Novel strategies for radioresistant head and neck cancers through targeting the DNA damage response in combination with proton beam therapy

Proton beam therapy (PBT) is increasingly being utilized worldwide for the treatment of specific cancers, such as head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC), as it precisely delivers the radiation dose to the tumour and limits irradiation of surrounding normal tissues. However, there are still significant biological uncertainties of the molecular effects of PBT. This consequently leads to significant uncertainties in the use of PBT for the treatment of cancer patients in the clinic. Furthermore, identification of combinational strategies using drugs can enhance sensitivity of radioresistant cancers, including subtypes of HNSCC. This MRC-funded DTP studentship will develop novel PBT research investigating key enzymes involved in the cellular DNA damage response as targets to overcome radioresistance of HNSCC.