NCRI’s Radiotherapy Research Group (CTRad) is one of NCRI’s flagship initiatives and this year we are celebrating its ten year anniversary. To mark the occasion CTRad’s Executive Group identified the top 10 achievements of the initiative over its ten years and the number 1 was: the development of a broad range of radiotherapy trials.

Thanks to CTRad there are more clinical trials involving radiotherapy taking place than ever before in the UK. These trials are investigating advanced technologies and practice-changing techniques that will ultimately benefit patients. Find out more about some of these below.

  • PATHOS: the PATHOS trial is investigating kinder treatments for head and neck cancer patients. Prof Mererid Evans Consultant Clinical Oncologist and co-Chief investigator of the PATHOS study says, “NCRI’s CTRad provided invaluable advice and support during the development of PATHOS. Input from experienced clinical trialists, statisticians, funders and patient representatives helped improve the study design and refine endpoints which made a major contribution to its successful funding application.”
  • LuDo: the LuDO trial for children with high-risk neuroblastoma offered a new type of molecular radiotherapy – never before tested in children – for one of the deadliest childhood cancers. Dr Mark Gaze, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Chief Investigator of the LuDO trial says: “NCRI’s CTRAd supported the initial stages of the LuDo trial. Their input was vital in helping to get this first-of-its -kind molecular radiotherapy study funded.”
  • CamBMT1: investigating a radiotherapy-drug combination for patients with lung or breast cancer that has spread to the brain. Dr Richard Baird, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Chief Investigator of the CamBMT1 study says: “Treatment of brain metastases involves multiple disciplines and that’s why, for the CamBMT1 study, it was especially important to get input from NCRI – both through CTRad for expertise around the radiotherapy element of the trial and from the Brain, Breast and Lung Research Groups. Doing so improved the study design and got it in to the clinic for patients faster.”
  • CORE and ABC-07 trials. These trials are investigating stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). SABR is a modern more precise delivery technique of radiotherapy which delivers high doses of radiation while causing less damage to surrounding healthy tissue than conventional radiotherapy. Further evidence, generated through clinical trials, is needed to support its use in a range of cancers. Dr Vincent Khoo, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the Royal Marsden and Chief Investigator for CORE says “ Not only did NCRI’s CTRad play pivotal role in securing funding for the CORE study, it continues to provide support and advice that will ensure impact and survival evidence regarding stereotactic ablative radiotherapy is collected in the best way.”