West Cancer Center & Research Institute achieves ELITE status for innovative brain tumor treatment

Special to the State Gazette

Memphis, TN, June 26, 2024 – West Cancer Center & Research Institute (WCCRI) just hit a major milestone by completing 10 GammaTile Therapy implant procedures, achieving ELITE status along with 38 other brain tumor centers across the United States and 2nd in Tennessee. This milestone marks WCCRI’s commitment to investing in the most advanced therapies to help patients in their fight against brain tumors.

GammaTile Therapy is a novel Surgically Targeted Radiation Therapy (STaRT) for operable brain tumors. Implanted in the last five minutes of brain tumor removal surgery, each bioresorbable, 3D-collagen GammaTile is embedded with radiation sources. This procedure delivers a sustained, controlled, therapeutic radiation dose, targeting tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue.

“We are dedicated to embracing evidence-based innovation and offering the most advanced therapies to our patients,” said WCCRI CEO Mitch Graves. “GammaTile Therapy is an example of our commitment to optimize our patient outcomes and their quality of life.”

WCCRI patients will benefit from fewer interruptions to their daily lives. The therapy allows patients to receive their radiation treatments without repeat trips to the hospital for external radiation treatment.

Dr. Matthew Ballo, Director of Radiation Oncology at WCCRI, stated, "This technological advance marks a crucial advancement in the treatment of brain tumors. The patients I've seen have experienced great results and few side effects because we are able to deliver the therapy from the inside and avoid previously treated tissues.”

In the past 50 years, only seven drugs or devices have been FDA-approved or -cleared to treat brain tumors. The latest advancement in brain tumor treatment, GammaTile Therapy was FDA-cleared in 2018 for recurrent brain tumors, including recurrent high-grade gliomas, glioblastomas, meningiomas and brain metastases. In 2020, the FDA expanded that indication to include newly diagnosed malignant brain tumors.