Translational Research > Radiotherapy Physics

The programme focuses on Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) chemoradiation.

Analysis of the spatiotemporal stability of tumour proliferation and perfusion over the course of treatment is being undertaken by the sequential FLT PET and MR imaging of tumours. This approach explores the potential for selectively boosting hyperproliferating or hypoxic tumour subvolumes to higher doses than the rest of the tumour, an approach that will only work if the resistant subvolumes are stable or trackable throughout therapy. Design, development and analysis of Phase I/II dose-escalating NSCLC trials are being undertaken. Lung and oesophageal complication data are being analysed to further quantify the dependence of complication rates on irradiated volume, dose and schedule duration. Modelling and analysis of the dose-treatment duration dependence of mucositis and oesophagitis is being undertaken in early radiotherapy reactions.

These early reactions limit the extent to which chemoradiation schedules can be accelerated, reducing tumour repopulation during therapy. Boundaries between tolerable and intolerable schedules are being more precisely localised and a delay-differential early reaction model is being developed, which will be used to predict the effects of unconventional accelerated schedules. IMAT software, aims to develop a more interactive approach to plan optimisation, generating better plans faster. Extension of the programme to glioblastoma multifome is underway.

Specialising in this field:
Professor Alan Nahum