Experts recommend implementing safer technologies and modernizing radiation safety standards to reduce preventable radiation exposure and orthopedic injuries. The consensus statement emphasizes the need for mandatory action to prioritize protecting healthcare workers, ensuring a healthy workforce for patients' access to lifesaving care.
A nationwide analysis found that many radiation oncology clinics have closed, particularly in rural communities, reducing access to lifesaving cancer treatment. The study suggests that understanding which communities are most vulnerable can help policymakers develop strategies to preserve access.
A new study found that over 50 million Americans live in counties without a radiation oncology clinic, highlighting vulnerabilities in the nation's cancer care infrastructure. Radiation oncology practices have closed disproportionately in rural areas and freestanding settings, raising concerns about patients' access to cancer care.
Afzalbek Fayzullaev, a second-year Boston University medical student, has been awarded the ASTRO Medical Student Fellowship Award to conduct an eight-week mentored research project in radiation oncology. He aims to investigate the readability of patient education materials and their impact on treatment adherence.
A multicenter clinical trial found that adding aglatimagene besadenovec to standard radiation therapy improved disease-free survival for intermediate- and high-risk localized prostate cancer patients. The treatment reduced the risk of recurrence by 27% compared to the placebo group.
A multicenter clinical trial found that implanting collagen tiles during brain surgery improved tumor control and lowered the risk of recurrence by 12.1% compared to current standard of care. Patients treated with tile-based radiation therapy (TBRT) had a median overall survival of 42.5 months, more than double the 17.6 months seen wit...
A new machine-learning model uses pre-therapy PET/CT scans to estimate radiation dose to tumors and healthy organs, improving patient selection and reducing toxicity risk. The study's findings suggest a promising ability to predict post-therapy dosimetry, which may optimize treatment plans for individual patients.
Researchers developed a systematic screening protocol to address this gap, and found it made a meaningful difference in protecting participant safety. The study highlights the need for standardized lifetime radiation screening before enrolling participants in imaging research studies.
The Alliance A082402 study evaluates the effectiveness of involved-station I²-PORT in reducing NSCLC recurrence without long-term side effects. Participants will undergo randomized treatment with or without targeted radiation therapy after surgery.
The MEDABIS-PRO project aims to elucidate the effects of magnetic fields on dose delivery and biological radiation in MRI-guided proton therapy. Researchers will analyze the impact of magnetic field orientations and strengths on proton beam propagation and biological effects, using computer simulations and measurements.
A new University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center study identifies barriers to prescribing hormone therapy for cervical cancer patients who experience early menopause due to radiation treatment. Despite clinical guidelines supporting the use of hormonal therapy, research shows it remains underused. The study found that oncologists are ...
Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified a way lung cancer cells evade radiation therapy and developed a strategy to overcome this challenge using a DHODH inhibitor. The study found that inhibiting DHODH with leflunomide can help overcome radiation resistance by promoting ferroptosis, allowing ...
Researchers at UT MD Anderson found that high-dose radiation delivery significantly improves patient outcomes, with a median survival of 28.7 months compared to 11.9 months for chemotherapy alone.
A new study shows that PSMA therapy can delay the need for hormone therapy in prostate cancer patients by an average of 20 months. The therapy is effective in earlier stages of the disease, improving survival and quality of life for approximately two out of three patients.
Researchers found that combining targeted radiation therapy with BO-112 and anti-PD-1 therapy before surgery activated the immune system to fight cancer. This approach reshaped the tumor microenvironment to support T-cell activity, resulting in fewer cancer cells and a more effective anti-tumor response.
The NRG-LU005 trial found that immunotherapy atezolizumab did not improve survival for patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer when added to chemoradiation. Twice-daily radiation therapy, however, was associated with improved survival in this population.
A Phase 3 trial found stereotactic radiation targeting individual tumors improved symptom burden, cognitive outcomes, and daily function compared to whole brain radiation. Patients managed with stereotactic radiation also displayed better performance status and could remain more independent with everyday activities.
A new study by Mass General Brigham highlights the efficacy of proton therapy in achieving excellent tumor control rates while minimizing side effects compared to traditional radiotherapy. Proton therapy limits radiation exposure to healthy tissue, potentially preserving cognition and hormone function.
Researchers discovered an mRNA-based therapy that instructs skin cells to produce telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), reducing DNA damage and protecting against genomic DNA injury. This breakthrough could lead to new therapies preventing radiation burns and long-term scarring, improving quality of life for millions of cancer patie...
A recent study published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres confirms that lunar observations can accurately capture Earth's outgoing radiation, revealing its global radiation fingerprint. The research team used spherical harmonic functions to filter out local weather noise and extract planet-scale dominant signals.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has rebranded its research foundation as Speed of Light – The ASTRO Foundation, marking a renewed focus on advancing research and improving patient care. The new initiative aims to strengthen research collaborations and investments to drive progress in radiation oncology.
A Phase III trial has demonstrated the survival benefit of proton therapy compared to traditional radiation therapy for oropharyngeal cancer patients, with improved overall survival at five years. Proton therapy also resulted in reduced toxicities and feeding tube dependence, highlighting its potential as a standard treatment option.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has published its first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for gastric cancer. The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the role of radiation therapy in multidisciplinary care, including patient selection, integration with systemic therapy and treatment delivery.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has announced three winning research proposals for the 2025 ASTRO-AstraZeneca Small Cell Lung Cancer Therapy Challenge. The selected projects aim to improve therapies and outcomes for patients with limited-stage SCLC through immunotherapy and radiation techniques.
Art forms like novels, poems, music, film, and paintings often depict radiation therapy as having both lifesaving and life-threatening potential. Researchers explored how radiation therapy is represented in various art genres to understand its impact on patients.
A Phase II clinical trial is being conducted to treat renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) by inserting microscopic beads filled with radiation directly into blood vessels surrounding cancerous tumours. The goal is to improve patient outcomes through a new treatment option.
Researchers at MSK presented two clinical trials looking at the benefits of lowering radiation doses for patients with throat cancer. The studies found that reducing treatment can protect the immune system and help patients recover quickly. Additionally, a trial on breast cancer treatment showed that accelerated partial breast irradiat...
Researchers identified specific ways to address religion and spirituality during radiation therapy, highlighting their importance in patient coping mechanisms. The study found that nearly all patients considered spiritual history questions helpful, especially those related to coping with stress.
A patient-reported outcomes analysis suggests that twice-daily radiation is associated with better quality of life and longer survival compared to once-daily radiation in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer. The study found less clinically meaningful decline in quality of life among those receiving twice-daily radiation.
A phase III trial finds that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton beam therapy resulted in similar quality-of-life outcomes and low rates of side effects for people with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer. Excellent tumor control and fewer long-term side effects were seen with both treatments.
A phase III trial comparing proton and photon radiation therapy for breast cancer found that patients report equally strong health-related quality of life with either treatment. Patients treated with protons were more likely to say they would recommend or choose it again, but overall patient-reported outcomes were similar.
A retrospective study found that radiation therapy controlled ventricular tachycardia with fewer complications than standard catheter ablation. Radiation therapy was similarly effective in controlling arrhythmia and showed lower serious side effects, especially in the early time window.
A large phase III trial found that stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) preserves quality of life, with fewer declines in bowel and urinary functioning. However, SBRT does not outperform standard radiation therapy for disease-free survival, with higher rates of biochemical failure and rising PSA after treatment.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center found adaptive radiation therapy can reduce radiation to healthy tissue by 21% while delivering higher doses to tumors. The study offers new hope for patients with previously untreatable cancers.
A new clinical trial report finds that stereotactic radiation therapy offers long-term survival outcomes comparable to surgery for patients with small, early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The study included a larger patient population than previously published randomized studies and followed these patients for much longer.
A phase III trial suggests that post-operative radiation therapy can reduce cancer recurrence in patients with high-risk disease. Patients who received radiation experienced significantly fewer pelvic recurrences and improved locoregional recurrence-free survival compared to those who did not receive radiation.
A new clinical trial found that patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis reported significant reductions in pain and improved physical function after receiving low-dose radiation therapy. The study showed a 70% response rate in the high-dose group, compared to 42% in the placebo group.
A new clinical trial found that adding a PSMA-targeting agent to stereotactic radiation therapy doubled progression-free survival in patients with limited metastatic prostate cancer. The study also showed that the treatment delayed hormone therapy by 24 months and improved local control.
A new randomized study validates a predictive gene expression test that identifies patients with recurrent prostate cancer who will benefit from adding hormone therapy to radiation. The test, PAM50, groups tumors into molecular subtypes and predicts treatment outcomes.
Researchers developed a genomic model to tailor radiation doses to individual patients with HPV-positive throat cancer. The study found that higher scores on the Genomic Adjusted Radiation Dose (GARD) model were associated with improved survival outcomes, even when patients received the same radiation dose.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and Society of Surgical Oncology jointly published a guideline outlining when post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) is appropriate based on new evidence. PMRT reduces cancer recurrence risk in patients with node-positive disease or high-risk features.
The ASTRO's 2025 Annual Meeting will feature pivotal studies in radiation medicine, highlighting advances in radiopharmaceutical therapy and new indications for low-dose radiation therapy. The meeting will also explore cutting-edge techniques for prostate, breast, lung, and other common cancers.
Dr. Catheryn Yashar, a renowned radiation oncologist, has been appointed president-elect of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). She will champion innovative radiation therapies and advance health policy reform to improve cancer care outcomes.
A novel deep learning approach estimates TOA shortwave radiation using DSCOVR/EPIC satellite images, overcoming traditional challenges and improving accuracy. The method is validated against established CERES data products with a high correlation rate.
Researchers found that radiation plus immunotherapy induces a systemic anti-tumor immune response in non-small cell lung cancer, even in tumors that do not typically respond to immunotherapy. The combination therapy improved clinical response in patients whose tumors harbor features of immunotherapy resistance.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham found that targeted radiation was successful in treating patients with brain metastases, resulting in a lower neurological death rate and reduced need for subsequent whole brain radiation. This study supports personalized treatment approaches to maintain quality of life while managing brain metastases.
Researchers developed novel PbWO4 filler-reinforced B4C/HDPE composites with tunable microstructures, achieving enhanced synergistic radiation shielding performance. The optimized composite achieved a 97.32% shielding rate against ²⁵²Cf neutrons and 76.43% against ¹³⁷Cs gamma photons.
The BABAR-ERI satellite will measure outgoing broadband radiation with low uncertainty and high spatial resolution, helping unlock new scientific discoveries about clouds and energy flow. The instrument's novel detector arrays and pushbroom imager will provide flexible observing strategies and easier access to space.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has updated its guideline on radiation therapy for high-grade diffuse gliomas, the most common primary brain tumor in adults. The new guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for multidisciplinary treatment and addresses optimal radiation dosing, fractionation, and techniques.
Researchers review clinical and scientific advances combining radiation therapy with immunotherapy to strengthen the immune response and improve disease control. The approach may offer new treatment options for patients facing hard-to-treat forms of bladder cancer.
A study by University of California, Davis' Tahoe Environmental Research Center found large fluctuations in ultraviolet radiation between wet and dry years at Lake Tahoe. UV radiation penetrates deeply in clear waters like Lake Tahoe, affecting aquatic ecosystems and photosynthesis.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) will host its 67th Annual Meeting in San Francisco from September 27 to October 1, 2025. The meeting will feature over 2,500 research presentations and posters on advances in radiation oncology and non-cancer indications.
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine discovered a new phenomenon where high doses of radiation cause growth in existing metastatic tumors. The 'badscopal effect' is attributed to increased production of amphiregulin, which weakens the immune system and makes cancer cells more resistant.
The University of Texas at Arlington's nursing and physics team has developed a system to study alpha radiation, improving the effectiveness of radiation therapy. The team's research was recognized with the Best in Physics award at the American Association of Physicists in Medicine's annual meeting.
A European research team will explore radiation therapy approaches to improve treatment outcomes and prevent secondary tumors in adolescents and young adults. The KAYAC+ project aims to investigate the clinical results of particle therapy and its impact on cancer development.
Researchers at Texas A">&M found that dogs with meningiomas live longer with radiation therapy than surgery. Radiation nearly doubles average survival time in dogs with brain tumors, while surgery had an average of about 10 months.
A new algorithm developed using data from China's Fengyun-3F satellite significantly improves the accuracy of key climate metrics, including TOA albedo, SWDR, and PAR. The innovation achieves remarkable correlation coefficients and rivals NASA's CERES products while reducing bias in SWDR estimation.
A new handheld multi-purpose radiation detector detects all types of ionizing radiation, including alpha, beta, X-rays, and gamma-rays. The device has versatile measurement capabilities and can be used in various applications, such as nuclear industry, military, and first responders.
The new Keck Medicine of USC – Newport Beach Radiation Oncology and Imaging Center offers biology-guided radiation therapy, using up-to-the-minute signals to track and treat cancer cells in real time. The center is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and will be the first in Orange County to provide this treatment option.
Researchers found that terahertz (THz) radiation affects not only cell membranes and organelles but also the aqueous environment, changing water molecule vibrations and cellular metabolism.