TomoTherapy(R) Cancer Treatment Technology Debuts In Switzerland

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Article Date: 25 Dec 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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TomoTherapy Incorporated (NASDAQ: TTPY) announced that the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) has begun treating patients with the TomoTherapy(R) Hi-Art(R) treatment system, the first to be installed in Switzerland.

"We are pleased to work with the CHUV to make this new weapon in the fight against cancer available to Swiss patients," said Rik Van den Neste, M.D., director of European sales for TomoTherapy. "By implementing the TomoTherapy platform, the CHUV demonstrates its leadership and commitment to providing access to new strategies for care."

The CHUV ranks 14th among 400 institutions affiliated with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), which aims to reduce the time lapse between the discovery of new technologies and the implementation of their therapeutic benefit for patients with cancer. The Hospital provides holistic care for a wide range of cancer patients and looks forward to strengthening this approach with the unique capabilities of the Hi-Art treatment system.

Said Professor René-Olivier Mirimanoff, M.D., head of the Radio-Oncology department, "TomoTherapy helps us better target the tumour to be irradiated and preserve healthy tissue located in the vicinity. Integrated CT imaging allows for the scanning of patients before each treatment, which helps ensure proper positioning."

Dr Raphaël Moeckli, Ph.D., head physicist, added, "The system's delivery pattern makes it possible to 'paint' the dose onto the tumour volume, from 360 degrees. These features open new possibilities for minimizing the side effects of treatment, and for treating types of cancer that were previously difficult to irradiate because of nearby critical structures."

The Radio-Oncology Department, managed by the CHUV, recently hosted a ceremony to introduce this state-of-the-art technology that integrates CT image guidance and helical intensity-modulated radiation therapy for greater accuracy and precision in the treatment of cancer. The event included a scientific symposium attended by radiation oncologists, medical physicists and therapists from across Switzerland and a public conference attended by more than 100 local journalists and patient group members.

About the CHUV

CHUV is one of the 5 major university hospitals in Switzerland. It provides from primary to tertiary care in all domains of medicine, and one of its major focuses is cancer. Many doctors and scientists are involved in basic, translational and clinical research in cancer medicine, which contributes to its international visibility. A number of clinicians are currently involved in national and international cooperative cancer research groups, including SAKK, EORTC, and hold officer's positions or have a leading role as principal investigators of international trials. The department of Radiation Oncology has an active role and has contributed to a number of major international studies in various fields of oncology and has a leading position in Switzerland

About TomoTherapy Incorporated

TomoTherapy Incorporated has developed, manufactures and sells the TomoTherapy® Hi-Art® treatment system, an advanced radiation therapy system for the treatment of a wide variety of cancers. The Hi-Art treatment system combines integrated CT imaging with conformal radiation therapy to deliver sophisticated radiation treatments with speed and precision while reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. The company completed its initial public offering in May 2007 and its stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol TTPY.

©2007 TomoTherapy Incorporated. All rights reserved. TomoTherapy, the TomoTherapy logo and Hi-Art are among trademarks, service marks or registered trademarks of TomoTherapy Incorporated.

TomoTherapy Incorporated

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