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
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.
Fast And Efficient Assessment Of Dose In Small Targets In Radiotherapy: Effect Of Motion In Clinical Research And Implementation Of Dynamic Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$501,265.00
Summary
The continued progress of radiation therapy for cancer patients has been driven by technology developments that have increased the complexity of radiation delivery, but has come at the cost of increased potential for errors in radiation planning and delivery. The aim of this project is to implement an instrument for verification of treatment delivered to organs with large variation of shape and position due to respiration. This will enhance treatment outcome and patient quality of life.
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
Design And Application Of New Nanomaterials Theranostic Platforms For Targeted Treatment Of Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,626.00
Summary
The project aims to develop intelligent drugs that attract to malignant tumors like magnets. These powerful, next-generation chemotherapy drugs seek out cancerous cells, allowing physicians to see exactly where tumours lie. Nanoparticles inside the drugs then switch on upon contact with X-ray radiation beams. This new method, which can diagnose, deliver targeted therapy and monitor the response to therapy all at the same time, would reduce the amount of radiation needed to kill cancer cells.