Pressemelding -
Elekta and Philips research consortium on MRI-guided radiation therapy adds The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital
Dutch clinic joins group dedicated
to developing next-generation radiotherapy innovation for treatment of cancer
patients
Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Elekta (NSE: EKTAb) and Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) announced today that The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (NKI-AVL, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) has signed an agreement to join a research group to advance the development of ground-breaking image-guided treatment technology for cancer care. The technology merges radiation therapy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology in a single system*. NKI-AVL is the third member of the research consortium, which will comprise leading radiation oncology centers and clinicians, and already includes the University Medical Center Utrecht and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Uniting state-of-the-art MRI with a cutting edge radiation therapy system – thus creating an MRI-guided radiation therapy system* – will provide physicians with exceptional images of a patient’s soft tissues and tumor during radiation therapy. This breakthrough innovation also aims to permit clinicians to adapt treatment delivery in real time for the most precise cancer treatments possible.
“MRI has steadily revolutionized healthcare since its introduction nearly three decades ago, giving clinicians unparalleled views of soft tissues and pathology. Merging this diagnostic capability with the capacity to also treat disease in the same frame of reference could dramatically improve cancer management,” says Tomas Puusepp, Elekta President and CEO. “The other consortium members at Elekta, Philips, University Medical Center Utrecht and MD Anderson are delighted that NKI-AVL – an internationally renowned medical center – has joined us in this important effort.”
“MRI-guided radiotherapy
allows optimal imaging and will therefore improve the accuracy of our treatment
delivery, especially for those tumors in the abdomen and pelvis. Building on
our experience with Cone Beam CT-guidance we are highly motivated to
collaborate within the research consortium and contribute to the implementation
of MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy”.
“This research exemplifies the essential role that imaging plays in the
development of more targeted treatments for cancer,” said Gene Saragnese CEO
Imaging Systems at Philips Healthcare. ”The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni
van Leeuwenhoek Hospital has played a crucial role in the software development
for CT-guided radiation therapy a decade ago, and this expertise complements
the skills that we already possess in this research consortium.”
Prior to the establishment of the research consortium, Elekta, Philips and the University Medical Center Utrecht built and tested a prototype system that integrates a linear accelerator and a 1.5 Tesla MRI system. The success of these efforts enabled the project to move to the next phase of development and testing by the growing select group of consortium partners.
Radiation therapy and medical imaging already play an essential role in treatment planning, delivery and after care, and are proven, cost-effective and safe methods for the treatment of individuals with cancer. Radiotherapy is a critical modality for cancer treatment, either as a frontline treatment or used with other modalities, such as chemotherapy. The procedure involves identifying cancerous tissue and irradiating it with high-energy radiation beams in a way that maximizes sparing of healthy tissues near the tumor.
*The integrated MRI-guided radiation therapy system is in development and not available for sale.
For further information, please
contact:
Philips:
Steve Klink
Philips Corporate Communications
Tel: +31 6 10888824
E-mail: steve.klink@philips.com
Elekta:
Johan Andersson Melbi
Director, Investor Relations, Elekta AB
Tel: +46 702 100 451,
E-mail: johan.anderssonmelbi@elekta.com
Time zone: CET: Central European Time
Michelle Joiner, Director
Global Public Relations and Brand Management, Elekta
Tel: +1 770-670-2447
E-mail: michelle.joiner@elekta.com
Time zone: ET: Eastern Time
About Elekta
Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical
solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops
sophisticated, state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for
radiation therapy, radiosurgery and brachytherapy, as well as workflow
enhancing software systems across the spectrum of cancer care. Stretching the
boundaries of science and technology, providing intelligent and
resource-efficient solutions that offer confidence to both healthcare providers
and patients, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and even save patient lives.
Today, Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 6,000 hospitals worldwide. Elekta employs around 3,400 employees globally. The corporate headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. Website: www.elekta.com.
Emner
- Helse, sykepleie, legemiddel
Kategorier
- cancer
- innovation
- strålebehandling
- mri
- helse
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) er et selskap innen helse og velvære som fokuserer på å forbedre menneskers liv gjennom relevante innovasjoner innen områdene helse, livsstil og lys. Hovedkontoret ligger i Nederland, og Philips hadde i 2012 en omsetning på 24,8 milliarder Euro og 118 000 ansatte i over 100 land. Selskapet er markedsledende innen hjerte- og akuttbehandling og omsorg i hjemmet, energieffektive lysløsninger og nye lyssystemer. Philips er dessuten ledende innen barbering og grooming for menn, bærbar underholdning og tannhelseprodukter. Nyheter fra Philips finnes her: www.philips.com/newscenter.