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The IRIS group at IFIC has achieved notable advancements in applying Compton cameras for the verification of hadrontherapy treatments and the assessment of radionuclide therapy (RT).
Two reconfigurable multi-layer systems based on LaBr3 monolithic scintillator crystals coupled to SiPMs have been developed in the group. The first system, MACACO III makes use of the AliVATA readout board, while the second system, FALCON, employs the TOFPET2 ASIC from PETsys electronics. To enhance the efficiency, tests involving an enlarged second detector configuration by combining four crystals per plane has been conducted in both cases.
In the hadrontherapy application, successful tests were conducted with the Proteus C-230 cyclotron available at the Centrum Cyklotronowe Bronowice IFJ PAN (Krakow), demonstrating the prototypes' capability to identify 2 mm proton range shifts. Subsequently, new tests were performed in collaboration with the Quirón Proton Therapy Centre using the S2C2 Proteus One synchrocyclotron—a modern accelerator that imposes more demanding requirements on the system due to its higher average current. Preliminary data analysis indicates the ability to detect range shifts in this challenging environment as well.
In the context of RT, encouraged by the initial successful tests conducted in collaboration with La Fe Hospital (Valencia) involving phantoms filled with FDG and 131I-NaI, as well as thyroid cancer patients, the evaluation of the system has now been extended to include alpha emitters. Simulation studies have indicated the potential for imaging Ac-225, and a measurement campaign is scheduled in partnership with the Léon Bérard Centre (Lyon).
