hua
Yang Wan
Wei Lu
author_facet Zhiyuan Guo
Shuang Liu
Bing Zhou
Junqi Liu
Haiyang Wang
Yifei Pi
Xiaoyan Wang
Yingyi Mo
Bo Guo
Jianfei Hua
Yang Wan
Wei Lu
author_sort Zhiyuan Guo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Radiotherapy using very-high-energy electron (VHEE) beams (50-300 MeV) has attracted considerable attention due to its advantageous dose deposition characteristics, enabling deep penetration and easy manipulation by magnetic components. One promising approach to compactly delivering these high energy electron beams in a cost-effective manner is laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA), which offers ultra-strong accelerating gradients. However, the transition from this concept to a functional machine intended for tumor treatment remains elusive. Here we present the self-developed pro- totype for LWFA-based VHEE radiotherapy, exhibiting compactness (occupying less than 5 m2) and long-term operational stability (validated over a period of one month). Subsequently, we employ this device to irradiate a tumor implanted in a mouse model. Following a dose delivery of 5.8 ± 0.2 Gy with precise tumor conformity, all irradiated mice exhibit pronounced control of tumor growth. For comparison, this tumor-control efficacy is similar to that achieved using commercial X-ray radiotherapy equipment operating at equivalent doses. These results demonstrate a compact and stable laser-driven VHEE system dedicated for preclinical studies involving small animal models and its promising prospects for future clinical translation in cancer therapy.
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spelling doaj-art-1cb927b748964fa1912a88c6dbbaf3bd2025-08-20T02:15:16ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-02-011611910.1038/s41467-025-57122-zPreclinical tumor control with a laser-accelerated high-energy electron radiotherapy prototypeZhiyuan Guo0Shuang Liu1Bing Zhou2Junqi Liu3Haiyang Wang4Yifei Pi5Xiaoyan Wang6Yingyi Mo7Bo Guo8Jianfei Hua9Yang Wan10Wei Lu11Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua UniversityDepartment of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua UniversityDepartment of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua UniversityDepartment of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityBeijing Academy of Quantum Information SciencesDepartment of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua UniversityDepartment of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua UniversityDepartment of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua UniversityAbstract Radiotherapy using very-high-energy electron (VHEE) beams (50-300 MeV) has attracted considerable attention due to its advantageous dose deposition characteristics, enabling deep penetration and easy manipulation by magnetic components. One promising approach to compactly delivering these high energy electron beams in a cost-effective manner is laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA), which offers ultra-strong accelerating gradients. However, the transition from this concept to a functional machine intended for tumor treatment remains elusive. Here we present the self-developed pro- totype for LWFA-based VHEE radiotherapy, exhibiting compactness (occupying less than 5 m2) and long-term operational stability (validated over a period of one month). Subsequently, we employ this device to irradiate a tumor implanted in a mouse model. Following a dose delivery of 5.8 ± 0.2 Gy with precise tumor conformity, all irradiated mice exhibit pronounced control of tumor growth. For comparison, this tumor-control efficacy is similar to that achieved using commercial X-ray radiotherapy equipment operating at equivalent doses. These results demonstrate a compact and stable laser-driven VHEE system dedicated for preclinical studies involving small animal models and its promising prospects for future clinical translation in cancer therapy.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57122-z
spellingShingle Zhiyuan Guo
Shuang Liu
Bing Zhou
Junqi Liu
Haiyang Wang
Yifei Pi
Xiaoyan Wang
Yingyi Mo
Bo Guo
Jianfei Hua
Yang Wan
Wei Lu
Preclinical tumor control with a laser-accelerated high-energy electron radiotherapy prototype
Nature Communications
title Preclinical tumor control with a laser-accelerated high-energy electron radiotherapy prototype
title_full Preclinical tumor control with a laser-accelerated high-energy electron radiotherapy prototype
title_fullStr Preclinical tumor control with a laser-accelerated high-energy electron radiotherapy prototype
title_full_unstemmed Preclinical tumor control with a laser-accelerated high-energy electron radiotherapy prototype
title_short Preclinical tumor control with a laser-accelerated high-energy electron radiotherapy prototype
title_sort preclinical tumor control with a laser accelerated high energy electron radiotherapy prototype
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57122-z
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