Breakthrough Proton Therapy Wipes Out Rare Cancer with No Side Effects

Radiation side effects can be severe for many cancer patients. However, a new approach to delivering radiation has shown promising results in treating a difficult-to-target cancer, with the only reported side effect being mild skin discoloration, even nine months after treatment, the International Journal of Particle Therapy reported.

This innovative method, known as step-and-shoot proton arc therapy, was first used by physicians and scientists at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, to treat a patient.

Compared to traditional proton therapies, the step-and-shoot technique uses a proton beam to deliver radiation more precisely and continuously to the tumor site. The system is automated, reducing the lag time between radiation doses.

Beard was diagnosed in early 2024 with adenoid cystic carcinoma — a rare, highly invasive and often difficult-to-treat tumor — in her salivary gland.

“Managing this type of tumor is very difficult because of its natural tendency to be nerve-seeking,” said Rohan Deraniyagala, M.D., radiation oncologist, Corewell Health.

Dr. Deraniyagala said because these tumors like to target the body’s nerves, fighting them typically comes with many side effects like fatigue, jaw pain, difficulty eating or swallowing, loss of taste, headaches, and memory issues. In Beard’s case, the tumor had weaved its way into the nerves leading to her brain.

But thanks to this new type of treatment, Beard continues to be side-effect free. The treatment process also only took about 30 minutes a day, five days a week, for three months, which meant she didn’t have to miss work or lose out on family time.

“After having the tumor removed, which was about the size of a gumball, I had 33 proton therapy treatments in total and, amazingly, had no side effects and didn’t miss a day of work,” Beard said. “You hear a lot of stories about radiation side effects, and I just wasn’t having any.”

Beard completed her treatment in early August last year, and as of her last checkup, she is still showing no signs of cancer. From what Dr. Deraniyagala can tell, she has no radiation toxicity to other areas of her body, including her brain.

“It was nice to see a patient have no side effects with this treatment other than a little skin discoloration on the left side of her face,” he said.

Treatment side effects and outcomes can vary, but Dr. Deraniyagala is hopeful that other patients will have the same experience Beard did with this treatment.

“Proton beam therapies continue to evolve rapidly and while in this case, step-and-shoot proton arc therapy has proven to be highly effective so far for Tiffiney, it is just the latest step toward even better treatments down the road,” he said. “The fact that Tiffiney hardly experienced any side effects is a great outcome for this type of therapy and a good sign of even better things to come.”

Currently, physicians and scientists at Corewell Health’s William Beaumont University Proton Therapy Center are trialing a next-generation proton beam therapy, known as DynamicARC®️, that has the potential to further transform cancer treatment. Through an active research collaboration with Ion Beam Application, an international proton therapy system manufacturer, Corewell Health is advancing the step-and-shoot proton arc technique by creating an even better targeted delivery system with no lag time in between radiation dosages and beam angles. DynamicARC®️ is expected to receive FDA approval next year.

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