SBRT for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: 8-Year Experience from a Regional Transplant Center

Radiotherapy trend in elderly hepatocellular carcinoma: retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2017

PURPOSE

To report the trends of radiotherapy in the management of elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients who entered HCC registry of Samsung Medical Center between 2005 and 2017. Patients who were 75 years or older at the time of registration were defined as elderly. They were categorized into three groups based on the year of registration. Radiotherapy characteristics were compared between the groups to observe differences by age groups and period of registration.

RESULTS

Out of 9,132 HCC registry patients, elderly comprised 6.2% (566 patients) of the registry, and the proportion increased throughout the study period (from 3.1% to 11.4%). Radiotherapy was administered to 107 patients (18.9%) in elderly group. Radiotherapy utilization in the early treatment process (within 1 year after registration) has rapidly increased from 6.1% to 15.3%. All treatments before 2008 were delivered with two-dimensional or three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, while more than two-thirds of treatments after 2017 were delivered with advanced techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy, or proton beam therapy. Overall survival (OS) of elderly was significantly worse than younger patients. However, for patients who received radiotherapy during the initial management (within one month after registration), there was no statistically significant difference in OS between age groups.

CONCLUSION

The proportion of elderly HCC is increasing. Radiotherapy utilization and adoption of advanced radiotherapy technique showed a consistently increasing trend for the group of patients, indicating that the role of radiotherapy in the management of elderly HCC is expanding.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein tumour thrombus: A meta-analysis

Background

The efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) versus SBRT or TACE alone(monotherapy) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT) remains controversial. This meta-analysis was performed to provide more powerful evidence for clinical strategies in inoperable HCC with PVTT.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Journal Integration Platform (VIP), and WanFang databases for eligible studies. We pooled the results of 1- and 2-year overall survival rates (OSRs), objective response rates (ORRs), and adverse events (AEs) between the two groups and performed a subgroup meta-analysis for study type, control group, treatment order, and the interval between SBRT and TACE.

Results

Nine studies with 10 cohorts involving 938 patients were included in our meta-analysis. SBRT plus TACE yielded significantly higher 1-year OSR (RR, 1.52[95% CI, 1.33–1.74]), 2-year OSR (RR, 2.00 [95% CI: 1.48–2.70]), ORR (RR = 1.22 [95% CI, 1.08–1.37]), and a lower progression disease (PD) rate (RR = 0.45 [95% CI:0.26–0.79]) than monotherapy. No significant differences were detected in CR, PR, SD, or AEs between the two groups. Subgroup analysis regarding study type, control group, and treatment order indicated that compared with monotherapy, the combination of SBRT with TACE was associated with an increase in 1- and 2-year OSRs but not in ORR. In regard to the interval between SBRT and TACE, subgroup analysis found that the combination therapy for patients with an SBRT-TACE interval <28 days was preferable to monotherapy in the 1- and 2-year OSRs, and ORR. However, for patients with an SBRT-TACE interval ≥28 days, no obvious distinctions were observed in the 1-year OSR, 2-year OSR, or ORR between the two groups.

Conclusion

The combination of SBRT with TACE appears to be better than monotherapy in treating HCC with PVTT and should be recommended for inoperable HCC patients with PVTT.

Approach to Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Child-Pugh B-7 Cirrhosis

OPINION STATEMENT

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with underlying Child-Pugh B-7 cirrhosis benefit from management from an experienced, multidisciplinary team. In patients with localized disease who meet criteria for liver transplant, establishing care at a liver transplant center is crucial. For those awaiting transplant, local bridge therapies have emerged as a strategy to maintain priority status and eligibility. Multiple liver-directed therapies exist to provide locoregional tumor control. The careful selection of locoregional therapy is a multidisciplinary endeavor that takes into account patient factors including tumor resectability, underlying liver function, performance status, previous treatment, tumor location/size, and vascular anatomy to determine the optimal management strategy. Technological advances in external beam radiation therapy have allowed stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to emerge in recent years as a versatile and highly effective bridge therapy consisting of typically between 3 and 5 high dose, highly focused, and non-invasive radiation treatments. When treating cirrhotic patients with HCC, preserving liver function is of utmost importance to prevent clinical decline and decompensation. SBRT has been shown to be both safe and effective in carefully selected patients with Child-Pugh B cirrhosis; however, care must be taken to prevent radiation-induced liver disease. This review summarizes the evolving role of SBRT in the treatment of HCC in patients with Child-Pugh B-7 cirrhosis.

Clinical application of advances and innovation in radiation treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) management has evolved over the past two decades, with the development of newer treatment modalities. While various options are available, unmet needs are reflected through the mixed treatment outcome for intermediate-stage HCC. As HCC is radiosensitive, radiation therapies have a significant role in management. Radiation therapies offer local control for unresectable lesions and for patients who are not surgical candidates. Radiotherapy also provides palliation in metastatic disease, and acts as a bridge to resection and transplantation in selected patients. Advancements in radiotherapy modalities offer improved dose planning and targeted delivery, allowing for better tumor response and safer dose escalations while minimizing the risks of radiation-induced liver damage. Radiotherapy modalities are broadly classified into external beam radiation therapy and selective internal radiation therapy. With emerging modalities, radiotherapy plays a complementary role in the multidisciplinary care of HCC patients.

Aim

We aim to provide an overview of the role and clinical application of radiation therapies in HCC management.

Relevance for Patients

The continuous evolution of radiotherapy techniques allows for improved therapeutic outcomes while mitigating unwanted adverse effects, making it an attractive modality in HCC management. Rigorous clinical studies, quality research and comprehensive datasets will further its application in the present era of evidence-based practice in Medicine.

Current Understanding of Ablative Radiation Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The role of ablative stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been evolving over the last few decades. SBRT has mostly been used in early stages of HCC, including few (≤ 3 in number) tumors, small tumours (< 3 cm in size), as well as larger tumours which are ineligible for other ablative modalities, mostly without vascular invasion. In early stage HCC, SBRT is used as a definitive treatment with curative intent or with intent to bridge to liver transplant. Retrospective and prospective institutional series document a high rate of local control (68–95% at 3 years) following SBRT. This coupled with a low risk of toxicity makes this non-invasive ablative treatment an attractive option for patients who are ineligible for other ablative treatments. Small randomized studies of ablative radiation have also shown non-inferiority of radiation as compared to radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Currently, SBRT is widely available as a safe and effective liver directed therapy, although there is a need for more studies providing higher level evidence. This review gives a brief overview of SBRT and the evidence for its use in HCC patients with ablative intent.

Recurrent haematochezia in an 85-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma

An 85-year-old man with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis secondary to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis presented to casualty with four days of painless haematochezia with dark blood without haemodynamic compromise. This was in the setting of receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as treatment for his hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).He was found to have haemorrhagic radiation colitis which was treated with argon plasma coagulation (APC). Our case demonstrates the importance of considering radiation induced colitis as a cause for painless lower gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with a background of radiation therapy for HCC. Earlier review of the imaging and consideration of this differential could have prevented the need for repeat hospitalisations and would have led to prompt colonoscopy and diagnosis.

Role of External Beam Radiotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) has improved efficacy and safety with advancements in technology and techniques. EBRT plays an important role in management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In resectable cases, EBRT serves as a bridge to transplantation or improves local control through adjuvant radiotherapy. In unresectable patients, EBRT offers high local control rates. In metastatic settings, EBRT provides effective palliation. This review presents an overview of radiotherapy treatment modalities used for HCC, current treatment guidelines for the role of EBRT in HCC, clinical outcomes between various EBRT approaches and other locoregional treatments for HCC, and the future role of EBRT for HCC.

Tumor Microenvironment as a Regulator of Radiation Therapy: New Insights into Stromal-Mediated Radioresistance

Simple Summary

Cancer is multifaceted and consists of more than just a collection of mutated cells. These cancerous cells reside along with other non-mutated cells in an extracellular matrix which together make up the tumor microenvironment or tumor stroma. The composition of the tumor microenvironment plays an integral role in cancer initiation, progression, and response to treatments. In this review, we discuss how the tumor microenvironment regulates the response and resistance to radiation therapy and what targeted agents have been used to combat stromal-mediated radiation resistance.

Abstract

A tumor is a complex “organ” composed of malignant cancer cells harboring genetic aberrations surrounded by a stroma comprised of non-malignant cells and an extracellular matrix. Considerable evidence has demonstrated that components of the genetically “normal” tumor stroma contribute to tumor progression and resistance to a wide array of treatment modalities, including radiotherapy. Cancer-associated fibroblasts can promote radioresistance through their secreted factors, contact-mediated signaling, downstream pro-survival signaling pathways, immunomodulatory effects, and cancer stem cell-generating role. The extracellular matrix can govern radiation responsiveness by influencing oxygen availability and controlling the stability and bioavailability of growth factors and cytokines. Immune status regarding the presence of pro- and anti-tumor immune cells can regulate how tumors respond to radiation therapy. Furthermore, stromal cells including endothelial cells and adipocytes can modulate radiosensitivity through their roles in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, and their secreted adipokines, respectively. Thus, to successfully eradicate cancers, it is important to consider how tumor stroma components interact with and regulate the response to radiation. Detailed knowledge of these interactions will help build a preclinical rationale to support the use of stromal-targeting agents in combination with radiotherapy to increase radiosensitivity.

Clinical efficacy of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for adrenal gland metastases: A multi-center retrospective study from China

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CyberKnife Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in the treatment of adrenal gland metastases (AGM), we designed a large-scale multicenter retrospective study to report the safety and efficacy of SBRT for inoperable AGM. In this study, 75 (61 males, 14 females) patients with 84 AGM and Karnofsky performance score ≥70 were treated by SBRT from October 2006 to January 2017. Of these, the purpose of treatment were controlling all known metastatic sites for 21 patients while 54 for palliation of bulky adrenal metastases. The efficacy and safety of SBRT were evaluated during follow-up. Potential factors predictive of local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis. Median follow-up time was 12.7 months (range 1.8–96.4). The complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD) rates were 23.8%, 23.8%, 31.0% and 21.4%, respectively. The 0.5, 1, and 2-year LC rates were 93.6%, 83.8%, and 62.1%, respectively; OS rates on the same follow-up intervals were 93.7%, 62.5%, and 49.6%, respectively, and the corresponding PFS rates were 48.5%, 33.9%, and 16.0%, respectively. The treatment was well tolerated with 2 patients reporting grade-3 diarrhea and fatigue, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that simultaneous treatment of SBRT for other metastatic lesions, the number of AGM, initiation of systemic therapy, and the maximum diameter of AGM were predictive of LC rates. Moreover, patients with AGM < 5 cm had a superior OS compared with those with AGM ≥ 5 cm (28.0 months vs. 17.6 months, P = 0.032). SBRT is an effective therapeutic option for treatment of AGM with high LC rates with minimal toxicity.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Combined with Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization versus Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Alone as the First-Line Treatment for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The superiority of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) compared to SBRT alone as the first-line therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. We conducted this meta-analysis to compare the efficiency and safety of SBRT combined with TACE (ST group) and SBRT alone (SA group).

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Ovid Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) for related studies. We analyzed overall survival (OS), local control survival (LCS), progression-free survival (PFS), the response rate and adverse effects (AEs) between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Ten articles were included, with a total of 980 patients. The results showed that the ST (SBRT + TACE) group had a longer OS (95% CIs 0.60-0.85, p = 0.0002), a higher 5-year OS rate (95% CI 1.01-2.04, p = 0.04), a higher rate of complete response (95% CI 1.08-1.90, p = 0.01), and a higher disease control rate (95% CI 1.02-1.16, p = 0.02) than the SA (SBRT alone) group. No significant difference was found in LCS, PFS and total AEs of all grades and grades 3-5 AEs between the 2 groups. In the subgroup analysis, the patients with HCC + PVTT or treated with SBRT followed by TACE in the ST group had the same OS as those in the SA group, and the patients in the ST group had a higher incidence rate of leukopenia and fever than those in the SA group.

CONCLUSION

SBRT + TACE appears to be more effective than SBRT alone in treating unresectable HCC. However, its higher incidence rate of leukopenia and fever need to be monitored.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Child-Pugh B or C Cirrhosis

Purpose

Our purpose was to report outcomes in patients with Child-Pugh B or C (CP B/C) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Methods and Materials

Patients with HCC suitable for SBRT were prospectively enrolled in the study from 2012 to 2018. Outcomes in patients with CP B/C were analyzed. Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare survival outcomes between baseline CP score and post-SBRT CP score.

Results

Twenty-three patients with CP B/C with a total of 29 HCC tumors were treated with SBRT. Eighty-seven percent of patients were CP B8-C10. Median tumor size was 3.1 cm (range, 1-10 cm). Median dose delivered was 40 Gy in a median of 5 fractions. Eighteen of 23 patients (78.3%) had been previously treated with transarterial chemoembolization. Median follow-up was 14.5 months. Rates of 6- and 12-month local control were 100% and 92.3%, respectively. Six- and 12-month survival rates were 73.9% and 56.5%, respectively. Median survival was 14.5 months overall and 9.2, 22.5, 14.5, and 14.4 months for patients with CP B7, B8, B9, and C10, respectively. No patients exhibited symptoms of classic radiation-induced liver disease. However, 10 patients had CP score progression, with 4 patients (17%) having a ≥2-point increase in CP score by 6 months (or time of censor). There were 7 liver-related deaths, and based on independent review by a hepatologist, 1 of these deaths may have been attributable to SBRT-related liver injury. Fifteen of 23 patients were listed for liver transplant (LT) at the time of SBRT and 9 went on to receive LT with a pathologic complete response rate of 63.6%. Median survival, excluding patients who received LT, was 7.3 months.

Conclusions

SBRT is a reasonable treatment option for carefully selected patients with CP B7-C10. In our small cohort, there was no detectable difference between local control or overall survival and baseline CP score.

The Evolving Field of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer remains a devastating disease with dismal outcomes despite the development of novel chemotherapeutic regimens and radiation techniques. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) offers an advantage both in image guidance and radiation dose delivery to direct ablative doses to tumors with acceptable toxicity compared to conventional techniques. Recent literature is clustered with data pertaining to SBRT in patients with resectable, borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic tumors. We here present a summary of the current data and highlight the limitations and potential for future growth. Further clinical study in the form of multi-institutional trials is warranted to establish the role of SBRT in combination with new chemo- therapeutic agents as well as a non-invasive alternative to surgery.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy as an Alternative Treatment for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Compared to Sorafenib: A Propensity Score Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its role in patients with advanced HCC is not yet defined. In this study, we aim to assess the efficacy and safety of SBRT in comparison to sorafenib treatment in patients with advanced HCC.

METHODS

We included 901 patients treated with sorafenib at six tertiary centers in Europe and Asia and 122 patients treated with SBRT from 13 centers in Germany and Switzerland. Medical records were reviewed including laboratory parameters, treatment characteristics and development of adverse events. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival.

RESULTS

Median OS of SBRT patients was 18.1 (10.3-25.9) months compared to 8.8 (8.2-9.5) in sorafenib patients. After adjusting for different baseline characteristics, the survival benefit for patients treated with SBRT was still preserved with a median OS of 17.0 (10.8-23.2) months compared to 9.6 (8.6-10.7) months in sorafenib patients. SBRT treatment of intrahepatic lesions in patients with extrahepatic metastases was also associated with improved OS compared to patients treated with sorafenib in the same setting (17.0 vs. 10.0 months, p = 0.012), whereas in patients with portal vein thrombosis there was no survival benefit in patients with SBRT.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective comparative study, SBRT showed superior efficacy in HCC patients compared to patients treated with sorafenib.

Role of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has evolved over the past few decades with the advancement of technology and improved imaging. Radiotherapy can offer high local control rates in unresectable HCC, including cases with major vascular involvement, and can provide a modality to help bridge patients to potentially curative resection or transplantation. In metastatic cases, radiotherapy can provide good palliation. This review focuses on the common radiotherapy treatment modalities used for HCC, provides outcome comparisons of these radiotherapy techniques to outcomes with other treatment modalities for HCC, and highlights the discrepancy of the role of radiotherapy in HCC amongst the current available treatment guidelines.

Comparison of local tumor control in patients with HCC treated with SBRT or TACE: a propensity score analysis

BACKGROUND

As stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has shown to be effective and safe in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the aim of our propensity score matched analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of SBRT in comparison to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in intermediate and advanced HCC.

METHODS

Patients treated with TACE (n = 367) and patients allocated to SBRT (n = 35) were enrolled in this study. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for differences in baseline and tumor characteristics of TACE and SBRT patients. Local tumor control (LC) 1 year after treatment, overall survival (OS) and 1-year mortality were assessed.

RESULTS

Patients treated with SBRT have received more prior HCC treatments compared to TACE patients. The LC 1 year after treatment in the unmatched cohort was 74.4% for TACE patients compared to 84.8% in the SBRT group. Patients treated with TACE showed significantly improved OS (17.0 months vs. 9.0 months, p = 0.016). After propensity score matching, the LC in the TACE (n = 70) and SBRT (n = 35) group was comparable (82.9% vs. 84.8%, p = 0.805) and OS did not differ significantly in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

SBRT after prior HCC therapy in selected patients shows comparable LC at 1 year, OS and 1-year mortality compared to patients treated with TACE.

Hepatectomy versus stereotactic body radiotherapy for primary early hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity-matched analysis in a single institution

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of both surgical resection and stereotactic body radiotherapy for small hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Although the number of stereotactic body radiotherapies being performed for hepatocellular carcinoma has gradually increased, data comparing surgical resection and stereotactic body radiotherapy are limited.

METHODS

Between 2008 and 2015, a total of 281 patients with 1 to 3 small hepatocellular carcinoma tumors (≤3 cm in diameter), treated initially with curative intent (surgical resection, 254; stereotactic body radiotherapy, 27), were retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival and disease-free survival were compared in a propensity score matching analysis.

RESULTS

Patients in the surgical resection group tended to be younger, had more tumors, and had better hepatic function than those in the stereotactic body radiotherapy group (P < .05). The percent recurrence of the same sub-segment in the stereotactic body radiotherapy group was significantly higher than that in the surgical resection group (P = .0034). Propensity score analysis revealed that 54 patients with surgical resection and 27 with stereotactic body radiotherapy had the same baseline characteristics. The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates for the surgical resection and stereotactic body radiotherapy groups were 75.2% vs 47.8% (P = .0149) and 33.8% vs 16.4% (P = .0512), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that surgical resection was a significant favorable factor for overall survival and disease-free survival of patients with one to three small hepatocellular carcinomas.

CONCLUSION

Surgical resection provided better long-term overall survival and disease-free survival in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma tumors. However, stereotactic body radiotherapy may be an effective alternative treatment for inoperable patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma.

The role of external beam radiotherapy in the treatment of hepatocellular cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in incidence and mortality. Although the prognosis remains poor, long-term survival has improved from 3% in 1970 to an 18% 5-year survival rate today. This is likely because of the introduction of well tolerated, oral antiviral therapies for hepatitis C. Curative options for patients with HCC are often limited by underlying liver dysfunction/cirrhosis and medical comorbidities. Less than one-third of patients are candidates for surgery, which is the current gold standard for cure. Nonsurgical treatments include embolotherapies, percutaneous ablation, and ablative radiation. Technological advances in radiation delivery in the past several decades now allow for safe and effective ablative doses to the liver. Conformal techniques allow for both dose escalation to target volumes and normal tissue sparing. Multiple retrospective and prospective studies have demonstrated that hypofractionated image-guided radiation therapy, used as monotherapy or in combination with other liver-directed therapies, can provide excellent local control that is cost effective. Therefore, as the HCC treatment paradigm continues to evolve, ablative radiation treatment has moved from a palliative treatment to both a "bridge to transplant" and a definitive treatment.

The Impact of Radiation on the Tumor Microenvironment: Effect of Dose and Fractionation Schedules

In addition to inducing lethal DNA damage in tumor and stromal cells, radiation can alter the interactions of tumor cells with their microenvironment. Recent technological advances in planning and delivery of external beam radiotherapy have allowed delivery of larger doses per fraction (hypofractionation) while minimizing dose to normal tissues with higher precision. The effects of radiation on the tumor microenvironment vary with dose and fractionation schedule. In this review, we summarize the effects of conventional and hypofractionated radiation regimens on the immune system and tumor stroma. We discuss how these interactions may provide therapeutic benefit in combination with targeted therapies. Understanding the differential effects of radiation dose and fractionation can have implications for choice of combination therapies.