MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston has initiated orders of Cesium-131 brachytherapy seeds from IsoRay, as it continues its clinical research study investigating brachytherapy's ability to help control intermediate risk prostate cancer, which is a classification of early stage prostate cancer that has shown a tendency to recur following standard treatment.

Microscopic gold particles could multiply the effectiveness of standard cancer radiation therapy by acting as tiny missiles that destroy blood vessels feeding cancerous tumors. Early research about this method, which could shorten cancer treatment and make it more effective, is being presented at the 2011 Joint Meeting of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP).

Elekta has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Nucletron for EUR365 million ($524.39 million U.S.) in cash. After the aquisition is completed, Elekta said it will offer radiotherapy planning and delivery technologies with the addition of Nucletron's brachytherapy treatment planning and delivery systems.

Theragenics has signed a non-exclusive agreement with Oncura to distribute its brachytherapy-related products in North America.

MIM Software’s MIM Symphony is available as a brachytherapy treatment planning system for permanent seed implants.

Eckert & Ziegler of Berlin has submitted a non-binding proposal to the board of directors of the Buford, Ga.-based Theragenics to acquire, either directly or through IBt Bebig, all the outstanding shares of Theragenics for $2.20 per share, in cash. However, Theragenics has been unwilling to engage in takeover discussions, according to Eckert & Ziegler.

IsoRay, which manufactures Cesium-131 used in internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) for the treatment of lung, brain, colon, head and neck, ocular melanoma and prostate cancer, has announced its second quarter financial results that showed narrowing of net losses despite a decrease in net sales, which ended Dec. 31, 2010.