Alliance for High-Dose-Rate Partial Breast Radiation

An alliance to increase access to high-dose-rate (HDR) radiation therapy equipment for hospitals offering partial breast irradiation to patients with early-stage cancer has been announced by Varian Medical Systems (Palo Alto, CA, USA) and Proxima Therapeutics, Inc. (Alpharetta, GA, USA).

Under the terms of the agreement, Proxima will become the exclusive third-party representative for Varian's MammoSource HDR brachytherapy afterloader, developed especially to work with Proxima's MammoSite device for treating breast cancer with localized HDR brachytherapy. The MammoSource afterloader will be available to treatment centers on a fee-for-use basis, subject to minimums. Studies have shown that some patients treated with partial breast irradiation demonstrated a local recurrence rate that was similar to that of patients treated with whole breast radiation.

"The novel fee-for-use arrangement we are offering in conjunction with Proxima responds to the needs of cancer centers that are seeking a cost-effective solution for offering partial breast irradiation following lumpectomy,” stated William Hyatt, general manager of Varian's BrachyTherapy business.



Related Links:
Varian Medical Systems
Proxima Therapeutics