Title: OXFORD SYSTEMIC RADIATION RESEARCH UNIT (OSRRU) "Biological, Mathematical and Technical Optimisation of Radiotherapy: interdisciplinary radiation research to deliver cure"
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: While radiation is a mainstay of cancer therapy, it is currently limited to the treatment of localised disease. Our mission is to transform the use of radiotherapy to treat systemic disease through establishing the Oxford Systemic Radiation Research Unit (OSRRU). OSRRU will pursue this ambitious goal through four multidisciplinary research themes to deliver step-changes in radiotherapy planning, delivery and responses. In Themes 1 and 2 we will enhance the response to radiation through establishing new research directions in radiation-immune interactions in collaboration with Oxford’s outstanding Immunology programmes, and exploit an already rich programme in the Tumour Microenvironment (TME) for clinical benefit. In Theme 3 we will enhance the delivery of radiotherapy, and investigate the biological basis of reduced normal tissue effects and enhanced tumour response by different types of ultra-fast delivery of “FLASH” radiation. In Theme 4 we will take advantage of Oxford’s expertise in Imaging, Information Engineering and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the planning and delivery of radiotherapy. Our vision and research themes are supported by a translational cycle of discovery, preclinical and early clinical research made possible only by the depth and breadth of new expertise we can draw on or attract to Oxford. These research themes will be supported by state-of-the-art cores in immunopeptidomics, small animal imaging, FLASH, AI applied to small animal treatment planning and clinical translation. Of these cores, the immunopeptidomics and AI cores will provide novel expertise and resources not available currently in the UK. In addition, we are working with industry partners to aid us in the implementation of our insights into clinical practice. The activity of OSRRU will not be isolated, and we will ensure cross-talk with other Oxford initiatives; those already in place across the UK and internationally, as well as those fostered through the RadNet Network. Our ambitious vision to be a RadNet Hub focusses on drawing in new scientific expertise from outside of Radiation Oncology to drive the field forward, attracting new talent to the UK, and transforming the role of radiation in cancer cures- for the benefit of the RadNet network and the UK as a whole. Our intention is that core infrastructure which we would put in place as a RRC would enable these existing groups to expand the reach and impact of their work, whilst as a RRU we would be positioned to lead in the transformation through drawing in new talent.

Lay abstract: While radiation is a mainstay of cancer therapy, it is currently limited to the treatment of localised disease. Our mission is to transform the use of radiotherapy to treat systemic disease through establishing the Oxford Systemic Radiation Research Unit (OSRRU). OSRRU will pursue this ambitious goal through four multidisciplinary research themes to deliver step-changes in radiotherapy planning, delivery and responses. In Themes 1 and 2 we will enhance the response to radiation through establishing new research directions in radiation-immune interactions in collaboration with Oxford’s outstanding Immunology programmes, and exploit an already rich programme in the Tumour Microenvironment (TME) for clinical benefit. In Theme 3 we will enhance the delivery of radiotherapy, and investigate the biological basis of reduced normal tissue effects and enhanced tumour response by different types of ultra-fast delivery of “FLASH” radiation. In Theme 4 we will take advantage of Oxford’s expertise in Imaging, Information Engineering and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the planning and delivery of radiotherapy. Our vision and research themes are supported by a translational cycle of discovery, preclinical and early clinical research made possible only by the depth and breadth of new expertise we can draw on or attract to Oxford. These research themes will be supported by state-of-the-art cores in immunopeptidomics, small animal imaging, FLASH, AI applied to small animal treatment planning and clinical translation. Of these cores, the immunopeptidomics and AI cores will provide novel expertise and resources not available currently in the UK. In addition, we are working with industry partners to aid us in the implementation of our insights into clinical practice. The activity of OSRRU will not be isolated, and we will ensure cross-talk with other Oxford initiatives; those already in place across the UK and internationally, as well as those fostered through the RadNet Network. Our ambitious vision to be a RadNet Hub focusses on drawing in new scientific expertise from outside of Radiation Oncology to drive the field forward, attracting new talent to the UK, and transforming the role of radiation in cancer cures- for the benefit of the RadNet network and the UK as a whole. Our intention is that core infrastructure which we would put in place as a RRC would enable these existing groups to expand the reach and impact of their work, whilst as a RRU we would be positioned to lead in the transformation through drawing in new talent.

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