Radiation Oncology
Trials and Studies
The department continues to maintain its profile of basic clinical research with competitive grant support from both internal and external sources. There is an increase in the number of multi-centre clinical trials, the majority of which are under the auspices of the collaborative Radiation Oncology trials group such as TROG (Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group). In addition some of the Radiation Oncologists have received external funding to initiate studies in the department, including funding from NHMRC, Australia.
With increased participation, the departures of Annemarie Naylor (formally Bell), David Tamblyn and Karen Brett, and two new staff members starting, Sonya Stephens and Mary Clironomos, there have been continuing challenges for the data managers. We continue to be the Trial Centre for 2 multi-centre studies; both of which are international studies with sites participating from other countries around the world.
Current Studies
Phase III studies
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Weekly Doses of Palifermin (Recombinant Human Keratinocyte Growth Factor, rHuKGF) for the Reduction of Oral Mucositis in Subjects With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy (RT/CT) ( AMGEN; Institutional Principal Investigator: Dr M Borg)
A Phase III International randomized trial of single versus multiple fractions for re-irradiation of painful bone metastases (TROG; Principal Investigator: Dr D Roos)
A Randomised multicentre trial of involved field radiotherapy versus involved field radiotherapy plus chemotherapy for stage I –II low grade follicular lymphoma (ALLG/TROG; Institutional Principal Investigator: Dr D Roos)
A Paired double blind randomised comparison of cavilon durable barrier cream to 10% glycerine (Sorbolene) cream in prophylactic management of post mastectomy irradiation skin care ( TROG:; Institutional Principal Investigator Dr M Borg)
A randomised Phase III study in advanced oesophageal cancer to compare palliation of dysphagia in patients treated with radiotherapy versus chemo-radiotherapy (TROG; Chairperson: Dr M Penniment)
A phase III study on regional radiation in early breast cancer – MA.20 (NCIC/TROG and others; Institutional Principal Investigator: Dr M Penniment)
Phase II Studies
A Phase II study of idarubicin-based combined modality therapy in primary central nervous system lymphoma (TROG/ALLG; Institutional Principal Investigator: Dr D Roos)
Miscellaneous Prospective Studies
A prospective, non-randomised study of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for osteolymphoma (TROG/ALLG/AROLG; Institutional Principal Investigator: Dr D Roos)
Tumour volume as an independent prognostic factor in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a protocol for a prospective database (TROG; Institutional Principal Investigator: Dr M Penniment)
Adjuvant irradiation for nodal metastatic melanoma (TROG; Institutional Principal Investigator: Dr S Carruthers)
An ALLG/TROG prospective multicentre study of involved field radiotherapy with transplantation for Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (TROG/ALLG; Institutional Principle Investigator: Dr D Roos)
Post-operative concurrent chemo-radiotherapy versus post–operative radiotherapy in high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (TROG; Institutional Principal Investigator: Dr M Penniment)
Radiation sensitivity in prostate cancer patients (A/Prof E Yeoh, I Olver, M Fenech)
Changes in voice quality, swallowing and well-being following radiotherapy for treatment of early glottic cancer (H Baron, E Mills, M Penniment, A Russell, M Herbert)
A randomised trial of surgery plus whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) versus radiosurgery plus WBRT for solitary brain metastases (Chairperson: Dr D Roos)
Studies waiting to start
Research study to evaluate the impact of maintaining haemoglobin levels above 120g/l versus above 100g/l in anaemic patients with carcinoma of the cervix receiving concurrent cisplatin and radiation therapy (ANZGOG; Institutional Principal Investigator: Dr S Carruthers)
Studies in Follow Up
Phase III randomized trial of concomitant radiation, cisplatin, and tirapazamine (SR259075) versus concomitant radiation and cisplatin in patients with advanced head and neck cancer (Sanofi – Synthelabo; Institutional Principal Investigator Dr M Penniment)
A randomised Phase III trial of radical chemo-radiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone in the definitive management of localised muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (TROG; Intuitional Principle Investigator: Dr M Borg)
Randomised double-blind trial of Amifostine vs. placebo for radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer (M Borg, I Olver, D. Keefe, S Krishnan, A Goss, E Coates, R McGowan, B Chatterton, B Stein)
Prostate Motion Study Using 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy and Implanted Gold Seeds (Chairperson: Dr M Borg)
The effects of therapeutic irradiation for prostatic carcinoma on anorectal and colonic function (A/Prof E Yeoh, Dr R Holloway, Dr J Moore, Dr M Schoeman, Dr D Bartholemeusz)
Mammosite Feasibility Study M Borg, M Bochner, J Butters, C Davis, T van Doorn, G Farshid, J Iasielle, J Kollias, D Kotasek, G Gill, A Lim, K Nyugen, I Olver, G Rush, H Whitford, E Yeoh. Feasibility study on the Mammosite in early stage breast cancer.