My work investigates the interactions between brain cancer cells and the patients defense force (the immune system), during brain cancer development and following chemo- and/or radiation therapy. In Australia one individual is diagnosed with brain cancer every 5 hours. Despite improvements in survival for other cancers (e.g. ovarian, prostate, breast), the average survival time for a patient with brain cancer remains 10-14 months. It is recognized that the patient immune system supports brain cancer growth and relapse. Following therapy (chemo or radiation) the immune system also contributes to side effects and poorer patient outcomes. However, the specific mechanisms are poorly understood. My research provides greater understanding of the interactions of cancer and patient inflammatory systems during cancer growth and treatment, particularly radiotherapy. The outcomes will support early diagnosis, achieve brain cancer remission, and alleviate the detrimental systemic inflammatory response which results in poorer patient outcomes.