Australian researchers last night revealed human clinical data for a world-first pan-cancer biomarker assay, RadnostTM, which predicts how individual tumours will respond to radiotherapy by measuring metalomic compositions of cancer tissue – providing powerful, personalised insight into how radiotherapy (RT) will work for the patient.
The study results were shared by invitation at the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) annual scientific meeting at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on 23 October 2025. Further results are now on track for publishing, as Atomic Oncology finalises studies across four cancer types, including Glioblastoma Multiforme (brain), breast, prostate, and lung, within the coming months.
Despite decades of research, little is known about the underlying biological mechanisms of radio-resistance in tumours, forcing oncologists to make treatment decisions based on clinical indicators such as tumour size and location, histology (cell appearance under a microscope), involvement of lymph nodes, and surgical margin status. While these are valuable indicators, they tell clinicians very little about a tumour’s molecular structure or its ability to respond to radiotherapy.
Atomic Oncology clinical advisor and experienced radiation oncologist, Professor Gerald Fogarty OAM BSc, MBBS, PhD, FRANZCR, said Radnost could support precise and personalised treatment for patients, a world-first in radiotherapy.
“Radiotherapy is a cornerstone cancer treatment embraced by 50 – 70 percent of patients, but it is still largely delivered as a one-size-fits-all model, rather than using data-driven insights. This means some patients may undergo months of radiation that offers little or no benefit, exposing them to toxicity, side effects, and significant expense.
“While precision medicine has evolved in drug therapy, no precision medicine assay exists in radiotherapy – so Radnost has potential to redefine best practice in oncological radiotherapy, which is deeply exciting for the global medical community,” said Professor Fogarty OAM.
Atomic Oncology Executive Chair, Michael Lyon MAICD, said it is hoped Radnost will remove confusion from the treatment journey for patients, by providing measured insight into whether a tumour will respond to treatment.
“This technology is pan-cancer, meaning it works across multiple different tumour types, delivering highly personalised information for each patient on how receptive their tumour is to radiotherapy. This empowers clinicians to advise each patient about how their fight may play out – and the various treatment decisions ahead. It supports truly customised treatment, which has a profound human impact,” said Mr Lyon.
The technology – RadnostTM
Atomic Oncology has developed a patented diagnostic assay, Radnost, a world-first atomic biomarker assay that predicts how individual tumours will respond to radiotherapy by analysing the metal composition of cancer tissue. Of particular interest is the level of manganese (Mn), a key indicator of radio-resistance.
This technology was built on the breakthrough research of Atomic Oncology founder, Prof George Miklos, who showed that the distribution of manganese in human tumours is associated with tumour radio-resistance.
Using Laser Ablation–Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), Radnost maps the concentrations and spatial distribution of specific metals within the tumour tissue, particularly manganese. These readings are converted into a Radnost score that places each tumour on a spectrum of radio sensitivity.
- A low Radnost score means that the tumour is highly radiosensitive and will respond well to radiotherapy
- A. A high Radnost score means the tumour is radio-resistant, and therapy is likely to be ineffective.
Results are delivered to clinicians within 3–5 days from tissue sample processing, providing an evidence-based foundation for treatment planning, including:
- Whether radiotherapy should be used;
- What dose is optimal, and
- Whether an alternative therapy is more suitable.
Click here to view a behind-the-scenes explainer of how Radnost works within the laboratory.
World-first human clinical validation data – presented at RANZCR
- An inaugural clinical validation pilot study focusing on Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) was finalised in 2025.
- The abstract was accepted for publication by the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) and presented at the annual scientific meeting on 23 October 2025 – click here to see the abstract and further details on the study.
- The study found that patients with low Radnost Scores (≤0.3279 ppm) had a median survival of 21.7 months, versus 10.7 months for higher scores (p=0.003). Patients with recurrent tumours consistently showed higher Radnost scores.
- There is strong independent oversight of the clinical validation program by Professor Peter Warfe and leading radiation oncologists, including Professor Gerald Fogarty.
Source: RANZCR
