Faculty members in the Radiation Biology and Therapy program work with companion animals to address questions in radiation therapy and response. Research projects include how dose and dose fractions alter therapeutic response and specific cell populations associated with tumors, use of small molecule radiation modulators in therapy, and interactions between perfusion and radiation response including dynamic changes in tumor blood flow associated with high dose-rate therapy. This group has longstanding interactions and collaborations with the Radiation Oncology group at the University of Colorado Cancer Center as well as diagnostic imaging at Colorado State University.
Services
• Targeted radiation in rodent models; Comparable to clinical radiation therapy
• Experimental tumor studies; normal tissue radiation effects
• Tumor physiology laboratory and fully equipped procedures room
• Dedicated Staff
• LINAC technician
• Veterinary technicians
Equipment
• Varian Trilogy Linear Accelerator – Radiosurgery capability, Inverse Treatment planning, 3 photon beams and 5 electron energies
• Strontium Applicators
• Precision X-Ray SmART+ image-guided small animal irradiation system
About Dr. LaRue
Dr. LaRue has long standing interest in tumor metabolism and tissue heterogeneity as it relates to radiation response. Incorporating functional imaging to monitor tumor and normal tissue response has been an ongoing initiative. Recently, Dr. LaRue has developed interests in effects of high-dose radiation on vascular endothelial cell populations as a unique mechanism of action.
About Dr. Boss
The focus of Dr. Boss’s research program is to explore how novel experimental therapeutics influence the efficacy of radiation therapy through normal tissue and tumor microenvironmental effects. Her research is focused in projects investigating radiotherapy for tumors of the head and neck in laboratory and companion animal models. She has an interest in investigating the role of the immune response in radiation oncology. Currently, Dr. Boss is exploring the impact of regional lymph node irradiation on anti-tumor immunity in head and neck cancer, as well as investigating novel radioimmunotherapy combinations to enhance local and system tumor control.
About Dr. Leary
Currently, Dr. Leary’s research interests involve radio sensitivity and dose escalation toward radio immunotherapy. He also enjoys research topics in novel therapeutic beam design, image guided radiation therapy and 3-Dimensional bolus construction.
Contact
Professor, Radiation Oncology
Section Head, Radiation Cancer Biology & Oncology
