Brookhaven Lab Magnets Advance Cancer Treatment Precision

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory have demonstrated that an array of fixed-field permanent magnets can transport proton beams – used in cancer treatment – across an energy spectrum of 50 to 250 million electron volts, representing the highest energy achieved for this type of beamline. Led by physicist Stephen Brooks, the team’s tests suggest the technology could enable more precise and effective proton therapy by optimising radiation dosage to tumours while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The permanent magnets offer a potentially more stable and energy-efficient solution compared to conventional electromagnets.

Recent tests conducted at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory indicate that a novel array of magnets, originating from nuclear physics research, could contribute to advancements in cancer treatment. These tests demonstrated the capacity of an arc of meticulously designed permanent magnets to transport beams of protons – particles utilised to kill cancer cells – across an energy spectrum ranging from 50 to 250 million electron volts (MeV). This represents the highest energy achieved for this type of beamline and may enable more effective cancer therapies.

The significance of this achievement resides in the potential to deliver proton therapy – a form of radiation treatment that uses beams of protons to target tumours – with greater precision and efficacy, thereby minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The ability to rapidly scan protons across a range of energies allows for the development of tailored treatment plans, optimising the dose delivered to the tumour while sparing healthy cells. This research represents a crucial step towards developing a more advanced cancer treatment accelerator and could influence the future of the proton therapy business.

These magnets, termed ‘fixed-field magnets’, are designed to guide and focus the proton beams, offering a stable and energy-efficient solution. Unlike conventional electromagnets which require substantial power to maintain their magnetic field, these permanent magnets present an alternative approach. The research team, led by physicist Stephen Brooks, successfully demonstrated the transport of protons at these energies, marking a key advancement in the field.