Course directors

• Martin Pruschy, Biologist, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich (CH)
• Marie-Catherine Vozenin, Biologist, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne (CH)

Teachers

• Marc Vooijs, Biologist, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht (NL)
• Conchita Vens, Biologist, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam (NL)
• Daniel Zips, Radiation Oncologist, Universitätsklinik für Radio-Onkologie, Tübingen (DE)

Guest lecturer

• Pierre Montay-Gruel, Radiobiologist, Iridium Netwerk, Antwerp (BE)

   

  The Faculty will be completed with local specialists in specific domains.

   

The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding on current research trends and to outline “hot topics” and research opportunities that have recently emerged in radiation biology and translational radiation oncology to improve clinical practice and outcome. A combination of lectures and tutorial sessions with question/answer sessions are used to comprehend and discuss these topics and how new translational research approaches could address clinical/radiation oncology challenges. The most innovative research aspects in radiation biology of recent years will be presented. FLASH RT will be the focus of the course in 2022: a whole day will be dedicated to a description of the theoretical and practical aspects relevant for developing pre-clinical studies focused on irradiation at Ultra-High Dose Rate (beams, physics parameters, biological models), specific attention will be devoted to translation of biological results to the clinic, in order to foster application of FLASH RT.

Following completion, participants should have sufficient knowledge to read and appreciate the current research literature, understand the concepts and challenges of translational research in the field of radiation oncology, follow new developments in applied radiation biology and radiation oncology, and begin with the development of their own translational research projects with and within their local research groups in this field. Opportunities are provided to discuss research grant proposals.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course participants should be familiar with:

• Current research topics of translational research in the field of radiation oncology
• Relevant methodologies for translational research in the field of radiation oncology
• Relevant endpoints of translational research in the field of radiation oncology.

By the end of this course participants should feel motivated to improve:

• Their basic research projects with translational research aspects
• Their clinical research projects with translational research aspects.

Course content

Experts in the field of basic and translational radiation biology will present and discuss current hot topics in basic and translational radiation oncology research in the framework of clinical challenges. Landmark and latest research papers will be discussed, and the presented concepts consolidated by tutorials. Research and methodological approaches will be presented and outlined alongside approved research grants by the experts in the respective fields. The course embraces blended learning techniques and integrates small group discussions and activities. Sufficient time slots will be given for participants to discuss their own research interests with experts in the respective fields of research.

Prerequisites

Curiosity and a natural passion to increase knowledge, understand or carry out research in order to improve clinical practice.

Teaching methods

• 70% of time: lectures and discussion
• 20% of time: tutorials
• 10% of time: work on own research proposal.

Methods of assessment

• MCQ
• Evaluation form.

Draft programme available here

Key words

Radiation biology, radiation oncology, translational research, from bench to bedside and vice versa.

Accreditation

Application for CME recognition will be submitted to the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME), an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). EACCME credits are recognized by the American Medical Association towards the Physician’s Recognition Award (PRA). Information on the status of the applications can be obtained from the ESTRO office.

TBC

Membership

ESTRO members can order products at substantially reduced prices. To benefit from the member registration rate, you must subscribe for the ESTRO membership 2022 BEFORE registering to the course. To become an ESTRO member, benefit from the member registration rate and discover the many other member advantages, please visit the membership page.

Fees

* Members with specialty RadiationTherapist (RTT) may register at the In-Training fee

The fee includes the course material, coffees, lunches, and the social event.

Insurance and cancellation

The organiser does not accept liability for individual medical, travel or personal insurance. Participants are strongly advised to take out their own personal insurance policies.   

In case an unforeseen event would force ESTRO to cancel the meeting, the Society will reimburse the participants fully the registration fees. ESTRO will not be responsible for the refund of travel and accommodation costs.

In case of cancellation, full refund of the registration fee minus 15% for administrative costs may be obtained up to three months before the course and 50% of the fee up to one month before the course. No refund will be made if the cancellation request is postmarked less than one month before the start of the course.

Reduced fees

Members from emerging countries may register at a preferential rate of 350 Euro. Emerging country fee applies to individuals from low-income and lower-middle-income economies according to the World Bank listing here.

Additionally, all specialties from the following countries can benefit from this preferential rate: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine.  In addition, medical physicists from Cyprus can email education@estro.org to apply for this fee.

The preferential rate of 350 Euro is granted automatically when you click on the  BOOK NOW  button and the three conditions below are met:

1. Only ESTRO members for 2022 are eligible (please make sure your 2022 membership is in order before you click on the BOOK NOW  button)
2. Only one course per person per year can be subsidized by ESTRO
3. Sponsored candidates are not entitled to reduced fees (the invoicing address has to be the one of the participant)  

 Please note:

• We can only guarantee a certain number of reduced fees per course
• Application deadlines are the same as early registration fees (3 months before the course date).