Page 6 - South Florida Hospital News Nov 2021

Promising Option Emerges for Treating Cancers

Throughout the Body

Cesium-131 is defin- energy path which means additional targeted radiation that can enced, that they would have with
ing modern brachyther- a more conformal dose deliver a meaningful radiation dose iodine-125, which is 6 to 9 months, or
apy. It is emerging as an distribution within the and doesn’t result in the kind of dam- the long side effects with palladium-
effective alternative for resection cavity and deliv- age we see from traditional re-radiation 103 and they will recover faster than
many cancer patients ers a reduced dose to the in our experience. Preliminary studies they would with other sources.”
and offers an important surrounding brain. With are exciting on Cesium-131 for head Dr. Taylor had this message for
option for Florida doc- its permanent encapsula- and neck and are showing promise Florida physicians. “There is always a
tors and the patients tion in titanium, there is which is why we are continuing to pur- fear to change your protocol as a
they treat. Originally no chance of dissemina- sue its use in the head and neck in the physician when you are comfortable
gaining prominence as a tion of the radioactive current recurrent setting.” with an established approach. You
powerful, efficacious sources to other parts of Dr. Zender commented on the value shouldn’t be fearful to change to
treatment for prostate the brain or body.” for patients. “From my perspective, Cesium-131 because of the advantages
cancer, Cesium-131 BY WILLIAM A. The preeminent neuro- Cesium-131 is a promising additional that I see clinically and because I
brachytherapy is now CAVANAGH surgeon sees opportunity therapy that can decrease the chance of learned firsthand that using Cesium-
showing impressive for patients. “It’s a safe their cancer returning without com- 131 really didn’t change my process at
results in other cancer and effective alternative promising quality of life and function all. I think it offers the right energy
treatment applications that previously treatment for recurrent malignant as traditional re-irradiation does. The level to take care of cancer, the short-
had limited treatment alternatives. meningioma and brain metastases. It’s head and neck are critical to our qual- ened half-life so side effects are less
Cesium-131 brachytherapy is increas- been previously under-utilized, and I ity of life, and we must try to preserve and delivering the dose faster, which I
ingly being used to treat a variety of am glad there is increased recognition functions like sense of taste, swallow- believe improves outcomes for prostate
hard-to-treat cancers throughout the of its utility, safety, and effectiveness. ing and facial expressions which are so cancer. We may never prove that clini-
body including brain, head and neck, Patients can have surgery and Cesium- important when interacting with loved cally, but I believe it is better and it is
lung, and gynecological cancers as well 131 treatment in one procedure. ones. Anything we can do to help certainly better for high-risk patients.”
as other aggressive and recurrent Because the skull absorbs most of the patients survive without compromis- With over ten years of data on
tumors. radiation, it makes it safe for patients ing those important functions is going Cesium-131, researchers continue to
In Florida, Dr. Michael W. to be discharged and be around family to be of benefit to the patients.” expand study of its value in addressing
McDermott, Chair of the Division of members without any particular con- Cesium-131 has been extensively cancers. Numerous trials and studies
Neurosurgery and Chief Medical cerns,” said Dr. McDermott. used to treat prostate cancer and has are underway looking at mounting
Executive at the Miami Neuroscience Dr. Chad Zender is a nationally rec- proven to be a highly customized and treatment options involving Cesium-
Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, ognized expert in head and neck can- effective treatment for the rapid recov- 131 brachytherapy and its application
has extensive experience in the use of cers who has seen the benefits of ery of patients. Dr. Bernard W. Taylor is for the treatment of a variety of cancers
Cesium-131 brachytherapy for the Cesium-131 brachytherapy. Dr. the longest tenured radiation oncolo- throughout the body. One that will be
treatment of brain metastases and Zender, Associate Chief Medical gist at Texas Oncology of the US watched with interest given the rapid
recurrent atypical and malignant Officer, University of Cincinnati Oncology Network. He has been per- approach of an era of immuno-oncolo-
meningiomas. Health, and Professor Department of forming LDR Prostate Brachytherapy gy, involves the addition of pem-
Widely known for advancing neuro- Otolaryngology, University of Cinc - since 1996 and has used all the avail- brolizumab (Keytruda) to the regimen
surgical techniques, Dr. McDermott innati College of Medicine spoke to able sources in his career. of Cesium-131 brachytherapy with
noted some of the advantages, “If you Cesium-131’s unique qualities. Dr. Taylor pointed to his unique surgical resection. The trial begins the
just reoperate on recurrent menin- “I think it’s most important in viewpoint regarding Cesium-131 exploration of the opportunity for syn-
giomas after prior surgery and radia- patients who have had previous radia- brachytherapy, “I had prostate cancer ergy between Cesium-131 radiation
tion therapy, the likelihood of recur- tion or chemo-radiation that have a treated with LDR Brachytherapy using therapy and modern immunotherapy
rence is high. There is no effective tumor that is amenable for additional I-125, so I speak as a patient as well as or immune checkpoint inhibitors.
chemotherapy for recurrent menin- therapy. It can be used in conjunction a physician. For patients, it is impor-
giomas at this point and repeated with surgery in the recurrent setting to tant to also look at its impact and the William A. Cavanagh is the
external beam radiation is not a suit- help improve local control and other critical aspect which is patient Chief Research and Development
able treatment paradigm. Cesium-131 decrease the damage to other tissues. quality of life. With Cesium-131, they Officer, Isoray, and may be reached
offers an important local treatment Even in patients that have had prior are not going to have the long-term at (206) 595-8568 or
option. It has a short half-life and short chemo-radiation or radiation, this is an urinary side effects, which I experi- b.cavanagh@isoray.com.

Cancer Patients Benefit When Pharmacies and Providers Connect

For cancer patients, time A delay in treatment can nent pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), moment they need them – allowing
is perhaps the most precious be detrimental to a cancer Prime Therapeutics, on an accreditation them to begin treatment immediately.
commodity. patient. program that would allow pharmacies As early as 7 years ago, a collaborative
Years ago, a patient at our That experience was within an oncology practice to go and connected process like this wasn’t
medically integrated oncolo- the catalyst that led me to beyond the first fill. Through Prime’s even within the realm of possibility. It’s
gy practice had just come create NCODA, the lead- new medically integrated pharmacy cre- my hope that in the near future, med-
from radiology and was now ing nonprofit focused on dentialing program, NCODA’s Accred - ically integrated oncology pharmacies
ready for her medication the patient-centered med- itation will be a preferred requisite as it will be so commonplace that people will
that was just prescribed by ically integrated oncology upholds the gold standards, tools and question why it had ever been done dif-
her oncologist. From her practice. resources that empowers medically inte- ferently. That’s the power of innovation
wheelchair with her hus- After years of work, I grated pharmacies (MIPs) to deliver the and the effect of bringing together smart,
band by her side, she expect- believe we finally have a highest level of performance that brings patient-centered stakeholders who rec-
ed to receive her medication BY MICHAEL REFF game-changing opportu- sustainability and value to all stakehold- ognize the value of a win-win-win situa-
and be on her way. nity that will without ers. tion for all.
The woman’s insurance question improve patient This collaboration with Prime This may not fix every problem in
covered the specialized medication, and and clinician experience, provide better Therapeutics will benefit millions of health care, but it can make a tremen-
we had it in stock. But unless she could health outcomes, and lower cost of care. Americans across the country and is an dous difference in the lives of cancer
pay a large costly penalty out of pocket, With the significant increase in oral important first step, one we are confi- patients. That’s the kind of breakthrough
we could not provide it to her because of oncolytics, the need to dispense pre- dent will transform the future of oncolo- that benefits everyone.
a complex and broken system that often scriptions from the first to last fill quick- gy pharmacy. For cancer patients, timing
forces cancer patients to rely on mail- ly has become critical in overall patient can be everything. Through this
order pharmacies that could be thou- success. approach of dispensing medications Michael Reff is the Executive Director
sands of miles away – rather than the To address this challenge NCODA has from first to last within the MIP, we can and Founder of NCODA. You can learn
pharmacist standing right in front of her. forged a new collaboration with a promi- put treatments in their hands the more at www.ncoda.org/accreditation.

6 November 2021 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News