Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy that uses protons rather than X-rays to treat cancers. Due to the heightened emphasis on quantitative methods and new material, this book is an extension and major update of the author's previous work, titled, "Practical Radiobiology for Proton Therapy Planning" (IOP 2018).

This book informs readers of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) issues within proton therapy and advises on how to use a variable RBE within treatment planning and dose prescription. The physical and biological interactions are described in qualitative and quantitative terms, using extensions of the linear quadratic model and its associated biological effective dose concept. Methods for safer retreatments, treatment interruption compensations, FLASH dose rates and the persistence of high RBE values in scanned pencil beams relative to passively scattered beams for deeper situated targets are covered.

This book is intended for those who already have basic knowledge of radiotherapy and radiobiology, although there is guidance through the fundamental principles for those who are 'discipline crossing'. In this way, biologists (molecular, cellular and tissue oriented), physicists (particle and medical physicists), technicians and clinicians may benefit from knowing more about the key features beyond their own discipline which can influence proton therapy outcomes. This is enhanced through the incorporation of case studies and end-of-chapter summaries.

Bleddyn Jones, MD ScD FRCR, is an Emeritus Professor of Clinical Radiation Biology, University of Oxford. He has had over 40 years of interest and high impact research in neutron, proton and ion beam therapy and its associated radiobiology. He has made extensive contributions to the quantitative understanding of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of particle therapy from the ballistic properties to their cellular and tissue effects. This includes many practical applications based on specific clinical situations, to guide proton therapy to safer and more effective outcomes.

Joshua Moore graduated in Mathematics at Cardiff University followed by a PhD in applied mathematics supervised by Dr Thomas E. Woolley primarily focusing on developing multiscale mathematical models to investigate organoid formation. His additional research interests are in applying mathematics in biological areas of sub-cellular dynamics, pattern formation, virology and oncology. Subsequently he has been appointed as a post-doctorate Research Associate in the Mathematical Institute at the University of Oxford.