Willis Knighton Cancer Center Among Leading U.S. Sites Participating in Groundbreaking Trial

A groundbreaking study published today in The Lancet, one of the most prestigious and impactful medical journals, reveals that proton therapy significantly improves survival benefit for patients with oropharyngeal cancers compared traditional radiation therapy. This pivotal study, led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, marks a major milestone in cancer treatment.

Sanford R. Katz, MD, radiation oncologist at Willis Knighton Cancer Center, co-authored the study alongside experts from renowned institutions, including Mayo Clinic-Rochester, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Emory University, and the University of Pennsylvania, among others.

The study, the largest randomized Phase III trial to date comparing proton therapy to conventional radiation therapy, included 440 patients with advanced oropharyngeal cancer, a common type of cancer affecting the mouth and throat. The trial was conducted at 21 sites across the U.S.  Over a five-year period, the results demonstrated that 90.9% of patients treated with proton therapy were alive, compared to 81% in the traditional radiation therapy group. Proton therapy also showed notable improvements in quality of life, with patients experiencing less dependency on feeding tubes, fewer swallowing issues, reduced dry mouth, higher immune cell counts.

Proton therapy is a state-of-the-art treatment that utilizes charged particles to deliver energy precisely to the tumor, sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

Dr. Katz, a regional expert in treating head and neck cancers, played a key role in head evaluating and enrolling patients, overseeing their care, and collaborating with MD Anderson to collect and analyze data.

“The results of this study provide level 1 evidence that proton therapy should now be considered a standard-of-care treatment option for patients with oropharyngeal cancer,” Dr. Katz said. “This therapy offers not only improved survival but also a better quality of life, and Willis Knighton is proud to be at the forefront of this important advancement in cancer care.”

Willis Knighton Cancer Center remains committed to providing the most innovative and effective treatments to its patients, ensuring the best possible outcomes for individuals battling cancer.