Cosylab joins forces with leading scientific institutions and industrial partners to develop a new era of radiation therapy in the UPLIFT project. The potential benefits of this innovative approach for patients and the healthcare industry.
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| The UPLIFT project is revolutionizing radiation therapy by treating patients in an upright position. This innovative approach offers numerous benefits, including increased comfort, reduced costs, and potentially improved treatment outcomes. Image Courtesy: Freepik |
Ljubljana, Slovenia - October 17, 2024:
A groundbreaking research project, UPLIFT, is set to redefine radiation therapy by introducing a novel approach: treating patients in an upright position. Led by the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, the project brings together a consortium of scientific institutions and industrial partners, including Cosylab, to explore the potential benefits of this innovative method.
Traditional radiation therapy involves patients lying down while the radiation beam rotates around their body. UPLIFT challenges this convention by positioning patients upright, offering several advantages. This approach reduces the physical space required for treatment facilities, making it more accessible in regions with limited resources. Additionally, it lowers treatment costs, aligning with the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
Beyond logistical benefits, upright radiotherapy has the potential to improve patient comfort and outcomes. By reducing respiratory motion during treatment, it can enhance the accuracy of targeting tumors. Moreover, upright positioning may offer anatomical and physiological advantages that could lead to better treatment results.
However, this innovative approach raises crucial scientific questions. The UPLIFT project aims to address these uncertainties and achieve significant technical and scientific breakthroughs in the field of upright radiotherapy. It will also establish a Europe-wide network of experts trained in this unconventional patient positioning. As clinics begin adopting upright radiotherapy technologies, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals to maximize the benefits for patient care.
Professor Christian Graeff and Dr Lennart Volz, leading GSI scientists and project leaders, emphasize the transformative potential of UPLIFT. They believe that the project could revolutionize modern radiation therapy by making it more patient-centered, accessible, and sustainable. By reducing treatment costs and improving outcomes, UPLIFT could position Europe at the forefront of the upright radiotherapy paradigm shift.
Kristjan Anderle, PhD, lead Cosylab scientist at UPLIFT, shares his enthusiasm for the project. He highlights the potential of upright radiotherapy to significantly expand future treatment methods in the fight against cancer. Cosylab is also leading the Dissemination Work Package, which will raise awareness about UPLIFT's progress and results within the scientific community, general public, and policymakers.
The UPLIFT project is funded by the European Union and represents a significant step forward in the field of radiation therapy. By exploring the potential benefits of upright patient positioning, the project could pave the way for more effective and accessible cancer treatments.