New Delhi, Jan 19 (NationPress) In a groundbreaking study, researchers from Australia have showcased the practicality and safety of utilizing stabilised hyaluronic acid (sHA) gel during radiation therapy for gynaecological cancers.

This gel has already received approval from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration for its application in prostate cancer radiation treatments.

Led by a team from Monash University, the research marks the first instance of examining hyaluronic acid gel in women, aiming to gently create additional space between the tumour and the rectum during MRI-guided brachytherapy—a specific form of internal radiation treatment.

By enhancing this distance, medical professionals sought to minimize radiation exposure to the rectum, enabling a higher and more targeted radiation dose to the tumour, thereby reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue and potentially improving treatment outcomes.

"This study is a world-first in investigating the potential of stabilised hyaluronic acid (sHA) gel to enhance outcomes for patients undergoing brachytherapy for gynaecological cancers. Our results indicate that the procedure is both safe and feasible, and presents encouraging technical benefits," stated Dr. Carminia Lapuz from Monash University.

"By extending the gap between the tumour and the rectum, we aspire to facilitate safer, more effective treatments and promote equity in cancer care," Lapuz added. The research findings have been published in the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences.

In a small cohort study involving 12 patients, the medical team found the gel easy to administer and distinctly visible on MRI scans, simplifying the monitoring of its position throughout treatment. Importantly, the patients reported no discomfort associated with the spacer, and there were no complications linked to the gel.

The gel successfully increased the distance between the tumour and the rectum for all 12 patients and remained securely in place during the brachytherapy.

This gel dissolves safely in the body over time, as evidenced by its existing application in prostate cancer therapy.

Although this study did not assess long-term side effects or alterations in radiation dosage to the rectum, it confirms that utilizing sHA gel as a spacer is both safe and practical for individuals with gynaecological cancer.

By mitigating radiation exposure to healthy tissues and allowing for more precise tumour targeting, this technique holds the potential to enhance quality of life, lessen long-term side effects, and provide more effective cancer care for women worldwide.