Isoray Medical, Inc. is an innovative company that designs and develops state-of-the-art, personalized brachytherapy products that provide a more cost-effective cancer treatment. Isoray employs approximately 40 employees, dedicated to the introduction of a unique isotope for the treatment of both common and also difficult to treat cancers.

Based in Richland, in the shadow of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, Isoray leveraged the expertise in the region to develop a proprietary process for manufacturing a sought after new medical isotope, Cesium 131 used in brachytherapy treatment of cancer. Brachytherapy is a technique that places radiation sources (“seeds’) as close as possible to the tumor site to destroy cancer cells.

Cesium 131 has unique characteristics that have evolved into an effective treatment for many types of cancer. Specifically, Cesium 131 is able to provide a highly targeted, fast-acting radiation treatment that is able to deliver its energy in a shorter time period than conventional external beam radiation therapy or other isotopes currently used in brachytherapy, which is not only more cost-effective but typically results in less treatment side-effects.

The initial application for Cesium 131 is for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The fast-acting nature of the treatment allows men to quickly recover from short term side-effects from radiation and return to normal urinary, bowel and sexual function faster than with other brachytherapy isotopes. A growing body of literature supports faster recovery when Cesium 131 brachytherapy is utilized.

In addition to serving as a novel, more efficient alternative for prostate brachytherapy treatment, Cesium 131 is showing great promise in other applications that previously had limited treatment alternatives, including recurrent gynecological cancers, brain tumors, sarcomas and other aggressive and recurrent tumors. Leading medical centers, hospitals and clinics across the United States are now offering this breakthrough treatment for cancer patients.

The fast-acting nature of the Cesium 131 isotope is well-suited to provide additional targeted radiation at the time of surgery, allowing for the treatment of residual disease while limiting the dose to surrounding healthy tissues. In many cases, the radiation “boost” can be delivered before conventional external beam radiation could even be started — while still delivering higher therapeutic doses.

In the case of brain cancer treatment, Isoray has submitted a 510(k) application for a novel delivery system developed in conjunction with the Barrow Neurological Institute (Phoenix, AZ) and is also pursuing a unique code to provide reimbursement.

Another exciting new application is for the treatment of recurrent gynecological tumors. Physicians at the University of Kentucky are using Cesium 131 to treat women with a less invasive approach, which historically has required extensive, debilitating surgical procedures. Early results are promising.

Isoray Medical is the sole producer of Cesium-131 brachytherapy sources, which are expanding brachytherapy treatments for difficult to treat cancers. Isoray is dedicated to pioneering cost-effective solutions for life beyond a patient’s cancer.