Details: BioVaria Munich - Europe's leading showcasing Event for LIFE-SCIENCE Technologies

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Real-Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guided Proton Therapy (rt-MRiPT)

Prof. Aswin Hoffmann, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf; Prof. Esther Troost, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus; Dr Sergej Schneider, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

Challenge

Cancer is the 2nd cause of death with 25.000.000 new cancer cases annually by 2030. About 50% of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy during their treatment. Proton therapy (PT) is a novel technology for radiation therapy. In contrast to conventional radiation therapy with high-energy photons, protons stop inside the tumor and hence healthy tissues around the tumor can be better spared than with photon therapy, leading to less side effects. However, PT is highly sensitive to tissue morphological and anatomical variations. Hence, image guidance during dose delivery is of eminent importance, especially for tumors that move due to respiration, organ filling and peristalsis. Standard-of-care imaging in PT is based on onboard X-ray imaging or surface-guided imaging. The poor soft-tissue contrast of X-ray imaging hinders the accurate visualization of the tumor, and surface-guided imaging cannot capture tumor and internal organ motion. Currently there is no image guidance technique to provide real-time information on tumor and organ motion. Therefore, in clinical practice, large safety margins around the tumor are used, causing side effects in healthy tissues. Hence, the targeting accuracy of PT is compromised and its potential is not yet fully exploited.

Technology

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides unparallelled soft-tissue visualization and allows organ motion to be captured in real time. The integration of real-time MRI and PT would solve the unmet need to “treat what you see & track what you treat” by enabling live motion tracking so that the dose delivery can be synchronized with organ motion and the targeting accuracy of PT can be increased up to its physical limit. We have overcome the technical challenges of combining MRI and PT and realized the world’s first prototype systems for in-beam MR-integrated proton therapy (MRiPT) – a disruptive innovation previously considered unattainable. MRiPT provides a ready-to-use “GPS”-guided treatment solution for PT clinics. It will extend the range of treatment indications even beyond oncology (e.g. radioablation of cardiac arrhythmias).

Commercial Opportunity

The market potential is enormous because PT is growing worldwide (CAGR: 10-14% with a market value >2.5 B€ in 2030), but MRI integration has not yet been available. Furthermore, the MRiPT system could be retrofitted into 85 existing treatment rooms worldwide. The team envisions a start-up and seeks cooperation opportunities with PT manufacturers as well as leading clinics applying PT.

Development Status

Three MRiPT prototypes have already been developed, demonstrating the world’s proof-of-concept with the 1st system in 2017 (TRL 3). The 2nd prototype system is ready for a first-in-human treatment (TRL 6) in early 2026. The 3rd system will be ready for clinical trials (TRL 6) in 2028. The 1st product for market launch (TRL 9) should be ready in 2031-2032.

Patent Situation

A freedom-to-operate analysis has recently been completed, showing a clear path for commercialization for MRiPT in Europe. A mitigation strategy is needed for a US and Japanese patent that are maximally valid until 2037. A patent for MRiPT has already been granted to HZDR in 2024, and further inventions disclosures are under preparation.

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