The nearing completion of the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research marks a transformative leap in cancer care in Australia. Highlighting the precision and potential of particle therapy in reducing long-term side effects, particularly in paediatric and rare cancers, this editorial underscores Australia's commitment to integrating this innovative modality into national healthcare, despite challenges in accessibility and cost.

The burden of cancer in Asia Pacific, a region home to over four billion people, is growing. Because of sheer demographics alone, the Asia Pacific region arguably has the highest number of patients who can benefit from protons over conventional x-rays. However, only 39 out of 113 proton facilities globally are in Asia Pacific, and 11 of them are in low- and middle-income countries where 95% of the regional population reside. We draw attention to present resource distribution of proton therapy in Asia Pacific, highlight disparities in access, and suggest steps forward.

This study examined the experiences of families and young cancer patients who travelled overseas for proton beam therapy. It identified challenges in the coordinating travel and treatment process. The research highlights the need for improved care provision and support for families travelling for PBT treatment and suggests the use of consumer-led working groups to create models of care.

Fixed-beam systems significantly reduce the upfront cost of proton beam therapy. A dosimetric comparison of fixed-beam and gantry IMPT delivery systems is performed for five bases of skull chordoma patients. The fixed-beam dosimetry was found to be non-inferior to the gantry dosimetry for the patients studied.

A novel intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) treatment planning concept is presented in this proof-of-principle study. By combining the small spot size of high-energy pencil beams with the integral dose advantages of Bragg peak pencil beams, we aimed to improve the lateral penumbra of IMPT for base of skull chordoma treatment plans.

This scoping review aimed to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic influenced any modifications to patient selection methods or prioritisation and services provided by proton therapy (PT) centres. Recurring impacts on PT provision included more frequent use of unconventional therapies, reduced referrals, delayed treatment starts and CT simulation, change in treatment target volumes and staffing limitations due to pandemic restrictions. Consequently, telehealth consults, remote work, reduction in patient visitors, screening procedures and rigorous cleaning protocols were recommended.

The article discusses the anticipated launch of the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABCPTR) in Adelaide, highlighting the potential benefits of proton therapy for rare cancers like clival chordomas. It synthesises key findings from major studies, evaluates management strategies for clival chordomas, considers the role of institutional volume and multidisciplinary teams in patient outcomes, and explores how high-quality care can be delivered in the Australian healthcare system, emphasising the potential impact of proton therapy on clival chordoma treatment in Australia.

Australia has taken a collaborative nationally networked approach to achieve particle therapy capability, supporting the under-construction proton therapy facility in Adelaide (opening early 2025) and proposals for other particle therapy centres. This includes a proposal for a hybrid carbon ion and proton centre in western Sydney. This article overviews the rationale for carbon ion radiation therapy, applying observations to the case for an Australian facility and to the clinical and research potential from such a national centre.

Consumer engagement in healthcare plays a pivotal role, particularly in navigating the multifaceted journey of cancer treatment and can complement cancer control strategies by ensuring the practicalities of the cancer journey are realised. The Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research (ABCPTR) established the Bragg Consumer Advisory Group (BCAG) in 2023.

Comparative planning brings professional development benefits to all members of the radiation therapy team. This service was also created to support future proposals for a Proton-beam therapy facility in Victoria. We report our experience developing an in-house comparative photon-proton planning service at Peter Mac.

This report describes two paediatric/adolescent and young adult (AYA) brain tumour cases demonstrating the dosimetric advantages of photon irradiation over proton beam therapy. This highlights the role of proton-to-photon comparative treatment planning to better understand which patients might benefit from photon irradiation versus proton beam therapy.

The Principles and Practice of Particle Therapy methodically compiles important concepts in particle therapy (PT) such as medical physics, radiobiology, treatment planning, image guidance, treatment delivery, advanced technologies, clinical indications and considerations for various anatomical disease sites. Undoubtably, this book is a clinically oriented resource providing a practical guide for radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation therapists and students who wish to learn about PT.

The textbook ‘Particle Therapy Technology for Safe Treatment’ provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the complex technology that makes up particle therapy. Authored by world-renowned particle accelerator and particle beam physicist Dr Jay Flanz, the book explains key particle therapy parameters and underlying physics concepts, alongside useful practical examples of how to ensure the safest clinical implementation of particle therapy.