Study reveals mechanism for improved heavy-ion cancer therapy

A new study reveals the microscopic mechanism behind heavy-ion cancer therapy, which may improve cancer treatment methods. Researchers from the Institute of Modern Physics in China published their findings in Physical Review X. Heavy-ion therapy uses beams to destroy cancer cells and is more effective than traditional X-ray therapy. The study shows that heavy ions cause more DNA damage in tumor cells, enhancing treatment efficacy. For the first time, researchers observed a specific energy transfer mechanism during heavy-ion irradiation. This discovery could help optimize future radiotherapy techniques.