The core principle of radiotherapy is to enhance the dose delivered to tumors while better protecting normal tissues.Proton therapy,as one of the most advanced radiotherapy technologies,embodies this principle more effectively and demonstrates growing clinical value and applications.Physically,proton therapy achieves a more ideal dose distribution compared to traditional photon therapy through its unique Bragg Peak effect.Several dosimetric studies have confirmed its significant advantages.High-energy protons,characterized by their high linear energy transfer(LET)and the unique Bragg peak,offer significant dosimetric advantages over photon radiotherapy.However,the widespread application of proton therapy is still constrained by several factors.This review provides an in-depth analysis of the development and current status of proton therapy,covering its fundamental principles,clinical applications,challenges,and research progress.The popularization and further adoption of proton therapy require a more comprehensive understanding of its physical and biological effects.Large-scale randomized controlled trials are urgently needed to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of proton therapy.Such efforts will facilitate the development of new proton technologies and equipment,reduce construction and operational costs,and ultimately benefit more cancer patients.
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