HOUSTON, July 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- C4 Imaging LLC today announced the presentation of a clinical study describing the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in improving the quality of prostate cancer treatment. The data on 47 patients treated with prostate brachytherapy was presented at The World Congress of Brachytherapy meeting held in San Francisco, June 27 – 29, 2016.

The study was conducted at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas and was presented by Pierre Blanchard MD, PhD. C4 Imaging's Sirius™ MRI Markers were utilized to assess the location of radioactive seeds implanted during prostate brachytherapy. The study concluded that MRI guided brachytherapy achieves high quality implants and allows more accurate identification and sparing from radiation of critical anatomy than ultrasound based treatment planning.

Brachytherapy, or radioactive seed implantation is a cost-effective option for the curative treatment of prostate cancer. Brachytherapy involves implanting around 100 radioactive seeds into the prostate. Its popularity has increased due to its effectiveness, convenience, low incidence of erectile dysfunction, and minimal invasiveness. Radiation released from the seeds penetrates the prostate tissue at a limited distance, with most of the radiation concentrated within the prostate. Outcomes after brachytherapy can be excellent but depend greatly on the quality of the implant.
"I believe the data presented on MRI-guided prostate brachytherapy shows that it leads to a high quality implant that avoids delivering radiation to critical anatomical structures around the prostate," said Steven J. Frank MD, Founder and Chairman of C4 Imaging. "If seeds can be more readily localized with MRI it would lead to more effective treatment and better patient outcomes."

"This study demonstrates an increasing role for MRI in managing patients being treated with brachytherapy," said Andrew Bright, President and CEO of C4 Imaging. "It recognizes how our Sirius™ MRI Markers are being utilized to determine the anatomical location of seeds after they've been implanted, providing an accurate assessment of treatment quality."

About C4 IMAGING

C4 Imaging is a technology company focused on developing innovative medical devices that enable clinicians to more accurately perform image-guided procedures. C4 Imaging's patent portfolio is centered on its proprietary positive-signal MRI contrast agent (C4) and encapsulation technology.

C4 Imaging recently launched its first product, the Sirius™ MRI Marker. Sirius™ is the first commercially available positive-signal MRI Marker and is a permanently implantable medical device used in the management of prostate cancer. In prostate brachytherapy, Sirius™ MRI Markers are attached to radioactive seeds and inserted into the prostate. Physicians can view and evaluate seed placement utilizing MRI, allowing for an accurate assessment of treatment quality.

C4 Imaging is developing multi-modality (MRI and CT) products that address significant opportunities outside of prostate cancer; with breast biopsy and improved radiotherapy delivery being the next target markets.


SOURCE C4 Imaging

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