Brain Cancer Databank

Current treatment for brain cancer aims either to directly destroy the tumour (neurosurgery and radiation therapy) or change the ways that the cancer can grow within the brain (chemotherapy or immunotherapy). Whilst a lot of laboratory research both in The Brain Cancer Group (TBCG) and internationally is directed at working out the way the cancer can grow, there is less research at targeting exactly where the tumour is situated or hiding within the brain. This unfortunately means that the current methods of X-ray imaging (MRI scans and PET scans) limit the ability for the neurosurgeon or radiation oncologist to target the cancer.

TBCG is developing a Brain Cancer Imaging Laboratory which will aim to improve the understanding and accuracy of these brain scans. It will gather and store the actual images from all our patient’s brain cancer imaging in one research databank; and then utilise this information from prior patients to understand where and how the tumours spread within the brain. Using sophisticated mathematical and artificial intelligence calculations, the research data from these brain scans can then be utilised to more accurately treat current and future patients with more precise targeted methods. In this way, the information from previously treated patients can be positively utilised for future patients, and hopefully lead to better brain cancer control and cure. 

The Brain Cancer Imaging Laboratory will be the first of its kind in Australia and will collaborate with other clinicians, scientists and laboratories internationally. The Imaging Laboratory will link with the previously funded Brain Tumour Biobank and Clinical Outcomes Database to complete a powerful comprehensive TBCG Brain Cancer DataBank. 

Neuro-oncology management now has become increasingly dependent on imaging to guide decision-making both at time of diagnosis and post treatment evaluation. 

More sophisticated imaging techniques have been developed to improve the mapping of a cancer; calculate a tumour's response to treatment or define the microstructure of tumour. Similar assessments can be performed on Nuclear Medicine PET imaging which enhances its utility as a decision-making tool, as well as novel radiotracers which can define biological aspects of tumour or treatment response. Deep learning analysis through Artificial Intelligence is a potential feature to get this information into the clinic.

TBCG-BIL focusses on brain imaging research and radiology education in neuro-oncology.  It takes a multimodality approach, harnessing novel imaging methods in both radiology with MRI and nuclear medicine with PET. 

 The research goals of the TBCG -BIL are fourfold:  

1. Improve diagnostic accuracy of imaging prior to surgery and chemoradiotherapy  
2. Offer new solutions to more accurately delineate the extent of disease by harnessing new imaging methods in MRI and PET
3. Improve patient imaging experience with accelerated imaging protocols
4. Improve clinical outcomes and survival by leveraging these novel imaging methods to predict patterns of recurrence, offer personalised adaptive radiotherapy plans and improve treatment effectiveness.  

The laboratory also provides education both internally within medical multidisciplinary teams but also more broadly to our referring clinicians and our brain cancer patients and their families. TBCG-BIL also explores a neuro-imaging research focus in neuro-inflammation, demyelination and neurovascular imaging, which indirectly may provide clues into brain cancer.   

With our research partners the TBCG-BIL has access to state-of-the-art imaging equipment on the North Shore campus including 5x MRI scanners, 2x PET scanners as well as Interventional Neuroradiology, PET radiochemistry and neuro-nuclear therapies.