In April 2008 the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) undertook a rapid review of research in radiotherapy and radiobiology. As a result, the NCRI Board agreed to establish a new Clinical and Translational Radiotherapy Research Working Group which will have a broad, strategic remit to develop an ambitious portfolio of practice changing trials.
It will also be responsible for ensuring coordination across all aspects of radiobiology and radiotherapy research and for actively promoting translation of new discoveries into practice.
This new Working Group will be comprised of four workstreams, each of which will be chaired by two co-chairs to bring together different key disciplines.
Science Base – to capture relevant new discoveries in disciplines such as radiobiology, DNA repair, physics and imaging;
Phase I/II trials – to develop innovative trials that integrate systemic therapies with high quality radiotherapy techniques, supported with novel imaging and biomarker studies;
Phase III trials – to develop trials in collaboration with tumour specific Clinical Studies Groups, and explore appropriate methodologies for evaluation of novel radiotherapy approaches;
New Technology, Physics and Quality Assurance – to develop the case for, and then oversee, the delivery of enhanced infrastructure support for radiotherapy trials in the UK, including QA and evaluation of new technologies.
In addition, an Executive Group will be established to oversee the individual workstreams and oversee other cross-cutting activities such as training and workforce development and a study on patterns of current radiotherapy care within the NHS. Following recent appointment of the co-chairs, the members of the Executive Group are as follows. Consumer member(s) are expected to be appointed this month.
Chair Prof Tim Maughan;
Deputy chair Prof Tim Illidge;
Ex officio Prof Gillies McKenna;
Ex officio Prof Peter Hoskin;
Workstream 1 co-chairs Prof Ian Stratford and Prof Thomas Brunner;
Workstream 2 co-chairs Dr Kevin Harrington and Prof Ruth Plummer;
Workstream 3 co-chairs Dr Chris Nutting and Prof Max Parmar (interim);
Workstream 4 co-chairs Dr Neil Burnet and Dr Ranald Mackay.
Charlotte Beardmore, joint professional officer for radiotherapy at the Society of Radiographers, welcomed the new research working group: “It will provide a fresh impetus to radiotherapy research, building on existing strengths to reclaim the internationally competitive position which UK radiotherapy research has held in the past. Notably, there is now strong acknowledgement of the importance of radiographers and the research agenda, as well as the need to generate more posts in the service through collaboration.”
To download the list of the Working Group members, click here.
To download the Rapid Review of Radiotherapy and Associated Radiobiology 2008 report click here.
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