Wuwei Heavy Ion Center applies "Dual Bragg Lattice Radiotherapy" clinically

Wuwei Heavy Ion Center's groundbreaking technology "Dual Bragg Peak Lattice Radiotherapy"

applied in clinical practice

Recently, the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center at Wuwei Cancer Hospital in Gansu Province achieved another breakthrough—successfully performing individualized "Dual Bragg Lattice Radiotherapy" on a patient with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma accompanied by massive liver metastasis.

"Double Bragg" does not refer to two physical peaks, but rather the deep collision and integration of two core treatment concepts. The first "Bragg" is the Bragg Peak in the realm of physics—where heavy ion beams can release the vast majority of their energy at a specific depth within the body. This characteristic forms the physical foundation for "precise targeting" and maximally protecting normal tissues. The second "Bragg" is the Bragg Treatment in the realm of immunology, specifically the internationally cutting-edge PRaG synergistic treatment regimen. It "ignites" locally through precise radiotherapy to release tumor antigens; uses GM-CSF as a "navigation system" to guide the immune system in recognizing tumor cells; and then employs PD-1 inhibitors to "release the immune brakes," enabling immune cells to persistently and systemically attack the tumor, ultimately aiming for the valuable "abscopal effect." Lattice radiotherapy serves as the crucial bridge connecting the two "Bragg" concepts. For large tumors that cannot be irradiated by conventional methods, it transforms a uniform dose field into countless discrete high-dose "energy islands." This approach not only miraculously protects the intervening normal tissues and vascular structures but also, due to its unique dose distribution, has been proven to efficiently induce immunogenic cell death. It converts the energy of physical attack into a "signal" that activates a systemic immune response, making local tumor treatment and systemic control a reality.

Patient: Female, 43 years old, diagnosed with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma accompanied by massive liver metastasis, reaching a critical stage of the disease. The pancreatic primary lesion is accompanied by diffuse, partially fused massive metastatic tumors in the liver, nearly replacing the normal liver tissue. Due to the substantial tumor burden and impaired liver function, she completely lost the opportunity for surgery and conventional chemotherapy. Faced with this desperate situation, our hospital team saw it as an opportunity to practice cutting-edge integrated treatment concepts, and tailored an individualized treatment plan centered on "Dual Bragg Lattice Radiotherapy" for her.

Four major advantages work in synergy:

First, by leveraging the unique physical property of the "Bragg peak" of heavy ion radiation, we achieve "pinpoint destruction" of deep-seated tumors.

Second, employing the advanced field-arrangement technique of "lattice radiotherapy," we precisely distribute a checkerboard-like pattern of energy within the massive liver tumor. This efficiently kills tumor cells while preserving space for the remaining normal liver tissue and critical blood vessels to survive.

Third, we seamlessly integrate this precise physical strike into the "Bragg therapy" immune synergy strategy. Using it as an "igniter" to activate a systemic immune response, we combine it with PD-1 inhibitors and GM-CSF to strive for inducing an abscopal effect, thereby targeting unirradiated lesions.

Fourth, we incorporate a new generation of immune cell therapy with stem cell support. This integrates immune effector cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)—such as CAR-T, CAR-NK, and TCR-T cells—with engineering technologies. This approach significantly enhances the accessibility and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.

The innovative technology of "Dual Bragg Lattice Radiotherapy" represents the latest practical achievement driven by our hospital's mission to "gather the world's cutting-edge technologies to benefit cancer patients everywhere." In the future, we will continue to deepen integration and innovation by combining precise physical methods, advanced biological and immunological research, and individualized clinical strategies. We remain steadfast in advancing toward our vision of "becoming a global destination for cancer patients to overcome cancer," paving a path of renewed hope for more patients in desperate situations.