More than 170 physicians and health care professionals specializing in the treatment of liver metastases gathered May 2-3 in Chicago for the fourth annual clinical symposium on liver-directed microsphere therapy. The symposium, sponsored by the Goshen Center for Cancer Care, was supported by an educational grant provided by Sirtex Medical. Sirtex manufactures SIR-Spheres microspheres, the only FDA-approved microsphere therapy for colorectal liver metastases.1
"Sirtex has supported the annual microsphere symposium since its inception in 2004," says Dr. John Reddington, President of Sirtex Medical Inc. "The symposium highlighted the latest techniques and research with Yttrium-90 microsphere therapy for the treatment of advanced liver tumors. The meeting continues to grow each year, both in the number of attendees and the amount of new data that is discussed."
The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Colorectal Cancer Coalition (3C), Yttrium-90 Education and Support (Y.E.S.), the Carcinoid Foundation and the Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Network (CCAN). Their participation was integral to Sirtex's commitment to raising awareness of the commonality of liver metastases and the role microsphere therapy can play in providing treatment options.
"At Y.E.S., one of our missions is to help patients with liver metastases learn about their treatment options," says Suzanne Lindley, Founder and President of Y.E.S. and cancer survivor. "Meetings such as the annual microsphere symposium help raise awareness of the latest treatment advances among physicians and also provide hope to those who are fighting this disease."
CME evaluations of the program indicated that attendees felt that the information presented contributed to and expanded their knowledge of the subject. All participants felt the program content was closely related to their area of expertise and allowed them to explain the scientific principles for Yttrium-90 Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT).
1Sirtex Medical Inc.'s SIR-Spheres microspheres are indicated for the treatment of non-resectable metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with intra-arterial FUDR chemotherapy. Information regarding other disease states or agents in combination with this device, that is presented in peer-reviewed literature or medical meetings may differ from the approved USA indications as per the labeling for the product.
About Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) using SIR-Spheres microspheres
Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) is a novel treatment for inoperable liver cancer that delivers high doses of radiation directly to the site of tumors. In a minimally-invasive treatment, millions of radioactive SIR-Spheres microspheres are infused via a catheter into the liver where they selectively target liver tumors with a dose of internal radiation up to 40 times higher than conventional radiotherapy, while sparing healthy tissue.
Clinical trials have confirmed that liver cancer patients treated with SIR-Spheres microspheres have response rates higher than with other forms of treatment, resulting in increased life expectancy, greater periods without tumor activity, and improved quality of life. SIRT has been found to shrink liver tumors more than chemotherapy alone.
SIR-Spheres microspheres are approved for use in Australia, the United States of America (FDA approval), and the European Union (CE Mark) and additionally supplied in countries such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, India, Israel and Turkey with approximately 7,500 patients treated worldwide.
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