
WINK-TV Fort Myers: First-in-human trial tests faster proton therapy
A new first-in-human trial led by University of Cincinnati researchers suggests a certain radiation treatment, which delivers therapeutic doses of radiation in a fraction of a second, may hold promise as a potential treatment for tough-to-kill tumors.
The technology, called FLASH radiation treatment (FLASH RT), delivers radiation at dose rates that are more than 300 times higher than those used in conventional radiation treatments. This induces a phenomenon known as the FLASH effect, which reduces the harm that may occur to normal tissue surrounding a tumor during conventional radiation therapy, while still killing the cancer cells at the tumor site.
“It differs from the conventional type of radiation therapy in that we can steer it differently, John Breneman, MD, principal investigator on the trial and a professor of radiation oncology at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, told Fort Myers' WINK-TV. “So, a treatment that might typically take a minute would be delivered in a half a second. That can even further spare some of the normal tissue from the effects of radiation."
Breneman also serves as medical director of the Cincinnati Children's/UC Medical Center Proton Therapy Center where the trial was conducted.
John Perentesis, MD, research director of the Proton Therapy Center, said while the current research is limited to adults, the hope is that it can one day be applied to pediatric patients.
“One research question is, will FLASH be able to help us cure kids with D.I.P.G. or other tumors that we can’t cure right now?,” Perentesis said.
Watch the report on WINK-TV or WEGM-TV.
Radiology Today recently featured Emily Daugherty, MD, assistant professor of clinical radiation oncology at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, in an article about FLASH treatment. Read the Radiology Today article.
Featured photo at top of Dr. Emily Daugherty with a patient. Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Marketing + Brand.
Related Stories
Nurses face violence on the job
July 17, 2025

Gordon L. Gillespie, PhD, DNP, adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, and chief program officer for the National League for Nursing, spoke with Medscape for a story about violence against nurses in the workplace.
UC lab using $2.6M grant to study type of heart disease linked to diabetes
July 17, 2025
A University of Cincinnati College of Medicine researcher has been awarded a $2.6 million federal grant to study a potentially deadly form of heart disease that affects people with diabetes called diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Two local families host special blood drives
July 17, 2025
Two Tristate families are turning personal journeys into community impact by hosting specialty blood drives in honor of their children this July.
Human Services professor honored for groundbreaking contributions to sport administration education
July 17, 2025
On June 27, 2025, Ohio University’s College of Business honored Kelley for his contributions to the field of sport administration, presenting him with a Certificate of Recognition at the MAA Forum at the Muck Business Annex in Athens.
Champions of progress and opportunity
July 16, 2025
Tom met his wife, Pam Mischell, DAAP ‘71, as a University of Cincinnati student. When a date canceled his plans to go to a concert, he asked a Phi Kappa Theta fraternity brother to help him find a new date.
Cleveland agrees to pay $7.9M to estate of wrongfully convicted Ohioan
July 16, 2025

City officials in Cleveland have agreed to pay $7.9 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the estate of Isaiah Andrews, an exoneree of the Ohio Innocence Project at UC Law. Andrews, a man who served one of the longest prison sentences in history, gained his freedom in 2020 thanks to OIP's work.
New drug could treat muscle spasticity in MS by boosting the body’s own processes
July 16, 2025
The University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute is a trial site for a new clinical trial testing an oral drug to enhance naturally occurring molecules in the body that help muscles relax as a treatment for spasticity in patients with MS.
Engineering graduate drafted by San Diego Padres
July 16, 2025

The Cincinnati Enquirer highlighted University of Cincinnati engineering graduate Kerrington Cross's journey to the major leagues. Waiting alongside hundreds of other baseball hopefuls, Kerrington Cross heard his name called on July 14. With the 220th overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft, Cross is headed to the San Diego Padres.
UC graduate earns Fulbright to teach, bridge cultures in rural Taiwan
July 15, 2025
Starting in August, University of Cincinnati graduate Perry Li will serve as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Taiwan. He will work with students while acting as a cultural ambassador for the United States.
Two UC faculty named UNESCO chairs
July 15, 2025
Two University of Cincinnati professors who study environmental science and risk management were appointed to four-year terms as UNESCO university chairs of natural sciences.