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ASTRO issues its first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for anal cancer

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has published its first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for anal cancer, providing guidance on treatment options and techniques. The guideline recommends a combination of radiation therapy and drug therapy as the standard of care, with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IM...

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalPractical Radiation Oncology·DateFeb 27, 2025

A protein from tiny tardigrades may help cancer patients tolerate radiation therapy

Researchers have developed a new strategy to protect cancer patients from radiation-induced DNA damage using a protein from tardigrades. The approach makes use of messenger RNA encoding the protein, which is delivered to patient tissues before radiation treatment. This reduces double-stranded DNA breaks by 50% in mouse models.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateFeb 26, 2025

Application of cone-beam computed tomography in interventional therapies for liver malignancy: A consensus statement by the Chinese College of Interventionalists

A consensus statement by the Chinese College of Interventionalists promotes CBCT use in liver malignancy therapies, addressing limitations and challenges. The integration of artificial intelligence and technological innovations are expected to refine CBCT's efficacy and safety.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateFeb 24, 2025

Lancet article details drug’s lack of benefit for head and neck cancer

A recent Lancet article revealed that durvalumab combined with radiation therapy offers no benefits for patients with head and neck cancer who cannot receive cisplatin. However, a new clinical trial is underway to test the use of a heavy metal to enhance radiation therapy, providing potential new options for these patients.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 20, 2025

Radiation plus combination immunotherapy may help preserve bladder in some patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Researchers found that radiation combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors durvalumab and tremelimumab resulted in durable responses allowing for bladder preservation in localized MIBC patients. The study showed a high efficacy rate of 93% complete response rate, with 84% overall survival rate after two years.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateFeb 18, 2025

Study shows high-precision radiation therapy is safe for patients with cancer that has spread throughout body

A new Phase I clinical trial from London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute found high-precision radiation therapy to be safe in treating patients with polymetastatic disease. The study, known as ARREST, used stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) to treat cancer that has spread to more than 10 spots in the body.

SourceLondon Health Sciences Centre Research Institute·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 3, 2025

UCLA-led study establishes link between early side effects from prostate cancer radiation and long-term side effects

A recent study published in Lancet Oncology reveals a significant link between early side effects from radiation therapy for prostate cancer and long-term complications. Men who experience moderate acute urinary or bowel side effects during treatment are nearly twice as likely to develop late urinary or bowel issues, respectively. This...

NRG Oncology study suggests the addition of SBRT to systemic therapy improves outcomes for select patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

A Phase III clinical trial found that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) added to sorafenib improved progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly those with macrovascular invasion. The study also showed improvements in quality of life for these patients.

SourceNRG Oncology·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateDec 19, 2024

Breakthrough in treatment approach showing promise in the fight against glioblastoma, the deadliest and most aggressive type of brain cancer

A phase 2 study conducted by Mayo Clinic found that 56% of participants were alive after 12 months, with a median overall survival of 13.1 months. The treatment, which combines short-course hypofractionated proton beam therapy with advanced imaging techniques, was more effective in patients over 65 with favorable tumor genetics.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateDec 16, 2024

Gluing treatment to cancer

Combining PVA with a boron-containing compound improved the effects of radiation therapy for cancer, making it more selective of tumor cells and prolonging drug retention. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatment options for challenging cancers.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 3, 2024

Clinical trial finds that adding the chemotherapy pill temozolomide to radiation therapy improves survival in adult patients with a slow-growing type of brain tumor

A randomized phase 3 trial found that adding temozolomide to radiation therapy improves long-term survival for adult patients with low-grade gliomas. The 10-year survival rate was 70% with combined treatment, compared to 47% with radiation alone.

SourceECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group·JournalJournal of Neuro-Oncology·DateNov 25, 2024

Immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab improves outcomes for patients with soft tissue sarcoma

A new clinical trial found that the addition of immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to standard treatment improved disease-free survival rates for patients with stage 3 soft tissue sarcoma. The study showed that pembrolizumab reduced recurrence or death for patients by 15 percentage points compared to standard treatment.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 12, 2024

Study finds common breast cancer treatments may speed aging process

A new study found that common breast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, can increase expression of aging markers in breast cancer survivors. The study suggests that these treatments can have a more extensive impact on the body than previously thought, leading to accelerated biological aging.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateOct 7, 2024

Natural killer cell cellular-based therapeutic options to manage acute myeloid leukemia: prospects and challenges

Natural Killer (NK) cell-based therapies have shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies for treating Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), offering a potential cure with minimal prior antigen sensitization. However, the dysfunction of NK cells in AML patients poses a significant challenge that must be overcome to unlock their full ther...

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalOncology Advances·DateSep 30, 2024

Sylvester study: MRI provides early warning system for glioblastoma growth

A new study by Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers shows that daily MRI imaging paired with radiation can monitor tumor changes in real-time. The technology has the potential to signal early warning signs of tumor growth, allowing for faster and more targeted treatment adaptations.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics·DateSep 30, 2024

UCLA at ASTRO: Predicting response to chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer, 2-year outcomes of MRI-guided radiotherapy for prostate cancer, impact of symptom self-reporting during chemoradiation and more

UCLA investigators presented data on chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer, MRI-guided radiotherapy for prostate cancer, and symptom self-reporting during treatment. Researchers developed a predictive model to identify patients most likely to respond to chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer.

Study helps predict how long it will take for testosterone to return to normal after prostate cancer treatment

A new study has found that baseline testosterone, age, and duration of ADT are key predictors of testosterone recovery. The researchers developed a nomogram to estimate recovery times based on patient-specific characteristics, providing valuable insights for improving patient outcomes.

Tumor irradiation, individualized daily

Researchers integrated personalized daily adjustments into proton therapy, ensuring more precise treatment and reduced radiation exposure. The new workflow, developed by PSI researchers, involves low-dose CT scans before each irradiation and adapts the treatment plan to the patient's current anatomy.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalPhysics in Medicine and Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2024

Tailoring radiation therapy for brain cancer treatment: a personal investigation

Researchers have developed a novel platform for testing radiation therapy effects on brain cells, providing insights into how the brain reacts to cancer treatment. The study aims to improve treatment strategies by understanding the impact of radiation on neural circuits, ultimately leading to personalized care for patients.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 18, 2024

Shorter-course radiation better option for breast cancer patients than conventional schedule

A new study published in The BMJ found that shorter-course radiation therapy is safer and more convenient for breast cancer patients than conventional schedules. Moderate hypofractionation reduced the risk of acute radiation dermatitis by 46% compared to conventional fractionation, while also improving cosmesis and quality of life.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 11, 2024

Long-course radiotherapy is better than short-course for organ preservation in rectal cancer

A new study published in Annals of Oncology found that long-course radiotherapy is safer and more effective than short-course radiotherapy for preserving organs in rectal cancer patients. The treatment was shown to prevent regrowth of the primary tumour, but had similar overall survival rates.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 11, 2024

Targeted cancer therapies: Getting radioactive atoms to accumulate in tumors

Researchers developed a novel compound to target prostate cancer using radioactive atom astatine-211, potentially overcoming issues with previous compounds like deastatination. The study found high accumulation in tumors and low accumulation in vital organs, highlighting the potential of this new compound for targeted alpha therapy.

SourceChiba University·JournalEJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2024

Promising treatment for rectal cancer confirmed in major study

A new treatment approach has been confirmed effective in a major study, showing that locally advanced rectal cancer patients can experience complete tumour disappearance without needing surgery. This method reduces the risk of recurrence and preserves normal bowel function, offering a promising alternative to traditional treatments.

SourceUppsala University·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 22, 2024