A Randomized Trial Of 2 Radiation And Systemic Therapy Strategies In Good Prognosis Advanced Human Papilloma Virus -associated Cancer Of The Tonsil And Base Of Tongue
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,097,932.00
Summary
Cancers of the tonsil and base of tongue due to the human papilloma virus have a better prognosis than other head and neck cancers, but standard treatment can result in significant acute and late side effects. This trial aims to compare two types of chemotherapy and radiotherapy that are less intensive than standard treatment. The aim of the trial is to determine which treatment is associated with better quality of life and less side effects, while maintaining efficacy.
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.
A Prospective Clinical Trial To Establish The Significance Of Interim FDG And FLT PET/CT Scans As Biomarkers Of Patient Prognosis And Individualised Radiation Therapy In Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,902.00
Summary
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) scanners pinpoint the location of cancer cells in people prior to and after treatment. This innovative study will use during treatment PET/CT scans to establish the response of lung tumours to radiation therapy (RT). We will use these scans to simulate the delivery of highly targeted, individualised RT and to predict patient prognosis, with the ultimate aim of increasing survival and minimising side effects in patients with lung cancer
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
Reducing The Greatest Uncertainty In Radiotherapy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,197.00
Summary
The weakest link in radiotherapy is defining treatment volumes (contouring). Lack of accuracy and consistency in clinical trial contouring has been shown to result in reduced patient outcomes. Manual review of contouring is resource intensive, expensive and for advanced treatments unachievable in a timely fashion. We will assess an automated approach to contouring assessment using 4 clinical trial datasets, changing practice for future studies and enabling consistent assessment in the clinic.
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.
Radiosensitisation Of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas By Modulating Glucose Metabolism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,000.00
Summary
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) represents the most aggressive cancer of childhood with no effective treatment available and radiotherapy is the only form of treatment that offers a transient benefit. We have successfully grown the first DIPG cells in the laboratory and found a new approach to radiosensitise them by targeting glucose metabolism. We will build on these findings and develop this treatment strategy to make this novel therapy available to children with this deadly disease.
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.
Predicting Dysphagia-related Complications And Improving Outcomes In Patients Treated With Head And Neck Radiotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,597.00
Summary
This project aims to improve swallow-related quality of life in patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy by: 1) Identifying throat muscles, critical to swallowing in order to refine future radiation strategies in order to minimise collateral damage to these critical structures; 2) Improve health care management of post-radiotherapy patients via identification of markers that predict response to therapy; 3) Evaluate a therapy to improve swallow dysfunction