Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
A new ASTRO clinical guideline recommends partial breast irradiation as a viable alternative to whole breast radiation for patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer or DCIS, based on evidence from large randomized trials. The guideline provides guidance on patient selection and best practices for delivering effective partial bre...
Patients with breast cancer in conflict zones face significant barriers to treatment, including lack of standard procedures and funding for rebuilding capacity. This results in many patients being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, often with limited palliative care options.
A specific nucleotide metabolite called GTP controls responses to radiation and chemotherapy in an unexpected way. Increasing GTP levels makes cells resistant to treatment, while lowering them makes cells more sensitive.
Researchers have discovered a novel biomarker that enables the evaluation of near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) treatment success. The biomarker uses microbubbles to track tumor vessels and measure the effectiveness of NIR-PIT, which combines antibodies and near-infrared light to destroy cancer cells.
Researchers discovered that lactate-producing intratumoral bacteria drives resistance to radiation therapy. Cancer cells respond to radiation by rewiring metabolic signaling pathways using lactic acid instead of glucose.
A simple MRI scan and a new metric for prostatic urethra length may help identify men at risk of chronic urinary side effects after radiation therapy. The study found that longer prostatic urethras are associated with a higher likelihood of these symptoms, which can impact quality of life.
Researchers developed a human in vitro model of radiation-induced lung injury, closely mimicking the complexities of the disease. The Human Lung Alveolus Chip recapitulates hallmarks of RILI, including DNA damage, inflammation, and injury to lung cells and blood vessels.
A new study published in JNCCN found that intensive local-regional treatment to remove as much tumor as possible did not significantly impact overall quality of life for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. However, the treatment was associated with a higher risk of adverse events.
Researchers identified YB-1 as an attractive therapeutic target for pleural mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Indirect targeting of YB-1 via histone deacetylase inhibitors showed promise in enhancing chemo- and radiotherapy sensitivity.
Researchers discovered the STAT3 signaling pathway as a potential target for treating H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), a uniformly lethal central nervous system malignancy. The current standard of care, including palliative radiation and chemotherapy, remains ineffective in this disease.
A new method was developed to predict organ motion in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, utilizing cross-sectional images from three orientations. The results showed improved accuracy when analyzing all three directions, with errors reduced to as low as 2.13mm.
Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center presented new findings on radiation-induced secondary cancers, a new guidance system for radiation therapy, and the consequences of insurance denials. The studies aimed to improve personalized treatment decisions for patients with rare cancer syndromes like Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
Researchers found that relying on existing diagnostic CT scans instead of new ones for simple palliative radiation treatments reduced patient wait times from nearly five hours to under 30 minutes. This novel workflow can improve the patient experience and reduce costs, making it a promising approach for expedited care.
A novel liquid biopsy test identifies levels of circulating tumor DNA as a more precise measure of disease burden than the number of tumors themselves. Patients with lower levels of detectable ctDNA are more likely to benefit from radiation therapy.
A new study found that a shorter radiation treatment course is just as effective as a longer schedule for patients with non-HPV-related locally advanced disease. Delivering fewer, but higher doses of radiation was associated with similar tumor control and late-term side effects.
Patients who engage in regular sexual activity or vaginal dilation have a lower risk of long-term side effects, including vaginal stenosis. Regular dilation and/or sex were associated with lower risk of moderate-grade vaginal shortening and narrowing five years after treatment.
Two liquid biopsy tests identified patients with a high risk of cervical cancer recurrence after chemoradiation treatment, allowing for earlier detection and potential improvement in outcomes. The tests detected HPV ctDNA in the blood of patients with residual disease, providing insight before tissue biopsy becomes possible.
A multi-center study found that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SABR) can achieve 100% local control and cancer-specific survival for longer than three years among patients with inoperable kidney cancer. The treatment was effective in preserving kidney function, with only one patient requiring dialysis.
A new study found that precision medicine navigators can significantly increase genomic testing rates for Black patients with prostate cancer. Genomic testing is used to gauge the likelihood of cancer metastasis and has been shown to be more accurate than traditional tests in predicting treatment outcomes.
A randomized study shows that shorter radiation therapy courses are just as effective in preventing cancer return and reducing side effects for patients with breast reconstruction. The accelerated treatment regimen saved patients time, money, and experienced fewer treatment breaks.
Researchers found a shorter course of radiation therapy provides equivalent protection against breast cancer recurrence and physical side-effects, but reduces life disruption and financial burden. Patients reported less burden on their time and finances, with improved quality of life.
A new drug called vorasidenib has been shown to significantly slow tumor growth and extend the average time until tumor growth in patients with grade 2 IDH-mutant gliomas. This breakthrough could offer a first early treatment option for these cancer patients, potentially improving their quality of life.
A recent study by Sylvester Cancer researchers used machine learning tools to predict tumor growth patterns in glioblastoma patients. The model achieved an overall accuracy of 86% in predicting three outcome classes, with 93% accuracy when predicting between no progression and any kind of progression.
A phase III trial suggests that fewer and higher doses of radiation therapy delivered over five sessions are as effective as lower doses delivered over several weeks for patients with locally advanced disease. The treatment achieved a 96% five-year disease control rate, comparable to 95% for conventional radiation.
A new size threshold for retropharyngeal lymph nodes is proposed to improve risk stratification and treatment decisions in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Using a 6-mm threshold, the study found significant differences in overall survival between stage-I and stage-II disease.
Cancer researchers at University of Cincinnati Cancer Center are exploring a new method called lattice therapy, which delivers higher doses to tumors and lower doses to surrounding tissues. The approach has shown promise in reducing treatment time and improving patient outcomes for head and neck, lung, and brain tumors.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology announced the winners of its new combination therapy challenge, which aims to improve prostate cancer treatments using relugolix in combination with radiation therapy. The three winning research proposals will receive funding over four to five years.
Researchers found persistent inflammation in intestines of patients 20 years post-radiotherapy, even with targeted treatments. This could lead to chronic symptoms like tenesmus and frequent diarrhea.
Researchers found that adding dendritic cell boosting therapy to radiation and CTLA4 inhibitor combination produced synergistic effect, eliciting tumor regression. This approach resulted in complete or almost complete elimination of targeted tumors.
A randomized trial published in The Lancet Oncology found that condensing prostate beam scanning proton therapy for breast cancer patients can result in similar control of the cancer while sparing surrounding normal tissue. The study demonstrated excellent outcomes, with reduced skin side effects and comparable complication rates.
A new study published in International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics found that multiple beams and intervals in delivery during FLASH proton therapy treatment reduced skin-saving effects in preclinical models.
Researchers evaluated biochemical recurrence as a surrogate endpoint for overall survival, but found no reliable correlation. Biochemical recurrences occur early in the disease course and may impact quality of life, but high-level data tracking this is lacking.
A multidisciplinary team at Hollings Cancer Center has launched a trial to reduce delays in starting radiation therapy after surgery, which can worsen outcomes. The ENDURE approach addresses organizational, team, and patient-level barriers to care, with promising preliminary results.
Researchers examine translational studies on peripheral surrogates of tumor burden, including circulating tumor DNA, miRNA, and HPV-specific antibodies, to inform chemotherapy and immunotherapy strategies. These biomarkers show promise as prognostic and predictive markers of response to treatment.
A team of scientists studied the impact of radiation on DNA, revealing that damaged areas are separated by a critical distance before breaking. The study found an exponential increase in DNA breakage time with distance, providing crucial information for effective DNA repair processes.
Researchers highlight the need for effective treatment strategies for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck, which is a highly malignant tumor with variable localizations. Proton therapy shows decisive advantages in long-term survival rates for ACC.
Researchers investigated H3K27me3 expression patterns in pediatric brain tumors, finding a global loss of this epigenetic mark in diffused midline glioma (DMG). This loss was associated with high relapse rates and poor survival, highlighting the potential for targeting H3K27me3 as an epigenetically guided cancer therapy.
A new study identifies two distinct subtypes of human papillomavirus-positive head and neck cancers with different treatment outcomes. Tumors with high NF-kB activity are more responsive to radiation therapy, leading to improved patient survival.
A new technique uses frozen hydrogen as a target for high-power laser pulses, improving proton acceleration efficiency and paving the way for advanced tumor therapy concepts. The method generates multiple proton bunches per second and optimizes the process through AI algorithms.
A study of 29 clinical trials found that MRg-A-SBRT significantly reduces urinary and bowel side effects in prostate cancer patients, with a 44% reduction in urinary and 60% reduction in bowel side effects. This technique uses imaging technology to accurately aim radiation beams at the prostate while avoiding nearby tissue.
A new study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer have increased biological aging compared to those who remain free of breast cancer. Radiation therapy showed the strongest association with faster biological aging, while surgery had no effect.
Researchers report a case of a 15-year-old boy with recurrent intrathoracic synovial sarcoma who achieved partial response with BRAF inhibitor Vemurafenib treatment. The study highlights the importance of routine next-generation sequencing to drive treatment choice and investigate BRAF mutations in SS tumors.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel boron agent that selectively accumulates in brain tumor cells, exhibits enhanced blood retention, and can be administered at low doses. The agent, PBC-IP, shows promising results in preclinical studies, highlighting its potential for radiotherapy in treating glioblastoma.
A new study found that cetuximab plus radiotherapy is an active treatment option for locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell skin cancer, with an objective response rate of 83.2%. The treatment was well-tolerated, with most patients experiencing mild acneiform skin rash or fatigue.
Researchers at Paul Scherrer Institute have developed a beamline modification called momentum cooling to increase the transmission of proton beams, allowing for shorter treatment times. This breakthrough could enable faster treatments while maintaining accuracy and sparing healthy tissue, with potential benefits including reduced costs...
A new study published in NEJM Evidence validates a predictive AI biomarker for androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) benefit in prostate cancer. The study found that personalized use of short-term ADT could improve patient outcomes in men with predominantly intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
Research suggests that glioblastoma cells possess large-scale coordination, allowing them to respond unison to therapies. Disrupting this organization may result in more powerful treatments for brain tumors.
Researchers have developed a new technique to generically treat several kinds of cancer, showing tumors grew almost three times less and survival rates reached 100% after just one injection. The method targets cancer cells with alpha radiation, sparing healthy tissue.
Researchers developed a risk calculator using persistent homology scores from CT scans, which is the strongest predictor of overall survival among standard clinical measures. The calculator has the potential to guide clinicians in choosing treatment options and transform the way outcomes are predicted.
Researchers at the University of Malaga develop a new therapy using manual techniques and stretching to reduce pain and improve mobility in women with axillary web syndrome after breast cancer. The therapy, consisting of 15 sessions, has shown significant results in reducing evolution time of lymphatic thrombi.
A study published in Cancers found that a combination of radiotherapy followed by immunotherapy is effective against oral malignant melanomas in dogs. The treatment strategy increased overall survival time compared to immunotherapy alone. Researchers are now exploring the optimal protocol for this therapy to increase its effectiveness.
Researchers found that combining radiation with a genetically engineered oncolytic vaccinia virus improved treatment outcomes for glioblastoma brain tumors in mice. The combination showed a 15% cure rate and 62% rejection of new cancer cells, outperforming radiation alone.
Researchers at Mass General Cancer Center describe the evolution of proton therapy, its benefits to patients, and efforts to increase access worldwide. They highlight advancements in machine size reduction and treatment efficiency, paving the way for global democratisation.
Researchers developed a drug treatment that inhibits YTHDF2, improving results of radiation therapy and preventing progression of distant metastasis. The treatment also prevents the "bad-scopal" effect, where radiation causes distant tumors to metastasize.
UMC Utrecht researchers are conducting two new projects to treat cancer using image-guided interventions. One project uses MRI-guided radiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer, while the other employs ultrasound techniques for head and neck cancers.
Researchers from the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are presenting findings on combination therapies for breast cancer and a potential new treatment for patients with recurrent glioma. A phase 3 study evaluating vorasidenib versus placebo in patients with residual or recurrent grade 2 glioma with an IDH1/2 mutation is also be...
A recent clinical trial, PLATO, demonstrated that lowering the dose and duration of radiotherapy treatments for anal cancer reduces side effects without compromising cancer cure rates. The treatment involves intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), which allows for personalized doses to be applied to visible tumors.
A low-cost antibacterial regimen can prevent acute radiation dermatitis, a common skin problem affecting up to 95% of radiation therapy patients. The treatment involves using chlorhexidine and mupirocin nasal ointment twice daily, with no adverse effects or severe cases reported.
Researchers discuss the importance of biomarkers in breast lump management, enabling patients to make informed decisions between proactive treatment and watchful waiting. The development of biomarkers could provide personalized risk assessments and guide treatment strategies for women with breast lumps.
A new study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that children with supportive environments fared better than those living in neighborhoods with economic hardship. Higher EHI scores were associated with lower cognitive abilities and greater decline after treatment, especially in math skills.