Title: Glasgow CRUK RadNet Radiation Research Centre of Excellence: 'Treating the untreatable - from mouse to man'
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Background: RT is unique amongst cancer treatment modalities in its capacity to achieve tumour cure while preserving the function of the host organ. For some cancer types, such as breast or prostate, tumour cure rates are high and contemporary research is focused largely on reducing treatment side effects to preserve quality of life. For others malignancies, such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and cancers of the head and neck (H&N), current RT regimes achieve cure in only a proportion of patients. For patients with cancers of the highest unmet need, for example pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma (GBM) and mesothelioma, RT has shown evidence of therapeutic potential but the extent of its efficacy remains limited. Aims: The aim of the Glasgow CRUK RadNet Centre of Excellence is to increase cure rates in patients with five cancers of unmet need: GBM, lung cancer (including mesothelioma); H&N cancer, pancreatic cancer and locally advanced rectal cancer. Our strategy will encompass intensification of treatment to increase tumour control/cure rates for patients eligible for radical treatment as well as development of novel curative strategies for patients who are not currently suitable for radical treatment. New treatments will be developed in collaboration with researchers studying the fundamental biology of these cancers, using the world-leading preclinical models available at the CRUK Beatson Institute (CRUK BI). Methods: We will incentivise discovery scientists to incorporate clinically relevant RT questions into their research programmes. RadNet infrastructure will facilitate and accelerate discovery science in four key research areas: metabolomics, invasion, cell death and the DNA damage response (DDR). Dedicated laboratory technicians will support researchers to undertake high quality, image guided in vivo radiation studies in our full range of cancer models. Integration with existing preclinical and cellular imaging facilities, will enable high content longitudinal studies that yield the maximum mechanistic information from every mouse. Protected research time for a cadre of Consultant Clinical Oncologists will increase the frequency and quality of interactions between clinicians and basic scientists to ensure that research questions being interrogated in the labs are clinically relevant and accelerate translation of laboratory findings into clinical trials. Interactions will be strengthened and enriched by clinical research training fellows funded from a variety of sources who will be hosted by discovery science labs and mentored by established and emerging clinical researchers. The translational nature of our research programme will ensure that improvements in patient care are realised within 10-15 years.

Lay abstract: Background: RT is unique amongst cancer treatment modalities in its capacity to achieve tumour cure while preserving the function of the host organ. For some cancer types, such as breast or prostate, tumour cure rates are high and contemporary research is focused largely on reducing treatment side effects to preserve quality of life. For others malignancies, such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and cancers of the head and neck (H&N), current RT regimes achieve cure in only a proportion of patients. For patients with cancers of the highest unmet need, for example pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma (GBM) and mesothelioma, RT has shown evidence of therapeutic potential but the extent of its efficacy remains limited. Aims: The aim of the Glasgow CRUK RadNet Centre of Excellence is to increase cure rates in patients with five cancers of unmet need: GBM, lung cancer (including mesothelioma); H&N cancer, pancreatic cancer and locally advanced rectal cancer. Our strategy will encompass intensification of treatment to increase tumour control/cure rates for patients eligible for radical treatment as well as development of novel curative strategies for patients who are not currently suitable for radical treatment. New treatments will be developed in collaboration with researchers studying the fundamental biology of these cancers, using the world-leading preclinical models available at the CRUK Beatson Institute (CRUK BI). Methods: We will incentivise discovery scientists to incorporate clinically relevant RT questions into their research programmes. RadNet infrastructure will facilitate and accelerate discovery science in four key research areas: metabolomics, invasion, cell death and the DNA damage response (DDR). Dedicated laboratory technicians will support researchers to undertake high quality, image guided in vivo radiation studies in our full range of cancer models. Integration with existing preclinical and cellular imaging facilities, will enable high content longitudinal studies that yield the maximum mechanistic information from every mouse. Protected research time for a cadre of Consultant Clinical Oncologists will increase the frequency and quality of interactions between clinicians and basic scientists to ensure that research questions being interrogated in the labs are clinically relevant and accelerate translation of laboratory findings into clinical trials. Interactions will be strengthened and enriched by clinical research training fellows funded from a variety of sources who will be hosted by discovery science labs and mentored by established and emerging clinical researchers. The translational nature of our research programme will ensure that improvements in patient care are realised within 10-15 years.

Research activity codes: 5.5 RADIOTHERAPY AND OTHER NON-INVASIVE THERAPIES;6.5 RADIOTHERAPY AND OTHER NON-INVASIVE THERAPIES
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS