Table 2.
Different options for a UK heavy ion facility, considering capabilities, flexibility and cost, in descending order
| Option | Characteristics | Ions | Estimated cost | Timeline¶ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Clinical and research facility incorporating new accelerator and gantry design. Beams capable of penetrating 30 cm in water, so up to 425 MeV/u for Carbon ions. Two or more clinical treatment rooms and one research room containing both pre-clinical and in vitro beam lines where clinical beam delivery can be emulated. | H, He, Li, B, C, O | £400M | 10 years |
| 2. | Clinical and research facility using existing accelerator technology. Beams capable of penetrating 30 cm in water. One or more clinical treatment rooms with one or more gantries to deliver C ions. Capability to test alternative technologies for patient treatment (e.g. chairs) Possible smaller gantry for H or He treatment. Research room containing both pre-clinical and in vitro beam lines where clinical beam delivery can be emulated (as one above). | H, He, C | £200M | 5 years |
| 3. | Clinical and research facility similar to two above, using existing technology, but only delivers H and He ions; with gantry for both H and He ions. Beams capable of penetrating 30 cm in water. Capability to test alternative technologies for patient treatment (e.g. chairs) Research room containing both pre-clinical and in vitro beam lines where clinical beam delivery can be emulated (as 1 and 2 above). | H, He | £150M | 5 years |
| 4. | Pre-clinical research facility (50–60 MeV/u), new accelerator and gantry design (or alternatives). Capability for in vitro research. Not suitable for clinical treatment. | H, He, Li, B, C, O | £100M | 5 years |
| 5. | Preclinical research facility, lower energy (20 MeV/u), existing technology (similar to Option 4). Heavy ions, such as C, only preclinical for superficial tumours. Not for clinical treatment. | H, He, Li, B, C, O | £50M | 2–3 years |
SFRT, spatially fractionated radiotherapy.
Timeline does not include time to identify asuitable site and obtain planning permission.
Although the consensus focussed on protons and 12C ions, B and Li ions (intermediate in mass) and heavier O ions, were also discussed. A facility should also have capability for FLASH and SFRTdelivery.