Repeated Treatments of SIR-Spheres(R) Microspheres Appear to be Safe for Patients with Metastatic Liver Tumors.Retrospective analysis presented at the 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology American Society of Clinical Oncology, or ASCO, is an organization that represents all clinical oncologists. Every year, ASCO holds a large symposium where physicians and researchers meet to convey and discuss research and ideas. Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- New data on Sirtex's SIR-Spheres[R] microspheres will be presented at the 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO ASCO American Society of Clinical Oncology ASCO Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (since 1941; Rockville, Maryland) ASCO Australian Standard Classification of Occupations ASCO Automatic Switch Company ) Gastrointestinal Symposium. The meeting will be held Jan. 19-21 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla. Andrew Kennedy, M.D., F.A.C.R.O., co-medical director of Wake Radiology Oncology in Cary, N.C., will present a poster session reporting the findings of a new retrospective analysis evaluating liver tolerance to repeated doses of radiation from SIR-Spheres microspheres (90Y-microspheres). Sirtex's SIR-Spheres microspheres are the only FDA-approved microsphere Not to be confused with Glass microphere. This article largely refers to micropheres or protein protocells as small spherical units postulated by some scientists as a key stage in the origin of life. therapy for liver tumors that originate in the colon or rectum. "We have been able to successfully treat patients with SIR-Spheres microspheres with favorable results," says Kennedy. "However, liver tolerance to repeated treatments with SIR-Spheres microspheres due to tumor progression, or new tumor presentation, was unknown at the time. Based on this analysis, we are encouraged to report that patients with advanced liver tumors can be safely retreated with microsphere therapy, without damaging the normal liver." Dr. Kennedy and his team analyzed the data taken from 38 patients treated with SIR-Spheres microspheres. Tumor types treated include: 12 carcinoid carcinoid /car·ci·noid/ (kahr´si-noid) a yellow circumscribed tumor arising from enterochromaffin cells, usually in the gastrointestinal tract; the term is sometimes used to refer specifically to the gastrointestinal tumor , 11 colorectal, six hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinomas, two sarcomas Sarcomas Definition A sarcoma is a bone tumor that contains cancer (malignant) cells. A benign bone tumor is an abnormal growth of noncancerous cells. Description A primary bone tumor originates in or near a bone. , three unknown primary tumors and one each of breast, esophagus, and head and neck primary tumors.1 Thirty-three patients received two courses of SIR-Spheres microspheres and five patients received three courses of therapy. Liver functions were stable in all patients after additional liver radiation, and no patients developed radiation-induced liver dysfunction (RILD) or veno-occlusive disease (VOD See video-on-demand. VoD - video on demand ). According to Dr. Kennedy, no specific dose reduction is recommended for retreatment of the liver. "This analysis provides critical clinical information concerning retreating patients with SIR-Spheres microspheres," says Nat Geissel, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , Sirtex Medical Inc. "Sirtex is committed to supporting research, such as Dr. Kennedy's, that adds to the growing body of safety and efficacy data on SIR-Spheres microspheres." Sirtex's SIR-Spheres microspheres are radioactive polymer spheres that emit beta radiation. Physicians insert a catheter through the groin into the hepatic artery and deliver millions of SIR-Spheres microspheres directly to the tumor site. Approximately 60 physicians in the United States use Sirtex's SIR-Spheres microspheres in more than 65 medical centers. The minimally invasive procedure Minimally invasive surgical procedures avoid open invasive surgery in favor of closed or local surgery with less trauma. These procedures involve use of laparoscopic devices and remote-control manipulation of instruments with indirect observation of the surgical field through an is performed on an out-patient basis with minor side effects. 1Sirtex Medical Inc.'s SIR-Spheres[R] microspheres are indicated for the treatment of non-resectable metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with intra-arterial FUDR FUDR, FUdR floxuridine. FUDR see floxuridine. chemotherapy. Information regarding other disease states or agents in combination with this device that is presented in peer reviewed literature is different from the approved USA labeling for SIR-Spheres microspheres. About Sirtex SIR-Spheres microspheres were developed in the 1980s in Australia and were approved by the FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. in March 2002. Sirtex has obtained regulatory approval to market SIR-Spheres microspheres in the United States, European Union, Israel and Australia. The product is marketed in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. For more information, visit www.sirtex.com. [R] SIR-Spheres is a Registered Trademark of Sirtex Medical Limited |
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