Farewell to Deauville

Deauville, Mon Amour!

“PTCOG 64” in Deauville, is over. “G7” comes next in Evian, a pretty similar waterside resort, with the “Greats” of our World. Hosting prestigious conventions in an elegant destination is an old French tradition that was tested this year again to welcome our community for its annual meeting.

The venue

Despite the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and the approximately 150-mile distance between the international airports and the venue, 1,364 participants (physicians, physicists, biologists, industrials), coming from 47 different countries, made this success unprecedented.  Your feedback, collected by the KENES event group, is eagerly expected. Early reports look enthusiastic about the beauty of this Norman style city, its high quality restaurants (with menus at reasonable price, a deal with the INDEAUVILLE visitor center), its Palaces lining a cable’s throw from the sea, its well aligned solar umbrellas (look at your congress bag as reminder), and the astonishing CID convention center, entirely located under the beach to avoid blocking the palaces guests’ view. Its numerous small and mi-sized conference rooms, its auditoriums (including one 1,500 seat auditorium) allowed comfortable sittings. Particularly memorable was the Exhibition Hall, with spaces large enough to accommodate dozens of exhibitors, a full-scale model of the C400 “super-star” cyclotron, along with positioning systems from various companies. The welcome party with musical event, and coffee breaks were also held there, as well as virtual poster sessions (on display in the app.)

Educational and scientific programs (Day 2-5)

As usual, both followed one another over 2+3 days. The convenient smartphone app. detailed full agenda of presentations and events, along with speakers’ CV. Special attention was paid to evaluating the quality of each presentation. Educational recordings may be available soon; probably not the scientific ones.  Online debates also involved participants, including the long-awaited US vs UK Head and Neck controversy about the contribution of particle therapy to IMRT photons. Although the US data showed a survival advantage with particle therapy, the UK data were less conclusive, potentially reflecting shorter follow-up. We also lack information on quality control. Immunological processes involved in response to particle therapy (including UHDR) as well as promising agents of interest were also “guest stars” at the meeting. Of note, some memorable quotes. To mention a few: “In radiotherapy, there is no free lunch” (i.e. local control must be paid in toxicity currencies), “There has been more studies than treated patients” (particle therapy in Hodgkin’s disease), “cell death matters!” (radiobiology slogan). “Crowd can easily change mind: opposed when particles challenge X-rays, embrace when particles prove a better option” (Wilson Award lecture). The conference was further distinguished by a presentation from 2022 Nobel laureate Prof. Alain Aspect, dealing with “Both Revolutions in Quantum Physics”, highly inspiring although not directly related with our daily practice.

Social events (Day 5)

Two evening buffets were included in the educational program to promote face to face interactions between attendees. A networking event was also proposed on the eve of Day 5, at “Clairfontaine” hippodrome. The venue was scenic and gorgeous and following the award ceremony came an equestrian show with her horses (and dog) offering spectacular synchronized performances. This event was well attended and provided valuable opportunities for discussion. Feedback from participants suggests there was room for improvement regarding access to the site and buffet, a message worth remembering by our followers.

Facility Day Tour (Day 6)

This event was prepared with special attention by the whole group at the CYCLHAD center in Caen, including radiation oncologists (from Centre François Baclesse), medical physicists, technologists, engineers and administrators. They could benefit from the strong support of private companies (namely Normandy-Hadron therapy and IBA) in charge of the development of the “C400” project as well as other equipment providers. Scientists and researchers from the CYCLHAD-related ecosystem contributed to the success of this visit, whilst presenting their work and outlining opportunities for future collaborations. It is estimated that 350 people attended the show (including staff), which offered both tours and stops detailing specific aspects of patients’ management, medical indications and heavy ion prospects. Finally, an attractive visit guide was distributed to attendees with take-home messages and key contacts.

We expect this meeting to be truly educational to newcomers, and inspiring for all participants. Particle therapy has become a major contributor in the fight against cancer but is not a panacea. An important message from PTCOG64 is its inevitable entanglement with complementary therapeutical strategies and underlying physical and biological mechanisms.

Jean-Louis Habrand, Chair PTCOG64 Local Organizing committee

Gabriel Gaubert, Co-chair PTCOG64 Local Organizing committee