New Laser-hybrid accelerator design strengthens vision for next-generation radiotherapy research facility

A major milestone has been reached in efforts to transform particle-beam therapy and radiobiology, as the team behind the LhARA collaboration publishes its Conceptual Design Report (CDR).

The report outlines a proposed UK-based Ion Therapy Research Facility (ITRF), setting out a vision for a centre capable of transforming research into proton and ion beam therapy.

The facility would be dedicated to researching the next generation of cancer radiotherapy by enabling cutting-edge research into proton and ion beam therapy.

Radiotherapy plays a role in over half of cancer treatments, and is needed in 40% of cancer cures, yet conventional X-ray techniques can expose surrounding healthy tissue to unwanted doses of radiation.

Ion beam therapy, which uses protons or heavier particles such as carbon ions, can target tumours much more precisely. It is already used for some paediatric cancers and may offer further benefits for complex or hard-to-treat tumours.

However, despite growing global interest, the biological effects of different ions, dose rates and delivery patterns remain poorly understood.

The new ITRF design aims to address this by creating a dedicated platform for high-quality radiobiology.

A new approach to studying particle-beam effects

At the heart of the proposal is LhARA (the Laser-hybrid Accelerator for Radiobiological Applications), a UK-led partnership of twelve UK universities, three NHS trusts, two UK national laboratories, and eleven international institutes. The effort brings together scientists, engineers, clinicians, and patient advocates from across the UK’s four nations. The work was funded by UKRI and the Science and Technology Facilities Council.

Rather than relying on traditional accelerator technology, LhARA uses a powerful laser to produce bursts of protons and ions, which can then be shaped and delivered to biological samples in ways that aren’t currently possible.

This laser-hybrid approach is intended to offer far greater flexibility, including the delivery of different ion types and the exploitation of advanced delivery patterns such as ultra-high dose rate “FLASH” radiotherapy.

Imperial researchers devised the original LhARA concept and now lead its design. Their work includes the development of the laser-driven particle source, the beam-focusing systems, and the acceleration techniques required to deliver beams suitable for biological and medical research.

Building the foundations of a national research facility

The publication of the Conceptual Design Report brings the project a step closer to realisation.

The report outlines how the proposed Ion Therapy Research Facility would use LhARA as its central accelerator system, enabling systematic, long-term studies in how different ions and delivery patterns affect biological tissues.

The report also records the significant progress already made, including early hardware development and proof-of-principle experiments carried out at partner facilities.

These show that the laser-hybrid approach is feasible and capable of meeting the demands of future radiobiology research.

Together, this progress helps lay the groundwork for a future national facility that could support world‑leading radiobiology and accelerate the development of next‑generation particle‑beam therapy.

Comments from the collaboration

Researchers involved in LhARA welcomed the publication of the report.

Professor Kenneth Long, Co-spokesperson for LhARA, said “The completion of the CDR for LhARA to serve the ITRF is a substantial achievement and a milestone for the collaboration. The laser-hybrid concept builds on the success of UK-led research into the laser acceleration of particles. The results presented in the CDR demonstrate the transformative potential of laser-driven ion acceleration in the delivery of the radiotherapy treatments of the future.’

Dr Massimo Noro (UKRI‑STFC Daresbury Laboratory), Project Sponsor for ITRF, said “This Conceptual Design Report represents the culmination of several years’ work enabled by the UKRI Infrastructure Fund, which has for the first time brought together medical and technology researchers to develop a radiobiology facility. ITRF aspires to be the leading facility to develop the techniques needed to improve cancer treatments in the UK and around the world.”

Hywel Owen (UKRI‑STFC Daresbury Laboratory), Principal Investigator for ITRF, added “It has been exciting to work over the last three years with such a diverse team of scientists and engineers to bring together a conceptual design for this facility.

A number of significant technical steps forward have been made, including the important experimental demonstration at our PoPLAR experiment of the parameters needed for the full project.”