The proposed project is part of a research programme aimed at developing a new drug to reduce the side effects of cancer radiotherapy. These side effects result from the radiation damage to normal tissues close to the tumour. Since in many instances the normal tissues at risk are accessible to topical application (eg. skin in breast cancer patients, rectal mucosa in prostate cancer patients, oral mucosa in all patients being treated for tumours in the head and neck region) the concept is very si ....The proposed project is part of a research programme aimed at developing a new drug to reduce the side effects of cancer radiotherapy. These side effects result from the radiation damage to normal tissues close to the tumour. Since in many instances the normal tissues at risk are accessible to topical application (eg. skin in breast cancer patients, rectal mucosa in prostate cancer patients, oral mucosa in all patients being treated for tumours in the head and neck region) the concept is very simple. A drug which makes cells less sensitive to X-rays (these drugs are called radioprotectors) is simply applied topically to the normal tissues at risk. For this purpose, we have developed a new radioprotecting drug called methylproamine which is 100-fold more potent than previously-developed radioprotectors. Unfortunately, methylproamine is not suitable for our purpose because at higher concentrations it is toxic to some cells. This hurdle must be overcome in order to make the project attractive to potential commercial sponsors. Our aim is to modify methylproamine by removing the molecular features that cause the cytotoxicity. We have established that this is feasible, by synthesising and evaluating a small family of methylproamine analogues. Some less toxic family members have already been identified. With this knowledge, we now propose to use special computer programmes to design a much larger family of methylproamine analogues, and to synthesise and test each one in order to identify the most promising candidate for our purpose. Once the efficacy window hurdle is passed, the subsequent milestones to commercialisation and clinical implementation can be addressed, with appropriate sponsorship. An Australian company has already expressed strong interest and is evaluating the opportunity.Read moreRead less
First Ever System To Continuously And Directly Measure The Internal Anatomy To Guide Breast Cancer Radiation Treatment Under Deep Inspiration Breath Hold
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,766.00
Summary
We propose a first ever system to continuously and directly measure the internal anatomy of the patient during radiotherapy of left sided breast cancer to ensure correct position of patient and radiation beam. The proposed method involves no additional radiation dose to the patient. It relies on existing components of modern radiation treatment machines, requiring no additional equipment, which will make it easy to implement widely.
Improving Radiation Therapy Of Static And Moving Targets Using High Spatial Resolution Real-time Dosimeters
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$544,425.00
Summary
Radiation therapy is a major oncology modality for cancer treatment and more than 50% of cancer patients can benefit from radiotherapy at some stage of management. This project will develop two real-time, high spatial resolution dosimetry systems for quality assurance of contemporary radiation treatments of static and movable targets. It will be possible to minimize human and robotic system error so as to guarantee accurate cancer treatment delivery and improve the clinical outcomes of radiother ....Radiation therapy is a major oncology modality for cancer treatment and more than 50% of cancer patients can benefit from radiotherapy at some stage of management. This project will develop two real-time, high spatial resolution dosimetry systems for quality assurance of contemporary radiation treatments of static and movable targets. It will be possible to minimize human and robotic system error so as to guarantee accurate cancer treatment delivery and improve the clinical outcomes of radiotherapy.Read moreRead less
Translating Synchrotron Microbeam Radiation Therapy Into A Clinical Reality For Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$337,896.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to translate an experimental radiotherapy technique, known as microbeam radiotherapy, into a clinical reality for the benefit of cancer patients world-wide. I propose to achieve this aim by working at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in France. The ESRF is Europe’s most powerful synchrotron light source, where a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and physicians are collaborating to treat the first human cancer patients with synchrotron radiation.
Very Fast, Accurate And Low Dose Imaging For Radiotherapy Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,651.00
Summary
This project will reduce scan times and imaging dose by an order of magnitude for an imaging modality that is the standard of care for lung cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Specifically, scan times reduce from 4min to below 60sec, image quality will be improved and imaging dose will be reduced by 85%. These improvements not only improve treatment efficacy by improving the accuracy of radiotherapy delivery, they reduce treatment times and reduce discomfort to the patient.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) As A New Standard Of Care For Spinal Metastases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,148.00
Summary
Secondary spread of cancer to the spine affects about 40% of all cancer patients. The current standard of care, radiotherapy, does not provide durable control of cancer pain. Breakthrough technology in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is showing considerable promise for improved patient outcomes. This study is a multi-national collaboration between Australia and Canada directly comparing conventional radiotherapy to spinal SBRT in order to establish spinal SBRT as the new standard of care.
Cancer Radiotherapy 2020: Accounting For Tumour Deformation In Real Time To Improve Treatment Outcome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,616.00
Summary
Tumours in lung and prostate cancer change shape during radiotherapy treatment. This is not accounted for in current care, compromising the therapeutic efficacy. We will develop the first radiotherapy system that can adjust the radiation beam in real time to follow the changing tumour shape. We will assess the performance of the system and quantify the clinical benefit. It is expected that clinical implementation of this technique will improve the cure rates and decrease the treatment toxicity.
A Randomised Phase III Study Of Radiation Doses And Fractionation Schedules For Non-low Risk Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Of The Breast
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,419.00
Summary
After surgery to remove ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a pre-invasive form of breast cancer, radiotherapy to the breast decreases the risk of recurrence. The study investigates if a higher radiation dose to the tumour bed improves tumour control, and if a shorter course of radiotherapy is as effective as the standard longer course. It also assesses quality of life consequences of treatment and tests biomarkers that may predict the risk of recurrence in individual patients.
A Computerised Treatment Planning System For Synchrotron Radiotherapy Trials At The Australian Synchrotron’s Imaging & Medical Beamline.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$646,812.00
Summary
Microbeam Radiotherapy (MRT) using synchrotron-generated X-rays has shown tremendous promise in pre-clinical trials in tumour-bearing rodents, with remarkable sparing of normal tissue. Synchrotron MRT has the potential to radically alter the way radiotherapy is performed for human cancers. Every radiotherapy patient undergoes some form of computerised treatment planning before their treatment starts. We aim to test and implement a synchrotron Treatment Planning System, as an essential step in re ....Microbeam Radiotherapy (MRT) using synchrotron-generated X-rays has shown tremendous promise in pre-clinical trials in tumour-bearing rodents, with remarkable sparing of normal tissue. Synchrotron MRT has the potential to radically alter the way radiotherapy is performed for human cancers. Every radiotherapy patient undergoes some form of computerised treatment planning before their treatment starts. We aim to test and implement a synchrotron Treatment Planning System, as an essential step in realising synchrotron radiotherapy trials.Read moreRead less