Samsung Medical Center is launching a groundbreaking treatment for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer with a mere 17% five-year survival rate. This innovative approach involves implanting radiation therapy materials directly into tumor tissues, potentially minimizing damage to surrounding healthy cells and offering new hope for patients ineligible for surgery.
On Thursday, Samsung Medical Center announced a partnership with Israeli firm Alpha Tau Medical, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on pancreatic cancer research and development. Alpha Tau specializes in advancing localized radiation tumor treatments for various solid cancers.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in South Korea, with mortality rates on the rise, unlike other major cancers. At diagnosis, over 40% of patients already have metastatic disease, and only about 20% are candidates for surgery. The five-year survival rate is a dismal 17.0%, the lowest among all cancers.
Alpha Tau’s Alpha DaRT technology represents a paradigm shift in radiation therapy. Rather than external beam radiation, it involves inserting tiny radiation-emitting capsules directly into the tumor, targeting cancer cells from within.
The alpha particles emitted have a short range, allowing for potent effects on cancer cells while sparing nearby healthy tissue. Alpha Tau is exploring this technology’s potential for localized radiation treatment across various solid tumors, including pancreatic cancer.
This collaboration aims to adapt Alpha DaRT for pancreatic cancer treatment. The primary goal is to downstage inoperable pancreatic tumors, potentially making surgery an option for patients previously considered untreatable.
Pancreatic cancer’s tendency to invade critical blood vessels and nearby organs often renders it inoperable at diagnosis. Thus, down-staging – reducing tumor size or extent to make surgery possible – is crucial for improving treatment outcomes.
However, significant hurdles remain before clinical implementation. The pancreas’s proximity to vital organs like the stomach, duodenum, and major blood vessels necessitates extremely precise radiation delivery. Rigorous clinical trials will be essential to establish safety and efficacy.
Dr. Kim Hee-cheol, Director of Samsung Medical Center’s Cancer Center, expressed optimism about the MOU’s potential to uncover new treatment avenues for pancreatic cancer patients. He emphasized the center’s commitment to carefully evaluating novel therapies and bolstering research capabilities.
In related news, Samsung Medical Center recently achieved global recognition, ranking fifth worldwide and first in Korea for cancer care in Newsweek’s 2027 World’s Best Specialized Hospitals assessment. Their Pancreatic and Biliary Cancer Center is known for its multidisciplinary approach and rapid diagnosis-treatment pipeline. Since 2008, the center has performed over 4,037 pancreatic cancer surgeries.