Patients with head-and-neck cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT) currently receive a standard, one-size-fits-all treatment plan. Although this approach works well on a population average, some patients are not fully cured, and some patients get significant side effects from damage to healthy tissue. A one-size-fits-all approach may not fully address the variations in how tumors respond to therapy.
Our research focuses on personalizing treatment by identifying early biomarkers of tumor response. By integrating cutting-edge quantitative MRI (qMRI) techniques and liquid biopsies, we aim to predict how each tumor responds within the first few weeks of CRT. This approach could allow clinicians to adjust treatment plans mid-course, reducing unnecessary side effects and improving outcomes.