Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
A recent study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that dose-escalated radiotherapy with short-term androgen deprivation therapy showed no significant impact on urinary or bowel quality of life for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. However, the treatment did significantly decrease hormone and sexual quality of lif...
Researchers at the University of Colorado Cancer Center have made a breakthrough in treating pancreatic cancer by combining radiation and immunotherapy. The treatment eradicates tumors while stopping the cancer from spreading, offering new hope for patients. Clinical trials are planned to further develop this therapy.
The NRG Oncology study found that stereotactic radiosurgery was not superior to conventional external beam radiotherapy in terms of pain response, and even showed worse pain response at 3 months. Conventional radiotherapy remained effective with a 50-60% pain relief rate, but only lasting four months.
The study found that dose-escalated radiotherapy with short-term androgen deprivation therapy improved rates of biochemical failure, distant metastases, and prostate cancer-specific mortality. However, the trial did not meet its primary endpoint of improving overall survival for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
An international study of 1,044 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma found that combining radiotherapy with chemotherapy significantly improves survival rates compared to radiotherapy alone. The benefit was particularly notable in patients between 65-79 years old with good general health.
Researchers found that participants with lower written health literacy experienced longer delays in initiating postoperative radiation therapy. The study controlled for demographic and clinical factors, highlighting the importance of health literacy in cancer care.
A phase 2 clinical trial found improved neurocognitive outcomes and comparable survival rates for children with craniopharyngioma treated with proton therapy compared to photon therapy. The study highlights the therapeutic advantage of proton therapy in sparing normal brain tissue and reducing collateral effects.
Researchers developed an ingestible X-ray dosimeter that detects radiation dose in real time, providing accurate monitoring of radiotherapy. The capsule tracks biochemical indicators like pH and temperature, enabling enhanced treatment precision for gastric cancer patients.
Scientists have engineered a unique strain of probiotic bacteria to over-express a metal transporter that binds and concentrates copper, facilitating the delivery of radionuclide therapy to cancer cells. This approach targets tumors without relying on specific receptors, making it potentially effective against treatment-resistant cancers.
Researchers found a modest increased risk of developing heart disease among people exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation. The study suggests that guidelines for protection of workers and patients should be reconsidered to minimize the risks associated with low-dose radiation exposure.
Researchers found that senescence-associated exosomes (SA-EXOs) from MSCs induce fibrosis and activate invasive characteristics in neighboring cells via the TGF-β pathway. SA-EXOs play a large role in cancer-related fibrosis, and their unique miRNA content influences myofibroblast phenotypes.
Scientists discovered a new type of DNA repair mechanism that cancer cells use to recover from next-generation cancer radiation therapy. DNA polymerase θ (POLQ) is an important factor in repairing complex DNA double-strand breaks, and inhibiting POLQ may augment the efficacy of heavy ion radiation therapy.
Researchers found that increasing melanin levels in human skin reduces Cherenkov emission intensity, while blood concentration affects different color channels. The study suggests using multispectral signatures to correct attenuated signals based on patient's blood volume or skin color.
The ProtecT trial found that active monitoring of prostate cancer has the same high survival rates after 15 years as radiotherapy or surgery. Men on active monitoring were more likely to see their cancer progress, but this didn't reduce their likelihood of survival.
Researchers found that patients receiving salvage radiation therapy (sRT) with PSA levels above 0.25 ng/mL had a 50% higher risk of death compared to those with lower PSA levels. The study suggests delaying sRT until PSA levels exceed 0.30 ng/mL may increase mortality risk.
A recent study found that immunotherapy costs accounted for 84% of the net increase in Medicare spending on outpatient cancer care at the end of life. Payments for radiation oncology decreased by 2%, while palliative care spending rose, reflecting a shift towards hypofractionated radiation treatments.
A recent study suggests that routine evaluation of HER2 expression in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is crucial to avoid under or overtreatment. The research found a significant association between HER2 overexpression and a higher risk of recurrence, as well as improved radiotherapy outcomes.
A new study suggests that radiotherapy does not improve survival rates in older breast cancer patients with early-stage breast cancer. The 10-year study found that adding radiotherapy to breast-conserving surgery and hormone therapy did not increase death rates among patients aged 65 or older.
A new study published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics found that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is an effective treatment for early stage lung neuroendocrine tumors. The three-, six- and nine-year local control rates with SBRT were 97%, 91% and 91%, respectively.