Research
The Department of Radiation Oncology has an active research program that includes both basic (laboratory) and clinical research. Our research often involves collaboration with other departments as we strive to better identify and treat cancer, and to develop ways to deliver higher doses of radiation to the tumor area while reducing the effects to the surrounding healthy tissue.
Areas of concentration include:
Breast Cancer
The group's participation in national and local cancer trials makes it possible for patients to receive cutting-edge therapies. Our principal research interest is the use of radiation therapy in the multidisciplinary management of breast cancer. In particular, we are involved in the development and optimization of breast-conserving therapy for patients with invasive breast cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ.
This work has involved a series of collaborative studies with radiation oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, medical oncologists and medical geneticists to define the optimal use of a variety of modalities, including radiation therapy. Studies have also included evaluations of radiation therapy after mastectomy to improve survival, and collaborative work with investigators in medical physics to ensure the safest and most effective techniques.
Central Nervous System (CNS) Cancer
Future improvement in the efficacy of radiotherapy for CNS cancers will likely depend most on combination therapy with targeted radiosensitizing agents. In order to increase the likelihood of control of malignant primary tumors and brain metastases, we develop and participate in a variety of protocols that utilize targeted biological drugs or chemotherapy to sensitize tumors to radiation. We also are actively engaged in basic research on animal models of brain tumors in order to develop new, targeted therapies for gliomas, meningiomas and brain metastases.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer
Active protocols include the immobilization precision of stereotactic body radiation for painful liver metastasis. We are also leading the way with new technology. Our Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) program is currently in development. IGRT will allow us to pinpoint the treatment site and adjust position daily for further accuracy.
Other research activities focus on improving treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies by developing optimal combinations of chemotherapy, newer biological agents and radiation therapy in the post-operative and pre-operative settings.
Genitourinary (GU) Cancer
Current treatment protocols include an active investigation in the role of chemotherapy (Docetaxil) with radiation and androgen ablation in patients with high-risk prostate cancer; a study of MR image-guided brachytherapy for patients with relapsed prostate cancer after prostatectomy; an investigation of the prognostic indicators in bladder cancer; and a randomized study of complementary medicines in men with prostate cancer (using Reiki, relaxation and cognitive techniques).
Gynecologic Cancer
Current treatment protocols examine the use of MR-guidance and other 3D imaging approaches during brachytherapy, in order to improve imaging and reduce the risk of radiation damage to adjacent normal tissues. Other research studies focus on the epidemiology of endometrial cancer, the effects of radiation therapy on gynecologic malignancies and quality of life improvements through novel techniques in gynecologic radiation oncology.
Head and Neck Cancer
Patients are eligible for clinical trials developed at Dana-Farber, as well as national studies. In collaboration with colleagues in medical and surgical oncology, we have multiple trials available investigating the use of systemic therapy in combination with radiation for patients with advanced disease. Systemic therapy includes standard chemotherapy agents (e.g., taxol, taxotere, cisplatin, 5-Fluorouracil), as well as targeted agents (e.g., Erbitux) and investigational treatments. All of our studies use state-of-the-art, intensity modulated radiation therapy.
Lymphoma
In collaboration with the medical oncology, radiology and pathology departments, we actively participate in a number of inhouse protocols as well as multi-institutional prospective trials. One study examines how objective and subjective lung functions over time are affected by the amount of lung tissue exposed to varying doses of radiation in lymphoma patients. In partnership with our cardiology colleagues, we are working on identifying critical cardiac structures using our radiation planning images in order to better quantify the doses to various parts of the heart, and to minimize short-term and long-term cardiac complications from the radiation treatments.
Our group maintains one of the largest, up-to-date databases in the country on over 1,500 patients treated for Hodgkins disease in the last 30 years. Information from the database provides valuable information on the efficacy of different treatment approaches and the various late effects of treatment. In addition, we are dedicated to optimizing the follow-up care of survivors of lymphoma, and in improving their health and quality of life and are involved in several studies with this focus.
Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcomas
The Sarcoma Program is internationally recognized for research in sarcomas in terms of basic science, laboratory investigation, and clinical trials, offering many new drugs and approaches to patients. The Sarcoma Program offers innovative clinical trials to patients, depending upon the sarcoma sub-type and stage of disease.
We work closely with the departments of surgical and medical oncology to define optimal patient management (pre-operative vs. post-operative radiotherapy, intra-operative radiotherapy implants, or no radiotherapy). Projects in development include the use of IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy) for select soft tissue sarcomas and the optimal integration of radiation therapy and systemic treatment for the treatment of sarcoma.
Thoracic (Lung) Cancer
Current high profile clinical trials include a Phase II clinical trial for Stage III NSCLC patients combining the standard backbone of chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery with Cetuximab, an EGFR inhibitor. Other efforts are designed to improve the technology used to treat thoracic tumors including 4-Dimensional CT, gated FDG-PET, infrared surface marker system to help with patient localization and a clinical trial studying hyperpolarized helium MRI scans to image the lungs.
For more detailed information about clinical trials, please visit the Dana-Farber clinical trials database.
For more information about research, please visit the Department of Radiation Oncology Research Web site.
