Practice-changing radiation therapy trials for the treatment of cancer: where are we 150 years after the birth of Marie Curie?
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Embargo End Date
ICR Authors
Authors
Thompson, MK
Poortmans, P
Chalmers, AJ
Faivre-Finn, C
Hall, E
Huddart, RA
Lievens, Y
Sebag-Montefiore, D
Coles, CE
Poortmans, P
Chalmers, AJ
Faivre-Finn, C
Hall, E
Huddart, RA
Lievens, Y
Sebag-Montefiore, D
Coles, CE
Document Type
Journal Article
Date
2018-08-14
Date Accepted
2018-06-22
Abstract
As we mark 150 years since the birth of Marie Curie, we reflect on the global advances made in radiation oncology and the current status of radiation therapy (RT) research. Large-scale international RT clinical trials have been fundamental in driving evidence-based change and have served to improve cancer management and to reduce side effects. Radiation therapy trials have also improved practice by increasing quality assurance and consistency in treatment protocols across multiple centres. This review summarises some of the key RT practice-changing clinical trials over the last two decades, in four common cancer sites for which RT is a crucial component of curative treatment: breast, lung, urological and lower gastro-intestinal cancer. We highlight the global inequality in access to RT, and the work of international organisations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), and the United Kingdom National Cancer Research Institute Clinical and Translational Radiotherapy Research Working Group (CTRad), that aim to improve access to RT and facilitate radiation research. We discuss some emerging RT technologies including proton beam therapy and magnetic resonance linear accelerators and predict likely future directions in clinical RT research.
Citation
British journal of cancer, 2018, 119 (4), pp. 389 - 407
Source Title
Publisher
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
ISSN
0007-0920
eISSN
1532-1827
Collections
Research Team
ICR-CTSU Urology and Head and Neck Trials Team
Clinical Academic Radiotherapy (Huddart)
Clinical Academic Radiotherapy (Huddart)