The Proteus ONE, the first proton beam therapy system to be delivered in the UK, will be installed and maintained by IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) at Proton Partners International’s first oncology centre, The Rutherford Cancer Centre, South Wales (Proton Partners International, 2017).

Proton Partners International, which is building a series of oncology centres known as The Rutherford Cancer Centres, will install the same proton beam therapy system at its other centres under development in Northumberland, Reading and Liverpool.

The Proteus ONE’s compact gantry allows for advanced imaging techniques to be carried out. Tumours are targeted with Cone Beam CT, a volumetric visualisation of the tumour and the body.

The Rutherford Cancer Centre, South Wales, is expected to be operational within weeks to offer radiotherapy, chemotherapy and imaging, and due to the installation process, proton beam therapy will be available next year.

Olivier Legrain, chief executive officer of IBA, said “We are delighted to be supporting Proton Partners International in making their vision of ‘creating a better future for cancer patients’ in the UK a reality. IBA’s proton therapy technology has been used to treat more cancer patients than any other proton therapy system in the world. We are committed to make this highly accurate form of radiotherapy available to all patients who can benefit from it.”

Mike Moran, chief executive officer of Proton Partners International, said “The single room Proteus ONE equipped with Philips Ambient Experience has been designed to optimise the patient experience by providing a comfortable and calming environment. The optimised workflow will reduce the amount of time it takes staff to position patients for treatment and the stress for the patient – which is something that is extremely important to us as we develop The Rutherford Cancer Centres.

“We are at the final stages of finishing the build of our first oncology centre which will offer patients access to the latest technology in radiotherapy, chemotherapy and imaging. Following today’s successful delivery of the first Proteus ONE machine in the UK, the installation process will begin and high energy proton beam therapy will be available at our South Wales centre next year.”