Tata Memorial Centre Expands Proton Beam Therapy Research

The Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in Mumbai is launching in-house research projects on proton beam therapy for treating paediatric and adult cancers. Collaborating with global researchers, the Advanced Centre for Treatment Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC) at TMC aims to improve the outcomes of this advanced radiation therapy, which offers minimal side effects.

Mumbai-based Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) will initiate in-house research projects to maximize the use of proton beam therapy for both paediatric and adult cancers, an official announced Thursday.

The Advanced Centre for Treatment Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC) at TMC will launch these projects in partnership with global researchers, said the official. The announcement came during the first anniversary of the proton therapy facility at TMC.

Professor Siddhartha Laskar, TMC's Deputy Director (Academics and Proton Therapy), revealed that 15-20% of patients undergoing radiation therapy could benefit from proton beams. Around 60,000 children in India are diagnosed with cancer annually, with 4,000 potentially benefiting from this advanced treatment, Laskar said.

(With inputs from agencies.)