Articles tagged with 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 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.
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 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.
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 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...
Researchers found that papaverine reduces tumor oxygen consumption and hypoxia in mouse models, making tumors more sensitive to radiation. This suggests repurposing papaverine to enhance radiation therapy effectiveness.
Researchers have found that disrupting the non-canonical NF-κB pathway improves the effects of radiotherapy by enhancing the immune system's ability to interact with radiation. This new approach may lead to novel combination strategies for improving cancer treatment.
Researchers studied the correlation between radiation therapy dosage to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and development of endocrine dysfunction in pediatric and young adult patients. The study found a strong association between radiation dose and age on the development of hormone deficiencies, supporting the benefits of advanced ...
Researchers have developed a new drug, GC4419, that appears to prevent severe oral mucositis (SOM), a painful side effect of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. The drug has already been designated as a breakthrough therapy by the FDA and shows safety and efficacy in clinical trials.
Researchers developed an AI tool to automate radiation therapy planning, reducing treatment development time from days to hours. The software achieves comparable results to conventional methods and has the potential to improve patient care and outcomes.
A new study published in European Urology found that high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment is as effective as surgery or radiotherapy in treating prostate cancer, with lower risks of side effects. After five years, the cancer survival rate from HIFU was 100%, comparable to surgery and radiotherapy.
Researchers found that irradiating chest lymph nodes in patients with early stage breast cancer improved overall survival by 2.4% compared to treating only the breast/thoracic wall. The study involved 4004 patients and showed no increase in non-breast cancer related mortality or serious complications.
Weichselbaum, Professor and Chairman of Radiation and Cellular Oncology at the University of Chicago, has made significant contributions to understanding oligometastasis. His work on curing tumors through surgery or radiation therapy has been supported by several studies demonstrating successful treatments.
Researchers found that d-limonene, a compound in citrus oils, protected cells producing saliva in mice exposed to radiation therapy. The study shows promising results for alleviating dry mouth in head and neck cancer patients.
Researchers discovered a new strategy against anaplastic thyroid cancer using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which showed better results than conventional radiotherapy. The study was made possible by a patient's donation of $10,000 to fund research.
Researchers aim to identify genetic markers that can predict tumor response to radiation therapy, leading to more personalized treatment approaches. The goal is to improve treatment responses, reduce toxicity, and enhance quality of life for cancer survivors.
A new AI method developed by MD Anderson researchers uses deep neural networks to automate the contouring of high-risk clinical target volumes in head and neck cancers. The model achieves comparable results to trained oncologists, offering a potential solution to reduce inter-physician variability and improve treatment efficiency.
Researchers found that ultrahypofractionated radiotherapy is just as effective as standard radiotherapy in stopping prostate cancer from returning, with no significant long-term side effects. Patients treated with this method spend less time traveling to and from hospital for treatment.
Research finds that accelerated partial breast irradiation is as effective as whole breast radiotherapy in improving quality of life. Women treated with targeted therapy experienced reduced symptoms and better quality of life compared to those receiving standard treatment.
Research suggests that tiny differences in patient position during radiotherapy can lead to reduced survival chances, particularly when tumours are close to vital organs like the heart. Tightening treatment guidelines could improve survival rates by ensuring more accurate patient positioning.
A study found that elderly patients with locally advanced lung cancer who received simultaneous radiotherapy and chemotherapy had worse survival rates compared to younger patients. In contrast, those treated with sequential chemo-radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone had similar survival rates.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology updates its clinical guideline to recommend concurrent chemotherapy for certain patients with incurable stage III non-small cell lung cancer, improving quality of life and alleviating symptoms. The new guideline also provides recommendations for delivery and dosing of radiation therapy.
A recent NRG Oncology study found that high-dose radiotherapy improves biochemical control and reduces distant metastases in men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer, but does not enhance overall survival. The treatment also resulted in more side effects compared to standard radiotherapy.
New results from IMPORT LOW trial show women treated with partial or reduced breast radiotherapy report fewer side-effects, including less change in breast appearance. The study found that over half of patients did not experience moderate or marked side-effects at any point.
A new study published in JAMA Oncology found that higher doses of radiation therapy did not improve survival rates for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. However, the study did show lower rates of recurrence and tumor growth in the group receiving the higher dose, which could lead to better quality of life.
The new guideline recommends hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (WBI) for most breast cancer patients, regardless of age or tumor stage. This accelerated treatment offers a more convenient and lower-cost option without compromising cancer control or side effects.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.