SPACEOAR Vue Hydrogel, minimizing the side effects of prostate cancer radiotherapy

Prostate cancer is a prevalent cancer among older men. It is curable, with the cure possibility contingent on the cancer's stage and grade. Treatment options for this cancer type encompass drugs, surgery, and radiation therapy. 

With the prostate gland nestled in the narrowed confine of the pelvis, surgical procedures for prostate cancer are challenging. This limitation makes modalities like external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy attractive alternatives as they can reduce undesirable postoperative complications. 

However, the prostate's proximity to surrounding organs means that radiation therapy of the gland can impact neighboring organs, resulting in the following unwanted post-treatment symptoms:  

• Bowel issues 
• Urinary incontinence 
• Sexual dysfunction  

One of the organs at risk in prostate cancer radiotherapy is the rectum. Radiation rectal toxicity causes symptoms such as pain, diarrhea, bleeding, and frequent urination. 

How does SPACEOAR Vue Hydrogel support radiotherapy?

SPACEOAR Vue Hydrogel is a novel medical device deployed in conjunction with radiotherapy or brachytherapy for prostate cancer to help reduce the radiation dose to the rectum and minimize the side effects of radiotherapy to ensure a better quality of life after treatment. SPACEOAR Vue Hydrogel is an absorbable hydrogel injected between the prostate gland and rectum to act as a spacer, temporarily expanding the space between the two organs for about 1.3 centimeters (or more).  

SpaceOAR Vue Hydrogel is a soft hydrogel made from water and polyethylene glycol (PEG), a common component of medical implants. The hydrogel will maintain the space for approximately three months. It will be entirely absorbed and excreted through urine after six months. 

Benefits of utilizing SPACEOAR Vue Hydrogel in conjunction with radiotherapy

According to clinical studies, this spacer technology helps improve the quality of life of prostate cancer patients after radiotherapy by: 

• Reducing complications affecting the rectum 
  The chance of developing symptoms like diarrhea and bowel incontinence is reduced by 71%. 
• Minimizing complications affecting the urinary tract system 
  The opportunity for urinary side effects and undesirable symptoms is reduced by 60%. 
• Lowering the chance of complications affecting the reproductive system 
  67% of the patients regain erectile function within three years. 

Summary of expectation from SPACEOAR Vue Hydrogel  

• SPACEOAR Vue Hydrogel increases the safety of prostate cancer radiotherapy and minimizes undesirable side effects but does not eliminate them. 
• Injecting hydrogel to increase the distance between the prostate and rectum helps reduce unintended radiation to the rectum and undesirable side effects. 
• This soft hydrogel temporarily stays in the body for six months and will be absorbed and excreted through urine without negative impacts. 

Radiotherapy is an effective treatment modality for prostate cancer. With the help of SPACEOAR Vue Hydrogel, the quality of life of prostate cancer patients will be enhanced after treatment.