Amethyst Associate Launches Radiovaccine For Oncology Patients
New Amethyst Radiotherapy associate Dr Slavisa Tubin – a radiation oncology specialist – has been working on an innovative method of partial tumour irradiation with ultra-high doses, dubbed the radiovaccine because it helps to activate the immune system in the fight against tumours.
In an article for Serbian news outlet Kurier, Dr Tubin explained that his particular speciality is stereotactic body radiotherapy, as well as proton and carbon-ion radiotherapy, which are the most effective forms of radiotherapy treatment available.
These techniques have the potential to eradicate tumours completely, with low and acceptable risks of collateral effects, and patients found to tolerate treatments very well without compromising their quality of life.
Where tumours are large and unresectable (and thus unsuitable for these methods), Dr Tubin’s radiovaccine technique (developed following years of pre-clinical and clinical scientific research) allows for the addition of radiation’s anti-tumour effect to the synergistic immune anti-tumour effect, to help improve therapy results.
The aim of the radiovaccine method, where ultra-high doses of irradiation are administered, is to activate the patient’s immune system to help it fight against tumours, potentially improving positive health outcomes as a result.
Radiotherapy treatments
Radiotherapy (also referred to as radiation) involves directing a high dose of radiation at the cancer site to damage the DNA of tumour cells and disrupt blood flow to the tumour itself. This prevents further growth and reproduction of malignant cells, stopping the tumour in its tracks.
Patients first visit the Amethyst centre for an initial assessment, where a CT and MRI are taken to plan and simulate the treatment. Dr Tubin then works with a medical physicist to devise a radiation plan, after which the therapy can begin.
Nearly all types of tumours can be treated in this way, with Dr Tubin focusing particularly on tumours of the lung, the liver, rectum and pancreas, where his specialty is large, complex and inoperable tumours.
He went on to explain that every case is unique and, as such, must be evaluated individually in order to determine the most accurate prognosis and to decide upon the most appropriate therapeutic strategy.
At radiotherapy centre Amethyst Austria, we pioneer innovative ways of working to kill and eliminate malignant tumour cells while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with the team today.
