Electronic Brachytherapy a Viable Option for Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT)

Electronic Brachytherapy a Viable Option for Intraoperative Radiation Therapy
(IORT)
Xoft to Showcase Multi-Disciplinary Approach to IORT Delivery for the
Treatment of Breast and Non-Breast Cancers at American College of Surgeons
Clinical Congress

CHICAGO, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinical experience with the FDA cleared
Axxent® Electronic Brachytherapy, eBx(TM), System from Xoft shows promise for
the multi-disciplinary use of the isotope-free cancer treatment platform to
deliver intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). Xoft will showcase a variety
of investigational IORT oncology applications at the American College of
Surgeons 95th Annual Clinical Congress here in Chicago, October 11-15, 2009.

IORT is a radiation therapy technique where a concentrated dose of radiation
is delivered to a cancerous tumor site during surgery after the tumor is
removed. Because the target and normal tissues can be clearly identified
during surgery, IORT may increase targeting accuracy, thereby increasing dose
to the target and reducing dose to critical structures. For breast IORT, the
shorter treatment time is generally more convenient for patients than the
seven-week course of external beam-therapy, and may increase patient
compliance.

"We are very pleased with the strong interest from clinicians around the
country to investigate multi-disciplinary approaches for use of Electronic
Brachytherapy to deliver IORT for breast and other cancers," said Michael
Klein, president and CEO of Xoft. "Currently, we are supporting studies
investigating spine, inter-abdominal and breast applications, and as more
oncologists and surgeons understand this powerful tool, we expect to see
studies investigating treatments for pancreatic and other recurring cancers."

"At Little Company of Mary Hospital, we have treated a number of patients
using breast IORT with excellent results. Combined with data from European
studies showing comparable results to whole-breast irradiation and other forms
of APBI, we believe these preliminary results are very encouraging and deserve
the attention of American breast surgeons," said Olga Ivanov, M.D., breast
surgeon and medical director for Little Company of Mary's Comprehensive Breast
Health Center.

The Xoft eBx System uses a miniature X-ray source instead of a radioactive
isotope to deliver radiation to the breast from within a balloon catheter. The
low energy and rapid dose fall-off of the electronic source permit treatment
in typical operating rooms, with minimal shielding required. Lightweight and
mobile, the system can be moved easily between multiple ORs.

"I believe that giving a single fraction of radiation at the time of surgery
will be advantageous because it will allow all the radiation to be delivered
before any remaining tumor cells have a chance to grow. It also intensifies
the dose to the part of the breast at highest risk for recurrence. My hope is
that the availability of IORT will decrease the number of patients who decide
to be treated with surgery alone despite the fact that radiation has been
shown to be an essential component of treatment and increases overall
survival," said Adam Dickler, M.D., radiation oncologist at Little Company of
Mary Hospital.

Available for treatment of early stage breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and
skin cancer, the Axxent eBx System is also FDA-cleared for IORT
(intra-operative radiation therapy). As a platform technology, the Axxent
System is designed to deliver non-radioactive therapy directly to cancer sites
with minimal radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Utilizing a
proprietary miniaturized X-ray source and robotic controller, the system can
be used to deliver radiation in minimally shielded therapeutic settings.
Treatment can be performed without the need for a shielded room, allowing the
radiation oncologist and other medical personnel to be present during
treatment delivery which minimizes patient anxiety.

"In breast cancer, we know there is a large segment of patients, often the
elderly and women who live longer distances from radiation centers, who do not
comply with their prescribed radiation treatment after lumpectomy or who
choose to have a mastectomy instead of pursuing breast conserving therapy.
For these tens of thousands of women, IORT may an important option to improve
access to therapy as well as improve outcomes," added Klein. "What will be
critical whether it is breast or another oncology application, is that the
treatment is directed using a multi-disciplinary approach, involving
specialists in radiation oncology, surgery and pathology."

About Xoft, Inc.
Xoft develops Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx) systems based upon miniaturized
X-ray tube technology for the practice of radiation oncology in virtually any
clinical setting, eliminating the need for heavily shielded environments. The
Axxent® treatment platform provides a therapeutic dose of radiation directly
to the region at risk with minimal radiation exposure to surrounding healthy
tissue and without the complex handling, resource logistics and costs
associated with using radioactive isotopes. Xoft aligns with the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission's (NRC) directive to seek alternatives for radioactive
medical isotopes. Commercially available for treatment of early stage breast
cancer, skin cancer and endometrial and rectal indications, the Axxent
Electronic Brachytherapy System is also cleared for use in the treatment of
other cancers or conditions where radiation therapy is indicated. For more
information, visit www.xoftinc.com.

Axxent is a registered trademark and eBx is a trademark of Xoft, Inc.

SOURCE Xoft, Inc.

Chris K. Joseph, Xoft, Inc., +1-510-339-2293, chris@ckjcomm.com