New Brunswick, N.J., September 29, 2023 – Physician-scientists from Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health will present new, novel, and expansive radiation oncology data from their clinical research program at the 2023 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting, to be held in San Diego from October 1-4. A total of 10 abstracts have been accepted, comprising clinical data and analyses that advance the understanding and use of radiation therapy in the treatment of lung, breast, pancreatic, and other cancers. Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and the leading cancer program in the state.
“We are excited that the physician-scientists from our health system will be presenting significant and valuable information to advance the use of radiotherapy in cancer treatment at this year’s ASTRO meeting,” said Bruce Haffty, MD, MS, Chair, Radiation Oncology, Associate Vice Chancellor for Cancer Programs at Rutgers Cancer Institute, and System Director of Radiation Oncology at RWJBarnabas Health. “The variety and nature of the abstracts being presented speak to our team’s commitment, passion, and innovation in their quest to develop disruptive strategies to advance the use of radiation therapy in cancer treatment, improve patient outcomes and save lives. Our team of world-class cancer specialists and researchers is dedicated to advancing and refining the role of radiation therapy in cancer management to improve the lives of the patients we serve.”
Highlights of accepted abstracts include the following:
- Findings of an analysis to explore genetic changes in aggressive pancreatic cancer. Over 90 percent of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) have mutations in the gene KRAS, a major driver in PDA. The aim of this research was to investigate genomic alterations based on KRAS status and identify driver mutations with KRAS wild type.
- Results of a Phase 1 study combining a methionine-restricted diet (MRD) and radiation therapy to treat human malignancy, which has never been evaluated. Methionine is an amino acid critical to cell growth and survival, the deficiency of which, while tolerated by normal cells, causes cancer cell death. An MRD also enhances radio sensitization without significant adverse events.
- Results of a study to determine whether dynamic changes in tumor volume in Stage III non-small cell lung cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiation followed by immunotherapy, the standard of care, may predict patient outcomes.
The full list of presentations at this year’s ASTRO Annual Meeting follows:
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Oral Presentations |
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Abstract and Session No. |
Title |
Presentation Date/Time |
Location |
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Prognostic Impact of Mismatch Repair Deficiency on Stage I-II Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer Treated With Adjuvant Radiation Therapy: A Multi-Institutional Analysis |
Sunday, October 1, 2023, from 8:10-8:17 AM PST |
Room 5 |
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Prognostic Significance of Pretreatment Immune Cell Infiltration in Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Treated with Definitive Chemoradiation: Analysis of NRG RTOG 0524 and 07 |
Monday, October 2, 2023, from 8:30-8:37 AM PST |
Room 4 |
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Comprehensive Genomic Analysis Stratified by KRAS Status in Patients with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma and Its Prognostic Significance |
Monday, October 2, 2023, from 8:50-8:57 AM PST |
Room 4 |
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First Results of the Primary Outcome of a Phase II Prospective Clinical Trial to Assess the Feasibility of Preoperative Radiation Boost in Breast Cancer Patients |
Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 2:50-2:55 PM PST
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Room 7 |
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Unplanned Hospitalization and Subsequent Mortality in Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Concomitant Chemo-/Immuno-therapy and Radiotherapy: An Analysis of Over 10,000 Patients in a Nationwide Database |
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 11:20-11:27 AM PST |
Room 4 |
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Abstract and Session No. |
Title |
Presentation Date/Time |
Location |
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Predictive Value of Dynamic Tumor Volume Changes in Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer treated with Chemoradiation and Consolidative Immunotherapy |
Sunday, October 1, 2023, from 4:45-6:00 PM PST |
Hal B2 |
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The Landscape of Genetic Alterations Associated with Metachronous Metastasis in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Its Prognostic significance |
Monday, October 2, 2023, from 5:00-6:00 PM PST |
Hall B2 |
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Safety and Feasibility of the Addition of a Radiosenitizing Methionine Restricted Diet to Radiation Therapy |
Monday, October 2, 2023, from 5:00-6:00 PM PST |
Hall B2 |
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Predictive Value of Tumor Volume on Local Control in Hepatocellular Carcinoma treated with Image Guided Hypofractionated Radiation Treatment |
Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 12:45-2:00 PM PST |
Hall B2 |
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Pilot Study Assessing Student Interest in Combined Residency Training Pathways With Radiation Oncology |
Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 5:15-6:15 PM PST |
Hall B2 |
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About Rutgers Cancer Institute
As New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers
Cancer Institute, together with RWJBarnabas Health, offers the most advanced cancer treatment
options, including bone marrow transplantation, proton therapy, CAR T-cell therapy and complex
surgical procedures. Along with clinical trials and novel therapeutics such as precision medicine and
immunotherapy – many of which are not widely available – patients have access to these cutting-
edge therapies at Rutgers Cancer Institute in New Brunswick, Rutgers Cancer
Institute at University Hospital in Newark, as well as through RWJBarnabas Health
facilities. To make a tax-deductible gift to support the Cancer Institute, call 848-932-
8013 or visit www.cinj.org/giving.
For journalists – contact:
Krista Didzbalis
Media Relations Assistant
732-507-8307
krista.didzbalis@rutgers.edu
For patient appointments/inquiries – contact:
844-CANCERNJ (844-226-2376)