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.

Plaque can be used to predict, identify and treat diseases, say researchers

Scraped from the gums, teeth and tongue in the form of plaque, the researchers behind Canada's first plaque bank are betting that the bacterial content of plaque will open up a new frontier of medicine.

17 Apr 2015

May issue of Red Journal focuses on role of radiation therapy in current lymphoma treatment

The "Radiation and the Modern Management of Lymphoma" issue (May 1, 2015) of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, is focused on the integral role of radiation therapy in current lymphoma treatment.

17 Apr 2015

UH Seidman Cancer Center uses SpaceOAR System to perform first-ever prostate cancer treatment

The radiation oncology team at UH Seidman Cancer Center at UH Geauga Medical Center performed the first-ever prostate cancer treatment on April 3 using a newly approved device. The device, called SpaceOAR System, enhances the efficacy of radiation treatment by protecting organs surrounding the prostate. The device, a temporary injectable gel, received FDA clearance on April 1.

16 Apr 2015

Genetically modified Salmonella can help kill cancer cells

A new study has demonstrated that genetically modified Salmonella can be used to kill cancer cells. The study is published in this week's issue of mBio, an American Society for Microbiology online-only, open access journal.

15 Apr 2015

Elekta Healthcare Analytics to be introduced at HIMSS15

At the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society's 2015 conference (HIMSS15), Elekta will introduce Elekta Healthcare Analytics, a solution for accelerating data analysis to improve clinical, operational and financial decision making.

From Elekta 12 Apr 2015

Researchers link loss of WAVE1 gene to lethal form of prostate cancer

Researchers at Upstate Medical University and Harvard University have linked the loss of key gene, WAVE1, to a lethal form of prostate cancer, according to a study published in the journal Oncotarget.

9 Apr 2015

Two case studies provide potential new avenue for treatment of kidney cancer

UT Southwestern Medical Center Kidney Cancer Program investigators have published what is believed to be the first reported successful use of stereotactic body radiation therapy for an often deadly complication of kidney cancer.

8 Apr 2015

Harry Folk speaks about successful throat cancer treatment received at St. Luke’s Cancer Center

It’s been nine years since Harry Folk of Palmer Township had a scare with throat cancer. He is able to talk about his journey, literally, thanks to the treatment he received at St. Luke’s. The treatment plan recommended by his cancer team not only removed his cancer, but preserved his voice and ability to swallow without difficulty.

8 Apr 2015

Scientists identify small RNA molecule that can suppress cancer-causing genes in GBM

Northwestern Medicine scientists have identified a small RNA molecule called miR-182 that can suppress cancer-causing genes in mice with glioblastoma mulitforme (GBM), a deadly and incurable type of brain tumor.

6 Apr 2015

Shire announces availability of Natpara (parathyroid hormone) for injection in U.S.

Shire plc today announced that Natpara (parathyroid hormone) for injection is now available in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Natpara as an adjunct to calcium and vitamin D to control hypocalcemia in patients with hypoparathyroidism on January 23, 2015.

1 Apr 2015

Good Samaritan Hospital's Stroke Program certified as primary stroke center

Good Samaritan Hospital's Stroke Program has attained The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Heart-Check mark as a certified primary stroke center. The recognition means the Stroke Program has met The Joint Commission's standards for providing stroke care.

31 Mar 2015

Combination treatment improves outcomes in women with ovarian cancer

Medical researchers are always looking for ways to prevent or cure cancer. Given the complexity of this disease, reaching these milestones has been difficult.

30 Mar 2015

Researchers evaluate decision aids for patient's choice of localised prostate cancer treatment

Doctors strive to make treatment decisions together with their patients - but is the decision really shared? According to adjunct professor Kari Tikkinen, shared decision-making isn't easy, and clinicians need help. The international research group led by Tikkinen has studied the decision aids for treatment choice of localised prostate cancer

30 Mar 2015

Experimental immunotherapy shows promise in women with stage III or IV ovarian cancer

Personalized medicine is getting closer to reality for women with late-stage ovarian cancer. An experimental immunotherapy is in the works that can target an individual woman's tumor and extend the time period between initial treatment and the cancer's return.

29 Mar 2015

NCCC at Dartmouth designated again as Comprehensive Cancer Center by NCI

The National Cancer Institute has renewed its Cancer Center Support Grant to Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth, continuing NCCC's designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

29 Mar 2015

Radiation resistance in leukemia can be overcome by using new precision medicine, say researchers

A team of researchers led by Fatih M. Uckun, MD, PhD, of The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Professor at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine has determined that radiation resistance in leukemia can be overcome by using an engineered protein they recently designed and developed as a new precision medicine against leukemia.

27 Mar 2015

Radiation treatment can be delayed after prostatectomy to prevent side effects, say studies

Important news for men receiving treatment for prostate cancer: Two new studies from the University of Virginia School of Medicine have upended the widely held view that it's best to delay radiation treatment as long as possible after the removal of the prostate in order to prevent unwanted side effects.

23 Mar 2015

New radiation treatment for brain cancer implanted in first human being at CTRC

David Williams is the first human being ever to have a new radiation treatment implanted in the center of his brain tumor.

18 Mar 2015

CTCA in Philadelphia installs TomoHDA TomoTherapy machine to provide precise treatment to patients

Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia has announced the installation of the TomoHDA TomoTherapy machine. TomoTherapy combines an advanced form of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), with the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) scanning technology, all in one machine.

16 Mar 2015

Oxis Biotech executes licensing agreement with MCIT for development of antibody-drug conjugates

Oxis Biotech, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxis International, Inc., announced today the execution of a definitive licensing and development agreement with MultiCell Immunotherapeutics, Inc. concerning the development of certain antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

12 Mar 2015