New CT technology is being introduced by OncoRay in Dresden.

In a significant development for medical innovation and cancer treatment, the OncoRay National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology in Dresden has acquired the world's first Single-Source Photon-Counting Computed Tomograph (PCCT) for radiation therapy. This cutting-edge technology, funded with two million euros by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space, is set to revolutionise the field.

The new PCCT technology, explained by Nils Cordes, the researcher who serves as the scientific director for CT imaging in radiotherapy at OncoRay, allows radiation planning, especially for gentle proton therapy, to be even more precise. This precision is crucial in treating moving tumours, such as those found in the lung or liver, with the DirectSPR method. Previously, the DirectSPR method was only usable for stationary tumours.

Prof. Christian Richter, head of the Department of Medical Radiation Physics at OncoRay, believes that in ten years, all CTs used for quantitative imaging won't be based on any technology other than PCCT. The OncoRay project, a joint venture of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), the Medical Faculty of TU Dresden, and the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, exemplifies the advancements being made in Dresden for medical research and cancer treatment.

The installation of the new device will take place in the coming weeks, and it can be clinically used from mid-July. This PCCT technology counts every individual X-ray photon, enabling more detailed, anatomically and functionally rich images than previous CT systems. The goal is to scientifically evaluate the advantages of this technology and further improve the safety and effectiveness of radiation therapy.

The OncoRay project underscores the collaborative efforts in Dresden for medical innovation and cancer research. The TU Dresden is a part of the project, indicating its role in the advancement of medical research and cancer treatment. The University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus is associated with the OncoRay project, highlighting its role in the clinical application of medical innovations.

Dresden has reaffirmed its status as an internationally leading location for medical innovations and cancer research. The project showcases the close interconnection of science, economy, and clinical application in Dresden. The OncoRay project's success reinforces Dresden's reputation as a hub for medical innovations and forward-looking cancer research.