BOSTON, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Xoft, Inc., developer of the Axxent(R) Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx) System, which delivers non-radioactive, electronic therapy directly to cancer sites with minimal radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, will showcase early clinical experience with its growing suite of oncology treatment technologies here at the 49th American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) Meeting, September 21-24. Developed for the treatment of early stage breast cancer, the Axxent System also has applicators for endometrial and rectal indications and is FDA cleared for use in the treatment of other cancers or conditions where radiation therapy is indicated. To date, more than 35 Axxent Systems have been shipped nationwide.
Initial data from the phase IV study, “Early experience with an electronic brachytherapy technique for intracavitary accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI),” will be presented at an Industry Satellite Symposium hosted by Xoft in conjunction with the ASTRO. The presentation will be made by Vivek Mehta, MD, director, Center for Advanced Targeted Radiotherapies at Swedish Cancer Center in Seattle and Radiation Oncology Principal Investigator for the study.
According to Dr. Mehta, clinical experience with the Axxent System for many study patients followed to six months and beyond demonstrates that the X-Ray-based, non-isotopic treatment is a viable option for adjuvant therapy for early-stage breast cancer. After the tumor had been removed with lumpectomy surgery, the Axxent System was used to deliver radiation therapy directly to the tumor bed over five days instead of the standard five to seven week course of treatment. “While we will be monitoring these patients for the next five years, this data is very exciting as it confirms what we as investigators hoped it would from the start -- that Electronic Brachytherapy is a safe and clinically promising alternative for accelerated partial breast irradiation.”
The Symposium program, titled “Electronic Brachytherapy: Innovation and Conversations” will also feature a panel of leading radiation oncologists and breast surgeons discussing new indications for Electronic Brachytherapy, including the treatment of endometrial cancer and intraoperative radiation therapy. Program highlights include:
-- Not Just for APBI Anymore -- the Latest Indications for Electronic Brachytherapy: With the clearance from FDA for the practice of radiation oncology, the Axxent System has now established itself as an oncology platform technology. Adam Dickler, MD, Department of Radiation Oncology, Little Company of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park, IL, will review early experience with Xoft Axxent Vaginal cylinders in the treatment of endometrial cancer and Little Company’s early experience utilizing the Axxent System to deliver Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT) for early-stage breast cancer patients. With IORT, eligible patients can have their tumors removed and potentially receive their entire regimen of radiation therapy in a single day.
-- What’s Next? Electronic Brachytherapy and the Future of Radiation Oncology: Without the need for a heavily-shielded vault, the accessibility of the Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System can significantly expand the reach of radiation oncology. Mark Carol, MD, Xoft Chief Medical Officer and renowned thought leader in advances in oncology, will discuss the potential for current and next generation treatments using the Axxent X-ray Source.
-- Lightning Round: Two luminaries in the area of APBI will challenge each other and the audience with thought provoking ideas and opinions on these latest breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment. Presented by Peter Beitsch, MD, director, Dallas Breast Center, Dallas, TX and David Wazer, MD, professor and chairman, Department of Radiation Oncology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA and the Department of Radiation Oncology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
The company also recently announced the launch of the Axxent Xpress(TM) Mobile Electronic Brachytherapy Vehicles, which can be configured with up to three Axxent HDR Controllers. In order to expand and improve access to critical radiation therapy, Xoft collaborated with Medical Coaches, a leading manufacturer of custom mobile medical and specialty vehicles, to design and manufacture the specialized medical vehicles, as well as complete the extensive Department of Transportation (DOT) certification process.
As a platform technology, the Axxent System addresses a variety of oncological and non-oncological indications. The Axxent System is designed to deliver non-radioactive therapy directly to cancer sites with minimal radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Designed to deliver electronic, X-ray-based radiation treatment, the proprietary Axxent treatment platform can be used in many clinical settings under the supervision of a radiation oncologist, without the need for a shielded room. As a result, tens of thousands of patients annually will have greater access to therapy that is delivered more easily and conveniently.
About Xoft Inc.
Xoft, founded in 1998, develops Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx) systems based upon miniaturized X-ray tube technology for the practice of radiation oncology in virtually any clinical setting, eliminating the need for heavily shielded environments. Xoft provides a “point of care model” that is patient centric and accessible to a broader spectrum of patients and their physicians. The Axxent treatment platform provides a therapeutic dose of radiation directly to the region at risk with minimal radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue and without the complex handling, resource logistics and costs associated with using radioactive isotopes. Xoft aligns with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) directive to seek alternatives for radioactive medical isotopes. Commercially available for treatment of early stage breast cancer and endometrial and rectal indications, the Axxent(R) Electronic Brachytherapy System is also cleared for use in the treatment of other cancers or conditions where radiation therapy is indicated. For more information, visit http://www.xoftinc.com.
Axxent is a registered trademark of Xoft, Inc.
CONTACT: Chris K. Joseph, +1-510-339-2293, chris@ckjcomm.com, for Xoft
Inc.
Web site: http://www.xoftinc.com/
