Lyon-based Leo Cancer Care France and Centre Léon Bérard have secured a significant Fonds Européen de Développement Régional (FEDER) grant to advance their pioneering work in upright radiation therapy. The European Union funding will support the collaborative development and clinical validation of patient-centric cancer treatment technology that could transform radiation therapy delivery.
The grant will specifically fund efforts to optimize Leo Cancer Care's innovative Marie® upright proton therapy solution in clinical settings. This technology represents a fundamental shift from traditional radiation therapy approaches where patients typically lie horizontally during treatment sessions.
Transforming Patient Experience Through Upright Positioning
The 'Proton Radiotherapy Centre' project aims to expand advanced treatment options for cancer patients in France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (AURA) region. Phase 1 of the initiative, directly supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), will concentrate on the project's core innovation: treating patients in an upright position.
This vertical positioning approach has shown promising results in early research. According to a 2022 study conducted at Centre Léon Bérard, patients demonstrated a clear preference for upright positioning during radiation therapy sessions, particularly for pelvic treatments. The research, published in Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, has been instrumental in validating the clinical potential of this approach.
Stephen Towe, CEO of Leo Cancer Care, emphasized the significance of the funding: "This grant represents an exciting milestone for Leo Cancer Care France and our valued partners at Centre Léon Bérard, who have been instrumental in gathering the research data that has validated the use of upright therapy clinically since 2019."
Clinical Implementation and Research Agenda
The implementation strategy involves a two-phase approach. The initial phase will establish the vertical positioning infrastructure, creating the foundation for the subsequent installation of clinical proton therapy equipment in Phase 2. This staged deployment will allow for parallel translational research activities at one of France's premier comprehensive cancer centers.
Vincent Gregoire, Head of Centre Léon Bérard's Radiation Oncology Department, highlighted the collaborative vision: "We are proud to continue working alongside Leo Cancer Care on the clinical effectiveness of upright radiotherapy. Together, we aim to demonstrate the clinical and operational value of upright radiotherapy whilst positioning our institution at the forefront of innovative, patient-centric cancer care."
Potential Benefits of Upright Radiation Therapy
The upright approach to radiation therapy offers several potential advantages over conventional methods. Beyond patient preference and comfort, the vertical positioning may provide clinical benefits including:
- More natural anatomical positioning for certain treatment sites
- Potential reduction in organ movement during treatment
- Improved accessibility for patients with mobility limitations
- More efficient patient throughput in busy radiation oncology departments
The Marie® system, though not yet clinically available, represents a significant innovation in proton therapy delivery. Proton therapy itself offers advantages over conventional radiation by delivering precisely targeted radiation doses to tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
Broader Impact on European Cancer Care
This FEDER grant reflects growing European investment in advanced cancer treatment technologies. The collaboration between Leo Cancer Care France and Centre Léon Bérard exemplifies the public-private partnerships that are increasingly driving innovation in oncology.
The project aligns with broader European initiatives to improve cancer care accessibility and outcomes across member states. By developing more patient-friendly treatment approaches, the partners aim to address both clinical effectiveness and quality-of-life considerations for cancer patients.
As the project progresses through its implementation phases, the partners will continue gathering clinical evidence to support the adoption of upright radiation therapy. The AURA region stands to become a center of excellence for this innovative approach, potentially influencing radiation oncology practices throughout Europe and beyond.
