IsoRay Medical introduce Proxcelan for prostate cancer brachytherapy

IsoRay Medical has released its existing proprietary Cesium-131 prostate cancer brachytherapy seeds at the 26th annual American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) conference in Minneapolis, MN. Under the name Proxcelan, IsoRay Medical will expand the marketing of its Cesium-131 seeds used in low dose radiation (LDR) brachytherapy for prostate cancer. The fast-acting, high-energy medical isotope has demonstrated strong clinical results and is being heralded by the company as the first leap forward in seed brachytherapy in 20 years.

IsoRay Medical chairman and CEO, Roger Girard said the launch of the Proxcelan brand will likely begin the development of a 'family' of brands reflecting expanded medical applications of Cesium-131 as well as the development and marketing of other medical isotopes by the company. Although IsoRay Medical's Proxcelan seeds have been used exclusively for the treatment of prostate cancer to date, the technology received FDA 510(k) clearance in March 2003 for the treatment of malignant disease.

Proxcelan offers advantages over other isotopes. Available in leading facilities across the US, it delivers its therapeutic radiation faster than other isotope seeds, Palladium-103 and Iodine-125, and at a reduced risk to patients when compared to surgery. Due to its unique characteristics, Proxcelan patients receive a higher initial dosage of radiation that attacks and kills cancer cells quickly. Its short half-life means that radiation leaves the body sooner than Iodine-125 and Palladium-103. (1)

(1) Armpilia CI, Dale RG, Coles IP et al. The Determination of Radiobiologically Optimized Half-lives for Radionuclides Used in Permanent Brachytherapy Implants. Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys. 2003; 55 (2): 378-385.