An “extraordinary” new technology has emerged in Europe that promises to revolutionise the treatment of early-stage breast cancer.
The GammaPod system, designed to deliver high-dose targeted radiation therapy in a single session, was unveiled by Italian medical company Tema Sinergie SpA, based in Faenza.
The first GammaPod installation in Europe was completed at the Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital in Udine, and treatment of patients at other facilities is expected to begin shortly. With over 40 years of experience in the healthcare sector, Tema Sinergie is working to expand access to this technology across the continent.
The GammaPod, invented by physicist Cedric Yu, Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland in the United States, and manufactured by Xcision Medical Systems, a company founded by Yu, is the first radiation therapy system designed specifically for the treatment of breast cancer.
Unlike traditional radiation therapy equipment, which is designed for use on different parts of the body, the GammaPod focuses exclusively on breast tumours. This allows concentrated doses of radiation to be directed directly at the tumour without affecting surrounding healthy tissue, reducing side effects.
Thanks to its high precision, GammaPod allows tumours to be treated with much higher doses of radiation than traditional methods and, importantly, in a single session rather than several. The non-invasive approach is designed to shorten the course of treatment, which can improve patients’ quality of life.
A clinical study conducted at the Udine Hospital and recently published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics (widely known as the Red Journal) demonstrated that GammaPod is safe and effective when used in preoperative treatment. The study showed a significant reduction in Ki-67 levels, a marker used to assess cancer cell proliferation, indicating a strong tumour response to radiation.
“The results are extraordinary,” Dr. Marco Trovò, Director of Radiotherapy at Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, said. “GammaPod allows us to administer a very high dose of radiation in a single session, with a clear biological response, as indicated by the drop in Ki-67.”
GammaPod will also be presented at the upcoming ESTRO 2025 congress in Vienna. During the congress on May 5, Tema Sinergie will host a satellite symposium entitled “Reducing the Impact of Breast Cancer.” The session will feature presentations by Professor Cedric Yu, Professor Asal Rahimi and Dr. Marco Trovo, who will discuss clinical results and the application of the technology. The session will be moderated by Prof. Philip Poortmans and Prof. Icro Meattini.
Tema Sinergie’s role in introducing GammaPod to Europe highlights the importance of international collaboration in the development of cancer treatments. The company has stated that it aims to make this technology a key element in the treatment of breast cancer in Europe and beyond.
