Garchinger Maier-Leibnitz-Kolloquium: From the Big Bang to Proton Therapy: A Journey Through Physics, Chemistry, and Biology to Improve Cancer Care

by Dr Alejandro Mazal (Centro de Protonterapia Quironsalud, Madrid, Spain)

Thursday 17 Jul 2025, 16:15 → 17:15 Europe/Berlin

Lecture Hall, ground floor (west) (LMU building, Am Coulombwall 1, campus Garching)

The evolution of the universe—from the Big Bang to the emergence of life—follows a trajectory through physics, chemistry, and biology, ultimately shaping our understanding of human health. Radiation therapy for cancer shares a similar path. Proton therapy (PT), a cutting-edge modality in radiation oncology, exemplifies how deep physical principles translate into tangible clinical benefits. Its key advantage lies in minimizing side effects and reducing the risk of radiation-induced secondary cancers—especially critical in pediatric patients, though increasingly relevant for adult cases as well.

However, alongside its promise, PT presents challenges that must be addressed to determine its optimal role in cancer treatment. While the technology continues to advance, high costs remain a major barrier to widespread use. Efforts to reduce costs must be carefully managed to ensure treatment quality is not compromised. Currently, in developed countries, less than 2% of patients receiving radiation therapy are treated with protons.

As Niels Bohr aptly said, “Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.” Proton therapy could fade into obsolescence, remain a niche technique, or eventually replace conventional photon-based treatments. Innovations such as FLASH therapy—offering ultra-fast radiation delivery—and the powerful synergy between radiation and immunotherapy are shaping new frontiers in oncology.

In all these scenarios, the multidisciplinary collaboration between physicists, chemists, biologists, engineers, and clinicians stands as a remarkable example of science serving human well-being.

Hybrid access via ZOOM:
https://lmu-munich.zoom.us/j/98457332925?pwd=TWc3V1JkSHpyOTBPQVlMelhuNnZ1dz09
Meeting ID: 984 5733 2925
Passcode: 979953

kolloquium-17-07-25.pdf