FLASHGuard Project is an innovative project aiming to transform cancer treatment through real-time beam monitoring for FLASH Radiotherapy (FLASH-RT). Developed at LIP – Laboratory of Instrumentation and Experimental Particle Physics and Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), FLASHGuard Project combines cutting-edge particle detector technology and fast electronics to enhance the safety and precision of next-generation radiotherapy.
The FLASHGuard Project has already achieved significant academic and innovation milestones:
- 🔬 Awarded CaixaImpulse Health Innovation Stage 1 Grant with potential to be granted up to €700k over 5 years.
- 📄 1 Patent Application submitted.
- 🏆 Lab2Market@Técnico 2025 Winners, recognizing the project's commercial and clinical potential.
- 🌍 3 International Presentations and an Outstanding Student Talk at IST-PhysFront'25 Symposium showcasing FLASHGuard Project at scientific events.
- 🖼️ 2 Conference Posters presented at relevant conferences, FRPT2024 and ECMP2024.
- 🎓 3 Bachelor's Theses graded 20/20, demonstrating academic excellence.
- 🥇 2 First Prizes in the JEF Awards (Bachelor's level).
- 🥇 1 First Prize in the JEF Awards (Master's/PhD level).
- 🥇 Best PhD Poster Award at IST-PhysFront’25 Symposium.
FLASHGuard Project's technical development is driven by a dedicated team and supported by a renowed advisory committee of international experts. Several international presentations have already showcased FLASHGuard's results, reflecting the growing scientific interest in this approach. With expertise spanning detector development, real-time electronics, and medical applications, FLASHGuard is paving the way for safer, more effective FLASH-RT.
FLASHGuard Project aims to enable the clinical translation of FLASH-RT
Through advanced particle detectors and fast electronics, FLASHGuard bridges the technological gap between experimental FLASH-RT research and routine clinical practice by providing real-time monitoring of ultra-high dose rate beams, ensuring safety, precision, and treatment control. FLASH-RT offers several advantages over Conventional Radiotherapy (CONV-RT) both for patients and for the healthcare system.
Benefits for Patients
- Minimised damage to surrounding healthy tissue
- Reduced risk of long-term side effects
- Shorter, more comfortable treatment sessions
- Potential for improved quality of life during and after treatment
Benefits for Healthcare Systems
- Shorter treatment times optimise equipment use
- Potential to treat more patients with existing resources
- Lower direct and indirect costs
- Supporting cost-effective, advanced cancer therapies