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November 2, 2015 — CivaTech Oncology Inc. has developed a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared radiation source. The CivaString source features 103Pd (palladium) along the full length of the device, which is contained using low-Z polymers. Low-dose-rate brachytherapy historically relies on a loose or stranded isotope whose dosimetry is characterized as point sources. A polymer-encapsulated 103Pd source with a unique linear radioactive distribution provides a useful refinement for prostate brachytherapy.
An abstract and poster titled “First Report of a New 103Pd Line Source for Prostate Brachytherapy” presenting results from the first 14 patients in an ongoing clinical study was submitted and accepted at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 2015 conference in San Antonio, and published in ASTRO’s International Journal of Radiation Oncology. Radiation oncologists David Beyer, M.D., and Richard Stock, M.D., implanted patients in Arizona and New York.
The abstract concluded: “An initial experience with this new line source is presented. Excellent implants across a range of gland sizes were accomplished. Prostate volume changes were minimal suggesting minimal swelling using the chosen needles and ‘strings.’ Good dosimetry is achieved for both preplans and eventual implants. Using a line source, the number of needles required per patient is less than that reported with standard brachytherapy sources. Intraoperative ease of use is good.”
This study is ongoing with 26 total patients and is expected to conclude at the end of 2015, at which time a full report will be published. Additionally a five-year, 150-patient registry has begun to fully demonstrate how the advanced polymer technology benefits patients when used to treat prostate cancer.
For more information: www.civatechoncology.com
October 19, 2026 
