Year of Establishment: 2023
The Centre for the Study of Image- and Biomarker-Guided Radiotherapy (BIO-RT) was established within the Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health (DSMC) of the University of Brescia, with its administrative headquarters located within the same Department.
The Centre’s activities aim to develop and implement initiatives in the following areas:
- developing and conducting research projects to advance imaging-based radiotherapy techniques using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound. Particular emphasis will be placed on the implementation of adaptive radiotherapy techniques to improve the cost-effectiveness of radiotherapy treatment;
- developing and conducting research projects on radiotherapy techniques, particularly adaptive radiotherapy, based on the predictive and prognostic value of biomarkers characterising individual tumours, including biomarkers related to their genetic profiles;
- fostering collaborative activities for the collection and analysis of structured data on the biological foundations, clinical applications and outcomes of image- and biomarker-guided radiotherapy, as part of the broader field of precision oncology;
- developing appropriate recommendations and integrated diagnostic and therapeutic care pathways for image- and biomarker-guided radiotherapy, in collaboration with the various specialists involved in the Centre’s activities and in coordination with healthcare and scientific institutions at different levels, including local health authorities (ASST and ATS), regional and national authorities, and scientific societies;
- promoting scientific seminars and conferences to advance knowledge and foster discussion on the Centre’s research topics;
- organising and delivering educational and training activities, including postgraduate programmes, in line with the Centre’s objectives;
- fostering collaboration with cancer patient associations and organisations promoting oncological radiotherapy;
- developing collaborative projects with the Lombardy Region and the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) to establish a network aimed at achieving the objectives outlined above. These activities will be carried out in collaboration with the Italian Association of Medical Physics (AIFM), the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM), and other scientific societies interested in advancing research in the Centre’s areas of study;
- developing collaborative activities with national and international research centres working in similar fields. In particular, the Centre aims to facilitate and coordinate the exchange of information and initiatives at local, national and international levels, promoting interdisciplinary cooperation in pursuit of its objectives. To this end, it may establish or promote appropriate organisational arrangements and enter into agreements and partnerships with public and private institutions and organisations, both in Italy and abroad.