In a move to increase patient access to advanced radiotherapy technology, Icon Cancer Centre has partnered with 5D Clinics to bring the highly precise CyberKnife® System to the east coast of Australia. This joint venture aims to make robotic radiation therapy technology available to the greater Australian population, reducing the current need to travel long-distances and associated physical and emotional stress. The first of these new eastern seaboard CyberKnife centres is located in Cremorne, Melbourne and is the first of several clinics planned across Australia’s east coast through the partnership1.
Overview of Cancer Incidence in Australia
In the year 2000, approximately 88,000 cases of cancer were diagnosed in Australia. Projections indicated that in 2024, the number of cancer diagnoses rose to around 169,000, representing an increase of approximately 93% over 24 years. This significant increase is primarily attributed to population growth and the rising number of individuals reaching older age, where cancer incidence rates are higher. By 2034, with continued population growth and an anticipated increase in cancer rates, it is estimated that approximately 209,000 cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia2.
Radiotherapy is an extremely important treatment for cancer patients, delivered with the aim to prevent or cure disease, or as palliative care. Between 2018-2019, 74,200 courses of radiotherapy were delivered in Australia3.
A recent report from the Lancet Oncology Commission on Radiotherapy and Theranostics found that despite progress, a disparity in equipment availability and a lack of trained medical professionals remains as a global challenge. By 2050, the radiation therapy workforce will need to expand significantly to meet the projected rise in cancer cases. To mitigate this, the Commission suggests optimizing workflows, using resource-sparing approaches, and adopting advanced techniques. Implementing hypofractionation for prostate and breast cancer has the potential to provide radiotherapy for an additional 2.2 million patients with significant associated cost savings. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is also cost-effective, even in low- and middle-income countries4.
How can the CyberKnife System Help?
The CyberKnife System is a linear accelerator mounted on a robotic arm, designed to treat tumors and lesions anywhere in the body with sub-millimeter accuracy5. The system typically delivers radiotherapy in 1-5 treatments, enabling shorter treatment periods compared with conventional modalities. The CyberKnife System is able to track tumors in real-time, adapting to anatomical movement throughout treatment. This precision helps to minimize side-effects and improve patients’ quality of life.
In June 2024, JV Chief Medical Officer, and 5D Clinics Radiation Oncologist Associate Professor Colin Tang stated “CyberKnife [System] is a clinically proven and non-invasive treatment with the capacity to help thousands of people living with cancer… we’re seeing really promising results with a range of cancer types; patients are experiencing positive outcomes, often with little to no side effects.
“This partnership with Icon will allow us to open more 5D Clinics across Australia’s eastern seaboard, easing the burden of travel and increasing access to the precision therapy for more people with cancer6.”
Background on 5D Clinics
5D Clinics was established in 2018 in Claremont, Perth, Western Australia to facilitate radiation treatments using the CyberKnife System. The clinic is the first private clinic to treat patients with the system, renowned not only for its high precision in targeting tumors, especially in areas affected by motion, but also for being the only robotic technology in the field of radiotherapy in Australia.
Currently, there are only two CyberKnife Systems in Australia, one located in the in one of Perth’s public teaching hospitals at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, the other in the private 5D Clinics facility. Due to the location of these treatment facilities, patients often need to travel 5-6 hours by plane to benefit from this advanced radiotherapy treatment.
Background on Icon’s Cancer Centers
Icon Cancer Centre is a leading provider of comprehensive cancer care with international sites and more than 40 centers across Australia, making it the country’s largest dedicated provider of cancer care services. The Icon centers include a combination of outpatient oncology hospitals that provide chemotherapy and treatment for blood disorders, radiation oncology centers and comprehensive centers that bring both outpatient cancer care and radiation therapy under one roof. Through the joint venture, Icon will now offer patients in Australia treatment with the CyberKnife System.
Accuray Interviewed Bruno Bosco, General Manager of the New CyberKnife Centre, Joint Venture of Icon and 5D Clinics
Combining Icon’s extensive experience in cancer care with 5D’s expertise in operating the CyberKnife System, the joint venture strives to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients. The goal is to utilize the technology to improve patients’ quality of life by providing localized access to world-class treatment. The CyberKnife System will be used to treat a wide range of tumors including the lung, prostate, liver, kidney, and metastatic diseases. Anatomical areas affected by motion such as tumors in the chest and abdomen will see a huge benefit because of the high accuracy achieved with Synchrony® AI-driven real-time adaptive delivery.
Benefits to Patients and the Community
The primary goals of this partnership include:
- Minimizing the need for long-distance travel for patients
- Reducing physical and emotional stress
- Providing doctors with the necessary tools to enhance patient outcomes
- Minimizing side effects and improving the overall quality of life for patients
The Icon and 5D Clinics joint venture represents a significant step forward in making highly precise stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment techniques with the CyberKnife System available to more people. By improving access to advanced radiotherapy, this partnership promises to revolutionize the landscape of cancer treatment in Australia, offering hope and improved outcomes for countless patients. Expected to open mid-year, the new facility will soon start treating patients.
Recruitment and Training
The joint venture is optimistic about recruiting radiation therapists, physicists, and nurses who are eager to upskill in advanced technology. The collaboration will leverage 5D’s clinical expertise and experience with the CyberKnife System to provide comprehensive training, support, and onboarding for staff.
Accuray President and CEO Suzanne Winter Visits Melbourne CyberKnife Centre
Suzanne Winter was pleased to have the opportunity to visit the first site. In conjunction with Icon Group and 5D Clinics, Suzanne Winter participated in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to solidify the collaboration and extend Accuray solutions to Australia.
Accuray Australian distributor partner, alphaXRT, will be leading the installation of the CyberKnife System. alphaXRT have a strong history of partnership with Icon and have supported 5D Clinics since inception. Their highly experienced applications, physics and engineering teams will be supported by Accuray throughout the installation, commissioning, and go-live phases.
The collaboration will help to deliver the following objectives:
- Offer hope to people diagnosed with cancer to live longer, better lives
- Improve patient access to world-class, personalised, robotic stereotactic radiotherapy and robotic radiosurgery
- Foster opportunities to improve patient outcomes through research collaborations
- Foster opportunities for collaboration to help further develop Accuray CyberKnife System to help advance the future of precision medicine
Learn more about the CyberKnife System
References
- Icon Writers, Nov 2024 “A Melbourne first – CyberKnife centre construction begins under Icon Group, 5D Clinics JV” https://icongroup.global/en/news/2024-11-21/melbourne-first-cyberknife-centre-construction-begins-under-icon-group-5d-clinics-jv/
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare ‘Cancer Data in Australia’ Web Report 2024 https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia/contents/overview
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare ‘Radiotherapy’ Web Report 2024 https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/health-welfare-services/radiotherapy/overview
- International Atomic Energy Agency ‘Lancet Oncology Commission on Radiotherapy and Theranostics’ 2024 https://www.iaea.org/topics/comprehensive-cancer-control/lancet-oncology-commission-on-radiotherapy-and-theranostics
- Accuray Technical Specification
- Icon Writers, June 2024 “Investing in CyberKnife – increasing patient accessibility to state-of-the art robotic radiation therapy technology”. https://iconcancercentre.com.au/news/2024-06-06/icon-group-and-5d-clinics-enter-a-milestone-joint-venture/
CyberKnife®, as applicable, is a registered trademark of Accuray Incorporated and is used with permission.
