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Sep 29
International

International 03 - ASTRO/ESTRO Joint Session: FLASH Radiotherapy - From Benchside Breakthroughs to Bedside Strategies

Room 152
03:00pm - 04:00pm PT
Global Oncology/International
International
Physicists

MODERATOR(S)

Matthias Guckenberger, MD - University Hospital Zurich

Sameer Keole, MD, FASTRO - Mayo Clinic

session DESCRIPTION

FLASH radiotherapy is an emerging treatment paradigm that delivers radiation doses at ultra-high dose rates—orders of magnitude faster than conventional radiotherapy. Preclinical studies suggest that FLASH may dramatically reduce normal tissue toxicity while maintaining anti-tumor efficacy, a phenomenon often referred to as the "FLASH effect." While still in its early stages, FLASH has the potential to fundamentally reshape the therapeutic ratio in radiation oncology. This joint ASTRO-ESTRO session will explore the translational journey of FLASH—from laboratory discoveries to clinical implementation. Kristoffer Petersson, PhD (Oxford), will provide insight into the fundamental radiobiological mechanisms underlying the FLASH effect and the preclinical evidence that supports its promise. Billy Loo, MD, PhD (Stanford), will highlight technological and engineering advances that are bringing FLASH closer to feasibility in the clinical environment. James Metz, MD (University of Pennsylvania), will then discuss the pioneering clinical experiences in canine patients and early human clinical trials, offering a window into how FLASH is being evaluated in practice and the challenges of clinical trial design in this space. Finally, Stephanie Tanadini-Lang, PhD (University Hospital Zürich), will share experiences from perspectives from ongoing European collaborations, including strategies for harmonizing protocols and advancing FLASH toward safe, widespread bedside application with clinical trial applications. Together, this international panel will provide attendees with a comprehensive overview of FLASH —where the science stands today, what hurdles remain, and how global collaboration can accelerate the path from benchside breakthroughs to transformative patient care.

learning objectives

  1. TBD
  2. TBD

Credits

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits: 1.00

Presentations