Dartmouth Earns Top Designation for Revolutionary Brain Tumor Therapy

TEMPE, AZ – December 17, 2025 – In a significant acknowledgment of its leadership in neuro-oncology, Dartmouth Cancer Center has been designated a GammaTile® Center of Excellence by medical device innovator GT Medical Technologies. The new designation recognizes the institution's exceptional clinical skill and dedication to patient education for a groundbreaking therapy that is reshaping how operable brain tumors are treated.

The program highlights a select group of institutions and physicians who have demonstrated superior expertise in the GammaTile procedure. This recognition is based on meeting stringent clinical criteria, annual case minimums, and a commitment to ongoing education. The Dartmouth team members honored for their achievement include neurosurgeons Dr. Linton Evans and Dr. Nathan Simmons, radiation oncologist Dr. Greg Russo, and neuro-oncologists Dr. Nupur Lala and Dr. Tulika Ranjan.

This distinction places Dartmouth among a growing list of more than 100 leading medical centers that have adopted this advanced treatment, signaling a broader shift in the standard of care for patients facing a brain tumor diagnosis.

A New Paradigm in Brain Tumor Radiation

For decades, the standard treatment for operable brain tumors has involved a two-step process: surgical resection followed by a waiting period of several weeks to allow for healing before starting external beam radiation. This delay, while necessary for recovery, creates a treatment gap where residual microscopic cancer cells can begin to regrow. GammaTile therapy directly challenges this paradigm.

GammaTile is an FDA-cleared, bioabsorbable collagen implant, roughly the size of a postage stamp, embedded with tiny seeds of a therapeutic radiation source called Cesium-131. During the final moments of a tumor removal surgery, the neurosurgeon places these tiles directly into the surgical cavity. The radiation begins working immediately, targeting remaining cancer cells when they are at their most vulnerable and lowest volume.

Recent clinical data underscores the effectiveness of this approach. Interim results from the ROADS Phase 3 clinical trial, a randomized study comparing GammaTile to standard care, showed that patients treated with the implant had a greater than 50% reduction in the risk of tumor recurrence or death. Furthermore, peer-reviewed studies have consistently reported high rates of local tumor control—as high as 94% at one year for recurrent brain metastases—with a favorable safety profile. The targeted nature of the therapy delivers a potent, biologically effective dose to the tumor bed while significantly sparing surrounding healthy brain tissue, which can reduce the risk of common radiation-related side effects.

The use of Cesium-131, which has a short half-life of 9.7 days, is a key factor in its safety and ease of use compared to older brachytherapy isotopes. Experts note this approach provides a vital alternative, particularly for patients with recurrent tumors who may have already received the maximum safe dose of external radiation to a region of their brain.

Elevating the Standard of Care at Dartmouth

The Center of Excellence designation is more than an accolade; it is a validation of Dartmouth Cancer Center's deep investment in its neuro-oncology program. As one of only 56 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation, Dartmouth has long been at the forefront of cancer research and patient care. The institution’s Brain Tumor Program is known for its integrated, multidisciplinary approach and its use of state-of-the-art technologies.

Dartmouth's neurosurgical suites are equipped with real-time, intraoperative MRI and CT scanning, which enhance surgical precision and safety. The center also employs fluorescence-guided surgery to more accurately distinguish tumor tissue from healthy brain. The adoption of GammaTile therapy fits seamlessly into this culture of innovation, complementing its existing capabilities by addressing the critical time gap between surgery and radiation.

Achieving the Center of Excellence status requires a proven track record of clinical expertise and a commitment to advancing patient care. It signifies that the Dartmouth team has not only mastered the technical aspects of the procedure but is also a leader in educating patients about this modern treatment option. For patients in the region, this designation solidifies Dartmouth's position as a premier destination for world-class brain tumor treatment.

Reshaping the Treatment Landscape

Since its full market launch in the United States in March 2020, GammaTile has seen rapid adoption, a testament to its clinical benefits and its appeal to both physicians and patients. The growing network of over 100 treatment centers includes a mix of major academic institutions and community hospitals, indicating broad accessibility.

The therapy's success has attracted significant investor confidence, with GT Medical Technologies recently securing a $37 million Series D financing round and a $35 million venture loan facility to fuel its expansion. This financial backing is helping to drive growth in the global brachytherapy market, which is projected to reach $1.62 billion by 2030.

GammaTile's primary advantage in the market is its ability to transform the patient experience. Instead of enduring weeks of daily trips to a radiation center, patients receive a full course of targeted radiation in a single session during their initial surgery. This “one-and-done” approach eliminates the logistical and emotional burden of prolonged treatment schedules, allowing patients to focus on their recovery. Moreover, because the procedure is performed by neurosurgeons, it has the potential to expand access to immediate radiation therapy, as there are approximately four times as many neurosurgery centers in the U.S. as there are radiation oncology centers with specialized expertise in external beam radiation for brain tumors.

By integrating immediate, targeted radiation directly into the surgical workflow, this approach not only aims to prevent tumor recurrence more effectively but also significantly reduces the physical and logistical burden on patients, marking a pivotal advancement in the compassionate and effective treatment of brain tumors.