Moses Cone Health System installs TomoTherapy cancer treatment system

Sep 22 2009

TomoTherapy Incorporated (NASDAQ: TOMO) announced today that Moses Cone Health System has installed North Carolina's first TomoTherapy® cancer treatment system at the Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center in Greensboro, N.C. The TomoTherapy system is a versatile radiation therapy device that integrates true CT-based image guidance for increased treatment accuracy and helical delivery for enhanced tumor targeting.

Matthew A. Manning, M.D., radiation oncologist at Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center, stated, "We studied all the available radiation therapy equipment options. After a careful comparison of TomoTherapy, VMAT, and RapidArc™, it was clear that TomoTherapy technology is in a class by itself. TomoTherapy has an extensive clinical track record, and we believe that the quality of the radiation plans produced by the TomoTherapy platform is superior to any other option." Dr. Manning also cited the positive experiences of TomoTherapy users as an important factor in Moses Cone Health System's purchase decision.

Since the first patient treatment was delivered on a TomoTherapy system in Knoxville, Tenn. in July 2003, more than 3 million treatment sessions -- targeting cancers throughout the body -- have been completed on TomoTherapy systems in hospitals and cancer centers around the world.

Moses Cone Anticipates Broadened Clinical Reach with TomoTherapy Technology

Robert Murray, M.D., medical director of Radiation Oncology at Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center, expects that TomoTherapy technology will help expand the center's clinical reach.

"The TomoTherapy system will allow us to build upon our expertise in treating cancers of the prostate and head and neck, with daily image guidance capabilities that we do not currently have. In addition, it gives us a platform for both adaptive radiation therapy and brain and body stereotactic procedures," said Dr. Murray. "As we apply this technology and develop our brain and body stereotactic radiosurgery and radiation therapy (SRS/SBRT) program, we anticipate that we will no longer have to refer patients to outside institutions, except for a very few cases."

TomoTherapy's 'Turn-key Implementation' Exceeds Expectations

Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center is scheduled to commence treating patients with TomoTherapy technology in early October. System installation is complete and staff is currently finishing comprehensive training.

"Between the installation and training, our launch of this ground-breaking technology has been simplified to a turn-key implementation," said Dr. Manning. "Typically, organizing the installation of a linear accelerator and installing numerous distinct components is logistically challenging, leading to delays in clinical care. With TomoTherapy, the hardware, software and quality assurance are unified into a complete package, simplifying and speeding the process immensely."

Fred Robertson, M.D., CEO of TomoTherapy, said, "We are extremely pleased to partner with Moses Cone Health System and Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center to bring TomoTherapy technology to North Carolina. By adopting the TomoTherapy radiation therapy platform, Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center has demonstrated its commitment to advancing the quality of cancer care, and its leadership within the region."