Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
A study found that breast cancer patients' initial negative impressions of radiation therapy were often unfounded. The majority of patients reported that short-term side effects were less than or as expected, and long-term side effects were manageable.
The phase II CONDOR trial demonstrates durvalumab's safety and encouraging anti-tumor activity as second-line treatment for tumors with low or negative PD-L1 expression. Seventeen patients experienced partial responses, with an overall response rate of 9.2% for durvalumab alone.
A clinical trial found that nivolumab can be administered safely with radiation therapy and chemotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed local-regionally advanced head and neck cancers. Most patients completed curative-intent radiation therapy and were able to tolerate continuing immunotherapy for up to a year.
A phase II trial demonstrates the safety and efficacy of de-escalating radiation therapy by 30-35% for patients with HPV-positive disease who respond well to chemotherapy given prior to radiation. Patients experienced excellent survival rates and improved functional outcomes with fewer side effects.
A phase II trial found cabozantinib to be an active agent in treating metastatic, radioactive iodine-resistant differentiated thyroid cancer, with 34 of 35 patients experiencing tumor shrinkage. The treatment also showed a high response rate and was well-tolerated despite common side effects.
Researchers found that standard practices for comparing cervical cancer radiation therapy treatments may be misleading. A new mathematical formula could improve outcomes by providing more accurate predictions and personalization of treatment plans.
PSMA PET/CT detects prostate cancer recurrence earlier than current imaging modalities, enabling more effective salvage radiotherapy. Nearly half of patients with biochemical recurrence show positive results, with lesions often found in bone and perirectal lymph nodes.
Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a technology to create individual, 3D-printed dosimetry phantoms tailored to each patient's anatomy, enabling more accurate radiotherapy treatment plans. The new phantoms can replicate complex internal structures and take into account implants and pacemakers.
A new viral gene therapy delivers extra copies of the SOD2 and CTGF genes to protect healthy tissues from damage caused by radiotherapy. The treatment has shown promising results in preventing tissue damage and scarring in rats treated with radiotherapy, potentially improving breast reconstruction outcomes for women with breast cancer.
A five-year, nearly $12 million study will compare the effectiveness of two radiation treatments for prostate cancer, proton therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The study aims to determine if proton therapy has fewer side effects compared to IMRT.
Researchers have discovered that radiosurgery can be an effective treatment option for patients with four or more brain lesions, even when the number of deposits exceeds the traditional three-lesion threshold. The study found no significant difference in survival rates between patients treated with radiosurgery for 4-10 metastases and ...
Researchers at WashU Medicine used noninvasive radiation therapy to treat five patients with ventricular tachycardia, a life-threatening heart rhythm. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction in arrhythmia events, with some patients experiencing no episodes over the course of a year.
Researchers have discovered that tumors develop resistance to radiotherapy through an influx of immune suppressive cells, known as monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs). Combining STING-activating drugs with anti-CCR2 antibodies can overcome this resistance and boost tumor destruction.
This special focus issue of Future Oncology explores current and future image-guided interventions in oncology, including techniques such as fluorescence and optical imaging. The issue aims to provide a platform for researchers and clinicians to discuss recent advances in radiotherapy and personalized treatment approaches.
A new alternative to sedation for children undergoing radiation therapy has been developed using behavior analysis training, allowing them to stay mostly motionless during treatment. The 'PROMISE' project is testing this method on healthy children under age 10 in a child-friendly laboratory.
A new Northwestern Medicine study shows proton therapy outperforms intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in five-year overall survival rates, with a 93.25% rate for proton patients compared to 88.43% for IMRT patients. Proton therapy also reduces complications and secondary malignancies, particularly for younger patients.
A study found that proton beam therapy in combination with chemotherapy prior to surgery reduces postoperative heart and lung problems and mortality rates in elderly patients. Researchers followed 571 patients treated with traditional radiation therapy and chemotherapy followed by surgery at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center.
The study found a near doubling of median overall survival (27.8 months) and no grade 3 or higher toxicities for patients receiving higher radiation doses with adaptive MR guided radiation therapy, compared to those receiving lower doses via non-adaptive treatments.
A new study found that Medicaid expansion significantly reduced uninsured rates for cancer patients receiving radiation therapy, with the greatest benefits seen among vulnerable individuals living in high-poverty areas. The uninsured rate dropped by half in fully expanded states and only 5 percent in non-expansion states.
A survey of breast cancer clinic patients found that short- and long-term side effects were often better than anticipated, with 83% and 84% of respondents reporting similar expectations. Women reported lower fears and more positive experiences after treatment, highlighting the need to address misconceptions about radiation therapy.
A phase III trial has confirmed the effectiveness of pelvic radiation as a standard treatment for high-risk stage I-II endometrial cancer. The study found that adjuvant pelvic radiation provided better pelvic control and fewer severe side effects compared to a brachytherapy-chemotherapy combination.
A phase II trial found that patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer who received half the standard radiation dose achieved equally high cure rates at two years, with 95% tumor control and 89% disease-free survival. The reduced treatment also resulted in lower side effects compared to standard therapy.
The study found that four fractions of 7 Gy HDR brachytherapy resulted in significantly better tumor control than two 9-Gy fractions, with a higher survival rate for women with stage IIB disease. Severe treatment-related side effects did not differ significantly between treatment arms.
A phase II trial found that radiation therapy and immunotherapy can halt tumor growth in patients with stage IV cancer, with at least 30% experiencing favorable response. The treatment combination was safe and well-tolerated, with stable disease achieved for half of the patients.
A new study finds that patients with severe distress are more likely to miss appointments and be admitted to the hospital during radiation therapy. The NCCN Distress Thermometer, a tool to measure psychological state, can help identify patients who need additional support during treatment.
A study found that 40% of cancer patients at an urban cancer center were diagnosed with depression, with three-fourths of these cases being previously undiagnosed. Female patients and disabled patients were more likely to be depressed, emphasizing the need for mental health screening and care.
A randomized phase II clinical trial found that adding consolidative stereotactic radiation therapy to chemotherapy significantly increased progression-free survival expectancy nearly tripling it for patients with limited metastatic disease. Treatment-related side effects were similar between the two treatment approaches.
A phase III trial demonstrates a 32 percent overall survival rate at five years, setting a new benchmark for patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC. The trial also confirms that using a higher radiation dose is not beneficial and can lead to detrimental outcomes.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has awarded $275,000 in research grants to four early-career scientists to investigate the effects of radiation on breast cancer cells and tumor immune evasion. The awardees aim to develop innovative treatments that improve patient outcomes by modulating the immune response.
Researchers have discovered that the taxane drug Paclitaxel stimulates a unique form of cell division called tripolar mitosis, which makes tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. This discovery could lead to the development of personalized treatment strategies by identifying patients with high levels of specific biomarkers.
Researchers suggest that combining drugs blocking PAF-R protein may increase radiotherapy's killing of tumor cells by one third and reduce tumor repopulation. Analysis with human oral cancer cells and murine cervical cancer cells showed promising results, supporting a new therapeutic strategy.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected 23 distinguished members to receive the ASTRO Fellow designation. These individuals have made significant contributions to the field of radiation oncology in research, education, patient care, or service and leadership.
A new trial has shown that targeted radiotherapy can limit the side effects of breast cancer treatment without compromising its effectiveness. The study found that women who received partial-breast radiotherapy reported fewer long-term changes to their breast appearance and feel, compared to those who underwent whole-breast radiotherapy.
ASTRO honors Edith Peterson Mitchell, MD, a leading researcher and medical oncologist, for her work on chemoradiation treatments. Her research has helped raise the profile of radiation oncology by providing clinical evidence for combined modality treatment.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania challenges common advice given to breast cancer patients, suggesting that antiperspirants can be used safely during radiotherapy. The study found no significant difference in radiation skin dose absorbed by patients with or without antiperspirants.
A study by MD Anderson Cancer Center found improved survival rates for patients with stage 3 lung cancer treated with concurrent chemotherapy and proton therapy. The treatment reduced toxic effects compared to standard care, with a median overall survival of 26.5 months.
A new CU Boulder study reveals that a protein called CPR-4 is responsible for the radiation-induced bystander effect, which can damage healthy cells. Researchers hope to develop a medication to inhibit this effect, allowing doctors to minimize side effects and enhance cancer cell killing.
Researchers found that neoadjuvant radiation therapy significantly lowers the risk of developing a second primary tumor in early-stage breast cancer patients. The study also suggests that delaying surgery due to neoadjuvant radiation therapy is not detrimental to survival.
A Phase II study found that increasing radiotherapy doses to hypoxic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) lesions, identified by PET/CT scans, did not improve patient outcomes. The study suggests that smaller volumes of tumors with hypoxia may be more effectively targeted for radiotherapy.
Søren M. Bentzen and Louis B. Harrison have made significant contributions in clinical patient care, research, teaching, and service to the profession. Dr. Bentzen focuses on personalized medicine using big data to tailor treatments, while Dr. Harrison is a renaissance man of radiation oncology with varied accomplishments.
Researchers found significant dose-dependent changes in cortical neural networks after radiotherapy for brain tumors, affecting global network effects and cognitive processing.
The new clinical guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. For medically inoperable patients with high-risk clinical scenarios, SBRT is recommended as an alternative to surgery or salvage therapy.
Researchers found that irradiation of breast fat triggers an inflammatory response, protecting remaining cancer cells and allowing tumors to grow. Agents that block inflammation could improve radiotherapy effectiveness, potentially revolutionizing breast cancer treatment.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a test called the radiosensitivity index to determine how sensitive a patient's tumor is to radiation therapy. This allows them to select the optimum radiotherapy dose for each patient based on their individual tumor biology.
Researchers found that radiation therapy can improve the delivery of cancer nanomedicines up to 600% by attracting macrophages to tumor blood vessels, leading to increased nanoparticle uptake. This combination strategy shows promise for enhanced treatment efficacy and could be tested in clinical trials quickly.
The world's first computerized tomography (CT) images of biological tissue using protons have been produced, revolutionizing Proton Therapy for cancer treatment. This breakthrough enables detailed three-dimensional images to be created, allowing for more accurate targeting of tumors and reduced radiation exposure.
Advances in radiation therapy have improved precision by understanding physics and biology. Researchers use supercomputers to simulate radiation dose calculations and develop new technologies like MR-linacs.
Researchers found that projecting videos onto the inside of a radiotherapy machine reduced the need for general anesthesia in children with cancer, making treatment less traumatic and more efficient. The study used video projection to calm anxious kids and save time, resulting in faster treatment times and reduced stress.
Researchers suggest that radiotherapy could have a role in extending the lives of patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer. Studies show that higher doses of radiation are associated with longer survival times. The study analyzed data from over 500 patients and found that those who received higher doses lived significantly longer.
A large study found that brachytherapy is a good option for many men with penile cancer, offering high survival rates and minimal impact on sexual and urinary function. The treatment allowed 85% of men to survive with their penis intact, with few cases requiring surgery due to side effects.
Researchers found that adaptive radiation treatment significantly decreased the incidence of radiation pneumonitis in advanced lung cancer patients, while still slowing and controlling cancer growth. The study also showed no difference in cancer recurrence rates between the two groups.
The European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) has launched the Global Impact of Radiation in Oncology (GIRO) partnership to improve radiotherapy access worldwide. The project aims to save one million lives by 2035 by addressing barriers to provision and raising awareness among healthcare professionals and patients.
The team's detector can pick up just a single charged particle, revealing the intensity of radiation. It could aid in detecting nuclear threats at ports of entry, streamlining radio-medicine, and boosting unmanned radiation monitoring vehicles.
The new ASTRO clinical practice guideline provides recommendations for the management of oropharyngeal cancer, including optimal radiation dose and fractionation schedules, chemotherapy integration, and post-operative treatment. The guideline aims to improve treatment outcomes while minimizing long-term side effects.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that melatonin can protect the small intestine of rats from radiotherapy-induced toxicity. Melatonin reduced intestinal cell death and inflammation, facilitating intestinal recovery. This suggests oral treatment with melatonin may help prevent radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity in cancer patients.
A study on reduced radiotherapy in young children with brain tumors found that deviations from the treatment protocol led to poorer outcomes. Children who received radiation therapy according to protocol had improved overall survival rates.
Researchers have developed an effective antibody against radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis, a debilitating side effect of lung cancer treatment. The antibody targets connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), reversing fibrotic transformation and improving pulmonary function in mice.
A pilot study conducted by Thomas Jefferson University found that a virtual environment education program significantly reduced anxiety and increased comprehension in patients receiving radiation therapy. The program used simulated environments to teach patients about their treatment, resulting in improved confidence and satisfaction.
Two studies found that radical prostatectomy was associated with greater decreases in sexual function and urinary incontinence compared to active surveillance. However, no significant differences were found in bowel or hormonal function beyond 12 months.
A new study funded by Cancer Research UK finds that smokers treated for breast cancer have significantly higher risks of developing lung cancer or heart attacks due to radiotherapy. The long-term risk of death from these conditions is around 5% for smokers, compared to 0.5% for non-smokers.