Latest news with #APBI
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Introduces Specialized Radiation Treatment for Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Ocala and The Villages
Non-invasive Treatment Shortens Treatment Schedule FORT MYERS, Fla., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FCS) is now offering a shorter course of specialized radiation treatment for women with early-stage breast cancer at the FCS Ocala Cancer Center and the FCS Villages Cancer Center. Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) uses high-powered external beam x-rays to destroy cancer cells in less time and offers numerous other advantages for patients. FCS radiation oncologist Luis Carrascosa, MD said, "APBI is highly effective for treating small tumors that have not spread to the lymph nodes as well as to prevent the recurrence of cancer following surgery, such as lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, to preserve the breast." Dr. Carrascosa notes that APBI, a non-invasive therapy, targets only the area where the original cancer was located, unlike standard treatments that target the whole breast and can result in unnecessary radiation to surrounding healthy tissue or organs. "APBI therapy can be accomplished in as few as five treatments as compared to a standard course of treatment which can take three to six weeks to complete," said Dr. Carrascosa. "For added convenience, through our expanding use of contactless technologies, we offer patients the option for APBI to be delivered when positioned on their back or on their stomach and without the need for permanent tattoos or marks on their skin, traditionally used when positioning patients for treatment." "The availability of this highly-sophisticated radiation therapy is consistent with our ongoing commitment to provide the Ocala community with access to the most advanced treatment innovations that increasingly enhance patient comfort and convenience, with shorter treatment schedules, improved outcomes and decreased cost," said FCS Director of Radiation Oncology Sachin Kamath, MD. The state-of-the-art FCS Ocala Cancer Center and FCS Villages Cancer Center are the first and only comprehensive cancer centers in Marion and Sumter Counties, serving patients with a broad range of cancers, blood disorders and other diseases. About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC: ( more than 40 years, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has embraced innovation to deliver world-class care and drive the dramatic transformation of oncology care through its robust clinical research program. FCS provides patients with access to a wide range of clinical trials, positioning it as a leader in research among private oncology practices in Florida and across the country. In fact, before receiving FDA approval, the majority of new cancer drugs in the U.S. were first made available to patients through participation in clinical trials at FCS. Our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians is committed to delivering tailored treatment plans that make the best use of cutting-edge precision oncology advancements to enhance patient outcomes. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Telegraph
26-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Moderna faces suspension over Covid jab breaches
Moderna could face suspension from Britain's pharmaceutical trade body following a string of breaches of the regulatory code. The Covid vaccine maker is due to be audited by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) over 'unacceptable' practices that brought discredit upon the industry. If found to be lacking adequate compliance systems, Moderna could ultimately be suspended or expelled from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (APBI). It follows several code breaches, including representatives of the company offering children £1,500 and teddy bears to take part in Covid vaccine trials. In a fresh ruling, which is expected to be published in the coming days, the company was also found to have misled regulators about when it first became aware of the financial incentives to children. Moderna claimed it had taken action as soon as it was notified about the cash offer by the Health Research Agency in January 2024, but it has now emerged that senior executives were informed in August 2023 by the campaign group UsForThem, yet failed to take action. Under the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) regulations, it is prohibited for incentives or financial inducements to be given to children or their parents. The PMCPA ruled the company had shown a lack of transparency that was 'completely unacceptable' and brought discredit upon the industry. A senior employee was also found to have co-authored three articles, including one with Nadhim Zahawi, the former vaccines minister, which promoted Moderna's Covid vaccine without disclosing he worked for the company. He also sent promotional tweets from a personal account without revealing his role. The PMCPA said the article and tweets amounted to advertising the vaccine, and viewed the failure to inform readers of links to Moderna as unacceptable. Molly Kingsley, the founder of UsForThem, said: 'Many of the previous judgments against Moderna have revealed how readily it put profit ahead of the health and safety of children. 'Now it has also laid bare just how little regard it has had for the regulatory system that was supposed to keep it honest. 'Never before has a company so new to the pharmaceutical industry been rebuked in this way.' In two new rulings, Moderna was found to have made ten new breaches of the code. UsforThem said it was particularly worrying as they related to three senior executives at the company. The PMCPA said that an audit was now necessary to look at whether Moderna's culture, governance and framework were operating effectively, and said the Appeal Board would then consider whether further sanctions were needed after auditors had reported back. Suspension of expulsion The Appeal Board can report a company to the APBI board, which can suspend or expel them from the APBI. Suspension or expulsion would be a blow for Moderna, which only joined in 2023. The APBI has taken the measure just nine times in the past 40 years. The last company to be suspended was Novo Nordisk in 2023. The company manufactures the high-profile weight loss drugs Saxenda and Wegovy, and type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic. Its membership was restored in March. In the past year, Moderna has been ordered to pay thousands for breaches of the regulations, including for using off-label data to promote its Spikevax vaccine at the European congress of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases in April 2022. But critics argue the company's revenue is nearly £7 billion in 2023, so with such small sums it has no incentive to stick to the rules, while being suspended from the APBI only brings reputational damage.
