Accuray Drives Growth in Radiosurgery for Early-Stage Prostate Cancer

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), the premier radiation oncology company, announced today a significant increase in use of the CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System for prostate SBRT (stereotactic body radiotherapy). In Q4 2011, the company experienced a 24 percent increase in worldwide prostate treatments over Q4 2010 and a 17 percent increase over Q3 2011. Continued momentum in the adoption of CyberKnife prostate SBRT as supported by a growing body of clinical evidence, as well as greater patient awareness and demand for innovative treatment options, has helped Accuray achieve this notable increase in use of CyberKnife prostate SBRT.

Earlier in the year, Accuray announced the first publication from the expanding foundation of maturing prostate SBRT long term studies documenting five-year outcomes of prostate cancer patients treated with the CyberKnife System ("Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer: Five-Year Outcomes," Radiation Oncology, January 10, 2011). The multi-center study, which combines data from patients at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif. and Naples Community Hospital in Naples, Fla., found that 93 percent of patients had no recurrence of their cancer at a median follow-up of five years, a rate that compares favorably to results obtained with other treatment modalities, including surgery and conventional radiation therapy. The study also found generally low levels of urinary and rectal toxicity, concluding that CyberKnife SBRT can achieve high rates of disease control while sparing critical structures, thereby minimizing undesirable side effects typically associated with other prostate cancer treatments and preserving patients' quality of life.  

Adding to this growing body of evidence for CyberKnife prostate SBRT is the completion of patient accrual in an Accuray sponsored, multi-center homogeneous prostate study for low and intermediate risk prostate cancer. The study is led by teams at the Swedish Cancer Center in Seattle and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and involves 21 centers in the US.  A total of 309 eligible patients have been accrued and are being followed closely to allow precise evaluation of the long term efficacy and toxicity outcomes following CyberKnife prostate SBRT.  

The benefits of CyberKnife SBRT for prostate cancer are well illustrated by the stories of the thousands of patients who have undergone treatment over the last eight years.  Dr. Michael Kendrick, a practicing physician familiar with radiosurgery, was the first patient in the world to undergo CyberKnife prostate SBRT and was treated in 2003 at Stanford.

"After learning about the CyberKnife and drawing on my expertise as a physician, deciding to move forward with CyberKnife prostate SBRT was a no brainer," said Dr. Michael Kendrick, one of the first CyberKnife patients. "CyberKnife's pinpoint accuracy and ability to track and correct for prostate motion was an important factor in my decision. I experienced no side effects, a fast recovery time, and was able to maintain a high quality of life during and following treatment. My PSA level has remained stable proving to me that CyberKnife SBRT was an effective treatment, a choice I have never regretted."

The CyberKnife System is a non-invasive treatment option for prostate cancer that has the ability to deliver targeted and destructive doses of radiation with the highest levels of accuracy enabling treatment of tumors close to critical, healthy structures. The CyberKnife System's unique ability to not only track, but also automatically correct for unpredictable movement of the prostate during treatment minimizes radiation exposure to health tissues and helps patient avoid many side effects typically associated with other treatment options and preserves patient's quality of life.

"The momentum Accuray is experiencing in CyberKnife prostate SBRT procedure growth points to a paradigm shift underway in the treatment of prostate cancer," said Euan S. Thomson, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Accuray. "Based on a growing body of clinical evidence demonstrating positive long-term outcomes of CyberKnife prostate SBRT, many clinicians and patients are reevaluating traditional treatment options and opting instead for this less invasive and shorter treatment option."

Accuray continues to support patient education, awareness of all treatment options and access to innovation and high-quality care through partnerships with leading non-profit prostate cancer organizations, including:

• Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network—Founded in 1990 by five men treated for prostate cancer, Us TOO is a grassroots, registered 501(c)(3) non-profit prostate cancer education and support network of 325 support group chapters worldwide. The organization's mission is to provide men and their families with free information, materials and peer-to-peer support so they can make informed choices on detection, treatment options and coping with ongoing survivorship. Accuray recently collaborated with Us TOO on a new, comprehensive information guide that addresses what every newly diagnosed prostate cancer patient needs to know about treatment with the CyberKnife System.
• ZERO—The Project to End Prostate Cancer—ZERO is committed not only to reducing prostate cancer and alleviating pain from the disease, but also to ending it altogether. The organization provides comprehensive treatment information to patients, education to those at risk and free prostate cancer testing. In addition, ZERO works to increase funds from the federal government for research into new treatments and provides local grants to end prostate cancer through its national race and event series, the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge. Accuray has partnered with ZERO to help support Great Prostate Cancer Challenge races in more than 25 cities across the country with the goal of raising awareness and funds to provide research, information, and free testing.

Click here to see a patient education video about how prostate cancer is treated with the CyberKnife System.

About Accuray

Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), based in Sunnyvale, Calif., is the premier radiation oncology company. Accuray develops, manufactures and sells personalized, innovative treatment solutions that revolve around the patient. Accuray's innovative technologies – the CyberKnife System and TomoTherapy Systems – set the standard of care with the aim of helping patients live longer, better lives. To date, more than 200,000 patients worldwide have been treated using the company's technologies and more than 550 systems have been installed in leading hospitals around the world. For more information, please visit www.accuray.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

The foregoing may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties associated with the medical device industry. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements relating to clinical experience, number of patients treated and market acceptance are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made and are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make include: range of treatment options, clinical applications, and market acceptance of products and other risks detailed from time to time under the heading "Risk Factors" in our report on Form 10-K for our 2010 fiscal year, our form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2011 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's actual results of operations may differ significantly from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements as a result of these and other factors. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual performance or results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

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Euan Thomson, Ph.D.

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SOURCE Accuray Incorporated