Radiation Therapy News and Research

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Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy, x-ray therapy, or irradiation) is the use of a certain type of energy (called ionizing radiation) to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy injures or destroys cells in the area being treated (the “target tissue”) by damaging their genetic material, making it impossible for these cells to continue to grow and divide. Although radiation damages both cancer cells and normal cells, most normal cells can recover from the effects of radiation and function properly. The goal of radiation therapy is to damage as many cancer cells as possible, while limiting harm to nearby healthy tissue.

Genomics-based testing could change recommended course of treatment for endometrial cancer

The most in-depth look yet at endometrial cancer shows that adding genomics-based testing to the standard diagnostic workup could change the recommended course of treatment for some women.

2 May 2013

Details about genomic landscapes of AML and endometrial cancer revealed

Two studies from The Cancer Genome Atlas program reveal details about the genomic landscapes of acute myeloid leukemia and endometrial cancer.

2 May 2013

Researchers find that VEGF may not have any prognostic value for advanced prostate cancer

The well-studied protein VEGF does not appear to have any prognostic or predictive value for men with locally advanced prostate cancer, researchers from the Department of Radiation Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and other institutions found in a retrospective study published online April 25 in the journal BMC Radiation Oncology.

30 Apr 2013

New risk classification system proposed for prostate cancer

US researchers have put forward a risk stratification system for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer undergoing dose-escalated external-beam radiation therapy.

29 Apr 2013

Tonsil resection prior to radiation improves survival

Performing tonsillectomy before radiotherapy in patients with stage I/II tonsil cancer is associated with improved survival, an analysis of US data indicates.

29 Apr 2013

New risk classification system proposed for prostate cancer

US researchers have put forward a risk stratification system for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer undergoing dose-escalated external-beam radiation therapy.

25 Apr 2013

Researchers find deficiency in anti-tumor protein can delay DNA repair after radiation treatment

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have found that a deficiency in an important anti-tumor protein, p53, can slow or delay DNA repair after radiation treatment. They suggest that this is because p53 regulates the expression of two enzymes (JMJD2b and SUV39H1) that control the folding of DNA.

23 Apr 2013

NKI-AVL joins research consortium to develop MRI-guided radiation therapy system for cancer care

Elekta and Royal Philips Electronics announced today that The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital has signed an agreement to join a research group to advance the development of ground-breaking image-guided treatment technology for cancer care.

From Elekta 23 Apr 2013

Advances in treatment have improved the chances of survival for young patients with cancer

Over the years, advances in treatment have improved the chances of survival for young patients with cancer. But long-term survivors need to be aware of cancer treatments that may place them at increased risk of heart disease later in life.

22 Apr 2013

Study shows brachytherapy is underused in the UK

Better outcomes can be achieved for prostate cancer patients using brachytherapy, a highly targeted form of radiotherapy, compared to surgery - this is the finding of a new study conducted by PANAXEA, The University of Twente, Netherlands.

From Elekta 22 Apr 2013

Study examines link between cognitive complaints and neuropsychological testing abnormalities in breast cancer patients

For many years, breast cancer patients have reported experiencing difficulties with memory, concentration and other cognitive functions following cancer treatment. Whether this mental "fogginess" is psychosomatic or reflects underlying changes in brain function has been a bone of contention among scientists and physicians.

20 Apr 2013

ASTRO white paper recommends 10 fundamental elements of IGRT safety in clinical programs

The American Society for Radiation Oncology has issued a new white paper, "Assuring Safety and Quality in Image Guided Delivery of Radiation Therapy," that recommends best practices to improve the safety and effectiveness of image guided radiation therapy, according to the manuscript published as an article in press online in Practical Radiation Oncology, the official clinical practice journal of ASTRO.

19 Apr 2013

Newly redesigned Flexitron brachytherapy afterloading platform to be introduced at ABS meeting

At the 2013 American Brachytherapy Society meeting April 18-20 in New Orleans, Nucletron, an Elekta company, (booth #300), will introduce its newly redesigned Flexitron remote afterloading platform.

From Elekta 19 Apr 2013

MD Anderson Cancer Center buys two Elekta Versa HD linear accelerators

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas) has purchased two Elekta Versa HD™ linear accelerators. The radiation therapy system, which recently received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, features the versatility to deliver high-volume conventional techniques, in addition to the most advanced linear-accelerator treatments that require the greatest targeting precision.

From Elekta 18 Apr 2013

NCI researchers overcome major impediment to development of effective stem cell therapies

Scientists have overcome a major impediment to the development of effective stem cell therapies by studying mice that lack CD47, a protein found on the surface of both healthy and cancer cells.

18 Apr 2013

Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma has better outcome with more dose-intense regimens

Patients with a type of cancer known as primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma who received infusions of chemotherapy, but who did not have radiation therapy to an area of the thorax known as the mediastinum, had excellent outcomes, according to clinical trial results.

18 Apr 2013

Research: Gene expression signature may increase risk of tumor recurrence or spread prostate cancer

A team led by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers has identified a genetic signature that appears to reflect the risk of tumor recurrence or spread in men surgically treated for prostate cancer.

16 Apr 2013

Study on targeted liver cancer therapy called SIR-Spheres microspheres completes patient recruitment

Australian-based global oncology company, Sirtex Medical Limited (ASX: SRX), has announced the completion of patient recruitment for its global SIRFLOX clinical study which is aimed at expanding the clinical use of its SIR-spheres® microspheres targeted radiation therapy from a last line medical treatment to a standard first-line oncology therapy.

16 Apr 2013

Microwave ablation therapy reduces pain in patients with painful bone, soft-tissue tumors

First-of-its-kind research presented today showed microwave ablation therapy cut pain in half for patients with painful bone and soft-tissue tumors and took less time to complete than radiofrequency ablation.

15 Apr 2013

FDA clears Elekta's Versa HD radiation therapy system

Elekta recently received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing the company to begin shipping and installation of all components of the Versa HD™ system within the United States. Featuring high precision beam shaping and tumor targeting, and capable of delivering radiation doses three times faster than previous Elekta linear accelerators, Versa HD sets a higher benchmark for cancer treatment.

From Elekta 12 Apr 2013

Radiation Therapy News and Research

Further Reading

Genomics-based testing could change recommended course of treatment for endometrial cancer

Details about genomic landscapes of AML and endometrial cancer revealed

Researchers find that VEGF may not have any prognostic value for advanced prostate cancer

New risk classification system proposed for prostate cancer

Tonsil resection prior to radiation improves survival

New risk classification system proposed for prostate cancer

Researchers find deficiency in anti-tumor protein can delay DNA repair after radiation treatment

NKI-AVL joins research consortium to develop MRI-guided radiation therapy system for cancer care

Advances in treatment have improved the chances of survival for young patients with cancer

Study shows brachytherapy is underused in the UK

Study examines link between cognitive complaints and neuropsychological testing abnormalities in breast cancer patients

ASTRO white paper recommends 10 fundamental elements of IGRT safety in clinical programs

Newly redesigned Flexitron brachytherapy afterloading platform to be introduced at ABS meeting

MD Anderson Cancer Center buys two Elekta Versa HD linear accelerators

NCI researchers overcome major impediment to development of effective stem cell therapies

Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma has better outcome with more dose-intense regimens

Research: Gene expression signature may increase risk of tumor recurrence or spread prostate cancer

Study on targeted liver cancer therapy called SIR-Spheres microspheres completes patient recruitment

Microwave ablation therapy reduces pain in patients with painful bone, soft-tissue tumors

FDA clears Elekta's Versa HD radiation therapy system

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

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