The DRESDEN PLATFORM – A Research Hub for Ultra-high Dose Rate Radiobiology

The recently observed FLASH effect provides normal tissue protection at a similar tumor treatment efficacy via ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) irradiation and promises great benefits for radiotherapy patients. Dedicated studies are now necessary to define a robust set of dose application parameters for FLASH radiotherapy and to identify underlying mechanisms. These studies require particle accelerators with variable temporal dose application characteristics for numerous radiation qualities, equipped for preclinical radiobiological research. Here we present the DRESDEN PLATFORM, a research hub for ultra-high dose rate radiobiology. By uniting clinical and research accelerators with radiobiology infrastructure and know-how, the DRESDEN PLATFORM offers a unique environment for studying the FLASH effect. We introduce its experimental capabilities and qualify the platform for systematic investigation of FLASH by presenting results from a concerted in vivo radiobiology study with zebrafish embryos. The comparative pre-clinical study was conducted across three accelerator facilities, including an advanced laser-driven proton source applied for FLASH-relevant in vivo irradiations for the first time. The data show a protective effect of UHDR irradiation up to 10^5 Gy/s and suggests consistency of the protective effect even at escalated dose rates of 10^9 Gy/s. With the first clinical FLASH studies underway, research facilities like the DRESDEN PLATFORM, addressing the open questions surrounding FLASH, are essential to accelerate FLASH’s translation into clinical practice.