New study looks at proton beam therapy for oesophageal cancer patients

The PROTIEUS clinical trial is looking at a new way to treat oesophageal cancer, a disease affecting the food pipe connecting the mouth and stomach.

Researchers are comparing two types of radiotherapy given to suitable patients before they have surgery for their cancer: the current standard, and a newer treatment known as proton beam therapy (PBT).

In standard radiotherapy, a high energy beam of light is directed towards the cancer tumour from several angles. The light enters the body, moves through the tumour, then comes out the other side. This is intended to shrink the tumour, but also exposes the healthy tissue surrounding it to radiation.

Proton beam therapy, on the other hand, sends a beam of particles called protons directly to the tumour, where they stop, releasing their energy to destroy the cancer cells, while sparing nearby healthy tissue.

Researchers hope protecting tissue in this way will lead to fewer side effects and complications after surgery, and better outcomes for patients.

Andrew, 56, from Aberystwyth in Wales, agreed to take part in the PROTIEUS study after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the summer of 2025. He began proton beam therapy soon after.

Andrew explains: “They said the trial treatment is targeted, so there’s less chance of causing damage to other organs.”

He spent three weeks in Manchester, receiving proton beam therapy each Monday to Friday: “I was very impressed with the whole setup in the Christie, the whole thing was just absolutely amazing. I was on my own there for three weeks, and all the staff made time to talk to me, it was brilliant. After I had my treatment, I was going for a walk around the city and I felt full of energy. I was expecting to feel really run down and tired, but it wasn’t that way for me at all. I felt really energised.”

Four months after his surgery, Andrew’s latest CT scan shows no sign of cancer. He notes the impact of taking part in a research study: ˝you need all the information you can get to help future patients. I said from day one I was always willing to be part of that, because that’s the only way I could give back.”

All patients taking part in the study will receive either proton beam therapy or the current standard radiotherapy. As part of a clinical trial, they are monitored especially closely, and are free to withdraw at any point. As Andrew says, ˝I was told from the beginning: there are always the conventional treatments if this didn’t work for me. But it has worked for me and I’m really glad I did it.”

“Being part of this trial is a golden opportunity to have access to the latest in medical treatment and to help create better treatments for future patients.” – Jillian Blackshaw,
Patient advocate for PROTIEUS