Les actions de la Société française de radiothérapie oncologique (SFRO), dans le contexte du Plan cancer et des événements récents de radioprotection

Within the frame of Plan cancer and events of radioprotection which occurred since 2005, the community of radiation oncologists is aware under the umbrella of SFRO of the technologic, structural and cultural mutation that our discipline is going through, with the support of the tutelages. We report on the actions the SFRO has participated with, or initiated these last 2 years.

Concomitant and adjuvant androgen deprivation (ADT) with external beam irradiation (RT) for locally advanced prostate cancer: 6 months versus 3 years ADT—Results of the randomized EORTC Phase III trial 22961

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Background: After EORTC trial 22863, 3 years of endocrine treatment has become standard adjuvant treatment to RT for locally advanced prostate cancer. EORTC 22961 tests if similar survival can be achieved in patients who underwent EBRT (to 70 Gy) and 6 months of combined ADT without further ADT (SADT arm) as in patients with 2.5 years of further treatment with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist monotherapy (LADT arm). Methods: Eligible patients had T1c-2b N1–2 or pN1–2, or T2c-4 N0–2 (UICC 1992) M0 prostate cancer with PSA <150ng/ml. Non-inferior survival was defined as a morality hazard ratio (HR) = 1.35 for SADT vs LADT. Non inferiority at 80% power and 1-sided a=0.05 required 275 deaths. A stopping boundary was applied at 1-sided a=0.018. Results: 970 patients were randomized (483 SADT and 487 LADT). At 5.2 years median follow-up, 173 patients had died (100 vs 73). An Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended disclosure of results based on an interim analysis showing futility. Patient characteristics were well balanced: median age 69 years, WHO PS 0 in 83.4%, most patients had T2c-T3 N0 disease. Progression (mostly biochemical and/or bone progression) occurred in 220 cases (159 on SADT vs 61 on LADT) and was treated by secondary hormonal manipulation. The 5-year overall survival rate was 85.3% on LADT and 80.6% on SADT (HR=1.43, 96.4% CI: 1.04–1.98), and failed to prove non-inferiority. The 5-year clinical progression-free survival rate was 81.8% on LADT versus 68.9% on SADT arm and the 5-year biochemical progression-free survival rate was 78.3% on LADT versus 58.9% on SADT, indicating inferiority of SADT with HR=1.93 and HR=2.29, respectively. Conclusions: The study was designed to demonstrate non-inferior survival with 6 months ADT compared to 3 years adjuvant ADT after irradiation for patients with locally advanced prostate cancer, but observed survival data indicate that non-inferiority cannot be confirmed. Progression-free survival was also shorter on SADT.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Concurrent and adjuvant docetaxel with three dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3-D CRT) for poor-risk localized prostate cancer: A phase II trial

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Background: Docetaxel increases survival in hormone refractory prostate cancer. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the feasibility of concomitant weekly docetaxel with 3-D CRT and adjuvant docetaxel in unfavorable localized or locally advanced prostate carcinoma. Methods: Sixteen patients with poor risk localized carcinoma (T1c-2b N0M0) and 34 with locally advanced tumors (T3N0- 1M0) according to the 1997 UICC classification, underwent 3-D CRT (72Gy/36 fractions); docetaxel 20mg/m2 iv was delivered concurrently on weeks 1–2-3–5-6–7; adjuvant docetaxel 60mg/m2 q3w started 4 weeks after the completion of radiotherapy for 3 cycles. The patients had to receive LHRH agonist, 6 months to 3 years, according to the number of poor prognostic factors. Acute toxicity was assessed with the NCI CTC v:2.0. Results: From November 2003 to November 2005, 50 patients were included (438 cycles) from six institutions. Median age was 50 years (48–76), median PSA 17.7 ng/ml (3.4–260) and median follow-up 17 months (9–38). Forty six patients completed the chemoradiation regimen (423 cycles), with full dose of docetaxel, 4 patients did not, due to: 1 grade 4 GI toxicity during the cycle 3, 1 grade 3 dysuria after cycle 6, 1 grade 4 myocardial infarction after cycle 6, 1 grade 4 anal fistula between two cycles of adjuvant docetaxel; these patients were excluded. The percentage of grade 3 acute toxicity was 10.8% (5/46): 1 grade 3 neutropenia, 1 grade 3 rectal bleeding, 2 grades 3 diarrhea, 1 grade 3 dysuria. Grade 2 toxicity (nausea, diarrhea and rectitis) were observed, in a percentage of 26%; no grade 2–3 toxicity occurred as regard hypotension, venous thrombosis, peripheral neuropathy, respiratory morbidity, oedemas. Twelve months after the end of the treatment, 44 patients were in complete remission (clinical and biological) and two patients suffer from distant metastases. Conclusion: The feasibility of this combined chemo-radiation regimen deserves to be followed by a phase III trial.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth

BACKGROUND

The foundation for the reconstruction of endodontically-treated teeth can be provided by a metal or a non-metal post and core system but no guidelines exist for choosing one or the other in particular clinical cases.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of different post and core systems for the restoration of endodontically-treated teeth. The primary objective of this review was to compare the clinical failure rates of the different types of posts.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2005, Issue 3), MEDLINE (from 1966 to September 2005), Scopus (from January 1985 to December 2004) and EMBASE (until December 2004). We looked through reference lists of articles and dental conference proceedings. We contacted researchers in the field and manufacturers.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised or quasi-randomised clinical trials (RCTs) comparing failures on endodontically-treated permanent teeth with different types of post. The outcomes were loss of retention, post fracture and root fracture.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors (Michele Muller-Bolla (MMB) and Cybele Borg (CB)) independently assessed the quality of trials and extracted data. Study authors were contacted for additional information.

MAIN RESULTS

Two trials involving 317 participants were included but only one of them, involving 200 participants, compared metal to non-metal posts. The other answered to the secondary objective. The risk of failure was greater with metal-cast posts (9/98) compared to carbon fibre posts (0/97) (risk ratio (RR) = 0.05 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.00 to 0.90)) but the study was at high risk of bias. Thus fewer failures occurred when using non-metal posts but the evidence is unreliable.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic review could not specify which type of post and core system should be used when two or three dentine walls remain. More RCTs are needed to confirm whether fibre-reinforced post and core systems are superior and to clarify the influence of the remaining tooth structure on the treatment outcome of the different post and core systems available. Well-defined inclusion criteria focusing on the number of dentine walls (two or three) should be used.

Quantification des mouvements prostatiques lors de l'irradiation prostatique

Decrease treatment uncertainties is one of the most important challenge in radiation oncology. Numerous techniques are available to quantify prostate motion and visualise prostate location day after day before each irradiation: CT-scan, cone-beam-CT-Scan, ultrason, prostatic markers... The knowledge of prostate motion is necessary to define the minimal margin around the target volume needed to avoid mispositioning during treatment session. Different kind of prostate movement have been studied and are reported in the present work: namely, those having a large amplitude extending through out the whole treatment period on one hand; and those with a shorter amplitude happening during treatment session one the other hand. The long lasting movement are mostly anterior-posterior (3 mm standard deviation), secondary in cranial-caudal (1-2 mm standard deviation) and lateral directions (0.5-1 mm standard deviation). They are mostly due to the rectal state of filling and mildly due to bladder filling or inferior limbs position. On the other hand, the shorter movement that occurs during the treatment session is mostly variation of position around a steady point represented by the apex. Ones again, the rectal filling state is the principle cause. This way, during the 20 minutes of a treatment session, including the positioning of the patient, a movement of less than 3 mm could be expected when the rectum is empty. Ideally, real time imaging tools should allow an accurate localisation of the prostate and the adaptation of the dosimetry before each treatment session in a time envelope not exceeding 20 minutes.

A topical nitric oxide-releasing dexamethasone derivative: effects on intraocular pressure and ocular haemodynamics in a rabbit glaucoma model

BACKGROUND

Topical nitric oxide-releasing dexamethasone (NCX1021) may avoid the negative effects of dexamethasone phosphate.

AIMS

To obtain more information on the role of nitric oxide in glaucoma and to compare a nitric oxide-releasing dexamethasone with dexamethasone phosphate with regard to intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular haemodynamics in an experimental rabbit model.

METHODS

Six rabbits were treated with dexamethasone phosphate 0.1% in the right eye and with NCX1021 in the left eye for 5 weeks. The parameters considered were IOP, nitric oxide marker levels in aqueous humour, ocular haemodynamics of ophthalmic artery (by means of colour Doppler imaging), expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)in ciliary processes and histology of ciliary bodies.

RESULTS

Dexamethasone increased IOP levels, NCX1021 did not. Nitrite and cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels in aqueous humour were lowered by dexamethasone and increased by NCX1021. Resistivity index of the ophthalmic artery was increased, eNOS expression was reduced and ciliary bodies showed histological lesions in dexamethasone-treated eyes, not in NCX1021-treated ones.

CONCLUSIONS

NCX1021 may avoid the IOP increase, impairment of ocular blood flow and the morphological changes in the ciliary bodies possibly induced by corticosteroid treatment.

[Retrospective analysis of 108 ductal carcinomas in situ of the breast treated by radiosurgery association]

PURPOSE

To evaluate survival and prognostic factors of 108 patients with clinically or mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), treated from 1980 to 1996 by complete local excision followed by external irradiation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The median age was 51 (range 37-80). All the patients underwent surgery consisting of a wide resection of the mammary gland harbouring the tumour. The surgical specimens were sent to the pathologists to get information on histology and margin clearance; all the slides were reviewed by one of us to assess the tumoral diameter. External beam therapy was delivered within 8 weeks after surgery. The prescribed irradiation dose was 50 Gy in 25 fractions to be given in 5 weeks. The median duration of follow-up was 93 months (range 40-173).

RESULTS

There were nine patients with local recurrence (8.3%); three patients had local recurrence of DCIS and six patients developed invasive breast cancer. The treatment of local recurrence consisted of mastectomy with or without axillary dissection (eight cases) and quadrantectomy (one case). The 5-year and 10-year ipsilateral recurrence-free rate was respectively 92 and 89%. The 10-year cause specific survival was 100%. In univariate analysis, size>or=10 mm, age<45 years old and margin status were significant P=0,02, P=0,03, P=0,005; margin status was significant in multivariate analysis (P<0,02).

CONCLUSION

These results are in keeping with those of the literature. They could be improved by the mass screening campaign, which is going on since January 1990 among women aged 50-74 years.

EAU guidelines on prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

The first summary of the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on prostate cancer was published in 2001. These guidelines have been continuously updated since many important changes affecting the clinical management of patients with prostate cancer have occurred over the past years. The aim of this paper is to present a summary of the 2005 update of the EAU guidelines on prostate cancer.

METHODS

A literature review of the new data has been performed by the working panel. The guidelines have been updated and level of evidence/grade of recommendation added to the text. This enables readers to better understand the quality of the data forming the basis of the recommendations.

RESULTS

A full version is available at the EAU Office or at . Systemic prostate biopsies under ultrasound guidance is the preferred diagnostic method and the use of periprostatic injection of a local anaesthetic can significantly reduce pain/discomfort associated with the procedure. Active treatment (surgery or radiation) is mostly recommended for patients with localized disease and a long life expectancy with radical prostatectomy being the only treatment evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. Follow-up is at large based on prostate specific antigen (PSA) and a disease-specific history with imaging only indicated when symptoms occur. Cytotoxic therapy has become an option for selected patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer.

CONCLUSION

The knowledge in the field of prostate cancer is rapidly changing. These EAU guidelines on prostate cancer summarize the most recent findings and put them into clinical practice.

MRI/TRUS data fusion for brachytherapy

BACKGROUND

Prostate brachytherapy consists in placing radioactive seeds for tumour destruction under transrectal ultrasound imaging (TRUS) control. It requires prostate delineation from the images for dose planning. Because ultrasound imaging is patient- and operator-dependent, we have proposed to fuse MRI data to TRUS data to make image processing more reliable. The technical accuracy of this approach has already been evaluated.

METHODS

We present work in progress concerning the evaluation of the approach from the dosimetry viewpoint. The objective is to determine what impact this system may have on the treatment of the patient. Dose planning is performed from initial TRUS prostate contours and evaluated on contours modified by data fusion.

RESULTS

For the eight patients included, we demonstrate that TRUS prostate volume is most often underestimated and that dose is overestimated in a correlated way. However, dose constraints are still verified for those eight patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This confirms our initial hypothesis.

[Combined induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy in case of undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharynx tumours (UCNT)]

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of our study were to consider the morbidity and the effectiveness of combined induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of Undifferentiated Carcinoma of Nasopharynx Tumor (UCNT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

It was a retrospective study (1987-2002) of patients who had not received any previous treatment. Patients with distant metastases during initial assessment were excluded. Two types of chemotherapy were administered: The BAC regime (Bleomycin, Adriamycin, Cisplatinum) and the FUCIFOL regime (Fluorouracil, Cispaltinum, Elvorin). The protocol for radiotherapy was either radiotherapy alone or concomitant chemoradiotherapy. The survival rates were calculated with the nonparametric method of Kaplan-Meier and compared with logrank tests. The multivariate analysis were made with the regressive logistic method.

RESULTS

Fourty four patients (32 males, 12 females), average age 46 years (14-77) were selected. On the whole, the tolerance of the treatment was good (chemotherapy 71%, radiotherapy 82%). Treatment mortality was null. The BAC regime was the most effective. At the end of the treatment, a total response was obtained in 82% of cases. The commonest cause of treatment failure was the emergence of metastases (64% of deaths). The overall disease free survival rates at 3 years were respectively 78% and 69%. With multivariate analysis, the independent variables inductive radiotherapy and the initial response to treatment were significantly linked to death with a respective p value of 0.02 and 0.0084.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy is efficient in the treatment of UCNT. The tolerance of treatment was good. Our results are comparable with those reported in the literature.

La radiothérapie de conformation avec et sans modulation d'intensité dans le traitement du cancer localisé de la prostate

Conformal radiation therapy has now to be considered as a standard treatment of localized prostatic adenocarcinomas. Using conformational methods and intensity modulated radiation therapy requires a rigorous approach for their implementation in routine, focused on the reproducibility of the treatment, target volume definitions, dosimetry, quality control, setup positioning. In order to offer to the largest number of patients high-dose treatment, the clinicians must integrate as prognostic factors accurate definition of microscopic extension as well as the tolerance threshold of critical organs. High-dose delivery is expected to be most efficient in intermediary risks and locally advanced diseases. Intensity modulated radiation therapy is specifically dedicated to dose escalation. Perfect knowledge of classical constraints of conformal radiation therapy is required. Using such an approach in routine needs a learning curve including the physicists and a specific quality assurance program.

Pro-apoptotic effect of a nitric oxide-donating NSAID, NCX 4040, on bladder carcinoma cells

Nitric oxide-releasing non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NO-NSAIDs) are a promising class of compounds that cause cell cycle perturbations and induce apoptosis in cell lines from different tumors. We investigated the activity of a recently developed NO-NSAID (NCX 4040) in bladder cancer cell lines (HT1376 and MCR). Cells were treated with different drug concentrations for different exposure times. Cytostatic and cytocidal activity was tested by SRB assay and apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL analysis, ANNEXIN V assay and fluorescence microscopy. To further investigate the cell death-inducing mechanisms of NCX 4040, we analyzed gp-170, caspase expression and mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi) depolarization. NCX 4040 showed a striking cytocidal activity in both cell lines, reaching LC(50) at a 10-microM and 50-microM concentrations in HT1376 and in MCR cells, respectively, after an exposure of only 6 h followed by an 18-h washout. Apoptosis was triggered in up to 90% of cells and was associated with active caspase-3 expression and Delta Psi depolarization in both cell lines after a 6-h exposure. In conclusion, NCX 4040, which probably causes apoptosis via a mitochondrial-dependent mechanism, could prove to be a useful agent for improving bladder cancer treatment.

Evolution et pronostic du carcinome basaloïde squameux des voies aéro-digestives supérieures

INTRODUCTION

The course and prognosis of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) are not well known.

OBJECTIVES

To study the course and prognosis in a population of BSCC patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed a retrospective cohort of 49 patients with BSCC in comparison with a cross-matched population of 49 patients treated for well- to moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

RESULTS

The statistical analysis showed that survival in BSCC group was lower than in the SCC group. Local recurrence in the BSCC group was not higher than in the SCC group, but mortality by distant metastasis was six times higher than in the SCC population.

CONCLUSIONS

We consider BSCC patients as a high-risk population and we complete diagnosis explorations including a FDG-PET before curative treatment. We also recommend post-operative or exclusive radiotherapy which may be associated with concomitant chemotherapy.