Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 19: In a first-of-its-kind study, Australian researchers have shown that stabilised hyaluronic acid (sHA) gel can be safely and effectively used during radiation treatment for gynaecological cancers, opening the door to more precise and less harmful cancer therapy for women.
The gel, which is already approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in prostate cancer radiotherapy, was tested for the first time in female patients undergoing MRI-guided brachytherapy — a form of internal radiation treatment.
The research team, led by specialists from Monash University, explored whether the gel could be used to gently separate the tumour from the rectum.
Creating this additional space helps limit radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, particularly the rectum, while allowing doctors to deliver higher and more accurately targeted radiation doses to the tumour.
“This is the first study globally to examine the use of stabilised hyaluronic acid gel in brachytherapy for gynaecological cancers,” said Dr Carminia Lapuz of Monash University. “Our results demonstrate that the procedure is safe, practical and shows clear technical benefits.”
She added that increasing the distance between the tumour and the rectum could lead to safer treatments, better outcomes and improved equity in cancer care for women. The findings have been published in the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences.
The pilot study involved 12 patients and found that the gel was easy for clinicians to administer and clearly visible on MRI scans, enabling precise monitoring throughout treatment. Importantly, none of the patients reported discomfort, and no complications related to the gel were observed.
In all cases, the gel successfully increased the separation between the tumour and the rectum and remained securely in place throughout the course of brachytherapy. As with its use in prostate cancer treatment, the gel gradually dissolves in the body over time without causing harm.
Although the study did not assess long-term side effects or measure changes in radiation dose to the rectum, it confirmed that using sHA gel as a spacer during gynaecological cancer treatment is both safe and feasible.
Researchers say the approach holds significant promise. By reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissues and improving tumour targeting, the technique could enhance quality of life, lower the risk of long-term complications and contribute to more effective cancer treatment for women globally.