Wuwei Heavy Ion Center's Research Results on Heavy Ion Therapy for High-Grade Glioma Published in In

Wuwei Heavy Ion Center's Research Results on Heavy Ion Therapy for High-Grade Glioma Published in International Authoritative Journal​

In July 2024, a retrospective study led by the Head, Neck and Central Nervous System Tumor Radiotherapy Team of the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center, on the results of heavy ion therapy for high-grade glioma, was published in the international authoritative journal BMC Cancer. This journal is an SCI-indexed medical journal with a 5-year Journal Impact Factor of 3.8, classified as JCR Zone 2. This research received support from the National Key Specialty Construction Project of the Department of Radiation Oncology, Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital. The research team members included: Li Xiaojun, Zhang Yanshan, Hu Tingchao, etc., with Ye Yancheng as the corresponding author.

The results show that, based on our center's follow-up data up to August 2023, analyzing 34 treated patients with high-grade glioma, the maximum follow-up period was 38 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 15 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 28 months. The OS rates at 12 and 24 months were 90.0% and 57.9%, respectively. Compared to conventional photon radiotherapy in the Stupp study, the median progression-free survival was nearly doubled, the median overall survival increased by 13.4 months, the 1-year survival rate increased by 28.9%, and the 2-year survival rate increased by 31.4%, far exceeding the conventional photon radiotherapy 1-year survival rate of 61.1%. Some patients with high-grade glioma achieved survival periods exceeding 4 years. These results will bring hope to a vast number of patients nationwide.

Malignant glioma is the most common primary tumor of the central nervous system and one of the most aggressive malignant tumors known to mankind. High-grade gliomas (HGG), including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), are characterized by rapid progression and diffuse infiltration, making complete tumor resection impossible. Tumors commonly recur after surgical resection and high-dose radiation therapy (RT).

As a cutting-edge technology in tumor radiotherapy, heavy ion radiotherapy is a non-invasive treatment that can avoid traumatic brain surgery. It allows for more precise irradiation of the target lesion area, effectively avoiding damage to normal brain tissues and important nerves, significantly reducing the incidence of toxic side effects, and greatly improving patients' quality of life. Furthermore, to further minimize potential treatment-related side effects, our hospital uses the most advanced multi-modal MRI and 11C-methionine PET/CT target fusion technology for tumor target delineation, achieving full protection of important brain functional areas and white matter fiber tracts. Based on the advantages of heavy ion technology in radiation physics and biology, none of the aforementioned 34 patients experienced severe radiotherapy-related toxic side effects. The research results are consistent with those published in 2020 by the Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center in "Particle Radiation Therapy in the Management of Malignant Glioma: Early Experience at the Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center".

The following are the imaging follow-up data of a case of corpus callosum glioma treated with carbon ion therapy in our department, with a survival period of nearly 4 years (Figure 1, Figure 2).

Figure 1 Carbon Ion Therapy Dose Distribution Map

Figure 2

The following shows the dose distribution map of a case of glioma treated with photons combined with a heavy ion boost. Heavy ions precisely irradiated the target lesion area, effectively avoiding damage to normal brain tissues and important nerves (Figure 3).

Currently, our center has treated 185 cases of head and neck tumors and 81 cases of central nervous system tumors. This includes 45 cases of glioma, involving gliomatosis in various intracranial locations with complex anatomy and multiple lesions, bringing hope for life to patients. We present this research to everyone above, aiming to let more patients nationwide understand and utilize heavy ion technology, benefiting more patients with head and neck tumors and brain tumors.

Reference: Li X, Zhang Y, Ye Y, et al. Carbon-ion radiotherapy alone vs. standard dose photon radiation with carbon-ion radiotherapy boost for high-grade gliomas: a retrospective study[J]. BMC Cancer. 2024 Jul 13;24(1):8

Introduction to Wuwei Heavy Ion Center​

The Wuwei Heavy Ion Center at Wuwei Medical Science Academy Cancer Hospital is the first clinical application center for a Chinese-made heavy ion system. Since its official launch for clinical application in March 2020, it has been successfully operating for 4 years. As of now, it has completed treatment for 1383 patients, achieving good therapeutic effects for difficult lesions in areas such as the human head, pancreas, and lungs. Treated patients come from all over the country and Europe, among other places. Building on the successful operation of its first three years, the center is creating the nation's first tumor rehabilitation town, establishing a comprehensive, full-life-cycle health management system characterized by integrated cancer treatment, dietary management therapy, psychosomatic health management, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment, rehabilitation physiotherapy, biological immune cell therapy, horticultural therapy, and cultural therapy.

Department Introduction​​

The Head and Neck Tumor Heavy Ion Therapy Department (Radiotherapy Department 5) specializes in heavy ion and photon radiotherapy for head and neck tumors, central nervous system tumors, and lymphatic tumors. It is a specialized ward integrating clinical practice, scientific research, and teaching.

​​Main Treated Conditions:​​ Meningioma, pituitary adenoma, acoustic neuroma, glioma, intracranial tumors, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, oral cancer, eye tumors, laryngeal cancer, hard palate cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, chordoma, lymphoma in various parts of the body.

​​Diseases with Heavy Ion Advantage:​​ Head and neck malignant melanoma, head and neck sarcoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, recurrent head and neck cancer, skull base chordoma, chondrosarcoma, glioma.

The Wuwei Medical Science Academy Cancer Hospital Heavy Ion Center is building a domestically authoritative heavy ion radiotherapy center with independent intellectual property rights. The center has renowned radiotherapy experts from China and abroad who can provide patients with condition assessments and remote consultations, helping patients find the most suitable treatment plan nationwide.

Contact Us​​

​​Consultation Hotline:​​ 4006096666

​​Director Li Xiaojun:​​ (13150160200)

​​Hospital Address:​​ Head and Neck Tumor Heavy Ion Therapy Department (Radiotherapy Department 5), 2nd Floor, Main Building, Heavy Ion Campus, Gansu Wuwei Medical Science Academy Cancer Hospital