Institute of Cancer Sciences

Prof Robert Mairs

Prof Robert J Mairs
  • Professor Experimental Radiation Oncology (Epigenetics)

telephone: 01413304126
email: Robert.Mairs@glasgow.ac.uk


My research involves the development of targeting strategies to improve the biological specificity and effectiveness of radiation treatment by the selective delivery of radionuclides to tumour cells (targeted radiotherapy), by enhanced uptake of radiolabelled targeting agents and by the selective sensitisation of tumour cells to radiation.

By dint of close collaboration with clinician, the work has progressed beyond the simple concept of targeted radionuclide therapy to the evaluation of combined targeted chemo-radiotherapy. 

Based on encouraging evidence of synergy between topotecan and [131I]MIBG from both in vitro experimental data and results of studies in murine xenograft models, the combination has been piloted in children with neuroblastoma and an international multicentre Phase II study has been developed with the International Society of Paediatric Oncology Neuroblastoma Research Network. 

Other approaches to enhance this type of treatment include the use of chemotherapy, differentiating agents and gene transfer technology to improve the uptake of targeting vehicles by tumour cells and the use of alternative radionuclides.  We have devised novel radiopharmaceutical manufacturing methods to produce innovative formulations of [131I]MIBG, and demonstrated that the resulting no-carrier-added [131I]MIBG has more favourable pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in vivo. As a result of this and my collaborative work with industry and clinicians, clinical trials of no-carrier-added [131I]MIBG in neuroendocrine tumours have commenced on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Another major focus of targeted therapy research is the treatment of malignant melanoma and prostate carcinoma using novel, high affinity radiopharmaceuticals specific for melanin and PSMA respectively.


This work has been funded by a series of grants totalling £5,920,000 since 1999.


Group members: Ms Lesley Wilson, Ms Nazia Baig, Dr Colin Rae, M Mathias Tesson, Dr Sharon Hutchison, Mr Ujwal Dahal.

Jump to: 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001
Number of items: 37.

2013

Rae, C., Tesson, M., Babich, J.W., Boyd, M., Sorensen, A., and Mairs, R. (2013) The role of copper in disulfiram-induced toxicity and radiosensitization of cancer cells. Journal of Nuclear Medicine . ISSN 0161-5505 (In Press)

2012

McCluskey, A.G., Mairs, R.J., Tesson, M., Pimlott, S.L., Babich, J.W., Gaze, M.N., Champion, S., and Boyd, M. (2012) Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase enhances the toxicity of 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine/topotecan combination therapy to cells and xenografts that express the noradrenaline transporter. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 53 (7). pp. 1146-1154. ISSN 0161-5505 (doi:10.2967/jnumed.111.095943)

Sorensen, A,, Mairs, R.J., Braidwood, L,, Joyce, C., Pimlott, S., Brown, M., and Boyd, M. (2012) In vivo evaluation of a cancer therapy strategy combining HSV1716-mediated oncolysis with gene transfer and targeted radiotherapy. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 53 (4). pp. 647-654. ISSN 0161-5505 (doi:10.2967/jnumed.111.090886)

McCluskey, A.G., Mairs, R.J., Tesson, M., Pimlott, S.L., Babich, J.W., Gaze, M.N., Champion, S., and Boyd, M. (2012) Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase enhances the toxicity of 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine/topotecan combination therapy to cells and xenografts that express the noradrenaline transporter. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 53 (7). pp. 1146-1154. ISSN 0161-5505 (doi:10.2967/jnumed.111.095943)

Sorensen, A., Mairs, R.J., Braidwood, L., Joyce, C., Conner, J., Pimlott, S., Brown, S.M., and Boyd, M. (2012) Efficacy in vivo of a cancer therapy strategy combining HSV1716 mediated oncolysis with gene transfer and targeted radiotherapy. Mutagenesis, 27 (1). pp. 134-135. ISSN 0267-8357 (doi:10.1093/mutage/ger068)

2011

Mairs, R.J., and Boyd, M. (2011) Preclinical assessment of strategies for enhancement of metaiodobenzylguanidine therapy of neuroendocrine tumors. Seminars in Nuclear Medicine, 41 (5). pp. 334-344. ISSN 0001-2998 (doi:10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2011.03.004)

2010

Barrett, J.A., Joyal, J.L., Hillier, S.M., Maresca, K.P., Femia, F.J., Kronauge, J.F., Boyd, M., Mairs, R., and Babich, J.W. (2010) Comparison of high specific activity Ultratrace 123/131I-MIBG and carrier added 123/131I-MIBG on efficacy, pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution. Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals, 25 (3). pp. 299-308. ISSN 1084-9785 (doi:10.1089/cbr.2009.0695)

Joyal, J.L. et al. (2010) Preclinical evaluation of an 131I-labeled benzamide for targeted radiotherapy of metastatic melanoma. Cancer Research, 70 (10). pp. 4045-4053. ISSN 0008-5472 (doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-4414)

2008

Boyd, M, Sorensen, A, McCluskey, A, and Mairs, RJ (2008) Radiation quality-dependent bystander effects elicited by targeted radionuclides. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 60 (8). pp. 951-958. ISSN 0022-3573 (doi:10.1211/jpp.60.8.0002 )

Mairs, RJ, and Boyd, M (2008) Optimizing MIBG therapy of neuroendocrine tumors: preclinical evidence of dose maximization and synergy. Nuclear Medicine and Biology, 35 (Suppl.). S9-S20. ISSN 0969-8051 (doi:10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2008.04.008 )

Boyd, M,, McCluskey, A., Sorensen, A., and Mairs, R. (2008) Experimental targeted therapy using [211At]]meta-astatobenzylguanidine and transfection of the noradrenaline transporter gene. Current Radiopharmaceuticals, 1 (3). pp. 197-202. ISSN 1874-4710

McCluskey, A, Boyd, M, Pimlott, SL, Babich, JW, Gaze, MN, and Mairs, RJ (2008) Experimental treatment of neuroblastoma using [I-131]meta-iodobenzylguanidine and topotecan in combination. British Journal of Radiology, 81 (Sp. Is). S28-S35. ISSN 0007-1285 (doi:10.1259/bjr/27723093 )

2007

Mairs, RJ, Ross, SC, McCluskey, AG, and Boyd, M (2007) A transfectant mosaic xenograft model for evaluation of targeted radiotherapy in combination with gene therapy in vivo. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 48 (9). pp. 1519-1526. ISSN 0161-5505 (doi:10.2967/jnumed.107.042226 )

McCarthy, O, Worthington, J, Barrett, E, Cosimo, E, Boyd, M, Mairs, RJ, Ward, C, McKeown, SR, Hirst, DG, and Robson, T (2007) p(21(WAF1))-mediated transcriptional targeting of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene therapy sensitizes tumours to fractionated radiotherapy. Gene Therapy, 14 (3). pp. 246-255. ISSN 0969-7128 (doi:10.1038/sj.gt.3302871)

Mairs, R.J. et al. (2007) Microsatellite analysis for determination of the mutagenicity of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields and ionising radiation in vitro. Mutation Research (Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis), 626 (1-2). pp. 34-41. ISSN 1383-5718 (doi:10.1016/j.mrgentox.2006.08.005)

Mairs, RJ, Fullerton, NE, Zalutsky, MR, and Boyd, M (2007) Targeted radiotherapy; microgray doses and the bystander effect. Dose-Response, 5 (3). pp. 204-213. ISSN 1559-3258 (doi:10.2203/dose-response.07-002.Mairs )

2006

Boyd, M, Ross, SC, Dorrens, J, Fullerton, NE, Tan, KW, Zalutsky, MR, and Mairs, RJ (2006) Radiation-induced biologic bystander effect elicited in vitro by targeted radiopharmaceuticals labeled with alpha-, beta-, and Auger electron-emitting radionuclides. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 47 (6). pp. 1007-1015. ISSN 0161-5505

Southgate, T.D., Sheard, V., Milsom, M.D., Ward, T.H., Mairs, R.J., Boyd, M., and Fairbairn, LJ. (2006) Radioprotective gene therapy through retroviral expression of manganese superoxide dismutase. Journal of Gene Medicine, 8 (5). pp. 557-565. ISSN 1099-498X (doi:10.1002/jgm.890)

2005

Fullerton, NE, Boyd, M, Ross, SC, Pimlott, SL, Babich, J, Kirk, D, Zalutsky, MR, and Mairs, RJ (2005) Comparison of Radiohaloanalogues of Meta-Iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) for a Combined Gene- and Targeted Radiotherapy Approach to Bladder Carcinoma. Medicinal Chemistry, 1 (6). pp. 611-618. ISSN 1573-4064 (doi:10.2174/157340605774598090)

Mairs, RJ, Fullerton, NE, Cosimo, E, and Boyd, M (2005) Gene manipulation to enhance MIBG-targeted radionuclide therapy. Nuclear Medicine and Biology, 32 (7). pp. 749-753. ISSN 0969-8051 (doi:10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2005.03.011)

McCluskey, AG, Boyd, M, Gaze, MN, and Mairs, RJ (2005) [I-131]MIBG and topotecan: A rationale for combination therapy for neuroblastoma. Cancer Letters, 228 (1-2). pp. 221-227. ISSN 0304-3835 (doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2005.11.062)

Quigg, M, Mairs, RJ, Brown, SM, Harland, J, Dunn, P, Rampling, R, Livingstone, A, Wilson, L, and Boyd, M (2005) Assessment In Vitro of a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Glioma, Combining Herpes Simplex Virus HSV1716-mediated Oncolysis with Gene Transfer and Targeted Radiotherapy. Medicinal Chemistry, 1 (5). pp. 423-429. ISSN 1573-4064 (doi:10.2174/1573406054864124)

Gaze, MN, Chang, YC, Flux, GD, Mairs, RJ, Saran, FH, and Meller, ST (2005) Feasibility of dosimetry-based high-dose I-131-meta-iodobenzylguanidine with topotecan as a radiosensitizer in children with metastatic neuroblastoma. Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals, 20 (2). pp. 195-199. ISSN 1084-9785

Mairs, RJ, and Boyd, M (2005) National symposium on low-dose radiation and bystander effects - 12 October 2004, Cancer Research UK Beatson Laboratories, Glasgow Sponsored by Glasgow University school of cancer Studies, the Department of Health and the National Cancer Research Institute. International Journal of Radiation Biology, 81 (3). pp. 259-262. ISSN 0955-3002 (doi:10.1080/09553000500091907)

Fullerton, NE, Mairs, RJ, Kirk, D, Keith, WN, Carruthers, R, McCluskey, AG, Brown, M, Wilson, L, and Boyd, M (2005) Application of targeted radiotherapy/gene therapy to bladder cancer cell lines. European Urology, 47 (2). pp. 250-256. ISSN 0302-2838 (doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2004.09.009)

McCluskey, AG, Boyd, M, Ross, SC, Cosimo, E, Clark, AM, Angerson, WJ, Gaze, MN, and Mairs, RJ (2005) [I-131]meta-ldobenzylguanidine and topotecan combination treatment of tumors expressing the noradrenaline transporter. Clinical Cancer Research, 11 (21). pp. 7929-7937. ISSN 1078-0432 (doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-05-0982)

2004

Boyd, M, Ross, SC, Owens, J, Hunter, D, Babich, J, Zalutsky, MR, Hamilton, TG, Bell, S, and Mairs, RJ (2004) Preclinical evaluation of no-carrier-added [131I]meta-iodobenzyl guanidine, for the treatment of tumours transfected with the noradrenaline transporter gene. Letters in Drug Design and Discovery, 1 . pp. 50-57. ISSN 1570-1808

Boyd, M. et al. (2004) An efficient targeted radiotherapy/gene therapy strategy utilising human telomerase promoters and radioastatine and harnessing radiation-mediated bystander effects. Journal of Gene Medicine, 6 (8). pp. 937-947. ISSN 1099-498X (doi:10.1002/jgm.578)

Fullerton, N.E., Boyd, M., Mairs, R.J., Keith, W.N., Alderwish, O., Brown, M.M., Livingstone, A., and Kirk, D. (2004) Combining a targeted radiotherapy and gene therapy approach for adenocarcinoma of prostate. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, 7 (4). pp. 355-363. ISSN 1365-7852 (doi:10.1038/sj.pcan.4500760)

2003

Boyd, M., Spenning, H.S., and Mairs, R.J. (2003) Radiation and gene therapy: Rays of hope for the new millennium? Current Gene Therapy, 3 (4). pp. 319-339. ISSN 1566-5232 (doi:10.2174/1566523034578302)

Carlin, S et al. (2003) Development of a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for prediction of the uptake of meta-[I-131]iodobenzylguanidine by neuroblastoma tumors. Clinical Cancer Research, 9 (9). pp. 3338-3344. ISSN 1078-0432

Mairs, RJ, and Boyd, M (2003) Targeting radiotherapy to cancer by gene transfer. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2003 (2). pp. 102-109. ISSN 1110-7243 (doi:10.1155/S1110724303209062)

2002

Carlin, S, Mairs, RJ, Welsh, P, and Zalutsky, MR (2002) Sodium-iodide symporter (NIS)-mediated accumulation of [(211)AT]astatide in NIS-transfected human cancer cells. Nuclear Medicine and Biology, 29 (7). pp. 729-739. ISSN 0969-8051 (doi:10.1016/S0969-8051(02)00332-3)

Boyd, M, Mairs, SC, Stevenson, K, Livingstone, A, Clark, AM, Ross, SC, and Mairs, RJ (2002) Transfectant mosaic spheroids: a new model for evaluation of tumour cell killing in targeted radiotherapy and experimental gene therapy. Journal of Gene Medicine, 4 (5). pp. 567-576. ISSN 1099-498X (doi:10.1002/jgm.293)

2001

Mao, J.H., Lindsay, K.A., Mairs, R.J., and Wheldon, T.E. (2001) The effect of tissue-specific growth patterns of target stem cells on the spectrum of tumours resulting from multistage tumorigenesis. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 210 (1). pp. 93-100. ISSN 0022-5193 (doi:10.1006/jtbi.2001.2300)

Boyd, M et al. (2001) A gene therapy/targeted radiotherapy strategy for radiation cell kill by [I-131]meta-iodobenzylguanidine. Journal of Gene Medicine, 3 (2). pp. 165-172. ISSN 1099-498X (doi:10.1002/1521-2254(2000)9999:9999<::AID-JGM158>3.0.CO;2-C)

Boyd, M., Mairs, R.J., Mairs, S.C., Wilson, L., Livingstone, A., Cunningham, S.H., Brown, M.M., Quigg, M., and Keith, W.N. (2001) Expression in UVW glioma cells of the noradrenaline transporter gene, driven by the telomerase RNA promoter, induces active uptake of [I-131]MIBG and clonogenic cell kill. Oncogene, 20 (53). pp. 7804-7808. ISSN 0950-9232

This list was generated on Fri May 3 13:55:29 2013 BST.

Grants and Awards listed are those received whilst working with the University of Glasgow.

  • Enhancement of prostate targeted radiotherapy using PSMA-seeking agents in combination with radiosensitizers.
    The Prostate Cancer Charity
    2013 - 2016
     
  • Assessment of [131l] MIBG in combination with cytotoxic drugs for neuroblastoma therapy.
    Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children NHS Trust
    2013 - 2016
     
  • Evaluation of melanin-targeted radiotherapy in combination with cytotoxic drugs and the role of bystander effects in the treatment of melanoma
    Scottish Executive Health Department
    2011 - 2013
     
  • Molecular Imaging and Targeted Radionuclide Therapy for Cancer: Synthesis of a Novel Radiolabelled PARP-1 Inhibitor
    Cancer Research UK
    2010 - 2012
     
  • Exploitation of bystander effects to maximise the efficacy of n.c.a.[131I]MIBG used in combination with cytotoxic drugs for the treatment of neuroblastoma
    The Neuroblastoma Society
    2010 - 2013
     
  • Assessment of [131I]MIBG targeted radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy as a treatment for neuroblastoma
    Sport Aiding Medical Research for Kids
    2009 - 2012
     
  • Purchase of ELF-EMF Exposure System
    CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA
    2009 - 2010
     
  • Investigation of genotoxic effects of ELF-EMF radiation utilising microsatellite sequences
    Department of Health
    2007 - 2010
     
  • Optimisation of targeted radionuclide threapy of neuroblastoma by combination with chemotherapy
    Neuroblastoma Society
    2007 - 2010
     
  • Investigation of genotoxic effects of ELF-EMF radiation in vitro
    EMF Biological Research Trust
    2007 - 2010
     
  • Determination of the mutagenicity in murine haemopoietic progenitors of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and ionising radiation using microsatellite analysis
    CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA
    2007 - 2010
     
  • Transfection of the nonadrenaline transporter gene to enable targeted radionuclide therapy of small lung cell carcinoma in vitro
    Beatson Oncology Centre
    2004 - 2007
     
  • Application of radio-isotope imaging and therapy in patients with breast carcinomas which express the sodium iodide symporter gene(V Hughes)
    Gunnar Nilsson Cancer Treatment Trust Fund
    2004 - 2006
     
  • Mutagenic properties of ionising and EMF radiation
    Clerk Maxwell Cancer Research Fund
    2004 - 2007
     
  • In vitro and in vivo assessment of a tumour specific targeted radiotherapy/gene therapy strategy for the treatment of malignant disease
    Cancer Research UK
    2003 - 2005
     
  • MIBG treatment for neuoblastoma: translating gene manipulation into a clinical strategy
    Neuroblastoma Society
    2002 - 2005
     
  • Utilisation of Micro and minisatellite analysis for investigation of mutations induced by low dose radiation in AT heterozygotes
    Department of Health
    2002 - 2006
     
  • Radiation research proposal: Combined electromagnetic and ionising radiation effect on genetic and gene and protein expression
    Department of Health
    2002 - 2006
     

Invited International Presentations

  • 2007: San Francisco, USA - "Targeted radiotherapy: Light at the end of the tunnel?" - International Congress of Radiation Research
  • 2007: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA - "Multiple Stressors and Hormesis" - Annual Meeting of the International Hormesis Society
  • 2005: Washington DC, USA - "No-Carrier-Added MIBG: Potential for Improvement" - International workshop with the goal of developing a plan for the future development of MIBG
  • 2005: Toronto, Canada - "Gene manipulation to enhance targeted radionuclide therapy" - Translational Applications of Molecular Imaging and Radionuclide Therapy (MIRT) Workshop for the Society of Nuclear Medicine's Annual Meeting
  • 2005: Manchester Conference Centre - "Radiopharmaceuticals for imaging and therapy" - British Nuclear Medicine Society
  • 2005: La Jolla, San Diego, USA - "Gene manipulation to enhance targeted radionuclide therapy" - Workshop on the Magic Bullet, A Century Later: The Third