On April 16, 2024, global authorities in tumor radiotherapy, co-discoverer of the FLASH effect, and one of the namers of FLASH radiotherapy, Professor Marie-Catherine VOZENIN (MC Vozenin), led a group of experts from the French National Western Cancer Research Center (ICO) and Harvard Medical School (HMS) to Mianyang.They visited Zhongjiu Flash Medical Technology Co., Ltd. and participated in the FLASH International Academic Exchange to discuss the clinical development of X-ray FLASH radiotherapy and future international cooperation.

Figure 1 Group photo with some participants and MC VOZENIN

In 2014, the paper "Ultrahigh dose-rate FLASH irradiation increases the differential response between normal tumor tissue in mice," with MC Vozenin as one of the authors,came out and opened the door to the third generation of radiotherapy technology. In the paper,it was found that under ultra-high dose-rate electron beam irradiation, there was a significant difference in radiation response between normal and tumor tissues in mice. This difference was later confirmed by multiple experiments and proven in human clinical trials.It is possible to shorten a one-month radiotherapy course to less than one second and significantly reduce side effects while maintaining equivalent or even better therapeutic effects.This is the first time that humans have found that the radiation itself has a "selectivity" between the tumor and normal tissues.The team led by Professor Vincent Favaudon, where MC Vozenin was a part, named this phenomenon the "FLASH effect" and called this treatment method "FLASH radiotherapy" (FLASH-RT).

Professor MC Vozenin has since been committed to promoting the clinical translation of FLASH radiotherapy. Based on animal models such as mice, cats, and mini-pigs, a series of preclinical experiments have been conducted, and the results have been published in top international journals such as PNAS, Clinical Cancer Research, International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, and a comprehensive review of the prospects and challenges of FLASH radiotherapy moving towards the clinic has been written in the top-tier review journal Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology. Under her leadership, the world's radiotherapy community has ignited a fervor for FLASH radiotherapy research.

Figure 2 Introduction to MC VOZENIN

The FLASH effect has been discovered successively on radiation sources such as electrons, protons, and low-energy (keV) X-ray photons.At the end of 2022, the "Physical World" selected the launch of proton FLASH human clinical trials as one of the "Top Ten Physics Advances of 2022." However, whether high-energy (MeV) X-ray photons can serve as a source for FLASH radiotherapy has long been anticipated and was acclaimed by experts at the world's largest cancer treatment center, MD Anderson in the United States, as "FLASH Photon: One small step for Physics, One huge leap for cancer therapy".However,The technical difficulty of photon FLASH radiation sources is extremely high.It was not until 2020 that a joint research group composed of the Wu Dai and Yang yiwei team from the Institute of Applied Electronics, China Academy of Engineering Physics, and the Du Xiaobo team from Mianyang Central Hospital, among others, built the world's first high-energy X-ray photon FLASH radiotherapy verification platform. They were the first in the world to prove the high-energy X-ray FLASH effect and completed the miniaturization design of the device.

This technological achievement has been successfully transformed for the development of medical equipment by Zhongjiu Flash Medical Technology Co., Ltd. The transformation process took only 69 days, fully reflecting the "Mianyang speed" and "Mianyang strength" in both scientific and technological innovation and achievement transformation. Recently, the prototype device has met the clinical research requirements of X-ray FLASH radiotherapy for the first time in the world and was rated as one of the "Top Ten Scientific Advances in Sichuan in 2023." In October last year, the first "National FLASH Radiotherapy Conference" was jointly hosted by the Chinese Nuclear Society, the Chinese Medical Association, and the Chinese Medical Equipment Association, and undertaken by the People's Government of Mianyang City. The "Mianyang Initiative" of the FLASH Radiotherapy Technology Innovation Alliance was released at the conference, raising the banner of FLASH radiotherapy industrialization with world-leading technology and demonstrating the "Mianyang height" in the development of new quality productive forces.

Figure 3 Top Ten Scientific Advances in Sichuan in 2023

Figure 4 National FLASH Radiotherapy Conference

The arrival of Professor MC Vozenin marks the high-level interaction between China, France, and the United States in the field of medical scientific research. The accompanying experts include French experts such as Professor Mario CAMPONE, Professor Stephane SUPIOT, and Professor Pascal DETEMMERMAN from ICO, as well as Professor Zhou Bin, Professor Cai Wenli, and Professor Wang Zhaoxi from HMS from the United States.

Figure 5 FLASH Radiotherapy International Academic Exchange Meeting

He Long, a member of the Party Committee and director of Changhong Company, delivered an enthusiastic opening speech, sincerely welcoming the arrival of the experts and scholars. He emphasized that healthcare is an important part of Changhong Company's future development strategy. Promoting FLASH radiotherapy technology is not only a solemn commitment of the company to human health but also its responsibility and mission.

In the subsequent academic exchange session, Professor Marie-Catherine VOZENIN introduced the latest progress of FLASH technology with the topic "Initial Exploration of ICO Flash."

Professor Wang Zhaoxi from the BI Medical Innovation Center of Harvard Medical School introduced the role and contribution of HMS in medical research, clinical practice, and global promotion. He expressed a firm determination for win-win cooperation and joint promotion of the development of FLASH radiotherapy technology.

Figure 6 Professor Marie-Catherine VOZENIN

Figure 7 Professor Wang Zhaoxi

Figure 8 Professor Zhang Haowen

Professor Zhang Haowen from Suzhou University deeply analyzed the "Radiation-Induced Dynamic Process of DNA Damage Response," revealing a new perspective on the FLASH effect caused by high-energy X-ray ultra-high dose rates.

Figure 9 Deputy Director Du Xiaobo

Deputy Director Du Xiaobo of Mianyang Central Hospital then gave a special report on "Verifying the FLASH Effect and Exploring Potential Mechanisms," bringing the latest progress in the verification of the FLASH effect and potential mechanism research. The two Chinese reports each showcased a large number of exciting preclinical experimental results that have not yet been published, causing widespread and enthusiastic discussion.

In the second half of the meeting, the experts engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions around their respective research fields, sharing their research results and practical experience, providing a valuable academic dialogue platform for the participants. The academic atmosphere at the meeting was rich, and ideas sparked, opening a new chapter for the promotion of FLASH radiotherapy technology in global research, application, and cooperation. After the meeting, the experts also discussed the feasibility of hosting the fifth "World FLASH Radiotherapy Conference" (FRPT 2025) in Mianyang.

This event was hosted by the Sichuan Nuclear Medical Equipment Industry Innovation Center and undertaken by Zhongjiu Flash Medical Technology Co., Ltd., with strong support from the Sichuan Innovation Drive Development Center, the National Interdisciplinary Science Center, the National Key Laboratory of Advanced Lasers and High-Power Microwaves, and the National Health Commission's Nuclear Technology Medical Transformation Key Laboratory. More than 40 domestic and foreign industry authorities, experts, and professors from institutions such as West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Suzhou University, Mianyang Central Hospital, and Zhongjiu Flash Company participated in the exchange activities.