Radiation Oncologists from University of Pittsburgh Present Findings at Annual Meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Oct. 28 – Nov. 1
LOS ANGELES, October 28, 2007 – Radiation oncologists from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine will present findings from 21 studies at the 49th annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) being held Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Highlights of their findings include:
Education Program Leads To Lasting Improvement Of Cancer Knowledge In African-Americans
Disparities in access to health care and education hinder minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations from receiving needed cancer services and often lead to delayed cancer diagnoses. To determine the lasting impact of cancer education geared toward African-Americans, researchers with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, in partnership with The Centers for Healthy Hearts and Souls, a Pittsburgh-based community health promotion organization, designed an outreach program that consisted of three education sessions. Study participants showed high levels of interest in cancer-related issues and notable retention and improvement in their knowledge about cancer after four months.
Integrated Approach To Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy Provides Quality Care For Head And Neck Cancer Patients
Results from a University of Pittsburgh study demonstrate that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) can be uniformly delivered in a large health care system of academic and community cancer centers through a centralized planning and treatment process. According to study results, there were no significant differences in toxicity profiles and recommended radiation dose prescriptions in 604 head and neck cancer patients treated with IMRT at 12 community cancer centers and one academic flagship facility.
Gene Therapy Given Intravenously Protects Normal Tissue Of Mice During Whole-Body Radiation Exposure
Gene therapy administered intravenously could be used as an agent to protect vital organs and tissues from the effects of ionizing radiation in the event of large-scale exposure from a radiological or nuclear bomb. In the study, mice were used to test the protective effects of manganese superoxide dismutase plasmid liposome (MnSOD-PL) gene therapy on the bone marrow during whole-body irradiation. The study found a significant increase in survival of mice exposed to radiation who were treated with MnSOD-PL.
# # #