Pioneer of MR Image-Guided Radiotherapy, Washington University, Begins First Clinical Treatments with its Second ViewRay MRIdian System
Next Generation Cancer Therapy Enables Delivery of Higher, Potentially More Effective Radiation Dose Regimens
Jun 13, 2018, 08:30 ET
CLEVELAND, June 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ViewRay, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRAY) announced today that the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, is treating patients with the company's second-generation MR image-guided radiotherapy system, the MRIdian® Linac. Siteman is the first U.S. cancer center to offer cancer therapy with both MRIdian and MRIdian Linac, furthering its leadership role in MR image-guided radiation therapy.
Washington University physicians and researchers at Siteman played an integral role in the development, testing and clinical introduction of MRIdian in 2012. The first cancer patients worldwide to receive MR-guided radiation therapy were treated at Siteman.
Unlike conventional radiotherapy, MRIdian Linac technology uses high-definition MR soft-tissue imaging to visualize and track the detailed contours of the tumor and adjacent healthy tissues. The enhanced visibility allows clinicians to quickly and dynamically adjust the prescribed radiation dose distribution when the tumor moves during the course of treatment. The combined capabilities provide clinicians with the tools to improve targeting precision and thus deliver higher and potentially more effective radiation doses, while simultaneously minimizing incidental radiation exposure to surrounding organs.
"We know that tumors and their surrounding anatomy naturally change position from day to day -- even during treatment -- making it vitally important that we see where the radiation dose is being delivered in real-time," said Jeff Bradley, M.D., the S. Lee Kling Professor of Radiation Oncology at Washington University. "The clarity and detail afforded by MRI combined with this new technology allows us to target tumors with a high level of accuracy regardless of changes or motion, further enabling us to expand our treatment options."
"As an institution actively involved in advancing MR image-guided therapy since the very beginning, we are excited to remain at the forefront with the addition of this latest innovation," said Jeff Michalski, M.D., professor and vice chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Washington University.
About ViewRay
ViewRay®, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRAY), designs, manufactures and markets the MRIdian® radiation therapy system. MRIdian is built upon a proprietary high-definition MR imaging system designed from the ground up to address the unique challenges and clinical workflow for advanced radiation oncology. Unlike MR systems used in diagnostic radiology, MRIdian's high-definition MR was purpose built to address specific challenges, including beam distortion, skin toxicity, and other concerns that may potentially arise when high magnetic fields interact with radiation beams. ViewRay and MRIdian are registered trademarks of ViewRay, Inc.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause future results to differ materially from those referenced. Forward looking statements include the potential for reduced risk, more effective radiation dose, improved targeting precision and transformative visualization and clinical outcomes. Given these uncertainties, the reader is advised not to place any undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors include, among others, the ability to raise the additional funding needed to continue to pursue ViewRay's business and product development plans, the inherent uncertainties associated with developing new products or technologies, competition in the industry in which ViewRay operates and overall market conditions. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and ViewRay assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factor disclosure set forth in the reports and other documents ViewRay files with the SEC available at www.sec.gov.
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