LEXINGTON, Mass., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Photoelectron Corporation (PeC)
(Amex: PHX), developer of a miniature x-ray system for tumor therapy, today
announced that one of its key clinical sites has received permission to begin
a clinical study that could revolutionize the treatment of Breast cancer. The
study will evaluate whether Photoelectron's, Photon Radiosurgery System (PRS)
can be used to deliver radiation in the operating room as an alternative to
several weeks of radiation therapy using high energy x-ray equipment. The
study is to be initiated at the Middlesex Hospital in London but it is
expected that other US and European centers will also participate.
Conventional treatment for breast cancer involves surgical removal of the
tumor followed by a course of radiotherapy lasting up to six weeks, to the
whole of the affected breast. Typically patients will attend for daily
treatment on a 'linear accelerator' which is a high-energy x-ray source housed
in an extensive concrete bunker. A further treatment using surgically
implanted radiation sources or high-energy electrons is generally given to the
original tumor site. The approach to be evaluated uses surgical removal of
the tumor immediately followed by one single dose of intense, low energy
radiation delivered intra-operatively to the inside of the tumor cavity. The
treatment is made possible by Photoelectron's miniature x-ray source which
produces x-rays from the tip of a long, needle-like probe that can be placed
inside the tumor cavity using special 'applicators'.
Until now, Middlesex Hospital has used the x-ray source to provide an
intra-operative 'boost' to the region of the tumor, to reduce the likelihood
of tumor recurrence. In common with other 'boost' techniques, the intra-
operative treatment has been supplemented by external beam radiation treatment
of the whole breast. The new trial will evaluate whether a single, intra-
operative treatment can replace up to six weeks of external beam radiation
therapy; a considerable simplification of conventional treatment methods.
The pioneer of the new treatment strategy is Professor Michael Baum,
Professor of Surgery at Middlesex and University College Medical Schools, an
international figure and acknowledged expert in the field of breast cancer
treatment. Professor Baum commented "Numerous long term studies have shown
that, for early stage disease, long term survival rates after lumpectomy plus
radiotherapy are similar to survival rates after radical mastectomy. We
believe that conservative treatment of breast cancer may not require
radiotherapy that encompasses the whole breast. Our work so far has proven
that it is safe and feasible to use Photoelectron's technology to deliver
targeted intraoperative radiotherapy. We are now proposing a trial that could
prove that use of this approach may eliminate the need for the usual 6-week
course of post-operative radiotherapy."
Dr Jayant Vaidya, who works closely with Professor Baum at the Middlesex
Hospital added, "The implications of the trial extend well beyond the UK or
even the developed world. In many countries it is impossible to contemplate
weeks of radiation treatments due to the resources available and the distances
patients must travel. It is possible that 'intra-operative radiotherapy'
using the Photon Radiosurgery System could offer new hope to millions of
breast cancer sufferers throughout the world who are currently unable to
obtain traditional radiation treatments."
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release are forward looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties,
including but not limited to those relating to product demand, pricing, market
acceptance, the effect of economic conditions, the validity and enforceability
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proceedings, competitive products, risks in product and technology
development, the ability to complete transactions, and other risks identified
in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
SOURCE Photoelectron Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.photoelectron.com
CONTACT:
G.J. Bojas, Chief Financial Officer of
Photoelectron Corporation, 781-861-2069
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