Social dinner

Opening and goals of the workshop

• Maurizio Vretenar (CERN)
• Diana Adliene (Vice-convener of CBG APTC working group)
• Toms Torims (Convener of CBG APTC working group)

Room: 160/1-009

Welcome by CERN's Director for Accelerators and Technology

• Mike Lamont (CERN)

Room: 160/1-009

View of the Baltic Assembly

• Antoņina Ņenaševa (Baltic Assembly (Vice Chair of the Health, Welfare and Family Committee of the Baltic Assembly))

Room: 160/1-009

Session I “Cancer statistics and indication profile in the Baltic States. Status of radiotherapy technologies in the Baltic States.”

• Erika Korobeinikova (Lithuanian Society for Radiation Therapy / Lithuanian University of Health Sciences)
• Kristaps Palskis (Riga Technical University (LV) / CERN)
• Manjit Dosanjh

Room: 160/1-009 Key topics: Reaching a “critical mass” of the number of patients that could be treated with proton and particle therapy is one of the most crucial aspects behind a successful operation of a clinical facility. Cancer statistics in the Baltic States are to be discussed – number of patients diagnosed with cancer and treated with radiation therapy yearly. Most common malignancies are to be indicated with a correspondence to eligibility for particle therapy, as well as indications with currently sub-optimal treatment options are to be discussed. Lastly, technological level of currently used radiation therapy techniques, statistics of RT equipment and future projects of novel radiation therapy device installations as alternatives, such as MRI-LINACs, are discussed. Moderator: Dace Bogorada-Saukuma (Latvian Therapeutic Radiology Association)

Session II “Clinical indications for proton and particle therapy. Existing clinical evidence and on-going clinical trials”

• Anna Maria Camarda (The National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO))

Room: 160/1-009 Key topics: Proton and particle therapy is still considered a novel and unique cancer treatment modality that could be applied to challenging cancer cases. Clinical evidence is not comprehensive for all the oncological malignancies and particular indications have shown clearer benefits compared to others. Main cancer types and oncological indications eligible for proton and particle therapy are to be indicated and discussed. On-going clinical trials for further developments for evidence-based medicine are to be discussed, along with currently existing consensus statements for different cancer types. Briefly, alternative approaches for patient selection compared to evidence-based medicine are to be discussed. Moderator: Erika Korobeinikova (Lithuanian Society for Radiation Therapy / Lithuanian University of Health Sciences)

Session III “The technology of helium synchrotron: technology readiness level and research needed”

• Maurizio Vretenar (CERN)
• Elena Benedetto (SEEIIST Association (CH))

Room: 160/1-009 Key topics: Helium synchrotron is a technology still in an active development stage within the Next Ion Medical Machine Study (NIMMS) collaboration at CERN. Current status of the technology and technology readiness level are to be discussed. Potential challenges in the development stage of such a technology and during the construction process of the machine will be covered. Scientific researcher inputs necessary for the development will be listed. Moderators: Taylor Rebecca (Imperial College, CERN), Toms Torims (Convener of CBG APTC working group)

Session IV “Current status of nuclear medicine in the Baltic States. Trends and research pathways going into the future”

• Maija Radzina (University of Latvia / Latvian Radiology Association (joining remotely))
• Edgars Mamis (University of Latvia (LV) / CERN)

Room: 160/1-009 Key topics: In the proposed facility, a novel idea of radioactive isotope production using linear accelerator is foreseen. Such a method could allow more efficient production of specific radioisotopes with non-conventional nuclear production pathways. “To look in the future”, firstly the present status of the nuclear medicine field is to be reported and discussed within the 3 Baltic States – main radioisotopes used and clinical procedures. Insights gained from participation in the PRISMAP project will be shared with the focus on novel radioisotopes considered for future clinical applications and scientific research needed to develop production methods of such isotopes. Moderator: Diana Adliene (Vice-convener of CBG APTC working group)

Session V “Educational necessities and possible solution pathways for clinical and technical personnel training”

• Kristaps Palskis (Riga Technical University (LV))
• Manjit Dosanjh (University of Oxford / CERN)
• Erika Korobeinikova (Lithuanian Society for Radiation Therapy / Lithuanian University of Health Sciences)

Room: 160/1-009 Key topics: From previous discussions, a clear need to understand educational and training opportunities of personnel, both clinical and technical, was identified, as currently specialists in particle therapy related fields are lacking. Key necessity areas are to be defined and international educational opportunities and collaborations are to be discussed. Ways, how to implement the possible solutions of the educational aspects early-on within the project initiative, are to be discussed and identified. Moderator: Andrejs Ērglis (University of Latvia)

Feedback from moderators of each session Room: 160/1-009

Closing words

• Toms Torims (Convener of CBG APTC working group)
• Diana Adliene (Vice-convener of CBG APTC working group)

Room: 160/1-009