Physicians and researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are poised to deliver groundbreaking insights into radiation oncology at the 2025 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting. Their presentations center on pioneering targeted radioactive therapies for recurrent prostate cancer, refined stereotactic body radiation techniques, next-generation imaging modalities like MRI and five-dimensional computed tomography (5DCT), and advancements in patient-centered education. These developments foreshadow a transformative era in cancer treatment, marrying precision technology with a holistic approach to patient care.
At the forefront of this research is Dr. Amar Kishan, UCLA’s executive vice chair of radiation oncology and co-director of the Cancer Molecular Imaging, Nanotechnology and Theranostics Program. Dr. Kishan will unveil pivotal results from the LUNAR clinical trial, which investigates the utility of 177Lutetium-PSMA, a radioligand therapy that specifically targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) on prostate cancer cells. Administered preemptively before ablative radiotherapy, this therapy aims to eradicate oligorecurrent prostate cancer with enhanced specificity, potentially improving outcomes by delivering cytotoxic radiation directly to malignant cells while sparing healthy tissue. The trial’s findings are slated to be a highlight of ASTRO’s scientific discourse.
In parallel, the SCIMITAR phase II clinical trial’s four-year follow-up results will be presented by Dr. Jesus Juarez Casillas, co-chief resident at UCLA’s radiation oncology department. SCIMITAR evaluates stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) administered post-prostatectomy to men at elevated risk for recurrence. The trial demonstrates sustained biochemical control, with 62% of participants remaining free from cancer recurrence after four years, a promising figure that rivals traditional fractionated radiotherapy regimens. These results are significant, exemplifying SBRT’s potential to deliver high-dose radiation with millimeter precision over fewer sessions, thereby improving patient convenience and reducing healthcare burden.
UCLA’s innovations further extend into the realm of imaging, where Dr. Daniel Low showcases pioneering work on 5DCT, an advanced imaging modality designed to capture lung tumor motion with exceptional fidelity in patients exhibiting irregular respiratory patterns. Unlike conventional four-dimensional CT (4DCT), which models tumor movement along spatial dimensions synchronized with breathing phases, 5DCT incorporates additional parameters—breath rate and depth—accounting for intra- and inter-breath variability. This enhanced modeling yields artifact-free, high-resolution tumor delineations, essential for precision radiotherapy planning that mitigates radiation exposure to surrounding healthy lung tissues.
MRI-guided radiotherapy also garners significant attention, with Dr. Travis Courtney presenting comparative analyses of MRI-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy (MRgSBRT) approaches for prostate cancer. His research contrasts standard high-dose MRgSBRT against an adaptive dose-painting strategy that delivers escalated radiation doses to dominant intraprostatic lesions while attenuating exposure to adjacent normal tissues. Preliminary results reveal elevated acute toxicities—namely urinary and gastrointestinal side effects—in the dose-painted cohort as assessed by clinicians, yet patient-reported quality of life remains comparable between methods. These findings underscore the delicate balance between intensifying tumoricidal action and preserving tissue integrity, warranting further investigation into optimizing dose distribution strategies.
Complementing this, Dr. Jonathan Massachi’s work on sexual function post-MRgSBRT in the MIRAGE trial sheds light on long-term physiological ramifications. Despite the superior soft tissue contrast afforded by MRI guidance facilitating nerve and vascular sparing, approximately one-third of men in both MRI- and CT-guided arms experienced marked declines in sexual function two years post-treatment. The data suggest that even sophisticated imaging cannot fully mitigate radiation-induced neurovascular damage, highlighting an urgent need for adjunct vessel-sparing techniques or systemic protective strategies in prostate cancer radiotherapy.
Beyond prostate cancer, Dr. Miriam Lane investigates postoperative SBRT for head and neck cancers, a domain traditionally managed by protracted radiotherapy courses. Her findings reveal that SBRT, when employed as a postoperative modality for newly diagnosed or recurrent tumors, offers a well-tolerated, condensed treatment course with minimal severe acute toxicities. However, roughly half of patients experienced local recurrence within two years, emphasizing the necessity for refined patient selection and combination therapies to improve durability of response. This research paves the way for integrating SBRT into multimodal head and neck cancer management paradigms.
On the molecular front, a study led by Dr. Beth Neilsen delves into the genetic landscape of radiation-resistant prostate cancers. Utilizing genomic and transcriptomic profiling, the investigation identified an enrichment of mutations in DNA repair genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51B, and POLQ within locally recurrent tumors post-radiotherapy. These alterations correlate with aggressive disease features, elevated genomic risk scores, and diminished androgen receptor signaling, collectively elucidating mechanisms underpinning radioresistance. Such insights provide invaluable biomarkers for risk stratification and potential targets for radiosensitizing therapies, steering toward personalized radiation oncology.
Concurrently, the integration of digital innovation into cancer education is being championed by Dr. Trudy Wu, who will moderate a session dedicated to patient empowerment through technology. This panel will explore how narrated animations, interactive videos, and tailored digital resources can demystify complex oncologic information, reduce psychological distress, and enhance shared decision-making. By harnessing these tools, clinicians aspire to foster a more informed and engaged patient population, thereby improving adherence to treatment regimens and overall outcomes.
Collectively, these multifaceted advancements showcased by UCLA researchers epitomize a paradigm shift in radiation oncology, blending molecular science, imaging innovation, clinical trial rigor, and patient-centered education. This integrated approach not only augurs improved tumor control and reduced toxicities but also reinforces the holistic care imperative in contemporary oncology practice. The ASTRO 2025 meeting will undoubtedly serve as a crucible for disseminating these transformative findings, propelling the field toward new frontiers of precision and compassion.
Dr. Michael Steinberg, chair of radiation oncology at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and director of clinical affairs at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, eloquently summarizes this momentum: “These UCLA-led studies embody the convergence of cutting-edge technology and collaborative expertise, charting a course toward safer, more precise, and more effective cancer therapies. Our commitment to innovation continues to energize efforts to overcome cancer’s myriad challenges and enhance patient lives.”
As these presentations unfold in late September, the oncology community and patients alike watch eagerly, anticipating the ripple effects these breakthroughs will inspire in radiation therapy protocols worldwide. UCLA’s leadership in this arena reaffirms its role as a beacon of cancer research excellence, transforming scientific discovery into tangible clinical benefit.
Subject of Research: Innovations in radiation therapy for prostate, lung, and head and neck cancers, including targeted radioactive treatments, advanced imaging techniques, and patient education.
Article Title: UCLA Researchers Unveil Cutting-Edge Radiation Oncology Breakthroughs at ASTRO 2025
News Publication Date: Late September 2025 (coinciding with ASTRO Annual Meeting)
Web References:
- UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center: https://www.uclahealth.org/cancer
- ASTRO Annual Meeting Abstracts Portal: https://amportal.astro.org/sessions/
Keywords: Radiation therapy, Prostate cancer, SBRT, 177Lutetium-PSMA, 5DCT imaging, MRI-guided radiotherapy, Radiosensitivity, Head and neck cancer, Cancer education, Precision oncology
