Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Cancer Institute awarded a $648,049 Project Grant to the University of California, Irvine, under the Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research Program (CFDA 93.394) to develop protoacoustic imaging technology for real-time Bragg peak localization during proton therapy. The award, effective April 2, 2026, through March 31, 2031, will deliver a dual-modality protoacoustic/ultrasound imaging system designed to precisely monitor radiation dose delivery and manage organ motion during treatment. The project addresses a critical clinical challenge in the expanding proton therapy field, where accurate localization of the Bragg peak—the point of maximum radiation dose delivery—remains difficult and can necessitate extending radiation beams beyond tumor boundaries, risking damage to healthy tissue.

The deliverables include three major research components: (1) evaluation of protoacoustic/ultrasound imaging for Bragg peak localization using animal models; (2) development of a clinical-grade protoacoustic/ultrasound imaging system for hospital implementation; and (3) Phase 0 clinical trials to validate protoacoustic/ultrasound guidance in patients. Upon successful completion, the technology will enable clinicians to achieve accurate real-time radiation dose adjustments, thereby enhancing therapeutic precision and minimizing patient risk in proton therapy treatment.