Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide with around 1.8 million lung cancer related deaths reported in 2020 by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Furthermore, around 25% of patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) will experience lung metastases.
For patients where surgery is not an option, loco-regional therapies such as thermal ablation techniques (radio frequency ablation and microwave ablation) may be suitable. However, these approaches carry significant limitations including an inability to treat near large vessels or the pulmonary hilum. There is also a high risk of developing bronchopulmonary fistulas, possibly due to higher temperatures during the procedure[1].
As a result, nearly one in five patients (18.8%) with tumors ≤ 2 cm will experience local disease progression within 3 years of treatment.
SBRT is another alternative treatment option, but risks major complications including radiation pneumonitis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, bronchial necrosis, and rib fracture[2].
By offering a highly localized, targeted alternative to thermal ablation or external radiotherapy, YntraDose could reduce the risk of side effects and improve disease control.