Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish and Washington University Begins Imaging with First ViewRay System

CLEVELAND, July 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Investigators at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, have begun studying the imaging capabilities of an innovative radiation therapy system from ViewRay™ Incorporated. The ViewRay system is the first comprehensive image-guided radiation therapy system, providing a patented combination of simultaneous radiotherapy delivery and continuous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the treatment of cancer. The Siteman Cancer Center is a national leader in the early adoption and use of advanced treatments for cancer patients.

The Siteman Cancer Center's clinical research began in January 2012, when imaging and simulated treatments were completed on the ViewRay system with a group of volunteer patients. Support for the research was partially provided by ViewRay. The purpose of the study was to assess the quality of images captured by ViewRay's MRI technology. The internal study involved 27 patients with various types of cancer, including lung, head and neck, breast, and prostate cancer. Most patients were scanned twice.

"It is important to evaluate any new technology early to assess potential clinical impacts," said Parag J. Parikh, MD, assistant professor of radiation oncology at the Siteman Cancer Center and lead investigator for the study. "We are comparing the new images with available radiation oncology imaging techniques and will report the results at upcoming scientific meetings."

High-quality soft-tissue imaging is an essential feature of the ViewRay system: MR images are used to plan treatments, position patients for treatment, and track each patient's position during treatment. "When physicians can clearly see the target, we are better able to adapt the treatment to changes in the patient's anatomy," said ViewRay Chief Medical Officer Prabhakar Tripuraneni, MD, FACR, FASTRO. "By verifying the high quality of the ViewRay system's images, the Siteman study establishes the potential value of MRI-guided radiation therapy."

ViewRay's integrated imaging and radiotherapy delivery system received marketing clearance from the U.S. FDA in May 2012.

About ViewRay
ViewRay Incorporated of Cleveland, Ohio, is a privately held medical device company developing advanced radiation therapy technology for the treatment of cancer. The ViewRay system provides continuous soft-tissue imaging during treatment, using MRI-guided radiotherapy, so that clinicians are able to see where the actual radiation dose is being delivered and adapt to changes in the patient's anatomy. For more information, visit http://www.viewray.com.

About the Siteman Cancer Center
The Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine is the only National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in Missouri and within a 240-mile radius of St. Louis. Siteman is also one of only 20 national members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the world's leading cancer centers dedicated to improving the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives. For more information, visit http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/.

ViewRay is a trademark of ViewRay Incorporated.

ViewRay acknowledges the contribution of the State of Ohio, Department of Development and Third Frontier Commission, which provided funding in support of the MRI Technology Enabling Expansion of MRI into Radiotherapy Guidance Project.

SOURCE ViewRay Incorporated