Search

Researchers at Oslo University Hospital conducted a study on adenoid cystic carcinoma, comparing outcomes of patients treated with carbon-ion radiotherapy and photon radiotherapy. The study found that patients treated with carbon-ion radiotherapy had a higher incidence of osteoradionecrosis and worse prognosis compared to those treated with photon radiotherapy. The research highlights the importance of close follow-up and collaboration between treating centers to manage toxicity and improve quality of life for patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a method to reproduce clinical dose calculations for carbon ion radiotherapy using microdosimetric probability density distributions instead of radial dose distributions. This new approach allows for more accurate calculations of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) crucial for ion radiotherapy. The study, published in Radiation, demonstrates that the modified microdosimetric kinetic model (MKM) can successfully replicate reference calculations within a 2% margin. This research provides valuable insights into improving the accuracy of radiation medicine treatments. [Extracted from the article]

The patent application titled "Apparatus, Systems, And Methods For Optimizing Delivery Of Radiation To Treat Cardiac Arrhythmias" focuses on improving radiation therapy to ablate cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation. The inventors propose using a trans-esophageal echocardiogram probe to map out targets for radiotherapy and track cardiac motion, enhancing precision and minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The application also discusses utilizing electroporation energy, ultrasound imaging, and magnetic fields to optimize radiation delivery while protecting critical structures like the esophagus. The goal is to develop novel systems and methods to reduce complications and improve the success of ablation procedures for cardiac arrhythmias. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at the Department of Radiation Oncology in Heidelberg, Germany, conducted a dosimetric study to investigate LETd optimization strategies in carbon ion radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer. The study aimed to enhance LETd distribution in potential hypoxic tumor cores while sparing organs at risk. Different LETd-boosting planning strategies were explored, showing varying degrees of LETd enhancement and feasibility in enhancing LETd in pancreatic tumors using carbon ion arc delivery. The study concluded that the plans were successfully delivered and verified through irradiation of an anthropomorphic pancreas phantom, demonstrating agreement between dose measurements and predictions. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the University of Pavia in Italy focused on the effectiveness of carbon ion radiotherapy for inoperable gynecological mucosal melanoma. The study found that this treatment was effective and well-tolerated, with an objective response rate of 82% and a clinical benefit rate of 100%. The research suggests that carbon ion radiotherapy may be a viable option for treating gynecological melanomas, but further studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-ups are needed for a comprehensive understanding of the disease management. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the University of Virginia focused on the effectiveness and safety of proton beam therapy (PBT) and carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for treating skull base chordoma, a rare and aggressive tumor. The meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 1,145 patients found that both PBT and CIRT are effective treatments with comparable long-term efficacy, although PBT showed an advantage in local control at the 3-year mark. The research emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment approaches and the need for further refinement of these therapies in clinical practice. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from the Bioengineering Unit in Pavia, Italy, have developed a method using CycleGAN for generating synthetic computed tomography (sCT) from cone beam CT (CBCT) images for adaptive proton and carbon ion therapy in pediatric patients. The study evaluated the quality of the sCT scans compared to verification CT scans (vCT) using quantitative and qualitative metrics, showing promising results despite limitations in input image quality and field of view. The research suggests that CycleGAN can produce satisfactory sCT scans for pediatric patients, even with narrow FOV CBCT images. For more information, the full article is available in Sensors journal. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Osaka Police Hospital in Japan have reported on a case study involving the use of robot-assisted resection of exposed colon with transanal mesorectal excision (TaTME) after heavy ion radiotherapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer. The study highlights the effectiveness of this strategy in treating rectal cancer, particularly in cases of pelvic recurrence. The research emphasizes the promising results of heavy ion radiotherapy in managing challenging cases of rectal cancer, showcasing the potential of innovative technologies in oncology treatment. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from Yonsei University College of Medicine have conducted a study on the role of radiotherapy in metastatic renal cell carcinomas, challenging the traditional belief that RCC is radioresistant. Recent studies suggest that higher radiation doses can lead to better disease control, thanks to advancements in radiotherapy technology. The review discusses the current evidence and future perspectives on the use of radiotherapy in metastatic RCC, highlighting its potential benefits in symptom palliation and tumor elimination. The study was published in the Journal of Urologic Oncology, and more information can be found by contacting the authors at Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea. [Extracted from the article]

Research from Heidelberg University explores the use of different relative biological effectiveness (RBE) models in carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) to optimize treatment plans. The study introduces a framework that considers multiple RBE models simultaneously, allowing for mixed- or multi-RBE optimization in CIRT. By incorporating various RBE models, the research aims to address challenges in translating RBE predictions and provide tailored patient treatment plans. The study successfully applied these optimization strategies to clinical cases, demonstrating the potential benefits of using mixed- and multi-RBE approaches in CIRT. [Extracted from the article]