APSS in Trento Among the First to integrate CT-on-Rails

Having proved its value in conventional radiation therapy over the past 10 years, CT-on-rails is now finding its way into proton therapy treatment rooms. The Trento Proton Therapy Center, part of the Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari (APSS) health authority, is the first center to enjoy an IBA-installed in-room CT-on-rails. “We are intent on staying on the cutting edge of technology, embracing every feature that brings our proton therapy installation closer to its full potential,” says Dr. Marco Schwarz, Head of proton Medical Physics of the Trento Proton Therapy Center.

 Whereas Cone Beam CT (CBCT) as an imaging modality mainly contributes to highly accurate positioning of the patient, CT-on-rails goes much further. CT-on-rails brings proton therapy one step closer to adaptive treatment, which will allow real-time adaptation to the configuration of the patient. Tumor shrinking, weight loss or even organ movement would thus be accounted for at each treatment session. Today, CT-on-rails allows for online plan verification, using high quality 3D imaging before each treatment session to evaluate the dose distribution. If necessary, planning can be adapted offline. Ongoing research is working towards online replanning, which will require quick indicators immediately revealing target accuracy and integrated contour propagation.

 The clinical staff at APSS has started the clinical commissioning process, in order to integrate the new imaging option into their treatment protocols. They will work in close collaboration with IBA engineers to further develop the clinical applications of CT-on-rails positioning and the role it can play in adaptive treatments. Together with the two European centers that have already installed CT-on-rails and the installations of this imaging modality that are pending, IBA hopes to found a motivated user group contributing knowledge and experience to bring the technology to its full potential. Ultimately, IBA believes that the combination of Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) as a delivery method, Cone Beam CT (CBCT) as a positioning tool, and CT-on-rails to assist with treatment plan verification will reduce the error margins of proton therapy treatment to such an extent that it enables better treatment protocols such as hypofractionation. Reducing the number of fractions required per patient to five to 10 from the current average of 25 to 35 would mean a significant reduction in the cost of treatment, while the combination of technologies would permit better tumor control – a goal IBA is eager to support.
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IBA and Toshiba sign strategic partnership in particle therapy

Apr 9, 2015

IBA and Toshiba sign strategic partnership in particle therapy

LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE AND TOKYO, 9 April 2015 – IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) and Toshiba Corporation (Tokyo: 6502) today announce the signing of a global collaboration to expand access to advanced particle therapy worldwide. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation will become the distributor in Japan for Proteus®ONE, IBA’s compact single-room proton therapy solution, and IBA will become the agent for Toshiba’s Carbon Therapy Solutions outside Japan.

IBA and Toshiba will collaborate on activities such as customer education for Proteus®ONE and Toshiba's carbon therapy solutions.

The collaboration will also enable both organizations to mutually leverage their Operation and Maintenance (O&M) services.

Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer of IBA commented: “This is an important step for IBA. A closer collaboration with a company of Toshiba’s caliber and leadership will accelerate the expansion of proton therapy in Japan and the introduction of Toshiba’s carbon therapy across the world. Carbon ion therapy is particularly suitable for treating radio-resistant tumors and allows for dose escalation, which is recommended in a number of clinical applications. Through this new collaboration, IBA will further strengthen its world leading position in proton therapy and will reaffirm its leading position in the delivery of the latest innovative cancer therapies worldwide.”

Satoshi Tsunakawa, Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Company, Toshiba Corporation, said: “Proton and carbon therapies are among the most exciting technological advancements in the treatment of cancer. Toshiba looks forward to collaborating with IBA to enhance access to best-in- class technologies for both proton and carbon therapy centers. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future,” this collaboration will give both our companies an enhanced set of tools to provide the best cancer treatment technologies.”

About Proton and Carbon Therapy

Proton Therapy is considered an advanced and targeted cancer radiotherapy treatment due to its superior dose distribution and fewer side effects. Protons deposit the majority of their effective energy within a precisely controlled range, directly within the tumor, sparing healthy surrounding tissue. Higher doses can be delivered to the tumor without increasing the risk of side effects and long-term complications, thereby improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Carbon ions not only have similar physical characteristics as protons, they have also a higher radiobiological effect compared to photon and proton, which could lead to shorter treatment courses and improved patient outcomes.

About IBA

IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) is a global medical technology company focused on bringing integrated and innovative solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Company is the worldwide technology leader in the field of proton therapy, the most advanced form of radiation therapy available today. IBA’s proton therapy solutions are flexible and adaptable, allowing customers to choose from universal full scale proton therapy centers as well as compact, single room systems. In addition, IBA also has a radiation dosimetry business and develops particle accelerators for the medical world and industry.

Headquartered in Belgium and employing about 1100 people worldwide, IBA has installed systems across the world, from Europe and the US and to the emerging markets. IBA is listed on the pan- European stock exchange EURONEXT. (IBA: Reuters IBAB.BR and Bloomberg IBAB.BB) and more information can be found at: www.iba-worldwide.com

About Toshiba

Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical products and systems into five strategic business domains: Energy & Infrastructure, Community Solutions, Healthcare Systems & Services, Electronic Devices & Components, and Lifestyles Products & Services. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future,” Toshiba promotes global operations towards securing “Growth Through Creativity and Innovation” and is contributing to the achievement of a world in which people everywhere live in a safe, secure and comfortable society.

Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today’s Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 590 consolidated companies employing over 200,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 6.5 trillion yen (US$63 billion). To find out more about Toshiba, visit www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

Toshiba newly formed its Healthcare Company last August to focus its healthcare business as one of three pillars of its overall business. By combining diagnostic imaging technology provided by Toshiba Medical Systems and accelerator and super conducting technology derived from nuclear business, Toshiba is delivering Heavy Ion Therapy system for cancer treatment. Toshiba has been contributing to Japanese National Institute of Radiological Sciences and Kanagawa Cancer Center.

Provision Healthcare and Tianjin Taishan Cancer Hospital Partner to Develop Proton Center in China

CONTACT:  Bill Hansen   |  (865) 360-1015   |   bill.hansen@provisionhp.com

Knoxville, TN—Provision Healthcare has signed a joint agreement with the Tianjin Taishan Cancer Hospital (International Personalized Cancer Center, “IPCC”) in northern China to build the first and only proton therapy center in the free trade zone and develop a training facility for medical providers as part of the company’s global expansion strategy.

The $100 million (USD) center will be jointly owned and operated by Provision and Tianjin hospital and named the TAEA Sino-US Proton Treatment and Research Center. ProNova Solutions, Provision’s R&D and manufacturing business, will manufacture and outfit the center’s three treatment rooms with its SC360 proton treatment system. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2018.

Proton therapy uses a single beam of high-energy protons to precisely target a tumor with limited exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. Proton therapy is used to treat a variety of cancer types including prostate, breast, lung, head and neck, pediatric cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. 

The venture will include a research capability for conducting clinical trials focused on further development of proton therapy in northern China. Additionally, the partners will develop and build a nearby training center to educate medical personnel as the use of proton therapy expands across the country.  

“As the name indicates, Tianjin Taishan Hospital (IPCC) strives to provide personalized cancer treatment,” said Dr. Xishan Hao, president of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, honorary president of Tianjin Medical University and Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, director of the Tianjin Cancer Institute. “ProNova’s advanced technology will help Tianjin Taishan Hospital become the first provider for proton therapy in a free trade zone of China. The network of proton therapy centers that Provision have created will bring Taishan to the front row of global cancer research.”

“This partnership and investment with Tianjin Taishan Cancer Hospital in these projects is the next step in Provision’s strategy of making proton therapy available around the world,” said Terry Douglass, Chairman and CEO of Provision Healthcare. “Our goal is to make the proton center a “Center of Excellence” in the Asia-Pacific region. With our projects in the United States and Oxford in the United Kingdom, we’ve created a global strategic network that covers America, Europe and Asia.”

The proton center’s three treatment rooms will include two 360-degree rotation gantrys and one fixed beam system, and Provision will be responsible for operation and maintenance of the equipment. Provision will be involved in design and development of the project as well as management of patient services, replicating the “Culture of Care” model found at the Provision Center for Proton Therapy in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. 

 

About Provision Healthcare
Provision Healthcare is a comprehensive healthcare group in the United States integrating clinical services, R&D, manufacturing, investment and a charitable foundation.  With an emphasis in cancer, Provision Healthcare is committed to providing cutting edge treatment, early detection and personalized care for cancer patients around the world.

About ProNova Solutions
As a division of Provision Healthcare, ProNova Solutions is committed to making proton therapy accessible to a greater number of patients and physicians worldwide. Founded by the leaders of CTI Molecular Imaging, ProNova’s team brought positron emission tomography (PET) technology out of the laboratory and made it a clinical reality for millions of cancer patients. Its SC360 system reduces cost of construction and maintenance, improves reliability and features additional systems functions including superconducting magnets for supplying and directing the beams of protons, cone-beam CT, PET scanning for precise location of the tumors and monitoring effectiveness of treatment, and pencil beam scanning for precise application of the proton radiation and quality control.  

About Provision Center for Proton Therapy
Provision Center for Proton Therapy is the first cancer treatment center of its kind in Tennessee and only the second in the Southeastern United States.  Open to all credentialed physicians and health systems in the region, the Provision Center for Proton Therapy has three treatment rooms and is able to treat up to 900 cancer patients annually.  Treatments typically require daily 30-45 minute sessions for four to eight weeks. The next closest location offering proton therapy is more than 450 miles away.  The center has brought to Knoxville and the world an advanced cancer treatment capability that presently is available in only a handful of cities. It is one of only 14 in the nation and 46 in the world.  

About Tianjin Taishan Cancer Hospital
The Tianjin Taishan Cancer Hospital, located in the Tianjin Airport Economic Area (“TAEA”), is the first personalized cancer medical center in China. Leveraging the free trade zone’s policy and advantages, the Hospital focuses on developing biological immune treatment, bone marrow transplant, functional surgery and precise and accurate radio therapy, characterized by precise and accurate comprehensive cancer treatment.

- See more at: http://pronovasolutions.com/media-room/provision-healthcare-and-tianjin-taishan-cancer-hospital-partner-to-develop/#sthash.AY65TqPg.dpuf
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