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Cancer research

Ireland Cancer Center Receives $250,000 Grant for Precision Breast Cancer Radiation Treatment Device

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals of Cleveland have been awarded a significant grant to develop a novel optical device that enhances the accuracy of daily breast radiation therapy. The $250,000 grant, provided by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, will support research into the development of a high-precision positioning system for image-guided breast cancer radiation. Led by Jason Sohn, PhD, the team aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients undergoing radiation therapy following a lumpectomy. The new device promises to enhance patient safety and potentially reduce the treatment duration.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ireland Cancer Center has received a $250,000 grant from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for the development of a high-precision positioning system for image-guided breast cancer radiation.
  • The new device, led by Jason Sohn, PhD, will improve the accuracy of daily breast radiation therapy and enhance patient safety for women who have undergone lumpectomies.
  • Radiation therapy for breast cancer following a lumpectomy involves daily exposure to external radiation beams over a course of 6 weeks, but the new positioning system can improve treatment by scanning the affected area daily and detecting changes in the location and shape of the cancer target.
  • Breast conserving therapy (BCT) has a comparable cure rate to a mastectomy, with a 90% non-recurrence of cancer rate as opposed to 60% using lumpectomy alone.
  • Researchers have proposed an accelerated course of partial breast irradiation (APBI) to make BCT more appealing to patients, requiring fewer daily treatments but at higher doses.
  • The positioning system is expected to make APBI a serious option for a larger patient population by accurately re-positioning the breast for treatment using optical images without radiation.

Statistics:

  • The 2-year grant will support the development of the high-precision positioning system.
  • The new device can improve treatment outcomes by scanning the affected area daily and detecting changes in the location and shape of the cancer target.
  • Breast conserving therapy has a 90% non-recurrence of cancer rate compared to 60% using lumpectomy alone.
  • The accelerated course of partial breast irradiation (APBI) requires fewer daily treatments but at higher doses.
  • The positioning system is expected to make APBI a serious option for a larger patient population by accurately re-positioning the breast for treatment.

Sources:

  • University Hospitals of Cleveland
  • Ireland Cancer Center
  • Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
  • Health & Medicine Week editors via NewsRx.com.

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