IORT Increases Survival Rates in Advanced Rectal Cancer
May 1, 2005, 09:24, Reviewed by: Dr.
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He noted that preliminary data from a randomized controlled trial in progress under the auspices of the European Institute of Oncology suggest that, for suitably selected patients, a single treatment with IORT produces equivalent results as the conventional treatment for early stage breast cancer, while eliminating 5 weeks of post-surgical radiation treatments.
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By Intraop Medical Corporation ,
Intraop Medical Corporation (OTCBB:IOPM), manufacturer of the Mobetron(R), announced that according to research presented at a recent international meeting, intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) increases survival rates in patients with advanced or recurrent rectal cancer.
IORT is a specialized treatment in which patients are given a dose of radiation therapy during surgery directly to the tumor site. IORT has proven to be a valuable adjunct therapy for treating many types of solid tumors.
In a presentation at the 4th International Society of IORT (or "ISIORT) meeting held in Miami, Florida March 17-19, 2005, Harm Rutten, Chief of Surgical Oncology and a Mobetron user from Catharina Zeikenhuis in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, reported the results of a study at Eindhoven using IORT for the treatment of advanced and recurrent rectal cancer.
Eindhoven has the largest single institutional experience with this disease in the world. The 5-year survival rate in 260 advanced rectal cancer patients was 60% compared with the expected 5-year survival of about 25% with conventional approaches.
For 160 recurrent rectal cancer patients, Dr. Rutten reported a 5-year survival rate of 37% compared with the 5-10% survival seen with conventional approaches. In the subgroup in which the surgeon achieved complete removal of the tumor, the 5-year survival rate with IORT for recurrent rectal cancer increased to 54%.
Umberto Veronesi, world-renowned breast surgeon and Director of the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, gave the keynote address, entitled "Evolution of Local Management Therapies for Invasive Breast Cancer."
He noted that preliminary data from a randomized controlled trial in progress under the auspices of the European Institute of Oncology suggest that, for suitably selected patients, a single treatment with IORT produces equivalent results as the conventional treatment for early stage breast cancer, while eliminating 5 weeks of post-surgical radiation treatments.
Dr. Veronesi cautioned that longer follow-up would be needed to confirm their findings. The European Institute plans a new trial for women who are also candidates for breast conserving therapy but who are at higher risk for recurrence or have more aggressive disease. This protocol, similar to ones presented at the meeting by the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale Arizona (another Mobetron user) and the University of Salzburg, includes IORT at the time of breast surgery, followed by a shorter course of post-surgical radiation therapy treatments than is given with conventional management.
Other presentations at the meeting reported benefits for IORT treatment in a variety of tumor locations. These included sarcomas, pediatric cancers, recurrent gynecological cancer, pancreatic cancer and gallbladder cancer.
Attendees from 12 countries made over 60 oral and 12 poster presentations at this two-day, bi-annual meeting. Five Mobetron users gave nine of these presentations -- two on breast cancer, two on rectal cancer, one on lung cancer (mesothelioma), one on extremity sarcoma, one on kidney cancer, and two on the general usage of the Mobetron.
The Meeting was supported in part by an unrestricted educational grant from Intraop Medical Corporation. 
- The results were presented at the 4th International Society of IORT (or "ISIORT) meeting held in Miami, Florida March 17-19, 2005.
About Intraop Medical Corporation
Intraop Medical Corporation (OTCBB:IOPM) was formed in April 1993 to develop, manufacture, market and service the Mobetron, a mobile electron beam system designed for intraoperative radiotherapy ("IORT") treatment of cancer, coronary/vascular restenosis and other medical applications. Unlike other IORT systems, the Mobetron uses several patented technologies to allow IORT to be delivered without requiring operating room shielding. The Mobetron can be moved between operating rooms or even between hospitals, thereby increasing the systems utilization and cost effectiveness.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the 1933 Securities Act and Section 21E of the 1934 Securities Exchange Act. Actual results could differ materially, as the result of such factors as competition in the markets for the company's products and services and the ability of the company to execute its plans. By making these forward-looking statements, the company can give no assurances that transactions described in this press release will be successfully completed, and undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this press release.
Contacts
Intraop Medical Corporation
Donald A. Goer, 408-986-6020
or
Summit Financial Partners, LLC
Marlin Molinaro, 317-218-0204 (Investor Relations)
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