Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
Researchers propose focusing high-energy particle beams on small spots deep inside the body to target cancerous tumors precisely, reducing dose to surrounding tissue. The study aims to improve radiotherapy effectiveness and reduce costs using ultra-compact laser-wakefield accelerators.
A new AI framework developed by Cleveland Clinic researchers can now use medical scans and health records to personalize the dose of radiation therapy used to treat cancer patients. The framework has been shown to reduce treatment failure probability to less than 5 percent.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that introducing a default physician order into electronic health records reduced daily imaging for cancer patients with advanced cancer by half. This change also saved an average of two minutes per session, resulting in faster treatment courses.
Research by Georgia State University found that women undergoing radiation therapy for pediatric brain tumors are more likely to experience long-term cognitive issues. Female survivors were more negatively affected in activities of daily living and higher-order skills compared to male counterparts.
Research found statin therapy significantly reduced stroke risk and overall cardiovascular events in cancer patients who underwent radiation therapy for chest, head, or neck cancer. The study also showed a strong trend toward reduction in cardiovascular deaths.
A retrospective study of 748 NSCLC patients found that the average radiation dose delivered to the heart was associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and death. The team's findings highlight the need for more stringent avoidance of high cardiac radiotherapy doses and collaboration with cardiologists to m...
Researchers at Penn aim to better understand the connection between novel radiation therapies and immune systems to enhance cancer treatments. Five projects will investigate signaling pathways and genetics behind interferon and pattern recognition receptor signaling.
Researchers from CNIO have found that high levels of URI protein protect mice from radiation-induced intestinal damage, while low or no detectable levels lead to gastrointestinal syndrome and death. The study opens up new avenues for treating and preventing gastrointestinal syndrome by inhibiting c-MYC.
A study models the demand, benefit, and cost of implementing a 20-year strategy for radiotherapy to treat cervical cancer in low- and middle-income countries. The research estimates that 9.4 million women will require radiotherapy, generating $151.5 billion in economic benefits.
Researchers found that proton therapy significantly lowers the risk of severe side effects in cancer patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, with a relative risk reduction of two-thirds. Cure rates were almost identical between groups.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found that IL-1 inhibitors can reduce chronic inflammation in blood vessels exposed to radiation, which is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The study used an animal model and gene expression analysis to support the potential treatment.
Kanazawa University researchers have synthesized a radiotheranostic system using astatine and iodine as alpha-particle and gamma-radiation sources, respectively. The system utilizes a peptide carrier molecule to target tumors, achieving high accumulation in cancer cells.
The updated guideline recommends adjuvant radiotherapy for patients with adverse pathologic findings, such as seminal vesicle invasion and positive surgical margins. Hormonal therapy is also recommended for patients who receive salvage radiotherapy, based on evidence from randomized controlled trials.
In a mouse model of unresectable pancreatic cancer, administration of the EGLN inhibitor FG-4592 prior to ablative radiotherapy provided protection against fatal gastrointestinal bleeding and improved survival. The study found that FG-4592 effectively mimicked hypoxia in normal tissues, protecting them from radiation damage.
A new study presents evidence that pencil beam scanning proton therapy offers the best hope of preserving cognitive functions in children with brain tumors. The treatment delivers low doses of radiation to critical areas of the brain, including the temporal lobes and hippocampus.
A combination of biological markers and genetic changes can predict radiation sensitivity, helping doctors assess patients at risk of side effects. The study found that the time of day when radiotherapy is given can also affect side effects, particularly in breast cancer patients.
Researchers found that radiotherapy after chemotherapy improved survival in patients with large tumours, with a 7-10% survival benefit at three and five years. This trial suggests that radiotherapy should be considered for these patients to balance cure rates with toxic side effects.
Research presented at ESTRO 38 conference finds that high dose radiation therapy significantly improves two-year survival rates for mesothelioma patients. The study, led by Dr. Marco Trovo, suggests radical hemi-thoracic radiotherapy as a new standard of care for this rare and aggressive cancer.
Women with early, low-risk hormone-driven breast cancer who receive radiotherapy after surgery have a significantly lower risk of recurrence and improved disease-free survival compared to those without radiotherapy. The study found that whole breast irradiation is effective in reducing in-breast recurrences and improving overall survival.
The new software automates image capture and analysis, providing more accurate radiation beam targeting and refined patient positioning. This technology enhances the quality assurance strategy in radiation therapy, potentially reducing toxicity and improving treatment outcomes.
Radiation oncologists provide guidance on preparing for and responding to natural disasters, including creating emergency operations plans, providing patients with access to treatment plans via flash drives, and identifying alternative sources of power. The tips aim to minimize treatment delays during a disaster.
A clinical study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of high-dose stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for patients with centrally located non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment resulted in high tumor control rates, comparable to those seen in patients with peripheral tumors.
A genetic study has identified a risk factor for stroke among childhood cancer survivors who received cranial radiation therapy. Variants in the chromosomal region 5p15.33 increase the risk of stroke approximately five-fold among those treated with intermediate dose radiation.
Researchers have developed 3D organ-on-a-chip models to test the effects of different levels and types of radiation on human tissues. This technology could lead to more effective therapies with fewer side effects for cancer patients.
Two new studies highlight advances in lung cancer treatment. A multidisciplinary thoracic cancers symposium presents findings on local consolidative therapy linked to improved overall survival for patients with oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Another study demonstrates the effectiveness of structured exposure to NSC...
A new study uses Raman spectroscopy to analyze changes in biochemical composition of tumors, enabling prediction of radiation response. The findings have the potential to reduce medical overtreatment and improve treatment plans for cancer patients.
A study published in Annals of Oncology found that one course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy after surgery does not have a long-term effect on sperm count and concentration in men with early stage testicular cancer. Sperm number and concentration recovered in all groups up to five years after treatment.
A researcher at the University of Cincinnati is using a $1.4 million VA grant to study radiation resistance in head and neck cancer. The goal is to target molecular pathways to make radiation therapy more effective, reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes for patients.
A phase III trial found hypofractionated radiotherapy (H-RT) to have similar QOL outcomes as conventional radiotherapy (C-RT) in men with low risk prostate cancer. H-RT delivers a total dose over a shorter period, reducing treatment duration and potential side effects.
A new UCLA-led study shows that men with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer can safely undergo higher doses of radiation over a significantly shorter period and still have the same successful outcomes as from a much longer course of treatment. The study analyzed data from 2,142 men treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy for...
The University of Nebraska is leading a $11 million study to develop drug therapies protecting military service members from radiation exposure. The project, in collaboration with the Department of Defense, aims to identify and develop therapeutic candidates that can prevent and counteract radiation effects.
Recent studies at SABCS 2018 highlight radiation therapy's efficacy in treating breast cancer, with trials refining treatments to provide more options for patients. Accelerated partial breast irradiation has been shown to be non-inferior to traditional whole breast irradiation.
Patients with early-stage breast cancer who had a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy showed comparable 10-year recurrence and survival rates following axillary radiotherapy or axillary lymph node dissection. The study also found that axillary radiotherapy was associated with significantly less lymphedema, a common side effect of surgery.
Researchers at SLAC and Stanford are developing accelerator-based technology to reduce the side effects of cancer radiation therapy by vastly shrinking its duration. The goal is to blast cancer cells quickly, reducing the chance that radiation will hit and damage healthy tissue around tumors, making radiation therapy more precise.
Researchers are testing Precision Breast IORT, which uses advanced imaging to tailor radiation treatment and potentially improve outcomes for patients with early-stage breast cancer. The study aims to evaluate the technique's effectiveness in reducing breast cancer recurrence rates and immune-dampening effects.
Researchers found that combining surgery with post-operative low-dose radiation and hormone therapy reduces prostate cancer death risk to less than 10% for men with aggressive prostate cancer. In contrast, surgery alone increases the risk of death from prostate cancer within five years.
UCSF scientists create new animal model of glioma that captures the clinical lifecycle of brain tumors, allowing them to test strategies to prevent radiation-associated cognitive decline. They discover that temporarily suppressing a key immune system component can prevent this problem.
A new drug, IPdR, has been shown to be safe and effective in boosting radiotherapy for patients with various gastrointestinal cancers. The drug, a prodrug that converts into the active IUdR, can be taken orally and creates high levels of IUdR in the bloodstream, making cancer cells more susceptible to radiation.
Researchers used PSMA PET/CT to detect prostate cancer outside the prostate gland with higher sensitivity and specificity than standard imaging techniques. This improved accuracy enables more precisely targeted treatment, potentially increasing the chances of successful outcomes.
A new report by ESTRO highlights the need for improved access to radiotherapy in Europe, citing a quarter of patients who need treatment not receiving it. Experts recommend increased investment, better understanding, and integration into cancer care plans.
Researchers investigated alternative radiation therapy regimens for early-stage breast cancer patients. The trial found that fewer, larger individual doses of radiation led to similar adverse effects as conventional radiation therapy after 10 years.
Long-term data show that whole breast radiation therapy significantly reduces the risk of local recurrence in low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients, even without additional treatment. Radiation also reduces overall cancer return by more than 70 percent.
Researchers found that targeting tumor sites with radiation or surgery after initial treatment can significantly improve overall survival time for patients. Progression-free survival and toxicity data also showed benefits, with median overall survival times of up to 41.2 months.
A randomized phase III trial found that avoiding the hippocampal region during whole-brain radiotherapy significantly reduces the risk of cognitive decline. The study results have far-reaching implications for brain tumor treatment, offering a safer alternative to traditional whole-brain radiation therapy.
A new radiation treatment approach, hippocampal-avoidance whole-brain radiotherapy with memantine, demonstrated better preservation of cognitive function compared to traditional whole-brain radiotherapy. The study found similar cancer control and overall survival outcomes for both groups.
A study by NRG Oncology found that short-term androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) combined with radiotherapy improved overall survival for men with early stage prostate adenocarcinoma for up to 10.4 years. However, the benefits dissipated after 18 years.
A phase III trial has established the radiation/cisplatin combination as the standard of care for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oral cancers, resulting in higher overall and progression-free survival rates compared to cetuximab/radiation. The treatment also showed a lower rate of serious side effects, particularly with cisplatin.
A large, long-term study found SBRT to be safe and effective for men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The treatment delivered substantially larger doses of radiation per session, reducing the duration of treatment without increasing the risk of severe side effects.
A new analysis of genetic data and clinical trial results suggests that African-American men may have comparatively higher cure rates when treated with radiation therapy. The study found that tumors from African-American men were more likely to have indicators of increased sensitivity to radiation, leading to improved outcomes.
A new study suggests that HPV-positive throat cancer patients benefit from chemoradiotherapy, leading to higher overall survival rates compared to cetuximab treatment. Cisplatin chemotherapy and radiotherapy proved more effective in reducing cancer recurrence and improving patient outcomes.
The SPPORT trial found that adding pelvic lymph node treatment and short-term hormone therapy to standard treatment extends time before cancer spreads. This combination therapy resulted in higher freedom-from-progression rates and lower distant metastasis rates compared to standard treatments alone.
A new study shows that stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is as safe and effective for patients with one kidney as it is for those with two. The treatment provided high local control and cancer-specific survival rates, with minimal impact on renal function.
Researchers found a link between higher levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and lower disease-free survival rates after radiotherapy. Elevated CRP levels, a marker of inflammation, were not associated with DFS.
A large comparison study found that radiotherapy to the prostate improved failure-free survival but not overall survival in men with newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer and a low burden of disease. The treatment was well-tolerated, with only modest side effects.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that cancer patients can safely use topical skin treatments during radiation therapy without increasing the radiation dose to their skin. The study challenged common advice given to patients and debunked the myth that these treatments increase radiation damage.
Researchers at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that papaverine inhibits mitochondrial respiration and sensitizes model tumors to radiation. The study suggests that modifying the papaverine molecule could lead to a new class of radiosensitizing drugs with fewer side effects.
Researchers found that stereotactic radiation therapy doubles progression-free survival and increases overall survival by a median of 13 months in patients with limited metastatic cancer. The treatment also improved survival rates, but with increased side effects.
The new guideline recommends moderate hypofractionation (240-340 cGy) as an alternative to conventional fractionation for men with early-stage prostate cancer. Hypofractionated radiation therapy can be completed in four to five weeks, compared to eight to nine weeks for conventional radiation.
At ASTRO's Annual Meeting, leading researchers will present their groundbreaking findings on clinical trials and radiation oncology research. The meeting features three news briefings highlighting advances in breast, lung, genitourinary, oral, and oligometastatic cancers.
A recent study published in the journal Cancer found that patients with locally advanced prostate cancer who received a combination of prostate removal and radiation therapy had a higher rate of survival compared to those treated with radiation alone. The study analyzed data from over 13,000 men diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer...