Researchers found that after reirradiation with intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), the majority of patients were free from local recurrence one year following treatment and few experienced severe side effects. Patients who received a higher dose of radiation had fewer local recurrences and improved progression-free survival.
A new study presents evidence that intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with recurrent lung cancer. The study shows that over three-fourths of patients were free from local recurrence at one year following retreatment, with fewer than one in ten experiencing severe side effects.
Researchers found a combination of radiation therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors to be effective in controlling tumors in metastatic lung cancer patients. Ten percent experienced severe treatment-related toxicity, but the treatment regimen showed promise for thoracic tumors, with median progression-free survival at 3.8 months.
A study published in the Journal of Oncology Practice found that over half of older women with early-stage breast cancer received more radiation therapy than necessary, adding to healthcare costs. The researchers estimate a potential savings of $164 million by reducing radiation therapy regimens from six weeks to four weeks.
Researchers found that a shorter course of radiation therapy, known as moderate hypofractionation, is just as effective at treating prostate cancer while costing less. This approach can help patients recover more quickly and reduces the burden on treatment centers and payers.
Researchers compared stereotactic radiosurgery to whole-brain radiation for metastatic brain tumors and found that targeted therapy reduces cognitive decline and increases median survival rate by 218 days
The updated clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) underscores the safety and effectiveness of palliative radiation therapy (RT) for treating painful bone metastases. The guideline recommends optimal RT dosing schedules, including options for re-treatment, to provide pain relief, with a single 8-Gy ...
A study by the NRG Oncology Radiation Therapy Oncology Group found that adding antiandrogen therapy to radiation therapy can reduce the incidence of metastasis, death from prostate cancer, and overall deaths in patients with recurrent prostate cancer. The study showed a significant improvement in survival rates for patients treated wit...
NASA's Radiation Dosimetry Experiment reveals steady increase in cosmic radiation rate higher in the atmosphere, contrary to particle concentration. The findings will improve space weather models and develop real-time instruments for safe flight operations.
Scientists at the University of Strathclyde discovered a way to create narrowband radiation with high efficiency, challenging a fundamental understanding of electromagnetic radiation. This breakthrough has significant implications for materials science and medical treatments.
Researchers argue that the linear no-threshold hypothesis, which suggests all radiation is harmful, is inaccurate and has led to widespread fear of low-dose radiation. Studies show that low doses stimulate protective responses, reducing cancer risk rather than increasing it.
A new study reveals that inhibiting AXL signaling increases anti-tumor immune response, sensitizes tumors to radiation, and enhances efficacy of anticancer therapies. Aravive-S6 acts as a decoy receptor, binding Gas-6 to prevent AXL activation.
A study published by University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that older women with breast cancer who underwent less radiation therapy reported improved cosmetic satisfaction. However, reduced radiation was also associated with a slightly increased risk of disease recurrence. The researchers suggest that there may be an opti...
A new study finds that women who have implant reconstruction following radiation therapy had more complications from the surgery and were less satisfied with the result. Autologous reconstruction showed similar results, regardless of radiation treatment. The study suggests alternative approaches for breast cancer patients
The updated guideline suggests that more breast cancer patients can benefit from accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), including younger patients and those with low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The guideline provides direction for the use of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) for early-stage breast cancer patients.
RK-33 reduces prostate cancer cell proliferation and increases sensitivity to radiation, offering a promising combination treatment for prostate cancer. The experimental drug has been shown to be effective in both laboratory cultures and animal models.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and Leipzig University's Innovation Center for Computer-Assisted Surgery are developing a novel cancer therapy combining radiation and focused ultrasound. The SONO-RAY project aims to selectively warm up tumor tissue, improving the effectiveness of radiation therapy.
Two researchers will receive funding to explore the use of smartphone-connected technology and wearables to predict radiation toxicity in lung cancer patients. A randomized trial will investigate whether a simple walking program can reduce treatment interruptions and improve outcomes among cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemothe...
Researchers measured gamma radiation emitted by common household items in a North Carolina home, revealing surprising levels of radiation from everyday objects. The study aims to help people understand news stories about radiation and prevent panic by placing radiation readings into perspective.
Researchers have identified a strategy to selectively sensitize certain cancer cells to radiation therapy using antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), which could improve tumor control and reduce treatment-related side effects in HER2-positive tumors. The study shows promise in sensitizing these cancers to radiation and chemotherapy.
A Phase III randomized trial comparing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to standard RT found that patients treated with IMRT had better bowel and bladder functions scores and required fewer anti-diarrheal medications. Quality of life measures also showed less decline for patients treated with IMRT.
Researchers found that delivering higher doses of radiation over a shortened period was safe and associated with lower costs for patients with favorable-risk prostate cancer. The hypofractionated radiation therapy schedule demonstrated comparable quality of life outcomes to conventional radiation therapy.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected four early career scientists to receive research awards totaling $275,000. The grants support work in radiation and cancer biology, physics, and translational research.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology has updated its treatment standard for rectal cancer, recommending a more customized approach that may reduce treatment side effects. The new guideline suggests alternatives to the traditional tri-modal approach, including short-course radiation therapy and non-operative management.
A new study published in Radiology found that radiologists who graduated after 1940 do not face an increased risk of dying from radiation-related causes like cancer. The researchers attributed the reduction in health risks to improvements in radiation protection and monitoring, as well as advancements in equipment safety.
The study reveals that the internal structure of gallium nitride-based HEMTs is responsible for their high radiation tolerance. A piezoelectric field formed at the interface causes carriers to be reinjected into the two-dimensional electron gas, reducing the impact of radiation-induced defects.
The article highlights the need to communicate the risk of low doses of ionizing radiation associated with imaging, while managing the dose. Dr. Cynthia H. McCollough suggests approaches for presenting radiation risk and benefit information that support the ALARA principle.
Benedick A. Fraass, Christopher G. Willett, and Anthony L. Zietman have been named recipients of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Gold Medal for their outstanding contributions to radiation oncology. They were recognized for their achievements in clinical patient care, research, teaching, and service to the profession.
Researchers combine radiation treatments with new immunotherapies to target melanoma, showing synergistic effects that improve treatment outcomes. The combination of radiation and immunotherapy has been shown to increase one-year survival rates for patients with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma.
A new study suggests that conventional repeated radiation treatments for brain tumors may kill important support cells and cause more damage than single dose radiation therapy. This can lead to cognitive problems in patients after treatment.
A large study of 2,437 patients with stage II testicular seminoma found that radiation therapy was associated with better outcomes compared to chemotherapy, particularly in stage IIa disease. The study's findings support the recommendation for radiotherapy as the preferred treatment option for early-stage II testicular cancer.
A recent study has shown that combining radiation therapy with an immune system-strengthening compound can increase the immune response against tumors, even those outside the radiation field. This breakthrough could lead to longer treatment durations and reduced side effects, as well as new curative options for patients.
Research found that delaying radiation therapy after surgery increases the risk of recurrent tumors in women with stage 0 breast cancer. Women who received radiation within eight weeks had a lower rate of recurrence compared to those who delayed treatment. The study suggests that timely radiation therapy is crucial for reducing the ris...
A five-year study shows that Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) offers a higher cure rate than traditional approaches, with a 98.6% cure rate for prostate cancer patients. The treatment involves high-dose radiation beams delivered in just five treatments, resulting in fewer side effects and quicker recovery times.
Patients with grade 2 gliomas treated with radiation therapy plus chemotherapy had a better overall survival of 13.3 years compared to 7.8 years without chemotherapy. The study also found that patients with IDH1 mutation had significantly better overall survival regardless of treatment.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center discovered that liver metastases derived from colorectal tumors are more resistant to radiation therapy. The study found that gastrointestinal stromal tumors were the most resistant, while those from breast and lung cancers were more sensitive.
Patients with grade 2 glioma who received combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy experienced longer progression-free survival and overall survival compared to those who received radiation therapy alone. The study's findings suggest that initial therapy of RT followed by PCV is necessary to achieve longer survival.
Patients with grade 2 glioma who received radiation therapy plus PCV chemotherapy experienced longer progression-free and overall survival times compared to those who received radiation therapy alone. The treatment combination improved survival rates by up to 10 years.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that patients with high-risk prostate cancer who received radiation treatment at a facility with higher volumes performed better than those treated at lower-volume facilities. The study analyzed data from 19,565 patients and found improved 7-year overall survival rates.
Researchers are developing personalized assessment tools to predict and prevent radiation-induced cancers in astronauts and on Earth. High-energy ions, like those used in cancer treatments, pose a risk of new tumors and more aggressive cancer types.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that surgery can greatly increase a man's chance of survival when traditional radiation therapy has failed. A complex procedure to remove the prostate achieves excellent long-term survival for men after radiation therapy has failed.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that consuming dried plums can protect against bone loss caused by ionizing radiation. The researchers tested mice using different interventions and found that dried plum was most effective in reducing the breakdown of bone and preventing spongy bone effects.
Chronic low radiation exposure damages animal eyes, causing increased cataract frequency and reproductive issues in females. New study supports ecosystem-wide effects of radiation on wild populations.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology challenges the widely-held belief that low-dose radiation from medical imaging procedures can cause cancer. The authors argue that the linear no-threshold model, used to estimate cancer risks, has never been conclusively demonstrated by empirical evidence.
A set of risk factors can predict the magnitude of survival benefit offered by radiation therapy following breast cancer surgery. Radiation therapy provides a significant survival benefit for patients with more aggressive cancer, particularly those with higher prognostic scores.
Researchers at NYU Langone developed an antiscarring paste that inhibits fibrosis caused by radiation therapy in mice. The study suggests the use of A2A receptor blockers as a potential therapeutic approach to prevent scarring and fibrosis in cancer patients.
A recent study at Houston Methodist Hospital showed that multiple small doses of highly focused radiation therapy is more effective and safer than a single larger dose in destroying pituitary gland tumors. The findings support the use of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) as a best practice for treating slow-growing pituitar...
A population-based study of 37,207 patients found that those who received breast-conserving surgery plus radiation therapy had improved overall survival after 10 years compared to those who received mastectomy without radiation. BCT was also associated with fewer regional recurrences and distant metastases.
A new template published by ASTRO streamlines post-treatment care for cancer survivors, facilitating consistency and reducing provider burden. The template includes elements required by CoC accreditation requirements, coordinating care among primary care providers, radiation specialists, and patients.
Treatment with anti-angiogenesis drugs improves radiation treatment of nervous system tumors in animal models, reducing tumor size and nerve damage. Anti-VEGF treatment enhances nerve regeneration and decreases muscle atrophy.
An international team of researchers analyzed data from 308,297 nuclear industry workers and found a linear increase in cancer mortality with increasing radiation exposure. The study strengthens the scientific basis for current radiation protection standards.
New data from clinical trials at Penn Medicine demonstrate the clinical benefits of proton therapy for patients with advanced lung, pancreatic, and spine cancers. Proton therapy has been shown to reduce toxicities and improve survival rates compared to conventional radiation therapy.
A study published by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) reduced severe pneumonitis and improved chemotherapy tolerance in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer compared to conventional radiation therapy.
A study of 47,000 patients found that nearly a third received more than 25 radiation treatments, despite guidelines recommending no more than 15. Privately insured patients were 40% more likely to be overtreated, highlighting the need for education and financial transparency.
A study suggests that radiation therapy alone is associated with decreased overall and cardiac mortality in men with unfavorable-risk prostate cancer and moderate or severe comorbidity. In contrast, the combination of radiation therapy and androgen deprivation therapy may not provide additional benefits for these patients.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has awarded a total of $33,500 to 41 researchers for their outstanding contributions to the field of radiation oncology. The awards recognize top-rated abstracts presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting, with recipients receiving cash honors and complimentary registration.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology has selected seven leading physician-researchers to receive a total of $675,000 in awards and grants to advance radiation oncology research. The recipients will support studies in radiation and cancer biology, as well as outcomes/health services research within radiation oncology.
A new peptide drug, TP508, has been shown to significantly increase survival in mice when administered 24 hours after nuclear radiation exposure. The study found that the drug counteracts damage to the gastrointestinal system, delaying mortality and increasing chances of survival.
A study by University of California, San Diego researchers found that Medicare reimbursement for radiation therapy varies widely among patients with breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Factors such as provider type, location, and clinic type accounted for most of the variation in costs.
Women with early-stage breast cancer who receive a shorter course of whole breast radiation therapy experience less toxicity and improved quality of life compared to those who undergo a longer course of treatment. The study suggests that hypofractionated treatment should be considered as a starting point for discussion between patients...