Evaluation of prostate cancer shorter and safer treatment with targeted radiation

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Michigan Principal Investigator Daniel a. Hamstra, Ph.d., M.D., Assistant professor of the Department of radiotherapy and 10 seen are currently runs the first multi-study, evaluation of a new form of radiation treatment for prostate cancer in combination with advanced real-time tracking tumor, at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor.

The team evaluates the safety of shortened (hypfractionated) Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with Calypso Medical GPS for the body-technology used for real-time tracking of prostate cancer tumors during radiotherapy. The results will be compared with conventional radiotherapy.

Dr. Hamstra and his co-investigators state that SBRT the need for precise, accurate real-time tracking of prostate motion during irradiation increases. The management of larger, more concentrated radiation doses raises concern, because the surrounding healthy tissue is subject to the same high doses and therefore the chance of side effects, such as rectal injury, impotence and difficulty urinating.

The Calypso Medical real-time tracking technology accurately pinpoints the exact location of the prostate, which doctors for the management of large doses of SBRT with more confidence, while the total amount of treatments to reduce.

Prof. Hamstra States:

"To a large extent, identification of prostate location is only carried out prior to the start of the treatment without taking into account the motion of the prostate during treatment, but precise targeting of the prostate gland during radiation is critically important for the prevention of unintentional radiation contribute to healthy tissue.

This is the first multi-study to include use of the Calypso real-time tumor tracking technology, which allows us to significantly reduce the margin of healthy tissue around the prostate in order to prevent development of undesirable side effects. We are optimistic that use of the Calypso system in concert with a small number of dose-intensified treatment sessions can be a way to optimize SBRT. "

The multi-site study will test whether a short-course, treatment plan with real-time Evaluate prostate movement is safe and effective for patients in comparison with conventional treatment.

The phase II study will be held over a 39-month period with 66 patients who each five 30-minute treatment sessions (receive fractions) with a rest period of at least two days between each group. The size of each group will consist of 7.4 units of absorbed radiation dose (grey) with a total dosage of 37 Gray. The five-group treatment period will last between 15-19 calendar days compared with a conventional treatment of 40-45 daily treatments spread over a period of eight to nine weeks.

Litzenberg Dale, Ph.d., fellow researcher and assistant clinical professor, Department of radiotherapy at the University of Michigan said:

"The Calypso technology is essential because it only offers real-time locating the prostate, providing the necessary information relating to motion that occurs as a result of normal bladder and bowels. With this information we can give more limitative treatment margins, which the risk for both acute and let reduce toxicities should use. Calypso with SBRT combine creates an approach to the treatment that allows patients to maintain their quality of life while spending significantly less time away from family and work. "

Participating institutions in collaboration with the University of Michigan include Washington University (St. Louis, MO.); The Fox Chase Cancer Center (Philadelphia); Cedars Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles), and radiation oncology Centers (Sacramento, Calif.).

Lisa Levine, Ph.d., vice president, clinical and pre-market regulatory affairs for medical Calypso said:

"We are very encouraged by these multi study evaluating Calypso real-time tracking for prostate tumor SBRT, as this research will offer broad information to complement previous studies of the single-center with the same objectives. Recent results of the study of a single-center reported favourable toxicity and quality-of-life results in urine, rectal and sexual function. [1] this study results and others suggest that it's much shorter delivery schedule combined with the potential for a more effective treatment SBRT a very attractive option for the right patient. "

Calypso Medical will emphasize the use of real-time tracking during prostate cancer radiation therapy and medicines for research use in lung cancer in the upcoming 2011 joint American Association of physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and the Canadian organization of medical physicists (COMP) meeting, 31 July-4 August at the Vancouver Convention Centre (Booth # 1131).

Petra Rattue
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Article reference:
[1] Abstract ID 121, ASTRO 2010, title: a phase II study of real-time Target Tracking SBRT for low-risk prostate cancer using the system of Calypso 4 D localization: patient health-related quality of life and toxicity results reported. C.A. Mantz, et al. 21st century Oncology, Fort Myers, FL.