UK science research to beat bre...( is now developing polymer gel dosimete...)

Contact: Professor Steve Webb, Institute of Cancer Research, Tel: 0-208-642-6011, E-mail: steve.webb@icr.ac.uk

An Innovative Approach to Radiotherapy:

A new 3-year collaborative project between the University of Ulster and Queen's University Belfast will look at a technique involving the generation of dense ionisations in cancer cells. These could produce a very effective form of radiotherapy treatment for patients. Ion beam generators have been used experimentally to produce similar effects but are very expensive and therefore impractical for routine clinical use. This project will improve understanding of the potential for a simpler mechanism based on atoms with high atomic numbers ("Z atoms"). The overall aim is to inform future development of what could be a highly effective type of radiotherapy for use in treating breast and other forms of cancer.

Contact: Professor David Hirst, University of Ulster, Tel: 0-289-036-8897, E-mail: dg.hirst@ulster.ac.uk

New Techniques for Use in Breast Cancer Surgery:

A recently concluded project at Oxford University has developed and demonstrated breast imaging techniques for use in image-guided surgery on breast cancer patients. Image-guided surgery aims to use precise measurements of tumour position and extent to minimise surgery's invasive nature. The new techniques are intended for use on breast cancer patients for whom this kind of surgery is currently ineffective (e.g. because scar tissue obscures the tumour from conventional imaging equipment). The techniques can also be used to measure tumour growth and the impact of drugs on the tumour. A major focus of the project has been to develop imaging techniques that are complementary to X-ray mammography,
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Contact: Jane Reck
jane.reck@epsrc.ac.uk
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
22-Oct-2003