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News Release

Last modified: Monday, May 23, 2011

IU, Osaka University researchers to focus on cancer-fighting proton therapy during symposium

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2011

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Physicists and radiation oncologists from Japan will visit Indiana University Bloomington May 25-26 as part of the Osaka University-Indiana University Scientific and Clinical Symposium at the Integrated Science and Accelerator Technology Hall and Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center.

Supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, the IU Department of Radiation Oncology, IU Cyclotron Operations, and the IU Health Proton Therapy Center, the two-day event will focus on existing problems in proton therapy, the next generation of cyclotrons, radiobiology, imaging, and Monte Carlo simulation.

Among the visiting scientists from Japan will be Osaka University professor and radiation oncologist Dr. Teruki Teshima, who is also co-chair of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science's Core-to-Core Program. The Core-to-Core Program is designed to build and expand upon a cooperative international framework in leading-edge fields of science among universities and research institutions in Japan and 15 western nations, including the United States.

"I am extremely excited about this upcoming visit because it will give us the opportunity to collaborate in the key areas of research and teaching," said Dr. Indra Das, vice chair and professor and director of medical physics in IU School of Medicine's Department of Radiation Oncology. "This also opens us up to the possibility for collaborative work in other areas, such as development of compact particle beam therapy units and advance techniques in patient care."

Presentations during the joint symposium will include "Independent treatment room operation and beam splitting," by IU Cyclotron Operations physicist Vladimir Derenchuk, "Uniform scanning and dose verification techniques," by IU Cyclotron Operations physicist Vladimir Anferov, "Establishment of the medical physics team and its work at Osaka University Hospital," by Dr. Masahiko Koizumi, "Development of the next generation particle radiotherapy device: high-temperature superconducting magnet," by Dr. Kichiji Hatanaka, and "Radiobiology, RBE at IU Health Proton Therapy Center," by Dr. Marc Mendonca, director of radiation and cancer biology in the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Medical and Molecular Genetics at IU School of Medicine. Mendonca is also editor-in-chief of Radiation Research journal.

Morning and afternoon sessions will be divided into topical areas such as radiobiology, Monte Carlo simulations and new technologies in proton therapy, and tours of the facility will also be provided. For more information and to view a complete agenda, visit the symposium website here.

Introductions and closing remarks of the symposium will be given by both Das and Dr. James Douglas, medical director of the IU Health Proton Therapy Center, and deputy director of IU Cyclotron Operations at the IU Integrated Science and Accelerator Technology Hall.

The IU Health Proton Therapy Center is a state-of-the-art center offering proton therapy: a highly precise treatment option for treating benign and cancerous tumors. Since February 2004, IU Health Proton Therapy physicians have treated adults and children with both benign and cancerous tumors. The IU Health Proton Therapy Center is owned by Indiana University Research and Technology Corp. and Indiana University Health. For more information, visit iuhealthprotontherapy.org or call 866-487-6774.

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