Researchers moot proton therapy as future cancer treatment

Building on a plan announced in September of 2007, University College at San Diego (UCSD) Health Sciences and the Department of Radiation Oncology has announced an agreement with Proton Health Partners, LLC (PHP) to plan, develop, and operate ''The UC San Diego Proton Therapy and Research Center.'' 

Proton therapy, which is available at only a handful of centres worldwide, allows for aggressive, highly targeted treatment of tumours by delivering high doses of radiation to the malignant cells while sparing nearby healthy tissues.

''Proton therapy is a critical tool for the future of fighting cancer, and as the region's only academic medical center, UCSD is uniquely positioned to maximise the potential for research, development and delivery of discoveries,'' said Arno J Mundt MD, professor and chair of the UCSD department of radiation oncology.  ''By combining UCSD's growing department of radiation oncology with Proton Health Partners' nearly 20 years of proton treatment experience, we are building one of the strongest proton center treatment teams in the nation.''

Following the structure of this collaborative venture, PHP will finance and build the center which will be staffed by UCSD physicians and medical physicists.  The UC San Diego Proton Therapy and Research Center will open in phases and, once fully operational will treat up to 1,500 patients annually.  The center will also include additional floors of laboratory space for research.

''Proton therapy is one of the necessary tools a comprehensive cancer center should have in its arsenal to combat cancer,'' said Neil Fox of Proton Health Partners.  ''UCSD is the leading cancer care provider in the region and is recognized as a world leader in research and development.  PHP looks forward to developing this unique relationship with the physician-scientists at Moores UCSD Cancer Centre.''

Protons are particularly effective when treating cancers near critical organs due to the ability to spare nearby healthy tissue. Cancers of the eye, brain, head and neck, lung, spine, breast and prostate are all examples of cancers which can be treated with protons.

A potential site for The UC San Diego Proton Therapy and Research Center is the UC San Diego Science Research Park, on University property near Moores UCSD Cancer Center.  The cost of this facility, including technology, is expected to be around $205 million.