Hoag Breast Care Center has recently installed Xoft's Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy, eBx System to support the launch of its Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT) program for breast cancer treatment.
IORT is a technique where a concentrated dose of radiation is delivered to a cancerous tumor site during surgery after the tumor is removed. IORT increases targeting accuracy, thereby increasing dose to the target and reducing dose to critical structures.
Xoft said that for breast IORT, definitive treatment can be delivered in less than 20 minutes rather than the seven-week course of external beam-therapy. The shorter treatment time is generally more convenient for patients and may increase patient compliance.
The Axxent eBx System is also FDA cleared for use in the treatment of surface cancers or conditions where radiation therapy is indicated, including IORT. As a platform technology, the Axxent System is designed to deliver non-radioactive therapy directly to cancer sites with minimal radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
Utilising a miniaturised X-ray source and robotic controller, treatment can be performed in minimally shielded therapeutic settings allowing the radiation oncologist and other medical personnel to be present during treatment delivery and minimising patient anxiety.
Melvin Silverstein, medical director of Hoag Breast Care Center, said: “We are pleased to offer patients who meet the IORT protocol an isotope-free, electronic treatment option that supports both single-dose intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) and accelerated brachytherapy applications for the treatment of breast cancer.
“Hoag is dedicated to providing the most complete and innovative treatment options available. Reinforced by several recent studies demonstrating the clinical benefits of IORT, we strongly believe that the Xoft Electronic Brachytherapy System gives us the ability to provide positive clinical results in the safe and patient friendly environment patients have come to know from Hoag.”
Michael Klein, CEO and president of Xoft, said: “We are encouraged that the clinical value of isotope-free electronic treatment for IORT and accelerated brachytherapy applications continues to be reinforced by multiple study publications, including the recent TARGIT study.
“We strongly believe that utilization of Electronic Brachytherapy will continue to increase not only on their ability to improve patient care but also as a result of the convenient approach to treatment.”