Scientists Uncover Key Mechanism in Heavy-Ion Cancer Therapy

A recent study led by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and international collaborators has revealed the microscopic mechanism behind heavy-ion cancer therapy, a breakthrough expected to optimize cancer treatment and advance radiotherapy technologies. Published in Physical Review X, the research highlights how heavy-ion beams, more effective than traditional X-rays, cause DNA damage in cancer cells.

Experiments at heavy-ion facilities in Lanzhou, China, identified an intermolecular energy and proton transfer cascade triggered by heavy-ion irradiation. This discovery clarifies the molecular basis of radiation damage and could guide future improvements in radiotherapy techniques. The study involved collaboration with institutions from Russia, Germany, and China.

Source – CGTN