Radiation Research Centre of Excellence (RadNet)

The Radiation Research Centre of Excellence (RadNet-CoE) at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and The Royal Marsden (RM) brings together preeminent leaders in radiotherapy, immunotherapy, cancer biology, and targeted drug therapies to foster groundbreaking collaborations to pioneer innovative therapeutic approaches, with the goal of transforming cancer care on a global scale.

The ICR-RM RadNet Centre of Excellence (CoE) was established in 2019 with the central aim of bridging discovery, translational, and clinical research to benefit patients directly. Positioned at the forefront of radiation-related research, the Centre leverages the intersection of world-class laboratory scientists specialising in DNA repair, cell death, immune response, and cancer evolution, alongside clinicians, radiographers, physicists, and research methodologists who design and conduct clinical trials to advance global cancer care. 

In 2024, the Centre successfully secured a second, uplifted round of funding from Cancer Research UK (CRUK), which will support (i) the enhancement of our cutting-edge research infrastructure to drive innovative radiation research, and (ii) the development of the next generation of radiation researchers through targeted training initiatives. 

This second phase of ICR-RM RadNet, led by Professor Kevin Harrington and Dr Alison Tree, focuses on improving cancer treatment outcomes by gaining a deeper understanding of how radiotherapy can optimally modulate key biological processes at cellular, microenvironmental, and organismal levels. The Centre’s research is structured around four critical themes:

Theme 1: Reprogramming cellular responses to radiotherapy

Led by Christian Zierhut and Ben O’Leary

In Theme 1, we aim to explore strategies to disrupt cancer’s DNA damage repair mechanisms induced by radiation, thereby maximising the cytotoxic effects of radiotherapy and enhancing its ability to activate immune responses. Building on our existing research, we will investigate how to convert immunologically silent forms of apoptosis into immune-stimulatory cell death, thereby improving cure rates. Additionally, we will examine the role of intratumoural oxygen levels (redox state) in influencing cell death pathways and immune-mediated cytotoxicity. Our work will involve preclinical and translational research to better understand this evolutionary process and identify potential vulnerabilities in cancer cells for novel therapeutic approaches.

Theme 2: Promoting a therapeutic tumour microenvironment

Led by Anna Wilkins and Alan Melcher

Theme 2 will focus on strategies to enhance the tumour microenvironment (TME) in response to signals from dying cancer cells. Specifically, we will explore how radiotherapy combined with other therapeutic agents, such as DNA repair inhibitors, pattern-recognition receptor agonists, and agents that promote immunogenic cell death, can modulate the TME. We will profile treatment-induced changes within the TME and expand our efforts in clinical sample collection, processing, and analysis using cutting-edge platforms. This will allow us to validate preclinical findings and generate new hypotheses that could further optimise cancer therapies.

Theme 3: Novel radiation delivery platforms

Led by Uwe Oelfke and Magnus Dillon

In this theme, we will investigate emerging radiation delivery technologies that offer exciting opportunities to enhance the biological effectiveness of radiotherapy, particularly FLASH and spatially-modulated radiotherapy (SMRT), including microbeam, minibeam, and GRID techniques. Our Centre houses the world’s first FLASH-enabled small animal radiotherapy research platform (SARRP), capable of delivering ultra-high dose rates up to 180 Gy/s, with both conventional and spatially-modulated beam distributions. This unique capability will enable us to contribute valuable insights into the fundamental mechanisms of these next-generation radiotherapy technologies. Additionally, we will explore the potential of the nanoparticulate radioenhancer, NBTXR3, in combination with FLASH and SMRT techniques.

Theme 4: Forward and Reverse Translational Research

Led by Alison Tree and Anna Kirby

In Theme 4, we will leverage clinical trial samples and biobank collections from ongoing and upcoming clinical studies to validate and refine the findings across the other three themes. Our goal is to ensure a seamless transition of research from the laboratory to clinical practice. Using this extensive repository, we will conduct “reverse translation,” integrating patient data with molecular analyses to link fundamental scientific discoveries with tangible patient outcomes. This approach will allow us continuously to refine and optimise therapeutic strategies in real-world clinical settings.

Future directions

Professor Kevin Harrington, Head of the Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging at the ICR and Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden, said:

“The ICR has been leading the way for radiation-related research in the UK – in terms of the fundamental discoveries, the translational opportunities and the clinical implementation of developments. Our research has led to many of the most pivotal radiation trials, improving therapeutic options over the last three decades.

“Along with the other main bodies within the UK that lead on this research, we can ensure that we steer the collective direction of research of the UK’s research community. Of course, we always do so with a view to making sure that patients both within the UK and globally have access to state-of-the-art treatments for their cancers. This funding from RadNet cements our role in continuing that legacy and will allow us to cure more patients while causing less damage.”

Dr Alison Tree, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden and Honorary Faculty in the Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging at the ICR, said:

“Historically, radiation research has been underfunded despite being integral to cancer treatment. With the support of CRUK, we can enhance our research efforts, ultimately improving patient outcomes and ensuring that radiation therapy receives the attention it deserves in the fight against cancer.

“There is a significant lack of knowledge among the general population about what radiation therapy is and how helpful it can be. Modern radiotherapy is a gentle yet powerful treatment that is responsible for almost half of cures against cancer. The support from RadNet enables the ICR and The Royal Marsden to continue as leaders in this field, creating cutting-edge, patient-focused therapies that yield tangible results.”