Research networks

The aim of the radiobiology research network is to further develop radiobiological research in Denmark by establishing and advancing collaborations between basal and clinical research, and between biologists, physicists and clinicians. The network is supported by Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center (DCCC).

Find more information on the Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center website.

The Danish national research centre DCCC Radiotherapy provides a unique national platform for collaborative radiotherapy research in Denmark. The research centre is supported by the Danish Cancer Society with a grant of DKK 25 mio and is a part of Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center (DCCC). All departments in Denmark offering radiotherapy are involved in the centre as well as the dosimetry laboratory at DTU Nutech – Center for Nuclear Technologies and the Danish Centre for Particle Therapy.

More than 150 active researchers and clinicians are involved in the research centre and collaborate on projects in physics, biology and treatment to improve cancer treatment and reduce treatment-related side effects.

The research centre is headed by Director and Professor Cai Grau, Professor Stine Korreman, Professor Jesper Grau Eriksen, Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital and administrative coordinator Louise Vagner Laursen.

Read more about DCCC Radiotherapy at the centre's website https://www.straaleterapi.dk/en.

From the The European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) website:

The European Particle Therapy Network (EPTN) became a task force of ESTRO in 2017. It was established in 2015 in response to the anticipated increase in the number of particle therapy centres in Europe. In addition, the need to cooperate among centres and integrate particles (i.e. protons and carbons) in the framework of clinical research networks was identified as being of paramount importance.

Particle therapy (PT) is only one part of radiation oncology, and needs to be well aligned with other radiation techniques as well as with general developments in cancer research and patient care. PT offers both new opportunities for providing excellence in cancer care, and for high-quality research within the framework of European networks.

Find more information about activities of the EPTN network at the ESTRO website.

The Inspire Project is a European research project that aims to provide a world-leading integrating activity for European research in Proton Therapy. Through the Transnational Access infrastructure, the Inspire project makes research facilities across Europe available to international research groups and projects.

The project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

Visit the Inspire project website at https://protonsinspire.eu/. 

Learn more about the Danish Centre for Particle Therapy and Aarhus University transnational access infrastructure at https://protonsinspire.eu/facilities/aarhus-university.

Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanning is growing rapidly within radiation therapy ranging from identification of tumors to evaluation of treatment effects.

However, the use of MR scanners is far from optimal especially because of different usage across the Danish hospitals. This difference makes it difficult to draw clinical conclusions.

The NIMNUS network works to advise the national groups of cancer diagnoses with regard to designing MR studies. Furthermore the network will ensure focus on the unique demands for MR scanners in radiotherapy processes.

The NIMBUS network is supported by Danish Comprehensive Cancer Center (DCCC).

Find more information at the DCCC website.

RAPTOR is an international consortium for investigation in and development of tools for real-time adaptive proton radiotherapy.

From the RAPTOR website:
"With RAPTOR, we propose a shift in the paradigm by preparing a daily proton therapy treatment plan for each patient, that is based on current patient images. This would significantly increase treatment accuracy, since most of the uncertainties would be minimized. The advantages of proton therapy could be better utilized in an interventional capacity.

Due to its flexibility and rapid adaptation, RAPTOR will enable treating patients in the sitting and standing positions, which will facilitate simpler, more compact, and less costly beamline designs. RAPTOR will therefore make the benefits of proton therapy available to many more patients."

DCPT contact: Professor Stine Korreman. Read more at the RAPTOR consortium website https://raptor-consortium.com/.