European Particle Therapy Network (EPTN)

The European Particle Therapy Network (EPTN) became a task force of ESTRO in 2017. It was established in 2015 in response to the anticipated increase in the number of particle therapy centres in Europe. In addition, the need to cooperate among centres and integrate particles (i.e. protons and carbons) in the framework of clinical research networks was identified as being of paramount importance. ESTRO, at the time of initiation of the network, was asked to collaborate with EPTN and agreed to facilitate the group.

Particle therapy (PT) is only one part of radiation oncology, and needs to be well aligned with other radiation techniques as well as with general developments in cancer research and patient care. PT offers both new opportunities for providing excellence in cancer care, and for high-quality research within the framework of European  networks.

Organisation

The EPTN is led by three co-chairs and is composed of 8 working packages (WP) with experts of different topics to further elaborate the particle European discussions.
The EPTN meets once a year through the EPTN annual meeting.

The EPTN co-chairs are:

  • Cai Grau (Aarhus, DK) 
  • Damien Weber (Villigen, CH) 
  • Dietmar Georg (Vienna, AT)

The EPTN has its own internal standard operating procedure (SOP), covering its policies, aims, and organisation of the network.
Use this link to consult the EPTN SOP.

Save the date: 21-22 October 2024, Vienna, Austria!

The 10th European Particle Therapy Network (EPTN) Annual Meeting will take place on 22nd October 2024 in Vienna, Austria.

Workshops on topics of interest will take place the day before the annual meeting, on 21st October 2024 in Vienna.

Please monitor this page for updates, registration information and for the annual meeting agenda, coming soon.

The EPTN Annual Report of 2023, accommodating last year’s annual meeting, has been published and is accessible below.

We invite you to save the date and hope that you can join us in Vienna.

EPTN organisers:
Cai Grau (Aarhus, DK), Damien Weber (Villigen, CH), Dietmar Georg (Vienna, AT)

 

Each WP is structured with one or more coordinators and is thematically established to cover key challenges and developments related to the EPTN and its work. Some of the core responsibilities and aims of the WPs consist chiefly of engaging in trials, guidelines, white papers, and surveys, as well as establishing and hosting workshops and courses.
Below, each work package is listed with its own dedicated section, outlining its general organisational structure, as well as any particular developments and news from the work package.

Coordinators:
Hans Langendijk, The Netherlands
Karin Haustermans, Belgium

Coordinators:
Oliver Jäkel, Germany
Sairos Safai, Switzerland
Stefano Lorentini, Italy

Coordinators:
Morten Høyer, Denmark
Marco Schwarz, USA
Rita Simoes, UK

Coordinators:
Aswin Hoffmann, Germany
Alessandra Bolsi, Switzerland

Coordinators:
Christian Richter, Germany
Tony Lomax, Switzerland

Coordinators:
Brita Sørensen, Denmark
Armin Lühr, Germany

Coordinator:
Yolande Lievens, Belgium

Coordinators:
Esther Troost, Germany
Vincent Gregoire, France

 

EPTN Reports

EPTN Reports


EPTN Documents

 

EPTN Publications

  • Eekers DBP et al. Update of the EPTN atlas for CT- and MR-based contouring in Neuro-Oncology. Radiother Oncol 2021; 160: 259-265, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2021.05.013
  • Sørensen BS, et al. Does the uncertainty in relative biological effectiveness affect patient treatment in proton therapy? Radiother Oncol 2021;163:177–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2021.08.016
  • Heuchel L, et al. Is a variable proton RBE considered in clinical practice? - ESTRO survey among 25 proton centres. Radiother Oncol 161(Suppl.1) (2021) S313-314, DOI: 10.1016/S0167-8140(21)06904-8
  • De Roeck L, et al. The European particle therapy network (EPTN) consensus on the follow-up of adult patients with brain and skull base tumours treated with photon or proton irradiation. Radiother Oncol. 2022 Jan 27:S0167-8140(22)00021-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2022.01.018

  • Heuchel L, et al. Clinical use and future requirements of relative biological effectiveness: Survey among all European proton therapy centres. Radiother Oncol 2022; 172, P134-139, July 01, 2022
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2022.05.015