Blog

Rogelio A Robaina Escobar: Probing the Therapeutic Window of Proton Minibeam Radiotherapy

Rogelio A. Robaina Escobar/LinkedIn

Jul 23, 2025, 16:58

Rogelio A Robaina Escobar: Probing the Therapeutic Window of Proton Minibeam Radiotherapy

Rogelio A Robaina Escobar, CEO and Founder at Spanish Association of Proton Therapy (AEPROT), shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Probing the Therapeutic Window of Proton Minibeam Radiotherapy Using Dose-Response Curves in a Mouse Model.

This study explores the therapeutic potential of proton minibeam radiotherapy (pMBRT), a novel approach that employs spatially fractionated beams with micron-scale widths, aiming to maximize tumor control while minimizing normal tissue damage. Using a mouse model, researchers generated dose-response curves to evaluate the balance between efficacy and toxicity, thereby probing the therapeutic window of pMBRT.

The experiments involved irradiating tumor-bearing mice with varying doses of proton minibeams and comparing outcomes to conventional broad-beam proton therapy. Results demonstrated that pMBRT could achieve comparable or superior tumor control at lower doses, with significantly reduced side effects on surrounding healthy tissues. The dose-response curves revealed an expanded therapeutic window, indicating that pMBRT allows for higher tumor doses without increasing normal tissue toxicity.

Furthermore, histological analyses confirmed minimal damage to normal tissues adjacent to tumors, supporting the hypothesis that spatial fractionation enhances tissue sparing. The findings suggest that pMBRT can potentially improve treatment outcomes by allowing higher effective doses to tumors while preserving normal function.

The study concludes that proton minibeam radiotherapy exhibits a promising therapeutic window in preclinical models, combining effective tumor eradication with reduced collateral damage. These results support further investigation into pMBRT as a viable clinical modality, emphasizing the importance of dose optimization and precise beam delivery. Ultimately, pMBRT could represent a significant advancement in radiotherapy, offering improved safety and efficacy for cancer patients.”

Rogelio A Robaina Escobar