UC Cancer Center and Varian Conclude Enrollment for Flash Radiotherapy Trial
The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, in collaboration with Varian, has successfully completed the enrollment phase of the FAST-02 clinical trial. This trial is investigating the use of Flash radiotherapy for the treatment of painful bone metastases in the thoracic region. The completion of this phase marks a pivotal milestone in the journey toward integrating this promising radiotherapy approach into clinical practice.
The FAST-02 trial took place at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital/UC Medical Center Proton Therapy Center. It involved 10 participants and aimed to assess both the side effects of treatment and its efficacy, primarily through evaluating pain relief as reported by the participants. Flash radiotherapy differentiates itself by delivering treatment at ultra-high dose rates in less than one second, a method that is over 100 times faster than traditional radiation therapy techniques. Preclinical studies have suggested that this rapid delivery method could potentially minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissues while maintaining effective tumor control.
Building on the groundwork established by the earlier FAST-01 trial—which examined the feasibility and safety of Flash therapy for extremity bone metastases—the FAST-02 study is a crucial step in advancing this innovative treatment. It is spearheaded by principal investigator Dr. John Perentesis, a senior advisor at the Cancer Center and research director of the Proton Therapy Center at Cincinnati Children’s. Dr. Emily Daugherty, a physician researcher at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center and adjunct associate professor at UC's College of Medicine, serves as the lead co-investigator.
Dr. Perentesis highlighted the significance of this achievement: "Completing treatments for FAST-02 is a pivotal and progressive step in our effort to establish the safety and effectiveness of Flash radiotherapy. This trial helps lay the groundwork needed to move Flash into more advanced clinical settings — an innovation that could redefine radiation oncology and meaningfully improve patient outcomes."
The University of Cincinnati’s FLASH program, which has been instrumental in developing this technology, was initiated by Dr. John Breneman, a professor emeritus in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Dr. Anthony Mascia, an associate professor at UC's College of Medicine, is the lead physicist for the program.
As the research community continues to explore the potential applications of Flash radiotherapy, the insights gained from the FAST-02 trial will be invaluable in informing future studies and clinical applications. The collaborative efforts between the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center and Varian underscore a commitment to advancing cancer treatment through innovative methodologies.