In this article, we describe a novel RT apparatus that delivers FLASH proton RT (PRT) using double scattered protons with CT guidance and provide the first report of proton FLASH RT-mediated normal tissue radioprotection. Purpose: Recent studies suggest that ultrahigh-dose-rate, "FLASH," electron radiation therapy (RT) decreases normal tissue damage while maintaining tumor response compared with conventional dose rate RT. Here, we describe a novel RT apparatus that delivers FLASH proton RT (PRT) using double scattered protons with computed tomography guidance and provide the first report of proton FLASH RT-mediated normal tissue radioprotection. Methods and Materials: Absolute dose was measured at multiple depths in solid water and validated against an absolute integral charge measurement using a Faraday cup. Real-time dose rate was obtained using a NaI detector to measure prompt gamma rays. The effect of FLASH versus standard dose rate PRT on tumors and normal tissues was measured using pancreatic flank tumors (MH641905) derived from the KPC autochthonous PanCa model in syngeneic C57BL/6J mice with analysis of fibrosis and stem cell repopulation in small intestine after abdominal irradiation.

We report the synthesis, calibration, and examples of application of two new phosphorescent probes, Oxyphor R4 and Oxyphor G4, optimized specifically for in vivo oxygen imaging by phosphorescence quenching. These “protected” dendritic probes can operate in either albumin-rich (blood plasma) or albumin-free (interstitial space) environments at all physiological oxygen concentrations, from normoxic to deep hypoxic conditions. Oxyphors R4 and G4 are derived from phosphorescent Pd-meso-tetra-(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)-porphyrin (PdP) or Pd-meso-tetra-(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)-tetrabenzoporphyrin (PdTBP), respectively, and possess features common for protected dendritic probes, i.e., hydrophobic dendritic encapsulation of phosphorescent metalloporphyrins and hydrophilic PEGylated periphery. The new Oxyphors are highly soluble in aqueous environments and do not permeate biological membranes. The probes were calibrated under physiological conditions (pH 6.4–7.8) and temperatures (22–38 °C), showing high stability, reproducibility of signals, and lack of interactions with biological solutes. Oxyphor G4 was used to dynamically image intravascular and interstitial oxygenation in murine tumors in vivo. The physiological relevance of the measurements was demonstrated by dynamically recording changes in tissue oxygenation during application of anesthesia (isofluorane). These experiments revealed that changes in isofluorane concentration significantly affect tissue oxygenation.

The rate of light delivery (fluence rate) plays a critical role in photodynamic therapy (PDT) through its control of tumor oxygenation. This study tests the hypothesis that fluence rate also influences the inflammatory responses associated with PDT. PDT regimens of two different fluences (48 and 128 J/cm 2 ) were designed for the Colo 26 murine tumor that either conserved or depleted tissue oxygen during PDT using two fluence rates (

Purpose:To monitor tumor blood flow noninvasively during photodynamic therapy (PDT) and to correlate flow responses with therapeutic efficacy. Experimental Design: Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) was used to measure blood flow continuously in radiation-induced fibrosarcoma murine tumors during Photofrin (5 mg/kg)/ PDT (75 mW/cm 2 ,135 J/cm 2 ). Relative blood flow (rBF; i.e., normalized to preillumination values) was compared with tumor perfusion as determined by power Doppler ultrasound and was correlated with treatment durability, defined as the time of tumor growth to a volume of 400 mm 3 . Broadband diffuse reflectance spectroscopy concurrently quantified tumor hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SO 2 ). Results: DCS and power Doppler ultrasound measured similar flow decreases in animals treated with identical protocols. DCS measurement of rBF during PDT revealed a series of PDT-induced peaks and declines dominated by an initial steep increase (average F SE: 168.1 F 39.5%) and subsequent decrease (59.2 F 29.1%). The duration (interval time; range, 2.2-15.6 minutes) and slope (flow reduction rate; range, 4.4 -45.8% minute À1) of the decrease correlated significantly (P = 0.0001and 0.0002, r 2 = 0.79 and 0.67, respectively) with treatment durability. A positive, significant (P = 0.016, r 2 = 0.50) association between interval time and time-to-400 mm 3 was also detected in animals with depressed pre-PDT blood flow due to hydralazine administration. At 3 hours after PDT, rBF and SO 2 were predictive (P V 0.015) of treatment durability. Conclusion: These data suggest a role for DCS in real-time monitoring of PDT vascular response as an indicator of treatment efficacy.

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is the major cytotoxic agent responsible for cell killing for type-II photodynamic therapy (PDT). An empirical four-parameter macroscopic model is proposed to calculate the “apparent reacted 1O2 concentration”, [1O2]rx, as a clinical PDT dosimetry quantity. This model incorporates light diffusion equation and a set of PDT kinetics equations, which can be applied in any clinical treatment geometry. We demonstrate that by introducing a fitting quantity “apparent singlet oxygen threshold concentration” [1O2]rx,sd, it is feasible to determine the model parameters by fitting the computed [1O2]rx to the Photofrin-mediated PDT-induced necrotic distance using interstitially-measured Photofrin concentration and optical properties within each mouse. After determining the model parameters and the [1O2]rx,sd, we expect to use this model as an explicit dosimetry to assess PDT treatment outcome for a specific photosensitizer in an in vivo environment. The results also provide evidence that the [1O2]rx, because it takes into account the oxygen consumption (or light fluence rate) effect, can be a better predictor of PDT outcome than the PDT dose defined as the energy absorbed by the photosensitizer, which is proportional to the product of photosensitizer concentration and light fluence.