TU Wien researchers advance mixed ion beam cancer therapy

Researchers from TU Wien and MedAustron have reported progress in improving cancer treatment through a “mixed beams” approach in ion beam therapy. This method utilizes two different types of particle beams to increase precision and minimize damage to healthy tissue.

In this technique, carbon ion beams are used to target and destroy tumor tissue. A secondary helium ion beam is added to monitor the process. Because helium nuclei are approximately three times lighter and have one-third the charge of carbon nuclei, they behave similarly in an accelerator but penetrate the body more easily. By measuring the residual velocity of the helium nuclei after they pass through the irradiated area, clinicians can determine how deeply the carbon nuclei have penetrated the tissue and assess the effectiveness of the therapy.

To ensure the method works, researchers must precisely control the ratio of carbon to helium nuclei. According to lead author Elisabeth Renner from the TU Wien Institute of Atomic Physics, the team utilizes the slight difference in the three-to-one mass ratio of the ions to monitor the beam's center of gravity within the accelerator, ensuring the mixture remains stable and accurate.