PROTON-BEAM THERAPY

Posted by Emilia Belserene on May 02, 1999 at 13:40:45:

Does anyone have information about a trial (at Loma Linda Univ, apparently) of proton-beam therapy for MD? A magazine reported an 89% success rate. I want to learn more about it!

Posted by Richard C. Davis, MD on May 04, 1999 at 19:07:44:

Proton beam therapy is not photodynamic therapy. It is a direct thermal radiation method. It does not employ dye excitation. The beam is more concentrated than regular lasers and delivers increased energy to a smaller target. It is hypothecized that it is less absorbed in the outer retina and more absorbed in the inner layers so it should do less damage to the photoreceptors, which is similar to the objective of photodynamic therapy. They just work differently.

Richard Davis, MD

Posted by Richard C. Davis M.D. on May 10, 1999 at 01:59:43:

I am only aware of one cyclotron in use for treating AMD experimentally. It is at Loma Linda. These researchers published an excellent interim analysis on their work last year. For certain patients with wet AMD, this technology seems to offer better results than standard laser technology.

R Davis

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