Two Papers From a Large Multi-site Study Further Demonstrate Efficacy and Quality of Life Benefits for Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Accuray's CyberKnife® System

UCLA Researchers Evaluate Long-term Outcomes of More than 1,000 Patients from Multiple Institutions

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Nov 07, 2013, 04:04 ET

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), announced today the publication of two papers stemming from a large multi-center study of CyberKnife® stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) led by investigators at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The first paper, published in the September 2013 online issue of Radiotherapy & Oncology (commonly referred to as the Green Journal), found, in more than one thousand patients with organ-confined prostate cancer, relapse-free survival rates were comparable to other established treatments at both three- and five-year intervals post-treatment. The second paper published in the October 10 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology (commonly referred to as the Red Journal) demonstrated that CyberKnife SBRT was a well-tolerated treatment that allowed patients to return to their pre-treatment health-related quality of life (QOL).

"These studies confirm with a much larger patient population and longer follow-up what many smaller studies have already suggested—SBRT is an effective method for treating prostate cancer," said Christopher King, Ph.D., M.D., professor of radiation oncology and urology at UCLA School of Medicine and lead author of the study. "Compact dose delivery and real-time tracking of prostate motion gave the authors of these studies the confidence to explore the potential of high-dose, extreme hypofractionation. Clinical outcomes so far validate the effectiveness and safety of treating patients with prostate cancer with minimal disruption to their lives."

In the first paper from this study published in the Green Journal, titled, "Stereotactic body radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: Pooled analysis from a multi-institutional consortium of prospective phase II trials," 1,100 patients with low-, intermediate-, or high-risk prostate cancer were treated with the CyberKnife System and followed for a median of 36 months. Relapse-free survival rates were comparable to or better than other established treatments at both three- and five-year intervals post-treatment. Additionally, for the 135 patients with at least 5 years follow-up, disease-free survival was 99% for low-risk and 93% for intermediate-risk patients. In the second paper, "Health related quality of life after stereotactic body radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer," published in the Red Journal, health-related quality of life QOL was assessed in 864 patients after prostate SBRT on the CyberKnife System. Reductions in urinary and bowel QOL recovered to baseline levels or better within six months and remained so over the long term. Sexual QOL declined in the first nine months in a manner that was no worse than that seen with other modern approaches to radiation therapy and observed in other studies. Overall the QOL outcomes compared favorably to surgery and other kinds of radiotherapy.

"New studies like these continue to lead to increased adoption and reimbursement of the CyberKnife System for prostate cancer, providing more prostate cancer patients with a precise and convenient non-surgical alternative," said Joshua H. Levine, president and chief executive officer of Accuray. "As more commercial payers continue to cover prostate SBRT, patients will benefit even more from gaining access to treatment with the CyberKnife System."

The CyberKnife System is equipped with the InTempo™ Adaptive Imaging System which enables real time tracking and correcting of the prostate during treatment. This image-guidance technology ensures the CyberKnife System is on target, sparing normal tissue despite unpredictable, sometimes extensive prostate movement.

About Accuray
Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), is a radiation oncology company that develops, manufactures and sells precise, innovative treatment solutions that set the standard of care with the aim of helping patients live longer, better lives. The Company's leading-edge technologies deliver the full range of radiation therapy and radiosurgery treatments. For more information, please visit www.accuray.com.

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Statements made in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements and are subject to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate, but are not limited to adoption of new technologies, clinical experience, clinical applications, clinical results, and the Company's leadership position in radiation oncology innovation and the Company's leadership position in radiation oncology innovation. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including risks detailed from time to time under the heading "Risk Factors" in the company's report on Form 10-K filed on August 29, 2013, and as updated periodically by our other filings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made and are based on information available to the Company at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual performance or results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Accuray Incorporated