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Applied cancer research funded: Medical Center - University of Freiburg study on precise radiotherapy for prostate cancer receives 2.8 million euros from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Europe. Thanks to enormous advances in imaging and technical innovations in radiotherapy, it is now possible to irradiate the tumor tissue of prostate cancer very precisely. This led to the HypoFocal-SBRT study under the direction of Prof. Dr. Anca-L. Grosu, Medical Director of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, which could significantly change the clinical practice and treatment of those affected. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the study with around 2.8 million euros over four years, with the option to extend for a further four years.

Instead of irradiating the entire prostate evenly as before, the HypoFocal-SBRT study will additionally irradiate those areas of the organ in which high-precision imaging indicates the tumor with particular intensity. This should result in improved, more effective therapy and protection of the surrounding tissue, such as the bladder and bowel. It also significantly shortens the treatment time.

Destroy tumor tissue, protect surrounding tissue

The study team led by Grosu and junior co-study leader Dr. Simon Spohn,physician at the Department of Radiation Oncologyat the Medical Center - University of Freiburg,expects the new procedure to have a high success rate, low side effects and an improved quality of life. "The new method promises a better cure rate for prostate cancer without increased side effects," says PD Dr. Constantinos Zamboglou, also co-project leader of the HypoFocal-SBRT study. "In addition, our study has the potential to reduce the treatment time from eight to four weeks or even to just five days," adds Zamboglou. The treatment is non-invasive and therefore less stressful for those affected. It is carried out percutaneously, i.e. via the uninjured skin. Patients require neither painkillers nor anesthesia.

This study is being planned and conducted in close cooperation with various departments of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg - CCCF at the Medical Center of Freiburg (urology, radiology, nuclear medicine, pathology, psycho-oncology) and with representatives of the Bundesverband Prostata Selbsthilfe e.V. The research project was launched in mid-August with Freiburg as the first test center. More than 20 other centers in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Cyprus will take part in the study.

"We are very pleased that this very promising and practice-oriented research project was able to convince the reviewers. This is a confirmation of the high level of expertise in oncological research and treatment at the hospital," says Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg and member of the Board of the Medical Center of Freiburg.

Caption: In the Hypofocal study, the exact area of the prostate where the tumor is located (red, left) is irradiated with high intensity instead of irradiating the entire prostate with a lower dose, as was previously the case.
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Anca-L. Grosu, FACR
Medical Director
Department of Radiation Oncology
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-94610
anca.grosu@uniklinik-freiburg.de