Saudi Arabian Medical Center Signs Agreement for MRI-Guided Radiotherapy

The Saudi Arabian National Guard Health Affairs (NGHA; Jeddah) reported that it has signed an agreement with Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA, USA) and Imris, Inc. (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada), to develop and build a facility for magnetic resonance-guided radiation therapy (MRgRT).

Under the agreement, Varian and Imris will supply a cancer treatment solution that combines Imris' unique movable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology with Varian's latest linear accelerator technology, the TrueBeam system. MRI provides high quality soft tissue imaging that can be used to eradicate tumors using radiotherapy or radiosurgery. "While this technology is still in the early developmental phase, we see great potential to advance the ability of clinicians to target tumors within soft tissue more precisely,” said Dow Wilson, president of Varian's oncology systems business.

The system will be designed to permit a high-field MRI scanner to move in and out of the radiation therapy room on demand, providing MR imaging to validate a tumor's location without having to move the patient from the treatment couch or transport the patient to and from another room. Due to the mobile nature of the MRI system, the radiation therapy systems are expected to be offered in multiroom configurations, and include independent MR-simulation capabilities for the MR system to enhance further financial utility for hospitals.

As part of the agreement, NGHA will participate in aspects of the development of this revolutionary technology and will consult with Varian and Imris the clinical implementation of the new technology. "There are many challenges to be addressed and the MR-Linac solution is a great opportunity for innovation in the field,” commented Dr. Abdelhamid Saoudi, chief medical physicist at NGHA Jeddah. "We look forward to contributing to the overall solution in the developmental phase and maximizing the clinical utility in a busy radiation therapy practice.”

The joint development of the MRgRT system between Varian and Imris was announced in the Fall of 2010. Following the successful completion of the development stage of this project, and subject to necessary regulatory approvals, the companies anticipate cobranding the new MR-guided radiation therapy suite and leveraging Varian' global presence and leadership position in the fields of radiotherapy and radiosurgery to market the new product.

Related Links:
Saudi Arabian National Guard Health Affairs
Varian Medical Systems
Imris