On November 22, 2024, the REALPATH research project officially launched under the coordination of Prof. Carlo Fiorini from the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering – Politecnico di Milano. Funded through the FISA (Italian Fund for Applied Sciences) program, the initiative seeks to revolutionize hadrontherapy, one of the most cutting-edge techniques for cancer treatment.
Hadrontherapy employs charged particles such as protons and carbon ions to precisely target tumor cells with millimetric accuracy. This precision is achieved through the Bragg peak phenomenon, which concentrates energy delivery directly on the tumor while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy tissues. However, to maximize the safety and efficacy of this technique, it is essential to monitor the beam’s position and intensity in real time.
The REALPATH project aims to address this critical need by developing an innovative system for real-time monitoring of treatment accuracy. Central to the project is a state-of-the-art technology designed to detect gamma rays emitted when the particle beam interacts with tissue. This system will enable immediate verification that the administered treatment aligns perfectly with the treatment plan, significantly reducing the risk of unintended damage to adjacent organs.
The project’s ultimate objective is to create a clinical prototype capable of real-world testing. This prototype is poised to set a new standard in online monitoring for hadrontherapy, potentially marking a transformative step forward in cancer treatment technology.
The project’s kick-off meeting brought together researchers from the Politecnico di Milano and the National Centre for Oncology Hadrontherapy (CNAO), alongside international experts in the field. REALPATH represents a pivotal advancement in applied research with the potential to substantially enhance the therapeutic outcomes for cancer patients worldwide.