Bloomington, Indiana hosted the 41st Meeting of the international Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group (PTCOG), October 10-13, at the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center. The 176 conference attendees arrived from around the globe, including world-renowned scientists from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, People’s Republic of China, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland and the United States. Joining them were worldclass companies specializing in the leading-edge technology of particle therapy. PTCOG41 corporate sponsors were IBA (Ion Beam Applications), CMS, ACCEL, M+W Zander, Hitachi, Siemens Medical, Varian Medical Systems, Mitsubishi Electric and Optivus.

Organizers for the 41st conference were the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute (MPRI), the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility (IUCF) and the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center & Visitors Bureau, Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center and the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation. The conference included a tour of MPRI, which is one of only four proton therapy centers in the United States.

Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan gave the Welcoming Address at the PTCOG41 Conference. Said Mayor Kruzan, “The City of Bloomington was honored to have the opportunity to host this very important conference reporting on current research in the cutting-edge technology of particle therapy. We have received very positive feedback from attendees in several countries.”

Rob DeCleene of the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau worked to provide delegates with a distinctive, welcoming experience during their visit. “It was a privilege to assist in planning PTCOG41. Following Paris and preceding Tokyo, it was imperative to provide the attendees with a community welcome and showcase some of the best Bloomington has to offer. While not as internationally known as those world capitals, I think attendees of PTCOG41 left with a pleasantly surprising memories of Hoosier hospitality.”

Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group (PTCOG)

The PTCOG is a twice-yearly meeting bringing together all aspects of particle radiation therapy. The international meetings attract Physicists, Clinicians, Clinical Scientists, Biologists and Engineers who provide treatment or participate in research and development. The frequency of the meetings reflects the increasing numbers of patients treated and the opening and planning of new facilities. The meetings facilitate the presentation of the latest ideas and results in the field. Previous meetings have taken place in France, Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Republic of South Africa and Germany.

The PTCOG meeting topics cover both the fields of physics and clinical experience. Different aspects of dosimetry, radiobiology and beam developments as well as treatment protocols, trials and clinical results and new treatments modalities are overviewed. The meetings encourage input from clinicians from the conventional radiotherapy field and seek to place particle therapy into the context of mainstream treatment.

About PTCOG41 Organizers

The Indiana University Cyclotron Facility (IUCF) is a multidisciplinary laboratory performing research and development in the areas of accelerator physics, nuclear physics, materials science, and medical applications of accelerators. The laboratory is staffed by 130 highly trained scientific, technical, and administrative staff members and serves approximately 60 on-site graduate students, postdoctoral research fellows and physics faculty members. In addition, research and development activities are carried out by scientists and students from around the world. A common element throughout the IUCF programs is the use of particle accelerators. The nuclear physics program is now carried out using accelerators at a number of national laboratories; however the local facility continues to operate several accelerators used in the other aspects of the program. The laboratory accelerator facilities are available for use by academic or commercial institutions.

The Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute (MPRI) offers proton therapy treatment, a precise method for delivering radiation to a disease site, while minimizing the dose to healthy tissues. Because of the precision proton therapy offers, the therapy often significantly improves the patient’s quality of life while effectively treating the disease. MPRI treats children and adults with certain brain tumors and tumors adjacent to vital organs incapable of successful treatment by traditional methods. In addition, MPRI provides the necessary support services onsite in the MPRI clinic. MPRI is one of only four facilities in the nation that offers proton radiation therapy. Previously available only on the east and west coasts, MPRI brings proton radiation therapy to the Midwest region of the United States. Dr. Allan F. Thornton is Medical Director of the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute. His expertise in radiation medicine is recognized nationally.

The Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center is a 24,000 square foot conference facility that includes 11 private, spacious meeting rooms that allow for numerous breakout options. Services the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center & Visitors Bureau provides include: site inspections; bid proposals; event planning; registration assistance; pre-conference assistance; spouse programs; and transportation. Banquet facilities are available for groups from five to 1,000 people. Centrally located elevators and an escalator provide guests with easy handicap accessibility to each of the floors. An outside ramp to the second floor makes loading easy for tradeshows or large conventions. Conventions, trade shows, meetings, banquets and receptions of various sizes are all easily accommodated by the Center’s ample and flexible facilities. Ample on-site parking, an information and message center and a coat checkroom on each floor provide additional services for conference attendees.

The Bloomington Economic Development Corporation is a public/private partnership that works to stimulate quality economic development through business retention, expansion and attraction.