Personalising prostate cancer radiotherapy using imaging and genomic biomarkers

Project Outline

Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for prostate cancer, but men vary widely in their susceptibility to radiation-induced side effects. While some experience significant rectal and bladder toxicity, others tolerate similar radiation doses well with minimal or no side effects. This variation suggests that individual differences in normal tissue biology influence response to radiotherapy.  

Emerging evidence indicates that some men may be able to safely receive lower doses to non-tumour prostate tissue while maintaining effective tumour control. Treatment de-intensification could reduce radiation exposure to surrounding normal tissues and potentially minimise treatment-related side effects, preserving quality of life. However, successful implementation requires accurate identification of men most likely to benefit. Current treatment selection relies largely on clinical risk and doesn’t capture individual differences in normal tissue susceptibility.   

This project will investigate whether pre-treatment multiparametric MRI can identify spatially varying biological characteristics of normal tissue that influence radiation-induced toxicity. Building on our group’s expertise in quantitative imaging and spatial radiotherapy dose analysis, the student will develop spatial MRI-derived biomarkers of rectal and bladder tissue phenotype using  quantitative MRI measures and radiomic features. These imaging biomarkers will be integrated with three-dimensional radiotherapy dose distributions to determine whether normal tissue phenotype modifies local dose-toxicity relationships.  

The project will also investigate inherited genetic markers of radiosensitivity and their contribution to individual toxicity risk. Using multi-centre cohorts with linked clinical, imaging, radiotherapy, genomic, and toxicity data, the student will develop and validate predictive models integrating imaging-derived tissue phenotype, spatial dose, clinical factors, and inherited radiosensitivity.  

The project will build a biologically informed framework for predicting radiotherapy-induced toxicity and identifying men who are suitable for treatment de-intensification. Ultimately, this research aims to support more personalised prostate cancer radiotherapy by identifying patents who can safely receive less radiation while maintaining effective tumour control.  

Applications for this project are now open. Please complete your application on The University of Manchester website.