iCad, Inc., recently presented updated clinical data on intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) using the company’s Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx) System to treat patients with early stage breast cancer. The presentation was made at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) in San Antonio, Texas.

The company also announced that, to date, over 2,000 patients with early stage breast cancer have received treatment with IORT using the Xoft System.

“As more data emerges, IORT is becoming more widely adopted by an increasing variety of sites that recognize the number of patient benefits a shorter course of radiation offers,” Ken Ferry, CEO of iCad, said in a press release. “We are committed to providing advanced treatment options like IORT that have the potential to transform the treatment of cancer for patients.”

The portable IORT system delivers a concentrated beam of radiation to cancerous tumors during surgery. This technique allows doctors to administer high doses of radiation to tumors without exposing nearby healthy organs. A single dose of intraoperative radiation in early stage breast cancers may have as much effect on the tumor as 10–20 daily radiation treatments.

Favorable data from clinical studies support the use of IORT in select patients. The company is conducting one of the biggest IORT clinical trials to date utilizing the Xoft System, which compares Xoft IORT to traditional external beam radiation therapy.

The Xoft system utilizes a miniaturized high dose rate X-ray source to apply radiation directly to the cancerous tumor bed. Unlike traditional high dose rate brachytherapy technologies, this form of brachytherapy does not require radioactive isotopes, heavy shielding or major capital equipment. As compared to traditional treatments, the procedure appears offers patients several benefits, including reduced costs, added convenience, and fewer side effects.