17-Nov-09 11:00 AM CST

L.A. Zoo Rhino Completes New Skin Cancer Treatment

An Indian rhinoceros has successfully completed treatment for skin cancer, Los Angeles Zoo officials announced today.

Zoo veterinarians worked closely with oncologists from UCLA Medical Center to administer a treatment to Randa designed to deliver electronic, X-ray-based therapy directly to cancer sites with minimal radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

The treatment -- Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy or eBx -- has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for accelerated treatment of early stage breast cancer, skin cancer and endometrial indications. It was developed by Xoft Inc.

Zoo veterinarians were able to treat Randa, a 40-year-old, 4,000-pound Indian rhinoceros recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma under her horn, in her own habitat because the eBx treatment does not use a radioactive isotope and can be performed without the need for a lead shielded room.

"We are very happy with the outcome of Randa's cancer treatment and her recovery," said Lea Greer, Randa's primary veterinarian. "After the treatment sessions were completed, (Randa) quickly returned to her normal attitude, acting years younger and entertaining zoo visitors."

Xoft president and Chief Executive Officer Michael Klein said "it is very gratifying that advancements in treating cancer in people can now lead to improvements in animal care as well, at the zoo and in general veterinary practices."

Dr. Michael Steinberg, who chairs UCLA's radiation oncology department, said the eBx treatment has recently begun being used at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

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