Provided herein are methods for treating pancreatic cancer using a combination of radiotherapy and an agent that inhibits binding of PD-L1 to PD1 (e.g., durvalumab).

An applicator for intraoperative radiotherapy with low-energy X-ray radiation includes an applicator body, an air-permeable outer surface with a circumferential outer face and with a distal end, a receiving device which is arranged at a proximal end and with which the applicator can be secured to an X-ray irradiation device, and an inner recess which has an opening at the proximal end and into which an X-ray radiation source is insertable. The applicator has a solid porous structure on its outer surface which provides the air-permeable outer surface with a rigid shape. The solid porous structure forms a continuous air-permeable channel structure which is connected in an air-conducting manner to the proximal end of the applicator.

A particle therapy apparatus configured to scan a charged particle beam over a target according to a pre-defined treatment field which covers a treatment surface in an isocenter plane of the apparatus. The apparatus is capable of scanning the beam over a reachable surface which covers and is larger than the treatment surface. A beam stopper is arranged downstream of the scanning magnets of the apparatus, at a position to prevent the beam from reaching at least a portion of the reachable surface and to allow the beam to reach any portion of the treatment surface. A control system is configured to control the apparatus to direct the beam to the beam stopper and to meanwhile measure a position of the beam, to calculate a difference between a desired position and the measured position of the beam when directed to the beam stopper, and to scan the beam over the target according to the pre-defined treatment field by taking into account the calculated difference.

Charged particles are accelerated in a direct-current synchrotron, wherein a plurality of achromatic magnets define an acceleration device. A beam of charged particles is directed toward one of the magnets, and the charged-particle beam penetrates a gap in the magnet and is repeatedly redirected through an arc of at least 270 via inverse reflection at each of the achromatic magnets to produce a series of beam lines that form a circuit in which the charge-particle beam is accelerated over successive passes through the circuit. The achromatic magnets generate a constant magnetic field. The charged particles can then be extracted from the acceleration device.

Methods and system for facilitating rapid radiation treatments are provided herein and relate in particular to radiation generation and delivery, electron source design, beam control and shaping/intensity-modulation. The methods and systems described herein are particularly advantageous when used with a compact high-gradient, very high energy electron (VHEE) accelerator and delivery system (and related processes) capable of treating patients from multiple beam directions with great speed, using all-electromagnetic or radiofrequency deflection steering is provided; or when used with a high-current electron accelerator system of energy range more conventionally used in photon radiation therapy to produce much faster delivery of intensity-modulated photon radiation therapy, that can in both cases deliver an entire dose or fraction of high-dose radiation therapy sufficiently fast to freeze physiologic motion, yet with an equal or better degree of dose conformity or sculpting compared to conventional photon therapy.

Apparatus and methods for therapy delivery are disclosed. In one embodiment, a therapy delivery system includes a plurality of movable components including a radiation therapy nozzle and a patient pod for holding a patient, a patient registration module for determining a desired position of at least one of the plurality of movable components, and a motion control module for coordinating the movement of the least one of the plurality of movable components from a current position to the desired position. The motion control module includes a path planning module for simulating at least one projected trajectory of movement of the least one of the plurality of moveable components from the current position to the desired position.

There is provided a particle beam treatment system which has a simple mechanism and which is excellent in maintainability. Irradiation devices 10a and 10b respectively have a plurality of irradiation ports 102a, 102b, and 102c for irradiating a target with a particle beam in a plurality of directions. In addition, an irradiation nozzle unit 105 of the irradiation devices 10a and 10b is movable between the plurality of irradiation ports 102a, 102b, and 102c. A fixed cover structure 107 is disposed between the plurality of irradiation ports 102a, 102b, and 102c and the irradiation nozzle unit 105. In addition, the cover structure 107 has a slit 110 for allowing the irradiation nozzle unit 105 to move therethrough.

An irradiation method and system for irradiating a target volume, the method comprising: providing thermal neutron absorbing nuclides (such as in the form of a high neutron cross-section agent) at the target volume; and producing neutrons by irradiating nuclei in or adjacent to the target volume with a beam of particles consisting of any one or more of protons, deuterons, tritons and heavy ions, thereby prompting production of the neutrons through non-elastic collisions between the atoms in the path of the beam (including the target) and the particles. The neutron absorbing nuclides absorb neutrons produced in the non-elastic collisions, thereby producing capture products or fragments that irradiate the target volume.

A neutron capture therapy system is provided, including a neutron generating device and a beam shaping assembly. The neutron capture therapy system further includes a concrete wall forming a space for accommodating the neutron generating device and the beam shaping assembly and shielding radiations generated by the neutron generating device and the beam shaping assembly. A support module is disposed in the concrete wall, the support module is capable of supporting the beam shaping assembly and is used to adjust the position of the beam shaping assembly, and the support module includes concrete and a reinforcing portion at least partially disposed in the concrete. The neutron capture therapy system designs a locally adjustable support for the beam shaping assembly, so that the beam shaping assembly can meet the precision requirement, improve the beam quality, and meet an assembly tolerance of the target.

Provided herein are methods for treating pancreatic cancer using a combination of radiotherapy and an agent that inhibits binding of PD-L1 to PD1 (e.g., durvalumab).