Scientific Programme
Three days. A world of expertise. One historic gathering.
Here’s what the PTCOG-AO 2026 programme looks like.
Day 1 – Friday, 4 September 2026
Educational Day
| Timings | Event |
|---|
| 08:00–09:00 | Registration & Welcome Coffee |
| 09:00–10:30 |
Session 1 (Education) — Hall AParticle Therapy Physics: Fundamentals to Clinical Implementation
Moderators: · Format: 25 min + 5 min each
Physics of Charged Particle TherapySpeaker: Hsiao-Ming Lu
Clinical Commissioning of Particle Therapy Systems: Principles, Challenges, and Best PracticesSpeaker: Sung Yong Park
Managing Uncertainties in Particle Therapy: Challenges, Strategies, and Clinical ImplicationsSpeaker: Young-Yih Han
|
| 10:30–11:00 | Coffee Break |
| 11:00–12:00 |
Session 2 (Education) — Hall ARadiobiological Optimization in Particle Therapy
Moderators: TBD · Format: 13 min + 2 min each
DNA Damage Complexity and Repair Following High-LET RadiationSpeaker: Takahashi Akihisa (GUNMA University) (TBC)
Clinical Implications of LET and Variable RBE in Proton and Carbon Ion TherapySpeaker: Napapat Amornwichet
LET-Guided and Biology-Driven Optimization in Particle Therapy: Methods and Quantitative Evaluation FrameworksSpeaker: Taku Inaniwa
Carbon Ion Radiotherapy: Present Practice, Future PrecisionSpeaker: Eugen Hug
|
| 12:00–13:00 |
Session 3 — Hall ASetting the Stage: Main Conference Begins
What should be the focus of future research in Particle Therapy?
Moderators: Hsiao-Ming Lu / Eugen Hug · Format: 12 min each + 12 min wrap-up
1. Footprint and delivery systemsSpeaker: Rock Mackie
2. Workflow Automation, Adaptation and AI/ML IntegrationSpeaker: Francesca Albertini
3. Understanding the biology of tumour, microenvironment & of particlesSpeaker: Marco Durante
4. Generating evidence for Particle Therapy — Smarter TrialsSpeaker: Siddhartha Laskar
Concluding Remarks / Q&A Session (12 minutes)
|
| 13:00–14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00–15:30 |
Session 4A — Hall AMasterclass: Range Uncertainties
Moderators: TBD · Format: 22 min = 18 + 4
Reducing Range Uncertainty: Emerging imaging modalities and Strategies in SPR Calibration (DECT, Synthetic CT, Synthetic MRI)Faculty: Tsi-Chian Chao
Managing Non-Biological High-Density Materials in Particle Therapy: Challenges and SolutionsFaculty: Donhgho Shin
Motion and Interplay Management (4D planning, repainting, gating, tracking, adaptive strategies)Faculty: Naoki Miyamoto
In-vivo range verification (PET, prompt gamma, ionoacoustics)Faculty: TBD
Session 4B — Hall BMasterclass: Hypofractionation in Particle Therapy — Breast
Moderators: TBD
Proton Therapy for Breast Cancer: An opportunity for recalibration of organ-at-risk goals (20 min)Speaker: Qing Zhang
Hypofractionated proton therapy for breast cancer: Identifying patients who benefit the most (20 min)Speaker: Amy Chang
Panel discussion: Addressing specific challenges in PBT for breast cancer (45 min)Moderator: Dr Nagarjuna Burela
Participants: Amy Chang, Qing Zhang, Kimi Yang, Sapna Nangia, Tabassum Wadasadawala
|
| 15:30–16:00 | Coffee Break & Networking |
| 16:00–18:00 |
Session 5A — Hall AMasterclass: Evolving QA Paradigms and Workflow Efficiency
Moderators: TBD
Evolving machine QA Paradigms in Proton and Carbon Ion Therapy systemsFaculty: Wen Chien Hsi (20 min = 15 + 5)
Evolving PSQA Paradigms for Proton and Carbon Ion TherapyFaculty: Ganapathy K (20 min = 15 + 5)
QA strategies for online and offline adaptive proton therapyFaculty: Tan Hong Qi (20 min = 15 + 5)
Educational Debate: Machine and PSQA Measurement-Based vs. Log-File and ML-Driven PSQA in IMPT/IMCT — Are We Ready to Go Fully Digital?Faculty: all the above speakers + 2 more
Moderator: Tony Wong (30 min = 25 + 5)
Session 5B — Hall BMasterclass: Hypofractionation in Particle Therapy — Prostate
Moderators: TBD
Summary of clinical evidence on Proton therapy for prostate cancerFaculty: Arun Goel (20 + 5 min)
Hypofractionation in Prostate cancers: Few fractions, bigger impact — Indian ExperienceFaculty: Srinivas Chilukuri (20 + 5 min)
Protons for Prostate Cancer: Where do we go from here?Faculty: Vedang Murthy (20 + 5 min)
Discussion: 15 min
|
| 18:00–20:30 | Welcome Reception |
Programme details are subject to change.
Scientific Programme
Three days. A world of expertise. One historic gathering.
Here’s what the PTCOG-AO 2026 programme looks like.
Day 2 – Saturday, 5 September 2026
Scientific Session Day — Main Conference
| Timings | Event |
|---|
| 06:00–07:30 | Sunrise Yoga by the Beach |
| 08:15–09:00 |
Session 6 — Hall A
1. Temporally modulated, pulse proton radiotherapy: Overview and Technical considerationsSpeaker: Alonso Gutierrez
2. Keynote 2Speaker: TBD
|
| Session 7: Physics (Hall A) · Clinical (Hall B) · Oral Presentations (Hall C) |
| 09:00–10:15 |
Session 7A — Hall AAdvancement in Treatment Planning and Optimization
Format: 18 min = 15 + 3
Spatially Fractionated Proton Therapy: Planning and Evaluation FrameworksFaculty: TBD
Advances in Proton Arc Therapy: Physics, Optimization, and Clinical PotentialFaculty: Ding X (USA) (TBC)
4D and Motion-Robust Planning Strategies for Scanned Charged Particle TherapyFaculty: Seishin Takao
Proton Radiosurgery: Current Status, Clinical Applications, and Future DirectionsFaculty: TBD
Session 7B — Hall BThoracic & GI Malignancies
Format: 18 min = 15 + 3
Proton Therapy for NSCLC in the Era of Immunotherapy (15 min + 3)Speaker: TBD
Proton Therapy role in esophageal cancer: Rethinking definitive vs neoadjuvant strategies across tumour location and length (15 min + 3)Speaker: Ji Zhu
Proton SBRT for HCC: Can Fewer Fractions Make More Sense? (15 min + 3)Speaker: Kanokphorn Thonglert
Beyond Esophagus & Liver: New-age (or emerging) Indications for Proton Therapy in GI Malignancies (15 min + 3)Speaker: Ashu Abhishek
|
| 09:00–10:15 |
Session 7C — Hall COral Presentations (Physics)
Moderators: TBD · Judges: TBD
5 competitive oral presentations and 5 competitive mini-oral presentations (60 min)Oral: 8 + 2 min · Mini-oral: 4 + 1 min · Q&A: 15 min
|
| 10:15–10:35 | Coffee Break, Exhibition & Poster Sessions
Session 7D Poster Session: Physics |
| 10:35–11:25 |
Plenary Session 1: Keynote Lecture — Hall A
Moderators: Vijayanand Reddy · Format: 20 min + 5 min
Topic: TBDKeynote: Thomas Rock Mackie
The Global Particle Therapy Landscape in 2036: What Will It Look Like?Keynote: Anita Mahajan
|
| 11:30–12:00 |
Opening Ceremony — Hall A
Welcome Addresses• PTCOG-AO President
• Local Organizing Chairs
Conference Overview & LogisticsOrganising team
|
| 12:00–13:00 |
6th Dr. Prathap C Reddy Annual Proton Oration — Hall A
Chairs: Tsatsuya Ohno, Dayananda Sharma
Introducing the Orator: Rakesh Jalali
Orator: Marco DuranteTitle: TBD
Felicitation ceremony
|
| 13:00–14:00 | Lunch |
| Session 8: Physics (Hall A) · Clinical (Hall B) · Oral Presentations (Hall C) |
| 14:00–15:30 |
Session 8A — Hall AMotion Management in Particle Therapy
Format: 20 min = 15 + 5 min
Motion Monitoring Devices and Clinical Integration: Which is most appropriate?Faculty: Kwangzoo Chung (TBC)
AI and Predictive Motion Management for Scanned Charged Particle TherapyFaculty: Xiance Jin (TBC)
QA, Safety, and Clinical Translation (End-to-end testing, workflow integration)Faculty: TBD
Adaptive Strategies for Moving TargetsFaculty: Kimi Yang
Session 8B — Hall BHead-Neck Cancers
Moderators: JP Agarwal · Format: 20 min = 15 + 5 min
Particle Therapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Reducing Toxicity Without Compromising CureSpeaker: Lin Kong
Proton Therapy in Oropharyngeal Cancer: Balancing Cure, Function and SurvivorshipSpeaker: Nancy Lee
Proton Therapy for Oral Cavity Cancers: Optimising Treatment for Complex Anatomy, Large Volumes and FunctionSpeaker: Sapna Nangia
Re-irradiation in Head-Neck Cancers: Expanding the Therapeutic Window with Proton TherapySpeaker: Sarbani Laskar
|
| 14:00–15:30 |
Parallel Session 8C — Hall COral Presentations — Clinical & Biology
Moderators: TBD · Judges: TBD
6 competitive oral presentations and 6 competitive mini-oral presentations (72 min)Oral: 8 min · Mini-oral: 4 min · Q&A: 18 min
|
| 15:30–16:00 | Coffee Break, Exhibition & Poster Sessions
Session 8D: Poster Session (Clinical) |
| 16:00–17:50 |
Plenary Session 2: Global Perspectives & Evidence — Hall A
Moderators: Michael Wang, Simon Tang, TBD
Quick Updates in Particle Therapy world — What, when, where and how? (12 min each)
1. Adaptive particle therapy — what’s next?Speaker: Francesca Albertini
2. Flash Therapy — where is it going?Speaker: Yih Han (TBC)
3. Biological modelling in particle therapy — how do we crack it?Speaker: Erik Traneus
4. Upright particle therapy: Current statusSpeaker: Nick ShroederQ&A: 12 min
Keynote LectureModerators: Tejinder Kataria
Health Economics of Particle Therapy: Value-Based Perspectives (15 min + 5)Speaker: Morten Hoyer
Panel Discussion: Shaping the future of particle therapy through industry-academia collaboration (25 min)Moderator: Rakesh Jalali (30 min)
Panelists: TBD (Representatives from different regions / income settings)
|
| 17:50–18:30 |
IBA Symposium: Pioneering Innovations in Proton Therapy
Clinical impact of both Dynamic ARC & Conformal FLASH (12 min + 3)Speaker: Makbule Atasoyu
Physical principles, Technical expects and Implementation of Dynamic ARC & Conformal FLASH (12 min + 3)Speaker: Jeffrey Free
Discussion: 10 min
|
| 19:00–22:00 | Conference Gala Dinner (By Invitation)
Musical Concert and dinner
Location: New beach lawn |
Programme details are subject to change.
Scientific Programme
Three days. A world of expertise. One historic gathering.
Here’s what the PTCOG-AO 2026 programme looks like.
Day 3 – Sunday, 6 September 2026
Advanced Topics & Closing Session
| Timings | Event |
|---|
| 05:45–08:00 | Heritage Tour of Mahabalipuram |
| 09:00–09:15 | Registration & Morning Coffee |
| Session 9: Physics (Hall A) · Clinical (Hall B) · Oral Presentations (Hall C) |
| 09:15–10:30 |
Session 9A — Hall APTCOG-AO Survey Results and New Centre Symposium
Moderators: TBD
PTCOG-AO Physics Survey ResultsSpeaker: TBD (10 + 2 minutes)
PTCOG-AO Oncology Survey Results — Results (10 + 2 min)Speaker: Jooyoung Kim
New Centre SymposiumEach presentation: 10 + 2 minutes
Each presenter to cover: Why proton · Equipment selection · Shielding design · Regulatory requirements · Commissioning experience · Patient selection criteria · Escalation strategy and unique techniques
Speakers / Sites1. Kazak NROC – Proton (Confirmed)
2. Xi’an Proton Therapy Centre, China
3. Zhejiang Carbon Ion Centre, China
4. Shenzhen (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences)
5. Heyou Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shunde, China
6. Egypt
7. Miami
Session 9B — Hall BPaediatric & CNS Tumours
Moderators: Tanweer Shahid, Vinay Ural
Proton Therapy in Neuro-Oncology: Designing the Next Generation of Clinical Trials (15 min)Speaker: Tejpal Gupta
Proton Craniospinal Irradiation: Indications, technique & Evidence (15 min)Speaker: Uday Krishna
Proton Therapy in Pediatric Extracranial Tumors: Current Evidence and Future Directions (15 min)Speaker: Anita Mahajan
Discussion: 15 min
|
| 09:15–10:30 |
Session 9C — Hall COral Presentations
Moderators: TBD · Judges: TBD
5 competitive oral presentations and 5 competitive mini-oral presentations (60 min)Oral: 8 min · Mini-oral: 4 min · Q&A: 15 min
|
| 10:30–11:00 | Coffee Break, Exhibition & Poster Sessions
Session 9D: Poster Presentation |
| 11:00–11:30 |
Session 10 — Hall ADebate: What would change the lives of patients with head-neck cancers in the next decade?
Adaptive Radiotherapy (8 min + 2)A K Anand (TBC)
IMPT (8 min + 2)Nancy Lee
Discussion: 10 min
|
| 11:30–12:30 |
Closing & Awards Ceremony — Hall A
Awards Ceremony• Best Oral, mini-oral, and poster awards (Physics, Biology and Clinical)
Conference Summary & Reflections (10 min)Scientific Committee Chair
Announcement of PTCOG-AO 2027 (10 min)Next host centre presentation
Closing Remarks (10 min)PTCOG-AO President
|
| Conference Ends · Thank you for your participation! |
Facility Tours
Limited-capacity visits
Tour 13 September 2026 (Thursday Evening)
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Tour 26 September 2026 (Sunday Afternoon)
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Programme details are subject to change.
