Technological advancements in brachytherapy of cancer

Abstract

Emerging technological advancements in brachytherapy, when used alone or combined with conventional therapies have improved the therapeutic efficacy, leading to enhanced patient survival. Advancements in the use of various isotopes, delivery methods, incorporation of 3D imaging, and 3D printing, have significantly optimized the treatment planning and increased dose delivery accuracy, achieving high target volume irradiation and low normal tissue exposure. Real-time guidance during the implanting of radiation source into the tumor tissue has shown the promising outcome of brachytherapy. Integration of precise in vivo dosimetry methods have reduced the deviations in the measured dose, and associated operational errors, ensuring brachytherapy is accurate, and delivering more targeted doses over the course of the treatment. The use of new forms of radiation sources such as needles, pellets, tubes, overcomes the risk of source clumping and migration. Personalized applicators, biodegradable brachytherapy systems, injectable radiolabeled thermoresponsive polymers offer yet another promising brachytherapy approaches. Here we describe the recent technological innovations in brachytherapy and discuss various strategies adopted to overcome the associated challenges in preclinical and clinical settings.

Keywords

• Brachytherapy
• Ionizing radiation
• Dosimetry
• Survival
• Cesium
• Iridium