Heavy Ion and Proton Therapy in China: Advanced Cancer Care
- MedBridge NZ
- Oct 30
- 3 min read
Particle Beam Radiotherapy (PBRT), particularly heavy ion and proton therapy in China, is globally recognized as the most advanced radiotherapy technology available today. Leveraging unique physical and biological properties, this sophisticated treatment modality is flourishing in China, offering new hope for cancer patients seeking advanced solutions.
How Particle Therapy Works: The Bragg Peak and RBE Advantage
Conventional radiation treatments (photons or X-rays) deposit maximum energy near the skin surface, meaning that normal tissues along the beam path receive a high dose, and the dose delivered to deep-seated tumors often tapers off.
Particle therapy overcomes this major limitation through two key characteristics:
The Bragg Peak: Both protons and heavy ions exhibit a distinct physical phenomenon called the Bragg Peak, where they release most of their energy at a precisely controlled depth before the dose drops almost instantly to zero. This allows oncologists to selectively deposit energy mainly within the tumor site, greatly reducing radiation exposure and damage to surrounding healthy organs and tissues.
Superior Biological Effectiveness (RBE): While protons utilize the dose distribution advantage, heavy ions—specifically carbon ions—offer a significant biological advantage. Carbon ions have a higher Linear Energy Transfer (LET) and Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE), which is typically 2 to 5 times greater than conventional photon radiation. This enhanced biological effect makes CIRT particularly effective against tumors that are traditionally considered radioresistant.
China's Advanced Facilities for Proton and Heavy Ion Therapy
China views PBRT as a crucial area of strategic development, prioritizing high-performance medical equipment. China was the fourth country globally to implement carbon ion therapy. By the end of 2020, nearly 8,000 patients had been treated with particle therapy in China.
Key operational centers include:
Shanghai Proton Heavy Ion Center (SPHIC): Operational since 2014, SPHIC uses equipment from Siemens and offers both proton and heavy ion therapy.
Heavy Ion Cancer Treatment Center (HIMM) in Wuwei/Lanzhou: A landmark achievement, HIMM is China's first self-developed medical heavy ion accelerator system, demonstrating high local control rates.
Ruijin Hospital (Shanghai): This facility independently developed the Shanghai Advanced Proton Therapy Device (APTRON) and began treating patients in 2021.
As of March 2025, 54 medical institutions nationwide have received approval to offer PBRT, positioning China as a key destination for medical tourism in advanced cancer care.
Clinical Results: Efficacy and Patient Safety in China's PBRT
Chinese clinical institutions have generated promising initial clinical data from their advanced particle therapy centers.
Focus on Head and Neck Cancers (HNCs)
A study at SPHIC compared adjuvant PBT versus CIRT for HNCs. Both provided satisfactory therapeutic effectiveness with similar 2-year survival rates.
Crucially, the study found that CIRT had a significantly more favorable acute toxicity profile compared to PBT. Patients receiving CIRT experienced significantly less frequent and severe acute dermatitis (35% incidence for CIRT vs. 88.9% for PBT). This is due to carbon ions’ ability to maximize RBE selectively within the tumor while minimizing damage to the skin.
Treating Other Radioresistant Tumors
CIRT has shown excellent results in treating tumors considered resistant to conventional radiation, such as Tracheobronchial Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (TACC) and locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (a common malignant tumor in China).
The Technology Behind PBRT: Synchrotrons vs. Cyclotrons
Particle beam generation relies primarily on two types of accelerators: cyclotrons and synchrotrons. For institutes treating both protons and carbon ions, a synchrotron is required.
The Future of PBRT in China: Cost and Innovation
While proton and heavy ion therapy is cutting-edge, the high cost of construction and maintenance remains a challenge. Carbon ion facilities are notably expensive, costing roughly 2–3 times more than comparable proton centers.
Future trends in China are focusing on overcoming these barriers:
Miniaturization: Developing more compact systems using superconducting magnets to reduce facility size and construction costs.
Enhanced Efficiency: Innovations like Multiple Energy Extraction (MEE) to reduce energy switching time.
Treatment High-Precision: Integrating respiratory gating technology, real-time imaging, and exploring new concepts like FLASH Proton Therapy.
With its robust investment in technology and ongoing clinical trials, China is poised to continue its rapid progress in making particle therapy a mainstream, effective, and increasingly accessible option for international patients.
