Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital are conducting a phase III clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of gene therapy in combination with radiation therapy for patients with intermediate risk prostate cancer. The trial aims to improve patient outcomes by delaying hormone therapy, which can have severe side effects.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 30,000 women with breast cancer and found that female surgeons were more likely to prescribe post-surgical radiation therapy. Women who received radiation had a surgeon trained in the US or with an M.D. degree compared to a D.O. degree.
Researchers found that a short course of hormonal therapy before and with radiation therapy slowed cancer growth by up to eight years, particularly the development of bone metastases. This delayed cancer progression increased survival rates among older men with potentially aggressive prostate cancer.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed new modeling tools to create accurate computer simulations of the human body during pregnancy. This breakthrough enables safer and more effective radiation therapy and nuclear medicine imaging procedures for expecting mothers.
Researchers found that a special type of stem cell in the brain is selectively killed by space radiation, raising concerns about cognitive and emotional risks. The study's findings suggest that shielding or medications may be necessary to protect astronauts from health risks caused by space radiation.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have created a compact device that can generate terahertz radiation, a non-ionizing form of electromagnetic radiation. This technology has the potential to enhance airport security by detecting hazardous substances and identify certain types of cancers through imaging capabilities.
Researchers at Tohoku University found that monitoring total entrance skin radiation dose can accurately determine maximum radiation skin dose during coronary angioplasty. This allows radiologists to avoid skin injury to patients, a major disadvantage of the procedure.
Researchers found that simultaneous treatment resulted in a five-year survival rate of 15.1 percent, compared to 10.6 percent with sequential therapy. The study's findings suggest that concurrent chemotherapy and radiation is the new standard of care for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Researchers found that inositol and IP6 protected human skin cells from UVB radiation damage and increased the potency of radiation therapy against cancer cells. The antioxidants may also offer protection against accidents or incidents involving nuclear material, such as dirty bombs.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have identified an enzyme called MOF that is essential for tumor development and growth. By manipulating MOF in tumor cells, researchers hope to make them more sensitive to radiation therapy, which could lead to improved cancer treatment outcomes.
A large-scale analysis of over 2,000 patients reveals that men with high-risk prostate cancer who receive radiation therapy after a prostatectomy are less likely to experience disease recurrence. Additionally, men whose cancer persists after surgery benefit from reduced cancer spread if they receive salvage therapy.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that stereotactic radiation is an effective alternative to surgery for benign brain tumors called non-acoustic schwannomas. The study showed excellent local tumor control with minimal side effects, making it a promising treatment option.
A study found that a pharmaceutical monoclonal antibody can prevent pulmonary fibrosis, a serious side effect of radiation therapy for advanced lung cancer. This breakthrough may lead to more effective radiation therapies and extend patients' lives.
A large European study found that an extra high-dose radiation boost after breast-conserving surgery significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence in young women. The study also showed that women of all ages benefited from the boost dose, but younger women were most likely to be free of cancer 10 years after treatment.
A new study by Fox Chase Cancer Center found that higher doses of radiation therapy for prostate cancer do not lead to decreased sexual function. The research used intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and showed no significant difference in sexual function scores between two treatment groups.
Researchers found that patients with glioblastoma multiforme treated with radiation and chemotherapy drug temozolomide can live up to four years after diagnosis, compared to three percent of those who received only radiation. The treatment has become the standard for GBM patients worldwide.
A retrospective study found that patients taking statin drugs alongside high-dose radiation therapy had a 10% higher chance of being cured of prostate cancer at 10 years after diagnosis. The study also showed reduced rates of cancer spreading to distant parts of the body in men who took statins during radiation treatment.
Researchers found that women with early-stage breast cancer who received intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) had significantly fewer cases of serious dermatitis compared to those receiving conventional radiation. The study also showed that patients treated with IMRT experienced a shorter duration of dermatitis.
OHSU researchers found that combining surgery and radiation therapy increases early survival rates in patients with locoregional extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The study analyzed 2,591 cases of bile duct cancer diagnosed between 1973 and 1998.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found that positioning pelvic cancer patients on their stomachs rather than their backs improves the delivery of radiation therapy, reducing toxicity and improving precision. This method allows for more accurate targeting of tumors while sparing healthy tissues.
Gene therapy administered intravenously protected healthy tissues in mice during whole-body irradiation, with 90% survival rate at 30 days. The therapy offered no harm to systemic function and could potentially provide wide-reaching public protection in radiation emergencies.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have found that highly targeted radiation therapy can prevent long-term rectal damage in prostate cancer patients. The combination of intensity-modulated radiation and seed marker-based image-guided radiation therapies resulted in nearly 98% of participants having no rectal damage.
Researchers at Clemson University will develop an animal model to study bone loss caused by radiation therapy, which could lead to the development of therapies for cancer survivors. The study also examines the effect of space radiation on bone loss for astronauts, a growing concern for future space missions.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that combining radiation therapy with the drug bavituximab significantly improves the effectiveness of lung cancer treatment. The drug targets tumor blood vessels by selectively binding to exposed phospholipids, signaling white blood cells to attack and destroy them.
A new internet-based training course is being developed to provide critical information for radiological sciences professionals. The eight-hour course, led by top radiation biologists, will cover the health consequences of a radiological or nuclear event and medical management of an exposure.
Researchers found a strong correlation between tumor responses during treatment and three months after completion, suggesting PET scans can be performed earlier to modify treatment plans. This could lead to better tumor control and survival rates, potentially changing standard practice guidelines.
Researchers at Institut Gustave Roussy found that a combination of radiation and angiogenesis inhibitors can overcome HIF-1–dependent tumor radioresistance in mice. This breakthrough suggests a new approach to treating cancer by shifting tumor resistance towards apoptosis, according to the study published online on June 7.
Researchers have found that a combination of radiation treatment and angiogenesis inhibitors can overcome tumor radioresistance by inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. This dual therapy approach shows promise in treating tumors resistant to radiation, offering a new potential treatment strategy.
A new study reveals that patients with localized prostate cancer are more likely to receive surgery if they see a urologist, while those who see a radiation oncologist and urologist tend to receive radiation therapy. The study suggests that men should seek a balanced perspective on treatment options from specialists.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing a physics-based virtual model to simulate real-time organ motions for radiation therapy. The 4-D VIP-Man will allow doctors and medical physicists to accurately predict and monitor anatomical changes, providing the most effective treatment possible.
CMEs can produce radiation storms, but detecting them through radio signals may provide warning to astronauts and satellite operators. Strong CME shocks accelerate particles in the solar wind, producing both radio signals and radiation storms.
Researchers developed an agent that shields rapidly dividing cells from radiation-induced death, regardless of timing of administration. The treatment prevents apoptosis in immune system cells, providing proof-in-principle for a new approach to fending off radiation damage.
A new blood test can rapidly detect levels of radiation exposure, enabling timely treatment for potentially life-saving. The test analyzes thousands of genes to identify distinct genomic signatures reflecting varying radiation doses.
According to a randomized controlled trial, radiation therapy is the preferred treatment option for patients with locally advanced stage IIIA-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer who have responded to chemotherapy. This finding suggests that surgery may not improve survival rates compared to radiation after chemotherapy treatment.
Researchers found that radiation-resistant bacteria like Deinococcus radiodurans are protected from protein damage by a chemical mechanism involving manganese ions. This new model of radiation toxicity highlights the importance of protein protection in bacterial survival, contradicting traditional views that prioritize DNA damage.
Women treated with radiation for breast cancer between 1970 and 1986 have an increased risk of heart attack, angina, and congestive heart failure compared to the general female population. The study also found that smoking had a significant effect on heart disease risk in irradiated patients.
A new computer-based technique has the potential to automatically determine acceptable radiation plans in a matter of minutes, reducing the need for hours of manual tuning. The algorithm was tested on 10 prostate cancer patients and found to be effective in determining clinically acceptable treatment plans.
A study presented at a symposium found that 80% of advanced head and neck cancer patients responded well to chemotherapy and radiation, eliminating detectable disease in the neck. Of these, 85% maintained long-term remission without needing further invasive surgery.
Researchers found that adding cetuximab to radiation therapy and chemotherapy improved local regional control and overall survival in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Seventy-two percent achieved a complete response two months after completion of therapy, while 95 percent were disease-free.
A new study found that adding Cetuximab to radiation therapy does not increase the rate or duration of mucositis or dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients. The median follow-up time was 54 months, with fewer than 10% experiencing prolonged toxicities.
A new study by Herman Suit and colleagues reveals great heterogeneity in radiation-associated cancer risk between species, strains, and organs. The researchers conclude that dose reductions to less than 2 Gy can lead to substantial gains in reducing secondary cancer risks.
Researchers found that a common diabetes drug prevents memory and learning problems caused by whole-brain radiation treatments in animal studies. The study suggests the drug may improve the quality of life for cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that proton beam radiation therapy achieved better tumor control for advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cranial base compared to traditional radiation therapy. The study reported a 9% local recurrence rate, while traditional radiation resulted in over 70% local recurrence.
A study published in the Society of Integrative Oncology's Third International Conference found that antioxidant therapies do not hinder the effectiveness of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The study, conducted by Cancer Treatment Centers of America, reviewed PSA levels of prostate cancer patients after receiving radiation thera...
A study found that women with more than four positive lymph nodes are four times more likely to develop lymphedema when treated with a boost, despite similar risks of nodal recurrences. The increased risk may outweigh the benefits of receiving an extra dose of radiation.
A large study of over 7,500 men with prostate cancer treated with radiation therapy found that temporary PSA bounces do not increase the risk of cancer recurrence. Researchers believe this reduces stress and uncertainty for patients experiencing a PSA bounce after radiation.
A study found that MammoSite Brachytherapy does not always deliver lower doses of radiation to the heart during treatment of left-sided breast cancers compared to IMRT. The researchers analyzed data from 101 women with left-sided breast tumors treated with IMRT and found that in some patients, IMRT confers less radiation to the heart.
A new study found that a shortened radiation course for early-stage breast cancer is safe and effective, reducing treatment time by up to two weeks while maintaining similar side effects. Women reported mild pain and high satisfaction with cosmetic results.
Researchers found a correlation between high COX-2 intensity scores and increased risk of biochemical failure and distant metastasis. The study suggests that inhibiting COX-2 expression may make prostate cancer more responsive to radiation therapy.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have found a nanoparticle that can protect normal tissue from radiation damage as effectively as standard drugs. The nanoparticle, called DF-1, acts like an oxygen sink, binding to dangerous oxygen radicals and reducing their production.
A new study suggests that a rapidly rising PSA level before treatment is a key indicator of cancer spread in men with clinically localized prostate cancer. The study found that men with a high PSA velocity (PSAV) are at greater risk of metastatic disease and should receive hormone therapy in addition to radiation.
A study found that intravenous gene therapy protects normal tissue during whole-body radiation, leading to higher survival rates in mice. The therapy, administered before exposure, appeared to prevent the damaging effects of radiation, suggesting it is a viable delivery method for public protection in nuclear emergencies.
A new cost-benefit analysis suggests that the most expensive combination cancer treatment may actually be the most cost-effective in the long run. The study found that patients who received induction chemotherapy and radiation therapy had better outcomes and saved money on treating complications and recurrences.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that lower doses of radiation are equally effective in treating acoustic schwannomas, a benign but potentially devastating brain tumor. This treatment approach may preserve more hearing and reduce the need for surgery.
A University of Pittsburgh study demonstrates that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) can be uniformly delivered in a large health care system through centralized planning and treatment. This approach enables patients to receive consistent quality of care despite geographic distances.
A study found that radiation after surgery and chemotherapy improves overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients with lymph node involvement. Patients who received radiation lived almost two years longer than those without radiation.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital use MRI to track muscle damage from radiation therapy in children with soft tissue cancer. The study reveals that changes in muscle images can predict the amount of long-term damage that radiation may cause, enabling clinicians to design better treatment plans.
The study found that men with aggressive locally advanced prostate cancer who received additional hormones lived longer, with a 31.9% increase in survival compared to those without further hormone therapy. The benefits also extended to men with less aggressive cancers, with improved disease-free and disease-specific survival rates.
A new radiation technique called intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) significantly reduces painful skin burns in women with breast cancer. IMRT controls the intensity of each beam to spare nearby healthy tissue, minimizing radiation exposure and side effects.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have identified changes in brain chemistry associated with post-cancer radiation-induced dementia. They found that whole-brain radiation causes changes in glutamate receptors, which may lead to cognitive deficits.