TAMPA, FL — Nearly two-thirds of all treated cancer patients in the United States receive some form of radiation therapy during the course of their illness, but delivering precise radiation is often challenging due to the movement of tumors and internal organs. However, clinicians at Moffitt Cancer Center are better able to aim radiation therapy directly at tumors, while avoiding surrounding tissues by using MRI-guidance.
Moffitt Cancer Center recently signed a deal to acquire ViewRay’s MRIdian Linac System, the world’s first and only FDA-cleared MRI-guided radiation therapy system, to assist with precision radiation. MRIdian Linac provides a unique combination of simultaneous radiation therapy delivery and continuous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the treatment of cancer.
Because MRI technology eliminates the radiation exposure associated with computed tomography (CT) scans, MRIdian Linac allows for continuous imaging during the delivery of radiation therapy, allowing physicians to directly view and target the tumor during treatment. MRIdian Linac also enables physicians to personalize the treatment based on changes in the shape or location of the tumor and surrounding tissues using on-table adaptive therapy.
Moffitt’s Radiation Oncology Department, led by Louis Harrison, M.D., will use the MRIdian Linac for the delivery of highly conformal and personalized radiation therapy. They are specifically focused on the potential value of MRI to individually adapt radiation therapy dose distribution and fractionation as a function of unique patient parameters which the MRI can help elucidate. The Moffitt team will also pursue the delivery of high-dose radiation in fewer treatment sessions, and for real time, on-table adaptive therapy, which enables personalized treatments by adapting the treatment plan to changes in the shape, size, imaging characteristics and location of the tumor and nearby critical structures in each patient.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 48 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s excellence in research, clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt is the No. 6 cancer hospital in the nation and has been listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Best Hospitals” for cancer care since 1999. Moffitt devotes more than 2.5 million square feet to research and patient care. Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. With more than 5,600 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $2.1 billion. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the momentum on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
About ViewRay:
ViewRay®, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRAY), designs, manufactures and markets the MRIdian® radiation therapy system. MRIdian integrates MRI technology, radiation delivery and proprietary software to locate, target and track the position and shape of soft-tissue tumors during radiation. ViewRay believes this combination of enhanced visualization and accuracy will significantly improve outcomes for patients.
