Objectives
The European Network for LIGht ion Hadron Therapy aims at a co-ordinated effort towards ion beam research in the EU. Ion beams can provide a chance for cure to a subset of patients with radio-resistant tumours. Facilities in different stages of development in 5 regional centres in Europe and under discussion in 3 additional ones could become operational between 2006 and 2008. It will foster co-operation between basic science and the clinical community to make the technology clinically effective and reliable. Expertise will be pooled to speed up development for the creation of minimum 5 therapy facilities in Europe. A concerted approach to industry will be pursued to cut costs and achieve a better quality control during construction and exploitation.
Methodology
Criteria for patient selection and common clinical research protocols need to be investigated. Research already carried out will be shared. Joint development or purchase of missing parts and software will be organised. A concerted approach for the socioeconomic assessment, for patient recruitment and for potential industrial spin-offs will be pursued. The work will be distributed over 6 task groups working in paralleclass=bodylink l over a time frame of 3 years. Two clinical groups will focus on epidemiology-patient selection and on the design and conduct of clinical trials. Engineering, basic and clinical physics problems will be addressed by the task group for "preparation, delivery and dosimetry of ion beams". Its 4 sub-groups will work closely together with the radiobiology and ?in situ monitoring with Positron Emission Tomography? work package groups. The health economic aspects are the task of the last group. The network will bring together 117 scientists from 10 different disciplines : radiation oncology, epidemiology, nuclear medicine, basic physics, engineering, clinical physics, radio and molecular biology, computing and health economics. Each consortium will have one or more of its researchers working in each of the task groups. Forty three steps towards meeting the project objectives were defined. They will be used as tools for monitoring the progress of the project. A multi-disciplinary co-ordinating team will lead the project. The European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN), GSI Darmstadt and DKFZ Heidelberg will be major suppliers of technology and expertise, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) will contribute support from its Hadrons, Functional Imaging and Health Economy groups. The European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) will provide the ENLIGHT initiative with a platform for communication, co-ordination and project management.
Partners
- ESTRO: Main project promotors within ESTRO were Richard Pötter (Vienna) and J.P. Gérard (Nice). André Wambersie will be responsible for the scientific Coordination of the Project. The project is managed by Germaine Heeren and Guy François
- CERN: European Organization for Nuclear Research, Hans F. Hoffmann, Director for Technology Transfer and for Scientific Computing.
- EORTC: European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Alfredo Zurlo. EORTC pulled out of the project as of 1 September 2003, after one year.
- GSI: Darmstadt : Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Walter Henning, Director
- DKFZ: Heidelberg : German Cancer Research Center, Juergen Debus, Clinical Project Leader German Heavy Ion Project (GHIP)
- TERA: Fondazione per Adroterapia Oncologica. Ugo Amaldi, TERA Project Leader
- Karolinska Institutet. Hans Svensson, Leader Karolinska Ion Project
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Jean-Pierre Gérard, Leader ETOILE Project (Rhône-Alpes)
- Univ. Kl.f. Strahlenth. and Strahlenbiol. Alg Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien, Richard Pötter, Leader Med-Austron
- FZR - Project Forschungszentrum Rossendorf e. V. P.O. Institute of Nuclear and Hadron Physics - Department of Radiation Physics, Wolfgang Enghardt
- Center for Medical Technology Assessment, Linköping University, Lars Åke Levin, leader work package 6.Health-Economic Assessment. CMTA pulled out of the project as of 1 September 2003, after one year.
- Hospital Virgen de la Macarena, Servicio de Radioterapia, Sevilla, Rafael Arrans Promotor Hadrontherapy Project Andalucia
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Work Packages
WP1: Epidemiology and patient selection (Richard Pötter)
WP2: Design and conduct of clinical trials (Jean-Jacques Mazeron, Alfredo Zurlo)
WP3: Preparation, delivery and dosimetry of ion beams (Anders Brahme- Coordinator)
- Preparation of Ion Beams (Theo Haberer, GSI)
- Dosimetry of Ion Beams (Sandro Rossi, TERA)
- Treatment Planning (Oliver Jäkel, DKFZ)
- Accelerator Technology (Hans-Falk Hoffmann, CERN)
WP4: Radiation biology (André Wambersie, ESTRO)
WP5: In-situ monitoring with positron emission tomography (Wolfgang Enghardt, FZR)
WP6: Health-Economic Assessment (Lars Äke Levin, Linköping)
Milestones and Expected Results
To achieve the ENLIGHT objectives within the proposed time frame through the establishment of an intensive co-operation between the clinical and basic science communities in the field of ion beam research through the sharing of acquired expertise and coordination of the research efforts still needed.
12 months: Analysis of clinical, radiobiological, research and economical factors completed. Criteria for patient selection defined. Design proposals for delivery systems and PET on-line ready.
24 months: Structure and role of ion therapy in Europe assessed. Bases for dose planning and patient work-up are ready.
36 months: Preparatory work for clinical application of light ions in radiotherapy completed. European Network for patient selection and clinical studies functional.
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