Physicians and researchers from UCLA will present a range of studies at the 2025 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting. Their work includes targeted radioactive therapy for recurrent prostate cancer, advancements in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate and head and neck cancers, improvements in imaging technology such as MRI- and 5DCT-guided scans, and efforts to enhance patient education.
At the meeting, an executive vice chair of radiation oncology at UCLA will share findings from the LUNAR clinical trial. This study examines whether adding 177Lutetium-PSMA, a targeted radioactive treatment, before ablative radiotherapy can benefit men with recurrent prostate cancer. The results are scheduled to be presented on September 28 in San Francisco and discussed further during an ASTRO news briefing on September 29.
A chief of thoracic oncology at UCLA’s department of radiation oncology has been recognized by ASTRO as a fellow. This annual recognition honors significant achievements in cancer research, education, patient care, and contributions to the field of radiation oncology.
“UCLA studies featured at this year’s ASTRO meeting offer exciting new insights into emerging radiation therapies and imaging technologies, pointing to innovative approaches to make cancer treatment safer, more precise, and more effective,” said a professor and chair of radiation oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “These presentations highlight the collaborative efforts of our physicians, scientists, and trainees, and reflect UCLA’s long-standing leadership and commitment to advancing cancer care.”
One presentation by a co-chief resident in UCLA’s department of radiation oncology covers results from the SCIMITAR phase II clinical trial. The study assessed SBRT in men who were at risk for prostate cancer recurrence after surgery. After four years, 62% had no signs of their cancer returning; local recurrences were rare; outcomes compared well with conventional radiation methods.
Another study led by a professor and vice chair of medical physics research evaluated 5DCT imaging for patients with lung tumors who have irregular breathing patterns. Unlike standard 4DCT scans that may create unreliable images due to breathing motion artifacts, 5DCT takes into account motion in three dimensions plus breath rate and depth. Involving 108 patients, this approach provided clearer images for better tumor definition and improved planning for radiation therapy.
Research comparing two MRI-guided targeted radiation therapies for prostate cancer was also presented by another co-chief resident at UCLA. The comparison between standard high-dose MRgSBRT versus adaptive “dose-painted” techniques found that while higher doses increased physician-measured side effects such as urinary or bowel symptoms, patient-reported quality-of-life remained similar between groups.
Findings from the MIRAGE trial were discussed by a UCLA resident focusing on sexual function following SBRT for prostate cancer. Despite attempts to minimize nerve damage using MRI guidance during treatment planning, about one-third of men experienced significant declines in sexual function two years after treatment—regardless if they received standard CT- or MRI-guided SBRT—suggesting further measures may be needed.
Additional research addressed postoperative SBRT for newly diagnosed or recurrent head and neck cancers. Presented by another UCLA resident under Dr. Ricky Savjani’s leadership, the study found that postoperative SBRT was generally well-tolerated but half the patients had recurrences within two years; severe acute side effects were not observed.
Dr. Beth Neilsen shared analysis from tumors taken from patients whose prostate cancer returned post-radiation therapy. These tumors had more mutations linked with aggressive disease—including genes like BRCA1/2—and showed molecular features suggesting higher resistance to treatment than untreated cancers.
Lastly, an assistant professor moderated a panel discussing how digital tools are improving communication about complex aspects of cancer care through animations and educational videos designed to help patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options more clearly.
