Title: Personalised, adaptive and novel strategies for brain liver and pelvic radiotherapy
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Our vision is to establish a CRUK Radiotherapy Centre of Excellence (CoE) that will develop and enhance our cutting edge-infrastructure and capabilities, support and train the next generation of radiotherapy research leaders, and deliver impactful, internationally-leading clinical and translational research that will ultimately improve patient outcomes over the next 5-10 years. Our CRUK Radiation Research Centre (RRC), led by Professor David Sebag-Montefiore at the University of Leeds (UoL) in close partnership by its NHS partner, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT), will be a beacon for radiation research excellence in both the UK and globally. Moreover, it will provide a significant contribution to the proposed national network, RadNet. Our aim is to deliver individualised precision radiotherapy for the treatment of primary and previously irradiated cancer by integrating biology, functional and anatomical imaging, artificial intelligence (AI) and novel agents. To maximise impact and improve how radiotherapy is delivered for tangible patient benefit, we have prioritised three overarching research themes: (1) Personalised and adaptive radiotherapy; (2) Re-irradiation and (3) Combining radiotherapy with novel therapies. We will focus on our established tumour sites of strength in radiotherapy research at Leeds: pelvic (anal, rectal and prostate), liver and brain cancers. Our ambitious vision will be delivered by combining the strengths of one of the top ten UK research-intensive universities (placed 10th for research power), the second largest NHS Trust in the UK and our strategic partners Raystation and Medical Alliance. We will develop and enhance our cutting edge infrastructure and strengthen our interdisciplinary team of radiation researchers, utilising a total of £3.74 million of leveraged institutional and local support. The University and LTHT provide an outstanding environment to train and nuture the next generation of clinical oncology researchers. This builds on our proven track record of clinical research impact in pelvic (anal, rectal and prostate), liver and brain cancers. We directly address the clinical challenges articulated in the CRUK RadNet funding guidelines call document and the Strategic Review of CRUK’s Investment in Radiation Biology and Radiation Oncology including improved approaches to planning and personalisation of treatment and late toxicity, use of AI and optimisation of technology and imaging We will deliver new treatment approaches into the clinic, including clinical trials, to generate the highest level evidence of clinical benefit in the next 5-10 years.

Lay abstract: Our vision is to establish a CRUK Radiotherapy Centre of Excellence (CoE) that will develop and enhance our cutting edge-infrastructure and capabilities, support and train the next generation of radiotherapy research leaders, and deliver impactful, internationally-leading clinical and translational research that will ultimately improve patient outcomes over the next 5-10 years. Our CRUK Radiation Research Centre (RRC), led by Professor David Sebag-Montefiore at the University of Leeds (UoL) in close partnership by its NHS partner, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT), will be a beacon for radiation research excellence in both the UK and globally. Moreover, it will provide a significant contribution to the proposed national network, RadNet. Our aim is to deliver individualised precision radiotherapy for the treatment of primary and previously irradiated cancer by integrating biology, functional and anatomical imaging, artificial intelligence (AI) and novel agents. To maximise impact and improve how radiotherapy is delivered for tangible patient benefit, we have prioritised three overarching research themes: (1) Personalised and adaptive radiotherapy; (2) Re-irradiation and (3) Combining radiotherapy with novel therapies. We will focus on our established tumour sites of strength in radiotherapy research at Leeds: pelvic (anal, rectal and prostate), liver and brain cancers. Our ambitious vision will be delivered by combining the strengths of one of the top ten UK research-intensive universities (placed 10th for research power), the second largest NHS Trust in the UK and our strategic partners Raystation and Medical Alliance. We will develop and enhance our cutting edge infrastructure and strengthen our interdisciplinary team of radiation researchers, utilising a total of £3.74 million of leveraged institutional and local support. The University and LTHT provide an outstanding environment to train and nuture the next generation of clinical oncology researchers. This builds on our proven track record of clinical research impact in pelvic (anal, rectal and prostate), liver and brain cancers. We directly address the clinical challenges articulated in the CRUK RadNet funding guidelines call document and the Strategic Review of CRUK’s Investment in Radiation Biology and Radiation Oncology including improved approaches to planning and personalisation of treatment and late toxicity, use of AI and optimisation of technology and imaging We will deliver new treatment approaches into the clinic, including clinical trials, to generate the highest level evidence of clinical benefit in the next 5-10 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