Through this Australia Fellowship, Prof Keall and his tream will substantially improve the accuracy and effectiveness of radiation therapy for cancer by developing new techniques that will be able to ‘target’ a tumour in real-time and ‘concentrate fire’ on the most resistant and aggressive parts of it. Success in physiological targeting will create a paradigm shift in radiation therapy and could literally be a lifesaver. It’s a big challenge, but if this five-year research program succeeds, it w ....Through this Australia Fellowship, Prof Keall and his tream will substantially improve the accuracy and effectiveness of radiation therapy for cancer by developing new techniques that will be able to ‘target’ a tumour in real-time and ‘concentrate fire’ on the most resistant and aggressive parts of it. Success in physiological targeting will create a paradigm shift in radiation therapy and could literally be a lifesaver. It’s a big challenge, but if this five-year research program succeeds, it will pay big dividendsRead moreRead less
X-RATE: A Novel Radiation Detector Platform To Realize New Opportunities In Radiotherapy At The Australian Synchrotron
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,541.00
Summary
Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) is an emerging X-ray radiosurgery modality that offers new hope for the treatment of brain cancer and other human brain diseases. A tissue equivalent radiation dosimetry system is essential for upcoming MRT human trials to precisely verify treatment plans. We are recognized world leaders in real-time silicon detector instrumentation for radiation dosimetry. We plan to develop and demonstrate X-RATE, the X-ray Real-time Active Tissue Equivalent dosimeter.
Breathe Well: Improving Cancer Imaging And Targeted Radiotherapy Using Audiovisual Biofeedback
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,847.00
Summary
Irregular breathing causes anatomical errors in medical images and consequently cancer targeting accuracy, resulting in poorer clinical outcomes and increased health care costs. We have developed and patented the Breathe Well Audio Visual (AV) biofeedback device, to improve breathing regularity. Our goal is to gather critical scientific information and reach commercial proof-of-concept objectives that will allow us to attract investment to establish a viable medical device enterprise.
Optimising Synchrotron Microbeam Radiation Therapy For Cancer Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,000.00
Summary
Over 50% of cancer patients receive radiotherapy (RT). Tumour control using RT is limited by adverse normal tissue reactions. Unlike conventional RT machines, the Australian synchrotron has the capability to deliver strong radiation in very thin slices, termed microbeam RT (MRT). Tumour control has been obtained in animal models with a remarkable sparing of normal tissue using MRT. We will optimize MRT as a crucial step towards a potentially revolutionary cancer treatment.
Improving Outcomes Of Radiotherapy Treatments Through In-vivo Dosimetric Verification
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$379,855.00
Summary
Radiotherapy remains an important non-surgical treatment for over 50 % of cancer patients. This project aims to develop methods that will enable the optimisation of the patients' treatment as it progresses by non-invasively measuring the radiation dose delivered each day. This will increase the likelihood of curing the patient as well as reducing the side effects experienced due to the treatment. This will improve the patients' quality of life post-treatment.
We will create a new class of cancer radiotherapy system that solves the complex problem of how to target a tumour with precision and accuracy even as the patient’s anatomy changes during treatment. Our Nano-X system is built with real-time imaging guidance and treatment adaptation at the heart of the design process; and complex processing tasks have been moved from hardware to software, enabling radical changes to machine design. Together these innovations will ensure better treatment outcomes.
Investigation Of A New Electronic Portal Imaging Device For Radiation Therapy Dose Delivery Verification
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,101.00
Summary
In external beam radiotherapy highly complex radiation fields are used to deliver high doses of radiation to the tumour while sparing normal tissues. Inaccurate treatment could result in poor patient outcome or damage to normal tissues. We aim to investigate a novel imaging device to measure the dose accuracy of these fields. This work has the potential to make a significant and fundamental difference to existing verification techniques for radiotherapy treatments to ensure patient outcomes.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100006
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
An adaptable and dedicated linear accelerator for medical radiation research. Leading radiation scientists developing innovative methods and devices for treating cancer patients will collaborate in future research using this highly adaptable linear accelerator for medical radiation research. Innovations in tumour targeting, better patient safety, new medical devices and improved cancer outcomes are expected.
Rectal Invivo Radiotherapy Dosimetry Using A Fibre Optic Array
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,963.00
Summary
For pelvic cancer patients too much radiation causes rectal problems which are hard to avoid. To reduce the problem we have developed a tiny dosimeter, which we will network to measure the radiation in the rectum as it is being received. This will tell us the maximum safe dose of radiation we can give before causing rectal complications. This will be an effective quality assurance and radiation safety tool.
A phenomenological approach to improve radioembolisation treatment of cancer. In recent years, radioembolisation for liver cancer has become an effective therapeutic option. However, it is likely that patients are being “under-treated” as doses remain based on results from external radiation therapy. This project will develop a phenomenological approach to radionuclide therapy to improve outcomes for cancer patients.