18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/CT in locally advanced head and neck cancer can influence the stage migration and nodal radiation treatment volumes

Diagnostic Accuracy of Up-Front PET/CT and MRI for Detecting Cervical Lymph Node Metastases in T1-T2 Oral Cavity Cancer-A Prospective Cohort Study

The diagnostic accuracy of up-front 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for detecting cervical lymph node metastases in patients with T1-T2 oral squamous cell carcinoma is reported with large discrepancies across the literature. We investigated the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and accuracy of up-front PET/CT for detecting cervical lymph node metastases in this patient group and compared the performance to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this prospective cohort study, 76 patients with T1-T2 oral squamous cell carcinoma underwent an up-front PET/CT and MRI at the Odense University Hospital from September 2013 to February 2016. Sentinel node biopsy and elective neck dissection were used for histopathological verification of the imaging modalities. Up-front PET/CT was significantly more sensitive than neck MRI (74% vs. 27%, p = 0.0001), but less specific (60% vs. 88%, p = 0.001). The accuracy of PET/CT and neck MRI was comparable (66% vs. 63%, p = 0.85), the PPV was slightly in favor of neck MRI (56% vs. 62%, p = 0.73), the NPV was slightly in favor of PET/CT (77% vs. 63%, p = 0.16). Neither PET/CT nor neck MRI should stand alone for N-staging T1-T2 oral cavity cancer.

PET/CT standardized uptake value and EGFR expression predicts treatment failure in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

This study inventively combines epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression of the primary lesion and standardized uptake value (SUV) of positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) to predict the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aimed to evaluate the predictive efficacy of maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) and EGFR for treatment failure in patients with NPC.

METHODS

This retrospective study reviewed the results of EGFR expression and pretreatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT of 313 patients with NPC. Time-dependent receiver operator characteristics was used for analyzing results and selecting the optimal cutoff values. Cox regression was used to screen out multiple risk factors. Cumulative survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier.

RESULTS

The selected cutoff value of SUVmax-T was 8.5. The patients were categorized into four groups according to EGFR expression and SUVmax-T. There were significant differences in the 3-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) (p = 0.0083), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRRFS) (p = 0.0077), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (p = 0.013), and progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.0018) among the four groups. Patients in the EGFR-positive and SUVmax-T > 8.5 group had the worst survival, while patients in the EGFR-negative and SUVmax-T ≤ 8.5 group had the best prognosis. Subsequently, patients with only positive EGFR expression or high SUVmax-T were classified as the middle-risk group. There were also a significant difference in 3-year overall survival among the three risk groups (p = 0.034). SUVmax-T was associated with regional recurrence-free survival and LRRFS in multivariate analysis, whereas EGFR was an independent prognostic factor for LRRFS, DMFS, and PFS.

CONCLUSION

The combination of SUVmax-T and EGFR expression can refine prognosis and indicate clinical therapy.

Changing Role of PET/CT in Cancer Care With a Focus on Radiotherapy

Positron emission tomography (PET) integrated with computed tomography (CT) has brought revolutionary changes in improving cancer care (CC) for patients. These include improved detection of previously unrecognizable disease, ability to identify oligometastatic status enabling more aggressive treatment strategies when the disease burden is lower, its use in better defining treatment targets in radiotherapy (RT), ability to monitor treatment responses early and thus improve the ability for early interventions of non-responding tumors, and as a prognosticating tool as well as outcome predicting tool. PET/CT has enabled the emergence of new concepts such as radiobiotherapy (RBT), radioimmunotherapy, theranostics, and pharmaco-radiotherapy. This is a rapidly evolving field, and this primer is to help summarize the current status and to give an impetus to developing new ideas, clinical trials, and CC outcome improvements.

The impact of patient preference in the treatment algorithm for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RM-HNSCC) has revolutionized the standard of care approach in first-line treatment. The heterogeneity of disease presentation and treatment-related toxicities can be associated with suboptimal patient compliance to oncologic care. Hence, prioritizing quality of life and well-being are crucial aspects to be considered in tailoring the best treatment choice. The aim of our work is to present a short report on the topic of the patient’s preference in regard to treatment and its consequences on quality of life in the recurrent/metastatic setting. According to the literature, there’s an unmet need on how to assess patient attitude in respect to the choice of treatment. In view of the availability of different therapeutic strategies in first-line management of RM-HNSCC, increasing emphasis should be put on integrating patient preferences into the medical decision-making.

Impact of pretreatment second look 18FDG-PET/CT on stage and treatment changes in head and neck cancer

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The potential value of a second look PET/CT prior to radiotherapy was investigated.

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New lymph node metastases were discovered in half of the patients.

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Progression of the primary tumor and distant metastases were also observed.

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This strategy led to changes in treatment planning in more than half of the cases.

Background

Patients diagnosed with locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC) regularly undergo staging with ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in our center. In cases of delays in radiotherapy (RT) planning CT more than 4 weeks after initial PET/CT or clinically suspected progress, PET/CT is repeated for restaging and as an RT planning reference. Our aim was to determine the impact of second-look PET/CT on stage migration, treatment change and RT planning.

Methods

Consequent treatment changes were categorized as minor and major. Minor changes were defined as PET/CT-based modifications of RT plans, e.g., the addition of anatomical compartments, changes in high- and low-risk dose levels or both. Major changes included changes from curative to palliative treatment intent and alterations of interdisciplinary treatment plans, such as the addition of induction chemotherapy, switch to primary surgery, no treatment and/or the necessity of additional diagnostic work-up resulting in the postponement or cancellation of treatment.

Results

Thirty-two newly diagnosed LAHNSCC patients who were treated between 2014 and 2018 underwent second-look PET/CT (median interval 42.5 days). Second-look PET/CT led to locoregional and distant upstaging in 3/32 and 1/32 patients, respectively. In 1/32 patients (3%), second-look PET/CT led to a palliative approach with systemic treatment. New lymph node metastases were discovered in 16 patients, 6 of whom also showed significant progression of the primary tumor, resulting in minor changes in 16 of the remaining 31 patients (52%) who were treated curatively.

Conclusion

If RT treatment planning of LAHNSCC was delayed by more than 4 weeks after initial PET/CT staging or when progression was clinically suspected, a second look at ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT was performed. This led to changes in treatment planning in more than half of the cases, which is expected to directly influence oncologic outcomes.

PET Imaging for Head and Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancers are commonly encountered cancers in clinical practice in the United States. Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) PET/CT has been clinically applied in staging, occult primary tumor detection, treatment planning, response assessment, follow-up, recurrent disease detection, and prognosis prediction in these patients. Alternative PET tracers remain investigational and can provide additional valuable information such as radioresistant tumor hypoxia. The recent introduction of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/MR imaging has provided the advantage of combining the superior soft tissue resolution of MR imaging with the functional information provided by ¹⁸F-FDG PET. This article is a concise review of recent advances in PET imaging in head and neck cancer.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness analysis of nimotuzumab for the radiotherapy of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of nimotuzumab in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC).

METHODS

LA-NPC patients treated between October 2013 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. A well-balanced cohort of patients who received nimotuzumab in addition to standard treatment (n = 50) and patients who did not receive nimotuzumab (n = 100) was selected using propensity score-matching method (1:2 ratio) for the cost-effectiveness analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) alone, addition of nimotuzumab to CCRT significantly improved the 3-year overall survival (OS) (98.00% vs. 91.00%, P = 0.032). On multivariate analysis, nimotuzumab (hazard ratio = 0.124, 95% confidence interval: 0.017-0.902, P = 0.039) showed prognostic significance for OS. No serious treatment-related adverse events were observed in the nimotuzumab group (P > 0.05). Cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that addition of nimotuzumab increased the average treatment costs by $14,364.63. The additional cost for every one percent increase in OS rate was $ 2,052.09.

CONCLUSION

Addition of nimotuzumab to CCRT for LA-NPC confers significant survival benefits; however, it is not cost-effective.

Can neoadjuvant chemotherapy improve survival in stage T3-4N1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma? A propensity matched analysis

Background

To estimate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) in stage T3-4N1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

Data on stage T3-4N1 NPC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with or without NCT at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2006 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was carried out to balance prognostic factors in NCT followed by CCRT (NCT + CCRT) group and CCRT group in a 1:1 ratio. Survival outcomes of matched patients in the two groups were compared, and prognostic factors were identified using Cox regression model.

Results

A total of 282 patients were involved in this study, with 136 of NCT + CCRT group and 146 of CCRT group. After PSM, 85 pairs of patients were selected. There were no significant differences in 5-year overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) between NCT + CCRT group and CCRT group (81.0% vs. 77.5%, P = 0.750; 85.8% vs. 88.1%, P = 0.495; 92.5% vs. 93.9%, P = 0.759; 81.0% vs.77.5%, P = 0.919, respectively). Multivariate analysis found that smoking history (P = 0.044) and T classification (P = 0.027) were independent prognostic factors for OS, lymph node diameter (P = 0.032) was independent prognostic factor for LRFS, positive pretreatment lymph node condition (PLNC), which was defined as the lymph node necrosis or confluent, was independent prognostic factor for DRFS (P = 0.007), and RFS (P = 0.009). Lower 5-year OS (82.7% vs. 94.1%, P = 0.014), DRFS (79.3% vs. 96.2%, P = 0.003), and RFS (62.4% vs. 86.8%, P = 0.001) were found in positive PLNC group compared with negative PLNC group. In terms of toxicities, the incidences of acute hematological Grade 3–4 adverse events (AEs) were higher in NCT + CCRT group compared with CCRT group (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed in the rates of non-hematological Grade 3–4 AEs between these two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Additional NCT is not associated with improved survival outcomes for patients with stage T3-4N1 NPC, but bring increased hematological Grade 3–4 AEs. PLNC is independent prognostic factor in stage T3-4N1 NPC, with positive PLNC correlating with poor survival outcomes.

Hypofractionated palliative volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy with the Radiation Oncology Study Group 8502 "QUAD shot" regimen for incurable head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

To review a single institutional experience of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 8502 "QUAD shot" regimen using volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) for incurable head and neck cancer (HNC).

METHODS

Thirty-four consecutive patients with HNC were treated with at least one cycle of the RTOG 8502 regimen. Treatment plans included the use of VMAT with 6 MV photons generated by a linear accelerator. Two daily fractions of 3.7 Gy were delivered with an interval of at least 6 h for 2 consecutive days, totaling 14.8 Gy over 4 fractions. This was repeated every 3-4 weeks for a total of three cycles. No concurrent systemic therapy was performed.

RESULTS

The number of completed cycles was 1 in 6 (18%) patients, 2 in 5 (15%), and 3 in 23 (68%). Tumor response was achieved in 29 (85%) patients and symptom relief in 20 (77%) of 26 patients. Overall response (tumor response or symptom relief) was achieved in 32 (94%) patients. All patients who received 2 or more treatment cycles achieved overall response. Median overall survival (OS) was 5.7 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that completion of all three treatment cycles was significantly associated with better OS (P = 0.002). Grade 2 toxicity was observed in four (12%) patients, but no acute Grade ≥ 3 or late toxicity was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The RTOG 8502 "QUAD shot" regimen using VMAT is effective for incurable HNC with highly reduced toxicity. Treatment with multiple cycles is recommended for better treatment response and/or survival.

Imaging at diagnosis impacts cancer-specific survival among patients with cancer of the oropharynx

BACKGROUND

The optimal imaging for the staging of oropharyngeal cancer is not well defined.

METHODS

The linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database for 2006 through 2011 was used to compare patient characteristics and hospital region by the initial imaging modality used for patients with oropharyngeal cancer. The primary outcome was 3-year cancer-specific survival (CSS). Cox proportional hazards models were adjusted for imaging, age, sex, region, education, race, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage of disease, and treatment, which were examined using backward elimination. The authors also explored how initial imaging use varied by patient characteristics and hospital region.

RESULTS

A total of 1765 patients underwent initial diagnostic imaging. Of those, approximately 11.4% (202 patients) received computed tomography (CT) alone as their initial imaging modality, 5.2% (91 patients) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without positron emission tomography (PET), and 83.3% (1472 patients) had initial imaging that included PET. The overall 3-year CSS rate for the entire population was 63.7%. In the adjusted survival models compared by initial imaging modality, patients who underwent a PET examination were found to have higher survival than those who underwent CT alone or MRI, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.337 [95% CI, 1.001-1.785; P = .0491]; and hazard ratio, 1.748 [95% CI, 1.2-2.545; P = .0036]).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with oropharyngeal cancer, initial staging with PET imaging was associated with improved 3-year CSS compared with initial staging with MRI or CT.

Positron emission tomography with computed tomography imaging (PET/CT) for the radiotherapy planning definition of the biological target volume: PART 1

AIM

Functional and molecular imaging, including positron emission tomography with computed tomography imaging (PET/CT) is increasing for radiotherapy (RT) definition of the target volume. This expert review summarizes existing data of functional imaging modalities and RT management, in terms of target volume delineation, for the following anatomical districts: brain (for primary and secondary tumors), head/neck and lung.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A collection of available published data was made, by PubMed a search. Only original articles were carefully and critically revised.

RESULTS

For primary and secondary brain tumors, amino acid PET radiotracers could be useful to identify microscopic residual areas and to differ between recurrence and treatment-related alterations in case of re-irradiation. As for head and neck neoplasms may benefit from precise PET/CT-based target delineation, due to the major capability to identify high-risk RT areas. In primary and secondary lung cancer, PET/CT could be useful both to delimit a tumor and collapsed lungs and as a predictive parameter of treatment response.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, molecular and functional imaging approaches offer a major step to individualize radiotherapeutic care going forward. Nevertheless, several uncertainties remain on the standard method to properly assess the target volume definition including PET information for primary and secondary brain tumors.

An update on radiation therapy in head and neck cancers

INTRODUCTION

Technological and technical improvements allowed for significant advances in the field of radiation therapy (RT) of head and neck cancer (HNC). Several organ-sparing strategies have been investigated with the objective to decrease acute and long-term adverse effects and, subsequently, to assure a better quality of life in patients affected by HNC. In this context, intensity modulated irradiation and the use of multimodality-imaging could help clinicians to obtain a rapid dose fall off towards surrounding healthy tissues and a better delineation of targets volumes and organs at risk. Areas covered: A literature review was performed with the aim to offer an update on radiation therapy in HNC. Expert commentary: During these last years, radiation oncologists have observed a continuous changing regarding radiation treatment for HNC. The adoption of intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) and the use of multimodality-imaging for tumor volume definition and organs at risk or delineation have improved the clinical outcomes of HNC patients. In the future, a better integration of functional imaging for target volume delineation as well as adaptive delivery strategies will allow to further personalize radiation oncology in HNC. Furthermore, the latest breakthrough technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-linacs and heavy particles technologies have a great potential to improve treatment-related quality of life in HNC. Future studies are needed to demonstrate the clinical advantages of these new RT technologies in HNC.