Advanced Radiotherapy Network + (ARN+) extension
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: School of Medical Sciences
Abstract
In the UK, one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime and of those who survive, 41% can attribute their cure to a treatment including radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is very cost effective, accounting for only 6% of the total cost of cancer care in the UK.
In radiotherapy the way the radiation dose is delivered and conformed to the tumour uses a treatment plan, which is based around a CT scan of the patient and their tumour. The treatment plan uses beams of radiation at different angles, to maximise the dose (and damage) to the tumour and to minimise the damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. Constraints are also applied for "organs at risk" which are often more sensitive to radiation and so require the dose to be as low as possible. Radiotherapy is normally delivered in fractions, with a fraction being typically 1-2 Gy. A course of radiotherapy is typically 1 fraction every week-day over a period of 4-6 weeks.
Radiotherapy seeks to maximise the damage to the tumour (to sterilise it) while minimising the damage to the surrounding healthy tissue (to reduce side effects). In recent years radiotherapy has developed rapidly with the development of new machines and methodologies. These in turn, have resulted in better imaging, treatment planning and dosimetry, which enable the dose to be more accurately delivered and conformed to the tumour. This has resulted in better cancer survival and reduced side effects for patients. However, to maintain this rate of advancement and deliver even better treatments for patients we require innovation and solutions to the challenges, which still confront advanced RT.
This is exactly where the STFC community can make an enormous impact, working in partnership with the clinical community, as they together they have exactly the skill set which is needed to effectively tackle these new challenges as they arise. In addition, the latest developments in radiotherapy - such as MR-linacs and proton therapy - evidence the need for the STFC community to work in partnership with the clinical community and commercial partners. If the UK is to remain competitive and deliver even better treatments for patients, and produce income and impact for the UK economy, it can no longer rely on serendipitous partnerships. This is what this Advanced Radiotherapy Network + (ARN+) seeks to address. Working actively with the clinical community through the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Clinical and Translational working group on Radiotherapy (CTRad) it has been able to establish a new community drawn from across STFC with clinicians and clinical scientists from the NHS.
This application is an extension of an existing successful ARN + and is aimed at both consolidating the success of the ARN+ and taking it one step further by developing a global dimension for its activities by working with the IAEA. It also seeks to showcase its activities to industry and develop a pipeline of innovation to the clinic. Finally it looks to work with STFC within the framework of UK Research and Innovation to build a national consensus, research roadmap and funding strategy in the field of Advanced Radiotherapy.
In radiotherapy the way the radiation dose is delivered and conformed to the tumour uses a treatment plan, which is based around a CT scan of the patient and their tumour. The treatment plan uses beams of radiation at different angles, to maximise the dose (and damage) to the tumour and to minimise the damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. Constraints are also applied for "organs at risk" which are often more sensitive to radiation and so require the dose to be as low as possible. Radiotherapy is normally delivered in fractions, with a fraction being typically 1-2 Gy. A course of radiotherapy is typically 1 fraction every week-day over a period of 4-6 weeks.
Radiotherapy seeks to maximise the damage to the tumour (to sterilise it) while minimising the damage to the surrounding healthy tissue (to reduce side effects). In recent years radiotherapy has developed rapidly with the development of new machines and methodologies. These in turn, have resulted in better imaging, treatment planning and dosimetry, which enable the dose to be more accurately delivered and conformed to the tumour. This has resulted in better cancer survival and reduced side effects for patients. However, to maintain this rate of advancement and deliver even better treatments for patients we require innovation and solutions to the challenges, which still confront advanced RT.
This is exactly where the STFC community can make an enormous impact, working in partnership with the clinical community, as they together they have exactly the skill set which is needed to effectively tackle these new challenges as they arise. In addition, the latest developments in radiotherapy - such as MR-linacs and proton therapy - evidence the need for the STFC community to work in partnership with the clinical community and commercial partners. If the UK is to remain competitive and deliver even better treatments for patients, and produce income and impact for the UK economy, it can no longer rely on serendipitous partnerships. This is what this Advanced Radiotherapy Network + (ARN+) seeks to address. Working actively with the clinical community through the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Clinical and Translational working group on Radiotherapy (CTRad) it has been able to establish a new community drawn from across STFC with clinicians and clinical scientists from the NHS.
This application is an extension of an existing successful ARN + and is aimed at both consolidating the success of the ARN+ and taking it one step further by developing a global dimension for its activities by working with the IAEA. It also seeks to showcase its activities to industry and develop a pipeline of innovation to the clinic. Finally it looks to work with STFC within the framework of UK Research and Innovation to build a national consensus, research roadmap and funding strategy in the field of Advanced Radiotherapy.
Planned Impact
The Advanced Radiotherapy Network (ARN+) was designed to bring the clinical radiotherapy and STFC communities together and to develop synergies and research collaboration between them. ARN+ has been successful and now seeks to build on this success and translate its research for patient benefit by actively working with industry and the NHS. In this extension to ARN+ it seeks to further engage with industry to take the research initiated in ARN+ up the technology readiness levels.
Global Impact In ARN+ extension, ARN+ also seeks to work with the IAEA to expand the international scope of its activities and to work together with the developing world to come up with solutions to some of the problems they currently face. Key to this approach is listening and testing understanding, so that the solutions proposed are fit for purpose. We will also work with industry to ensure that the work of ARN+ both complements what is already available and has a route for exploitation.
Academic impact arising from ARN+ activities and pump-priming projects will be realised through joint grant applications (across the Research Councils and Innovate UK) and will be fostered by the work, which will be done with STFC on providing a framework and roadmap for radiotherapy research. Research outputs will be another output as will the 3 PhD students, who are 50% funded through ARN+, and who will submit and graduate during ARN+ extension.
Economic Impact will arise from translating ARN+ activities up the technology readiness levels and engaging stakeholders from public and private sectors in ARN+ Showcase events. The Knowledge Hub on the new ARN+ web site will be designed so that it takes potential industrial partners quickly to the information they need and will also highlight where ARN+ has already been successful in industrial collaborations. Knowledge Exchange will be facilitated by a number of the ARN+ activities. ARN + will work closely with the Innovations Directorate, the Innovation Partnership Scheme (IPS) Fellows and STFC Innovations Ltd (based in Harwell). The Impact Sandpit (in Jan 2019) carried out through the existing ARN+ will also provide a forum for highlighting ARN+ research and the opportunities for its translation up the technology readiness levels.
Societal Impact will arise from continuing to have patient and carer representation on ARN+ through close collaboration with NCRI CTRad. From the outset ARN+ has tried to ensure that the patient voice and their views are central to ARN+ and this will continue in ARN+ extension. The ARN+ Knowledge Hub will also provide information for patents and carers, which has been generated by working closely with focus groups (of patients and carers) and Charities.
Policy Makers: The ARN+ extension will allow ARN+ in partnership with NCRI CTRad to work with STFC within the framework of UK Research and Innovation to build a national consensus, research roadmap and funding strategy in the field of Advanced Radiotherapy. This will involve working with key stakeholders including government, NHS, UK Research and Innovation, industry and Charities. In this way ARN+ can impact on national policy and use its Knowledge Hub to promote its activities and outcomes to the wider community.
Global Impact In ARN+ extension, ARN+ also seeks to work with the IAEA to expand the international scope of its activities and to work together with the developing world to come up with solutions to some of the problems they currently face. Key to this approach is listening and testing understanding, so that the solutions proposed are fit for purpose. We will also work with industry to ensure that the work of ARN+ both complements what is already available and has a route for exploitation.
Academic impact arising from ARN+ activities and pump-priming projects will be realised through joint grant applications (across the Research Councils and Innovate UK) and will be fostered by the work, which will be done with STFC on providing a framework and roadmap for radiotherapy research. Research outputs will be another output as will the 3 PhD students, who are 50% funded through ARN+, and who will submit and graduate during ARN+ extension.
Economic Impact will arise from translating ARN+ activities up the technology readiness levels and engaging stakeholders from public and private sectors in ARN+ Showcase events. The Knowledge Hub on the new ARN+ web site will be designed so that it takes potential industrial partners quickly to the information they need and will also highlight where ARN+ has already been successful in industrial collaborations. Knowledge Exchange will be facilitated by a number of the ARN+ activities. ARN + will work closely with the Innovations Directorate, the Innovation Partnership Scheme (IPS) Fellows and STFC Innovations Ltd (based in Harwell). The Impact Sandpit (in Jan 2019) carried out through the existing ARN+ will also provide a forum for highlighting ARN+ research and the opportunities for its translation up the technology readiness levels.
Societal Impact will arise from continuing to have patient and carer representation on ARN+ through close collaboration with NCRI CTRad. From the outset ARN+ has tried to ensure that the patient voice and their views are central to ARN+ and this will continue in ARN+ extension. The ARN+ Knowledge Hub will also provide information for patents and carers, which has been generated by working closely with focus groups (of patients and carers) and Charities.
Policy Makers: The ARN+ extension will allow ARN+ in partnership with NCRI CTRad to work with STFC within the framework of UK Research and Innovation to build a national consensus, research roadmap and funding strategy in the field of Advanced Radiotherapy. This will involve working with key stakeholders including government, NHS, UK Research and Innovation, industry and Charities. In this way ARN+ can impact on national policy and use its Knowledge Hub to promote its activities and outcomes to the wider community.
Organisations
- University of Manchester (Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- Varian Inc (Collaboration)
- International Atomic Energy Agency (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Kenes Group (Collaboration)
- Science Museum (Collaboration)
- Agilent Technologies (United States) (Project Partner)
- e3creative (Project Partner)
- Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Project Partner)
Publications
Price G
(2020)
An open source heterogeneous 3D printed mouse phantom utilising a novel bone representative thermoplastic
in Physics in Medicine & Biology
Rothwell B
(2021)
Oxygen Depletion in Proton Spot Scanning: A Tool for Exploring the Conditions Needed for FLASH
in Radiation
Rothwell BC
(2021)
Determining the parameter space for effective oxygen depletion for FLASH radiation therapy.
in Physics in medicine and biology
Schuemann J
(2019)
A New Standard DNA Damage (SDD) Data Format.
in Radiation research
Shortall J
(2020)
Characterizing local dose perturbations due to gas cavities in magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy.
in Medical physics
Shortall J
(2019)
Assessing localized dosimetric effects due to unplanned gas cavities during pelvic MR-guided radiotherapy using Monte Carlo simulations.
in Medical physics
Shortall J
(2020)
Experimental verification the electron return effect around spherical air cavities for the MR-Linac using Monte Carlo calculation.
in Medical physics
Shortall J
(2021)
Inter- and intra-fractional stability of rectal gas in pelvic cancer patients during MRIgRT.
in Medical physics
Smith EAK
(2021)
A Monte Carlo study of different LET definitions and calculation parameters for proton beam therapy.
in Biomedical physics & engineering express
Title | Bragg peak glass |
Description | working with a glassblower on a glass sculpture to represent the Bragg peak |
Type Of Art | Artwork |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Impact | this will form a piece of artwork |
Description | Deputy Chair NCRI CTRad |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | CTrad is a national body that brings those involved in radiotherapy together. It has pioneered national proton clinical trials and has proposals guidance meetings that develop these national trials. It also develops a strategy for radiotherapy research |
URL | https://www.ncri.org.uk/groups/radiotherapy-group/ |
Description | Workstream 4 CoChair NCRI CTRad |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Impact | National body pioneering new developments in radiotherapy |
URL | https://www.ncri.org.uk/how-we-work/ctrad/ |
Description | Cockcroft Phase 4 Award |
Amount | £7,772,375 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Cockcroft phase 4 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2021 |
End | 03/2025 |
Description | Infrastructure in FLASH Radiotherapy |
Amount | £199,904 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RRNIA-Feb22\100002 |
Organisation | Cancer Research UK |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2022 |
End | 05/2024 |
Description | Investigating Proton and Electron Flash in novel 3D cultures |
Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RRNIA-Feb22\100002 |
Organisation | Cancer Research UK |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2022 |
End | 05/2023 |
Description | Manchester RADNET |
Amount | £16,500,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Cancer Research UK |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2019 |
End | 09/2026 |
Description | Modelling anomalous transport of nanoparticles and DNA repair to improve radiotherapy |
Amount | £702,576 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/V008641 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2021 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | Proton FLASH |
Amount | £227,974 (GBP) |
Organisation | Varian Inc |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start | 08/2019 |
End | 08/2021 |
Description | Topol Digital Fellowship |
Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Health Education England |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2022 |
End | 04/2023 |
Title | Proton Therapy Research room in the clinical PBT centre at the Christie |
Description | Research infrastructure to conduct research in proton therapy, funded by Christie Charity £5.6M. Over the past year we have been comissioning the research room and bioprep room. This has been slowed down due to Covid. first experiments March 2021 Experiments are now ongoing in the research room and the hypoxia cabinet with integrated robotic arm (designed with don Whitley Scientific) is now fully operational and performing high throughput experiments. Accurate QA and dosimetry < 3% comparable with clinical system achieved for protons. FLASH capability delivered, dosimetry <5% one of the best in the world. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The plan is to make this research infrastructure available via UKRI and CRUK grants. The facility has to pay its own costs so funding would need to be applied for via competitive grants. CRUK now funding research room through RadNet as a national proton hub and have just funded a national FLASH infrastructure. |
URL | https://protonsinspire.eu/facilities/the-christie-nhs-foundation-trust |
Title | zoomorphic phantoms produced using tissue equivalent material and 3D printing |
Description | 3D printed mouse phantom for in vivo dosimetry measurements |
Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | We plan to make this phantom available for photon dosimetry measurements and later proton dosimetry measurements. Audit using phatom recently completed with photon measurements |
Title | Anonymisation of PBT overseas data and data from patients treated at The Christie with PBT |
Description | Means to access anonymised patient data from PBT patients treated overseas and at the Christie. This allows real patient data to be used to validate models developed in BioProton and other UKRI grants |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Means research outputs can be validated on real patient data |
Description | Flash radiotherapy and Particle Therapy |
Organisation | Kenes Group |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Karen Kirkby has been involved in founding a new international conference series Flash Radiotherapy and Particle Therapy (FRPT) and also been involved in its organisation see https://2021.frpt-conference.org/ and for FRPT 2022 https://frpt-conference.org/. Prof Karen Kirkby being an organising committee member. FRPT 2021 was due to be held in Vienna, Austria however due to COVID-19 the event was delivered online using a virtual platform delivered by Kenes Group. The online audience was made up of over 700+ participants from over 40+ countries. The conference provided attendees with 3 days of scientific updates from international speakers, discussions, interactive sessions and virtual posters. The virtual platform allowed users to quickly transition from live sessions, recordings, workshops and symposiums, virtual tours of Med Auston and the online exhibition of supporters. After the conference the talks were available for 3 months on the virtual platform. FRPT 2022 was held in Barcelona as a hybrid conference. The conference gave scientific professionals the opportunity to meet in person to harness the potential for FLASH RT and learn latest advancements in this rapidly developing field. With over 650 delegates from 40 different countries attended in person and online with over 450 attending in person. Highlights from FRPT21 and FRPT22 can be found by clicking the links. The conference will continue annually with FRPT2023 due to be held as a hybrid event on 6-8th December in Toronto, Canada. FRPT 2022 was held in Barcelona as a hybrid conference. The conference gave scientific professionals the opportunity to meet in person to harness the potential for FLASH RT and learn latest advancements in this rapidly developing field. With over 650 delegates from 40 different countries attending in person and online. FRPT 2022 also hosted the Proton Knowledge Hub which focused on sharing best practices from across Europe on how to build and operate a proton centre. The Knowledge Hub was led by Prof Karen Kirkby, accompanied by a programme made up of field experts across leading proton centres including INSPIRE members Prof Ran Mackay from The Christie NHS FT, Prof Cai Grau from Aarhus University and Esther Troost from Dresden University of Technology. The conference will continue annually with FRPT2023 due to be held as a hybrid event on 6-8th December in Toronto, Canada. |
Collaborator Contribution | Kenes as a PCO help to organise the conference and take on the financial risk |
Impact | Special Edition Green journal (Oncology and Radiotherapy) https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/radiotherapy-and-oncology/special-issue/107CWW5MB2F |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | IAEA PBT |
Organisation | International Atomic Energy Agency |
Country | Austria |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | international guidance on developing a PBT centre |
Collaborator Contribution | developing international guidance on training and workforce for governments or institutions wishing to develop a new PBT centre |
Impact | international guidance document being developed |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Modelling national demand for radiotherapy internationally |
Organisation | International Atomic Energy Agency |
Country | Austria |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | This work also involves ESTRO HERO project the project combines radiotherapy demand with health economic costing models to understand the real cost of RT, PBT and in the future new modalities such as FLASH therapy |
Collaborator Contribution | access to IAEA costing methodology; access to ESTRO HERO costing methodology. Will feed in to ESTRO EPTN WP7. Also allows impact of Covid to be assessed. |
Impact | publications being written ESTRO presentations |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Science Museum exhibition Cancer Revolution: Science Innovation and hope |
Organisation | Science Museum Group |
Department | The Science Museum |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | museum exhibition "The Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation and hope" where the Proton Therapy Facility was displayed along with video media by Prof Karen Kirkby. This is a world-first exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester that navigates patient stories, cancer causes and treatments, and the future of facing cancer. This tale echoes the hope around the future of cancer outcomes for patients. It details the progress that has been made in prevention, diagnosis and treatment and the 'revolution' that now means more of us are living longer and better with cancer than ever before. The exhibition reached articles, news channels, newspapers and social medias. |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in museum exhibitions |
Impact | Museum exhibition open to general public |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Topas nBio |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Open access Topas-nBio software includes our research in the radiobiological gold standard |
Collaborator Contribution | Working together on joint projects and sharing research to incorporate in to Topas n-Bio |
Impact | Joint publications Joint abstract submission PTCOG, AAPM, FRPT New software release in Topas n-Bio |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Varian Framework agreement |
Organisation | Varian Inc |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | All IP through the Framework agreement belong to UoM / Christie but Varian have first refusal to exploit. Strong collaboration working on LET and RBE., FLASH RT |
Collaborator Contribution | Varian have provided access to latest versions of Eclipse software through T boxes (fair market value $75k). We can bid to Varian through Framework agreement for funding for projects. Amount shown is $1USD as actual amount is commercial in confidence. |
Impact | Publications Abstracts to international conferences Talks at Varian events https://www.varian.com/resources-support/blogs/clinical-oncology-news/industryacademic-partnership-yields-fruit-ultra-high?mkt_tok=NzYwLURaTy0xNTUAAAF_91-kFzOl1w84B0apMtXzvKu7hkm8hlShdATmyb5CxEAbXxpP-tODhdQBFJCIUOJjlEcMr2KiIyBxtUvfhhqVLZLQdSC9Rv-XXQFbD0DZaSk |
Start Year | 2019 |
Title | EMBRACE wearables clinical trial |
Description | wearables for real time monitoring of cancer patients. A new trial opens in Greater Manchester today which is to test cutting-edge wearable technologies involving patients who have received cancer treatment. The commercially-available health sensors and devices produce a digital fingerprint of vital signs that could allow doctors to assess the progress of their patients. Called, EMBRaCE, (Enhanced Monitoring for Better Recovery and Cancer Experience), the trial is a collaboration between Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester. The trial opens initially for blood cancer, lung, and colorectal cancer patients and will run across Greater Manchester. The technologies under investigation include: a smart ring, worn on any finger made by the company Oura the Withings ScanWatch, a hybrid smartwatch the Isansys system, which is worn on the chest. The technologies can assess a range of vital signs, including electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate, temperature, physical activity levels and sleep. |
Type | Diagnostic Tool - Non-Imaging |
Current Stage Of Development | Early clinical assessment |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2022 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Clinical Trial? | Yes |
UKCRN/ISCTN Identifier | N/A |
Impact | Real time monitoring of patients. Has the potential of producing digital fingerprints to allow personalisation of treatment Cancer places a huge burden on the lives of people everywhere. This study uses cutting-edge technology that can monitor people during their treatment, with devices that they can wear all the time. We hope that it will provide new insights into how people cope with cancer treatment and what we can do to improve their recovery." This trial will assess if the latest wearable technology has a role in cancer care. "It will help us to identify ways that clinical staff can individualise treatment before, during, and after therapy. "We will find out if 24/7 data from these wearable sensors can be used to support patient recovery and provide accurate measurement outside clinic. "It could even support the development of new cancer treatments by developing a digital platform for clinical trials in cancer involving wearable devices or fitness trackers." |
URL | https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/trial-of-wearable-health-technology-for-cancer-patients-o... |
Title | PARABLE Clinical Trial |
Description | randomised Proton therapy clinical trial for breast cancer patients |
Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Radiotherapy |
Current Stage Of Development | Late clinical evaluation |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2022 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Clinical Trial? | Yes |
Impact | Bioproton is being used for the biologically augmented treatment planning in this trial |
Title | RCT TORPEDO |
Description | TORPEO RCT has been developed and is funded by CRUK, it started recruiting patients in Feb 2020 then paused due to Covid-19 and resumed again in late 2020 |
Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Radiotherapy |
Current Stage Of Development | Refinement. Clinical |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2022 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Clinical Trial? | Yes |
Impact | First UK RCT in PBT |
URL | https://www.ncri.org.uk/ncri-blog/the-journey-of-torpedo-the-uks-first-proton-beam-therapy-clinical-... |
Title | Topas nBio |
Description | Since the open-source beta-release of TOPAS-nBio in 2019, the framework offers to connect energy deposition within irradiated cells (physics) via molecular reactions (chemistry) to cell kill/repair (biology) at the level of sub-cellular targets such as DNA. To facilitate the setup of simulations we further developed a Graphical User (GUI) Interface. TOPAS-nBio is an extension to TOPAS and layered on top of the Geant4/Geant4-DNA MC toolkit. The new release was built for TOPAS release 3.6 (based on Geant4.10.6.p3) and will be compatible with all future releases of TOPAS. First release in 2019 but our models incorporated 2020 onwards |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | The new features of TOPAS-nBio v1.0, offers improved modeling from initial DNA damage to cell outcome, Gold standard for radiobiology research |
URL | https://topas-nbio.readthedocs.io/en/latest/getting-started/Members.html |
Description | Article in the Guardian newspaper Dec 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | How radiotherapy became a lifesaver, advances in radiotherapy https://www.theguardian.com/cancer-revolutionaries/2021/dec/21/how-radiotherapy-became-a-lifesaver-from-x-rays-to-the-proton-beam |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.theguardian.com/cancer-revolutionaries/2021/dec/21/how-radiotherapy-became-a-lifesaver-f... |
Description | Christie Proton School |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The proton therapy group have worked with the Christie clinical teams to deliver the proton School online order to reach the largest international audience. The vision is to be an international educator in Proton Therapy. They have recently delivered the 4th course in December 2022. This course has successfully run from 2019-2022. Now called The Christie Proton Therapy e-School, the course is set to continue annually with, which is held over 6 weeks of learning. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020,2021,2022 |
URL | https://www.christie.nhs.uk/education/departments/the-christie-proton-school |
Description | Flash radiotherapy and Particle Therapy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Development of a new international conference on FLASH in Dec 2021 with PCO Kenes and leading international reserchers. This conference was very successful and attracted over 730 people from 40 countries the 2nd in the series will be held in Barcelona Nov 30-Dec 2nd 2022. the top 15 papers will be published in The Green Journal with further papers in Physica Medica where the abstracts will also be published |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021,2022 |
URL | https://frpt-conference.org/ |
Description | Netwok on AI in radiotherapy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Radiotherapy and Machine Learning Network was established led by Dr Robert Lyons. The network brought together expertise in ML from physics and computer science with clinical expertise in radiotherapy. Three meetings took place and initiated: 7 unique ML projects. An MRC/NIHR methodology grant application (initiated at event two) entitled "Developing a fully automatic, quantitative biomarker for assessing patient frailty from A successful sandpit project on data sharing, awarded to Dr (now Prof) Jamie McClelland UCL, looks at the need to share data between different treating centres and radiotherapy modalities, while maintaining confidentiality. The prototype system developed with funding from ARN+ was used to transfer data (both dicom and non-dicom) between UCL and KCL. Following further discussions with UCLH it was decided to alter the design and components of the system, so the prototype system was not tested at UCLH. However, a new improved prototype system has now been developed and further funding for this was provided by UK Radiotherapy Trials Quality Assurance RTTQA and CRUK ART-NET grant £4.5M. This new system will soon be deployed in a number of clinical sites for testing, with more widespread deployment expected later this year. While this new system was developed after the STFC network funded work had finished, the initial prototype and the work undertaken in developing and testing it has been invaluable in developing the new system. Following the Big data sandpit the Radiotherapy and Machine Learning Network was established led by Dr Robert Lyons. The network brought together expertise in ML from physics and computer science with clinical expertise in radiotherapy. Three meetings took place and initiated: 7 unique ML projects. An MRC/NIHR methodology grant application (initiated at event two) entitled "Developing a fully automatic, quantitative biomarker for assessing patient frailty from routine cancer imaging" led by Dr. A. McWilliam; Three successful data access requests submitted to the REQUITE consortium: REQUITE Proposal #46 Approved March 2019: "Machine Learning Approach to Auto-contouring tumour and organs at risk in prostate radiotherapy", PI: Dr. C. S. Boon CI: Dr. T. Rattay & Dr. M. H. Yap; REQUITE Proposal #47 Approved March 2019: "Predicting radiotherapy treatment plan metrics from patients' geometrical properties", PI: Dr. A. Green CI: Dr. E. Stubington & Prof G. Shentall; REQUITE Proposal Approved March 2019: "Predicting acute desquamation after surgery & breast cancer radiotherapy", PI: Dr. T. Rattay, CI: M. Aldraimli et. el. The following paper has been submitted 1. Aldraimli, M., Osman, S., Grishchuck, D., Ingram, S., Lyon, R., Mistry, A., Oliveira, J., Samuel, R., Shelly, L.E.A., Soria, D., Dwek, M. V., Azria, D., Chang-Claude, J., Dunning, A., Gutiérrez-Enríquez, S., Müller, A., Rancati, T., Rosenstein, B. S., De Ruysscher, D., Seibold, P., Sperk, E., Symonds, R. P., Stobart, H., Vega, A., Veldeman, L., Webb, A., Talbot, C. J., West, C. M., Chaussalet, T. J., Rattay, T., on behalf of the REQUITE consortium* and the UK Radiotherapy Machine Learning Network** , "Development and optimisation of a machine-learning prediction model for acute desquamation following breast radiotherapy in the multi-centre REQUITE cohort", submitted to the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics. And the following paper is now published 2. Aldraimli, M et al"A Data Science Approach for Predicting Patient's Susceptibility to Acute Side Effects of advanced radiotherapy Computers in Medicine and Biology 135, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104624 With the following book chapter due to be published in 2021/22 o Lyon, R. and Rattay T., "Introduction to Machine Learning", in ML in Radiation Oncology, Springer, to be published in 2021-2022. There are also non-tangible outputs produced by the RTML network not listed above. Some of the research projects initiated during our workshops are still being actively worked upon, with the potential for them to yield papers and research proposals. Whilst the connections and collaborations formed during are workshops are proving beneficial for helping initiate new avenues of research, in addition to research proposals. Sam Ingram went on to be a HEE Topol Digital Fellowship |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | On cancer UoM and The Christie |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | On Cancer is a new 44-page collection of research-led policy recommendations authored by academics from The University of Manchester, and The Christie which aim to highlight areas where research can inform policy changes and improve the lives of patients living with cancer. It is a collaboration between the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, the Cancer Beacon, and the Policy@Manchester team at The University of Manchester and involves the thoughts and research activities of four CRUK RadNet Manchester affiliated radiotherapy researchers. Specific relevant examples included in On Cancer relate to work by Professor Karen Kirkby and Professor Ananya Choudhury (Advanced radiotherapies: what are the challenges and opportunities). Here, Ananya and Karen argue that researchers need to work with policymakers to produce a cost-benefit analysis of MR-Linac and Proton Beam Therapies and engage with leadership to determine opportunities for informed and enhance patient consent. As the recommendations have only been recently published, direct influence on policy is still unknown. The authors involved are all committed to helping to promote the activities of the articles further, and we are continuing to work with Policy@Manchester a team dedicated to connecting policymakers and researchers to further expand on these recommendations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | POST Note |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | POST note for members of the House of commons and Lords Advances in Cancer Treatment |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/POST-PN-0598 |
Description | Science Museum Cancer Revolution Science, Innovation and Hope |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The group have been involved in an exhibition at the Science Museum exhibition "The Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation and hope" where the Proton Therapy Facility was displayed along with video media by Prof Karen Kirkby. This is a world-first exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester that navigates patient stories, cancer causes and treatments, and the future of facing cancer. This tale echoes the hope around the future of cancer outcomes for patients. It details the progress that has been made in prevention, diagnosis and treatment and the 'revolution' that now means more of us are living longer and better with cancer than ever before. The exhibition reached articles, news channels, newspapers and social medias. The exhibition ended at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester on 27 March 2022. It then moved on to be displayed at the Science Museum in London from 25 May 2022 - January 2023. For more information, visit the Science Museum website. The link to the YouTube video that appears in the Science Museum exhibition can be found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3djsGItc_M |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/cancer-revolution-science-innovation-and-hope |
Description | Talks for GM Cancer |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | GM cancer conference talking about proton therapy link to the new PRECISE YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTAyoUeLIYQu5Gokqle4-Pg/featured And to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2QR4PQvaeI |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2QR4PQvaeI |
Description | Webinar on UK Ion Therapy Research Facility |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | First of a meeting to engage the community in UK ITRF |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | You tube channel |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | You tube channel to promote research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTAyoUeLIYQu5Gokqle4-Pg/featured |