Radiation Therapy News and Research

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Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy, x-ray therapy, or irradiation) is the use of a certain type of energy (called ionizing radiation) to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy injures or destroys cells in the area being treated (the “target tissue”) by damaging their genetic material, making it impossible for these cells to continue to grow and divide. Although radiation damages both cancer cells and normal cells, most normal cells can recover from the effects of radiation and function properly. The goal of radiation therapy is to damage as many cancer cells as possible, while limiting harm to nearby healthy tissue.

Niclosamide drug effective against colon cancer metastasis

A compound that for about 60 years has been used as a drug against tapeworm infection is also apparently effective against colon cancer metastasis, as studies using mice have now shown.

18 Jun 2011

Initial data from COMPLETE study on peripheral T-cell lymphoma presented at ICML 2011

Allos Therapeutics, Inc. today announced the presentation of initial data from COMPLETE, an international registry designed to address the urgent need for an increased understanding of the treatment patterns and outcomes for patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

16 Jun 2011

Accuray acquires TomoTherapy

Accuray Incorporated announced today that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of TomoTherapy Incorporated.

13 Jun 2011

Hyperthermia prevents repair of tumor cells

BSD Medical Corporation, a leading provider of medical systems that utilize heat therapy to treat cancer, announced today that a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrated that hyperthermia can be a powerful tool to inhibit the ability of cancer cells to repair the DNA damage caused by radiation or chemotherapy.

10 Jun 2011

Scientists uncover new role for key cancer protein

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have uncovered a new role for a key cancer protein, a finding that could pave the way for more-effective radiation treatment of a variety of tumors.

10 Jun 2011

Eli Lilly, Synthes collaborate to develop osteoinductive products

Synthes, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company today announced the signing of an exclusive worldwide collaboration agreement to address the needs of patients who are cared for by orthopedic surgeons, including those with osteoporosis and those with bone fractures.

10 Jun 2011

IsoRay completes Iotrex license agreement with Dr. Reddy's

IsoRay, Inc. announced today that it has completed a license agreement with Dr. Reddy's Laboratories for exclusive worldwide licensing rights to Iotrex, a liquid iodine radiation, for use in brain cancer treatment.

7 Jun 2011

VentiRx presents VTX-2337 Phase 1 trial results against advanced solid tumors at ASCO 2011

VentiRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel Toll-Like Receptor 8 agonists for the treatment of cancer, respiratory and autoimmune diseases, today announced the presentation of results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of VTX-2337, a selective TLR8 agonist in patients with advanced solid tumors. Data were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.

7 Jun 2011

Medizintechnik acquires BSD-2000/3D/MR integrated hyperthermia system

BSD Medical Corporation, a leading provider of medical systems that utilize heat therapy to treat cancer, today announced that Dr. Sennewald Medizintechnik GmbH (Medizintechnik) has purchased BSD Medical's BSD-2000/3D/MR Hyperthermia System (BSD-2000/3D/MR).

6 Jun 2011

New UH Seidman Cancer Center center to offer latest treatments and technology

University Hospitals (UH) Seidman Cancer Center, Northeast Ohio's first and only freestanding cancer hospital, opens to patients on June 6. The ten-story, 150-bed cancer hospital will house the latest cancer-fighting treatments and technology – all in a patient-centered, healing-focused environment.

6 Jun 2011

Results from HSPPC-96 Phase 2 study against recurrent gliobastoma presented at ASCO 2011

In data presented at The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, cancer researchers found that the brain tumor vaccine HSPPC-96 for treating recurrent gliobastoma (GBM) has a favorable safety profile and extends survival by two to three times more than the current median survival rate.

4 Jun 2011

Survival rates of wealthier patients with glioblastoma are longer than poorer patients

Survival rates of wealthier patients and those younger than 70 with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor, have improved since 2000, whereas rates for those living in poorer areas and older than 70 have remained stagnant, according to an abstract being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital researchers on Saturday, June 4.

4 Jun 2011

SBRT is effective for patients with low-to-intermediate-risk prostate cancer: Researchers

In a multicenter clinical trial, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found that higher doses of stereotactic radiation therapy requiring fewer treatments are safe and effective for patients with low-to-intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

4 Jun 2011

CARE in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill introduced in House of Representatives

Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that will set federal minimum education and certification standards in the Medicare program for the technical personnel providing, planning and delivering all medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments.

4 Jun 2011

Delayed treatment could prove effective in certain medical conditions

In today's fast-paced world, waiting — whether it's at the doctor's office, in line at the grocery store or for an Internet connection — is rarely considered a good thing.

3 Jun 2011

Many women over 70 with stage I breast cancer opt for radiation therapy: ASCO

Patterns of radiation usage in breast conserving therapy for women 70 years and older with stage I breast cancer are changing: more women are opting for radioactive implants and those with estrogen positive tumors are opting out of radiation therapy, according to an abstract being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital researchers on Saturday, June 4.

3 Jun 2011

Stereotactic body radiation therapy effective for patients with low-risk prostate cancer

3 Jun 2011

Scientists identify protein sorting mechanism used by salivary gland

University of Louisville researchers are one step closer to helping millions of people whose salivary glands no longer work because of disease or damage from treatment of diseases.

3 Jun 2011

PCF funds 14 new Creativity Awards for advanced prostate cancer research

The Prostate Cancer Foundation today announced that it has funded 14 new Creativity Awards for advanced prostate cancer research. These two-year awards are designed to support innovative research ideas that have the potential to achieve breakthroughs for improved prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.

2 Jun 2011

IMRT cuts GI side effects from prostate cancer in half vs. 3D-CRT

Intensity modulated radiation therapy, a newer, more precise form of radiation therapy, causes fewer gastrointestinal side effects when combined with hormone therapy than using three-dimensional radiation therapy, according to a study published in the June issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology·Biology·Physics, the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

1 Jun 2011