Damaging the cancer cell membrane using reactive oxygen species

In a nutshell

The researchers will be investigating the use of tiny gold particles (nanoparticles) to increase the effectiveness of radiotherapy for advanced prostate cancer

Why we funded it

External beam radiotherapy is the most common treatment for prostate cancer, but the cancer will eventually return in 30% of men who have this treatment. That means we need to find new ways to make this treatment more effective. This research aims to develop a new approach using nanoparticles to increase the sensitivity of tumour cells to radiotherapy. If this approach proves beneficial, it could eventually radically alter the way that radiotherapy is applied in the clinic.

Grant information

Researcher - Dr Jonathan Coulter
Institution - Queens University Belfast
Grant award - £99,662.00
Reference – S14-004