Summary

Research on Proton Beam Therapy at West German Proton Therapy Center Essen (WPE)

With a facility of 4 treatment rooms offering various proton modalities we can take advantage of a modern state-of-the-art, image-guided proton beam therapy providing X-ray, CT and MRI. Therefore, WPE is an excellent platform for research embedded in the structure of a full academic medical campus covering also modern photon modalities, brachytherapy, all relevant oncological disciplines and radiation/tumor biology laboratories. The proton center in Essen hosts the largest pediatric proton center within Europe with over 200 children being treated per year and multiple national and international research projects being addressed. Prof. Timmermann has a unique reputation in pediatric radiation oncology and is the national leader of reference radiation oncology for various pediatric oncology studies in CNS and non-CNS diseases. Beside pediatrics, the clinical research focus in adults is on CNS tumors, base of skull tumors, sarcomas and prostate cancer. Regarding prostate cancer, a phase II study on intensity-modulated, hypofractionated radiotherapy with scanning beam protons for locally advanced carcinoma of the prostate and localized carcinoma of the prostate with risk factors was initiated.

In order to improve the safety and quality of our patient’s health, our primary goal at WPE is to offer excellent medical advice and care for cancer patients. We are particularly seeking to minimize the risk of radiation-induced long-term side effects by using proton beam therapy. Technical developments both on software and hardware technology will lead to broader clinical use, for example when compensating for organ motion and achieving robust treatment planning. Currently, all patients at WPE are enrolled in long-term registry studies. The data obtained will enable the evaluation of the benefit of proton beam therapy for dose escalation or the reduction of side effects and secondary malignancies. In addition, this database will serve as the basis for optimizing proton treatment plans in future. Since quality of life is of increasing importance, our research group is carrying out a prospective study on the health-related quality of life in children with brain and cranial base tumors from the age of 2-7 years.

In collaboration with the respective experts from the University Hospital Essen we are evaluating endocrine disorders in pediatric and adult patients receiving proton therapy. Linked to radiation biology groups, we are undertaking biological research on the influence of proton radiation on the immune system and tumor cells during proton therapy. We are also collaborating in international studies like the SACRO-trial, a randomized & observational study on surgery versus definitive radiation therapy in primary localized sacral chordoma.In cooperation with the academic particle centers in Germany (Heidelberg/Marburg, Essen, Dresden) several more research projects are on the way on.