Ruijin Hospital's proton therapy system treats 600 cancer patients

Since the official clinical unveiling of China's first domestically produced proton therapy system at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital in November 2023, the device has provided treatment for 600 tumor patients, the leading domestic medical institution said on Tuesday.

The treatment scope of this system, SAPT-PS-01, has expanded to nearly 50 types of tumors, covering all common radiotherapy indications and bringing new hope to cancer patients, said the hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, at the start of the annual National Cancer Prevention and Treatment Awareness Week.

Proton therapy stands as the most advanced radiation treatment for cancer today, offering significant advantages, such as precise targeting of tumors, maximum protection of surrounding healthy tissues, and reduced side effects. It demonstrates effectiveness and safety particularly in patients who need to avoid long-term side effects. They include minor tumor patients, as well as adult patients afflicted with central nervous system tumors, head and neck tumors, and tumors at complex anatomical sites.

Notably, in an unprecedented move, Ruijin Hospital pioneered proton therapy for child tumor patients in Shanghai in August 2023, continuously expanding its indications. So far, the hospital has treated 23 child tumor patients using this system.

"The youngest patient was 3 years old. The treatments went smoothly with all the minors so far, showing good outcomes and safety," said Gao Yunsheng, a doctor from the patron therapy team of Ruijin Hospital.

Also, the domestically produced proton device has been effective in treating patients with multiple organ complex functional failure, said the doctors.

Ruijin Hospital said its proton therapy follow-up data showed similarities or even superior performance in patients' survival rates, tumor control rates, toxicity control, and data integrity compared to international literatures from the same period.

Ning Guang, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Ruijin Hospital, said the hospital aims to continue driving innovation breakthroughs in China's proton therapy field, establish a standardized comprehensive cancer treatment system, provide comprehensive diagnostics, high-quality treatments for patients, and collaborate with local enterprises to continuously innovate.

"We hope that technologies developed at Ruijin Hospital can benefit more people and empower more hospitals," he said.