The new company will provide integrated advisory and lifecycle support services to help healthcare organizations develop and sustain successful proton therapy programs. Penn Medicine and IBA will combine their expertise to create a unique platform for delivering exceptional care to patients and building sustainable oncology programs.
A phase 3 trial found that delivering focused radiation therapy over three to five sessions after surgery for a large brain metastasis reduced cancer recurrence and improved survival. Patients who received multi-session treatment lived nine months longer than those treated in a single session without significantly increasing side effects.
A randomized trial found that five-treatment stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) provided excellent long-term cancer control and better urinary continence and sexual function compared to surgery. SBRT offered clear advantages for urinary continence and sexual function, with 91% of patients remaining free from biochemical or clin...
A prospective study found that stereotactic radiosurgical capsulotomy significantly reduced symptoms of major depression and thoughts of suicide among patients with severe, treatment-resistant psychiatric illness. Benefits were largely sustained over a median follow-up of more than three years.
A randomized phase 2 trial found that five treatments of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) better preserved physical function and reduced fatigue compared to 28 treatments of conventional radiation therapy with chemotherapy. Rates of cancer remaining in lymph nodes did not differ significantly between the groups.
The UVA Weber Symposium will discuss the latest research and advancements in metastasis, a complex area of cancer research and care. The event will bring together top scientists and physicians to present findings on cancer metastasis, genetics, and treatment considerations.
Researchers found implanting collagen tiles during brain surgery to deliver targeted radiation therapy improves tumor control, lowers recurrence risk, and increases overall survival. Patients treated with tile-based radiation therapy had a 1.3% rate of recurrence at the surgical site compared to 15.4% in the control group.
A Phase III trial found that delivering focused radiation therapy over three to five sessions after surgery for a large brain metastasis reduced cancer recurrence at the surgical site. Fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery also showed a trend in controlling brain metastases that had not been removed surgically. Median overall survival...
Patients with small cell lung cancer and brain metastases lived 17.4 months with radiosurgery, compared to 8.6 months with whole brain treatment. Radiosurgery was associated with a 40% lower risk of death. The study challenges the long-standing reliance on whole brain treatment for SCLC brain metastases.
A large U.S. insurance claims analysis found that fewer than 30% of patients with hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer remained adherent to endocrine therapy for five years after lumpectomy. Younger age and radiation therapy omission were associated with lower adherence rates.
Low-dose radiation therapy may slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis, with sustained improvements in pain, physical function, and quality of life. The therapy was associated with a 67% lower adjusted hazard of government-certified disability due to knee osteoarthritis, particularly in patients with grade 2 disease.
A multi-institutional trial found that ultra-low-dose radiation therapy relieved painful bone lesions from multiple myeloma for most patients, with 81% achieving pain control without additional radiation. Treatment side effects were limited to low-grade fatigue.
Researchers analyzed over 800 radiation treatment plans, finding that planner choices, not machine accuracy, drove differences in dose delivery. A genomic test evaluated tumor genetic material, predicting long-term outcomes and identifying patients who may benefit from hormone therapy. This study advances radiation oncology, enabling m...
Studies on hypofractionated postmastectomy radiotherapy, proton therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, and stereotactic body radiation therapy for Ewing sarcoma showcase improved patient outcomes. The findings also suggest potential benefits for short-course radiation therapy access and patient navigation in cancer centers.
An international study found that radiotherapy significantly reduces the risk of recurrence in atypical meningiomas after complete surgical resection. The study, involving 157 patients, showed a 14% recurrence rate in the radiotherapy group compared to 30% in the observation group.
Leading experts from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine will present research and moderate sessions on advancements in radiation oncology care and research. Neha Vapiwala, MD, will deliver the Presidential Address, highlighting priorities and insights for advancing radiotherapy's role in clinical care.
For appropriately selected patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, preserving the bladder can be a curative treatment option, and trimodal therapy is recommended as an alternative to radical cystectomy. The guideline also provides guidance on radiation therapy after surgery and for patients with metastatic or symptomatic disease.
A randomized trial found that brain MRI surveillance alone preserves cognitive function without a difference in survival, supporting MRI surveillance as the standard of care for patients with small cell lung cancer. No apparent difference was observed in overall survival and progression-free survival between the groups.
Researchers propose a new therapeutic perspective for pancreatic cancer, viewing radiotherapy as a tool capable of modulating the immune system and enhancing immunotherapy. The review highlights promising approaches currently being evaluated, including targeted radiotherapy and combination with next-generation immunotherapies.
Penn Medicine is conducting a Phase I clinical trial to test the precision form of FLASH proton therapy, a faster and potentially less-toxic radiation therapy for cancer treatment. The trial aims to provide a treatment with minimal toxicity for patients with recurrent head and neck cancer.
Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men, with 60% diagnosed in men 65 and older. Clinical trials like Alliance's help improve early detection and treatment, reducing mortality rates by half since 1993. These trials also explore new treatments and survivorship strategies.
Researchers from Pusan National University developed an injectable system to deliver radiation directly within keloid tissue, providing a minimally invasive approach to treat abnormal scars. The microgels enabled rapid and efficient radiolabeling, and therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated in mice carrying patient-derived keloid tissue.
Researchers found that radiation to the thymus during NSCLC treatment increased cancer spread and mortality risk in patients with relatively healthy thymus. Thymic health scores were associated with T-cell diversity, longevity, and cancer outcomes.
Researchers have developed an oral therapy that protects healthy tissue from radiation while preserving radiation's ability to destroy cancer cells. The therapy, called XOlacta, is packaged in milk-derived extracellular vesicles and can be administered orally, reducing damage to tissues and preserving tumor treatment effectiveness.
A nationwide claims data analysis in Japan found breast cancer survivors have a 1.57-fold higher risk of herpes zoster and a 1.70-fold higher risk of postherpetic neuralgia. Vaccination can reduce both the incidence of herpes zoster and the risk of complications, emphasizing the importance of prevention in breast cancer survivorship care.
A randomized clinical trial of 698 patients with localized intermediate-risk prostate cancer found that stereotactic body radiotherapy was not superior to moderately hypofractionated IMRT for disease-free survival at 3 years. However, SBRT showed better bowel-related quality of life compared to IMRT.
The updated guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on radiation therapy for adult patients with pancreatic cancer, clarifying its role in various settings. It recommends radiation therapy for patients with resectable, locally advanced, and metastatic disease, as well as those with recurrent or palliative needs.
The study creates a radiohybrid approach that labels a single molecule with two different diagnostic radionuclides, enabling long-term visualization of therapeutic agent distribution. This allows for personalized cancer medicine by calculating optimal radiation doses for individual patients.
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 preclinical study has identified a gut bacterium, Akkermansia muciniphila, that helps prime intestinal stem cells for faster recovery after radiation treatment. Fasting increases the population of this bacterium, which produces a small molecule that changes histone tags to allow gene expression in intestinal cells.
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.
Esprit's frameless mask-based system reduces patient discomfort and psychological stress through submillimeter accuracy and real-time motion management. The AI-powered Lightning treatment planning software streamlines workflow, reducing planning time by up to 80% and enhancing protection of critical normal structures.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have achieved high response rates in patients with hard-to-treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using an all-oral combination therapy. The study also provides insights into the origins of cancer, revealing that tumors evolve rapidly through bursts of genetic changes.
Researchers found that radiation therapy not only targets tumor cells but also activates immune pathways to make tumors more receptive to immunotherapy. The study suggests that radiation-immunotherapy combination strategies could improve patient outcomes by reshaping the surrounding immune landscape and recruiting T cells.
Rice University has received a $2 million CPRIT award to advance cancer research, including new studies in immunotherapy and ovarian cancer. The funding will support the expansion of the Genetic Design and Engineering Center, which provides a centralized hub for DNA tools used in cancer research.
The study found that adjuvant nivolumab did not improve disease-free survival in patients with resected non–small cell lung cancer. The treatment was also not effective in sensitizing EGFR and ALK alterations.
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...
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.
An AI technology successfully plans life-saving radiotherapy for cervical and prostate cancers, bridging the workforce gap and enabling more people to be treated. The ARCHERY trial found that the AI technology can achieve international best-practice radiotherapy planning in over 95% of cervical cancer cases.
A study published by the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology found that delivering radiotherapy in just two sessions over eight days is safe and effective for treating prostate cancer. The treatment had no additional side effects compared to the standard five doses, making it a convenient option for patients.
Researchers found that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) improved progression-free survival by 15.6 months, compared to 20.6 months without targeted therapy. The treatment also showed no significant impact on quality-of-life measures.
A new study aims to make proton therapy available to more patients in Europe by planning five new centres across Romania, Greece, Italy, Northern Ireland, and Poland. Currently, 59% of European cancer patients have access to the treatment, but this can be increased to 87% with strategic location and expansion.
The ASTRO Annual Meeting will take place in Boston from September 26-30, featuring research presentations, keynote addresses, and panel discussions on critical cancer care issues. The meeting aims to foster meaningful conversations about radiation therapy's value in advancing patient care.
A team of researchers has developed a lab-grown diamond device that accurately measures radiation doses, offering improved consistency and sensitivity compared to conventional detectors. The device's compact size enables real-time measurements during treatments and environmental monitoring.
The ERASur clinical trial is investigating whether total ablative therapy can improve overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed, limited metastatic colorectal cancer. The study has reached one-third patient accrual milestone, signaling strong momentum.
The ASPIRE trial aims to enroll 1,200 participants with advanced prostate cancer and assess the impact of chemotherapy on overall survival and disease progression. Genetic profiling is included to identify patients who benefit most from intensified treatment.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that age at initial diagnosis, sex, and type of first cancer significantly affect the risk of developing a subsequent primary cancer. Older age and male sex were associated with a higher risk, while survivors of lung, bladder, and skin melanoma were also at increased risk.
A new composite scoring system, HOST-Factor, quantifies the functional state of the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of pulsed low-dose-rate chemoradiation in shifting the tumor microenvironment from a tumor-promoting to a tumor-restricting state.
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology has several active trials specifically designed to help people with head and neck cancers. Trials include testing high-dose prophylactic gabapentin to prevent opioid use during treatment, as well as immunotherapy with nivolumab and cabozantinib for mucosal melanoma and nasopharyngeal carcino...
A study by the Alliance Foundation Trials shows that combining immunotherapy and chemotherapy before surgery can help more patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer undergo complete cancer resection, improving their long-term health. The treatment also led to high rates of lymph node clearance and successful surgical re...
A new study led by Dartmouth Cancer Center identifies key barriers to timely head and neck cancer treatment in rural areas, including transportation and caregiver challenges. The research highlights the importance of dedicated staff, strong community ties, and peer support in navigating the complexity of cancer care.
A rare scalp reaction resembling erosive pustular dermatosis was identified in a lung cancer patient treated with amivantamab following cranial radiotherapy. The reaction appeared to be related to impaired wound healing due to dual inhibition of EGFR and MET signaling pathways.
Researchers from UT MD Anderson Cancer Center present studies on single-cell technologies, integrative computational approaches, and experimental therapeutics, highlighting innovations in mRNA vaccines and spatial multi-omics techniques. The studies aim to improve immunotherapy responses and detect treatment-resistant glioma cells.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson have made significant advancements in cancer care, including a blood-based biomarker for cancer risk in people with Lynch Syndrome and a new target to sensitize pancreatic tumors to immunotherapy. The studies also identified a strategy to overcome radiation therapy resistance in lung cancer.
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 ...
A study from Japan has revealed a gradual increase in tAML rates, especially after breast cancer treatment. The study analyzed data from the Osaka Cancer Registry and found that the annual incidence of tAML increased from 0.13 to 0.36 per 100,000 population between 1990 and 2020.
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.
Researchers developed a novel antibody that targets the 4lg isoform of B7-H3, overexpressed in many cancer types. The antibody, BetaBart, has potential use as a radio-theranostic treatment that brings targeted radiation to tumor cells.
A study found that tumor DNA in patients' blood can predict whether breast cancer will return, especially after neoadjuvant treatment. Patients with detectable DNA at the end of treatment were 3.5 times more likely to relapse during follow-up.
A pilot study found that axillary radiotherapy may be as effective as surgery in killing cancer cells while reducing the risk of painful swelling. The trial compared radiotherapy to axillary lymph node dissection and found similar cancer outcomes, but lower rates of lymphoedema after radiotherapy.