Curative radiotherapy of early operable non-small cell lung cancer

The interplay between cancer associated fibroblasts and immune cells in the context of radiation therapy

Fibroblasts are a key component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that can serve as a scaffold for tumor cell migration and augment the tumor's ability to withstand harsh conditions. When activated by external or endogenous stimuli, normal fibroblasts become cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a heterogeneous group of stromal cells in the tumor that are phenotypically and epigenetically different from normal fibroblasts. Dynamic crosstalk between cancer cells, immune cells, and CAFs through chemokines and surface signaling makes the TME conducive to tumor growth. When activated, CAFs promote tumorigenesis and metastasis through several phenomena including regulation of tumor immunity, metabolic reprogramming of the TME, extracellular matrix remodeling and contraction, and induction of therapeutic resistance. Ionizing radiation (radiation theraphy [RT]) is a potent immunological stimulant that has been shown to increase cytotoxic Teff infiltration and IFN-I stimulated genes. RT, however, is unable to overcome the infiltration and activation of immunosuppressive cells which can contribute to tumor progression. Another paradox of RT is that, while very effective at killing cancer cells, it can contribute to the formation of CAFs. This review examines how the interplay between CAFs and immune cells during RT contributes to organ fibrosis, immunosuppression, and tumor growth. We focus on targeting mechanistic pathways of CAF formation as a potentially effective strategy not only for preventing organ fibrosis, but also in hampering tumor progression in response to RT.

A Prediction Model to Help with Oncologic Mediastinal Evaluation for Radiation: HOMER

Rationale: When stereotactic ablative radiotherapy is an option for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), distinguishing between N0, N1, and N2 or N3 (N2|3) disease is important.Objectives: To develop a prediction model for estimating the probability of N0, N1, and N2|3 disease.Methods: Consecutive patients with clinical-radiographic stage T1 to T3, N0 to N3, and M0 NSCLC who underwent endobronchial ultrasound-guided staging from a single center were included. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to predict the presence of N0, N1, or N2|3 disease. Temporal validation used consecutive patients from 3 years later at the same center. External validation used three other hospitals.Measurements and Main Results: In the model development cohort (n = 633), younger age, central location, adenocarcinoma, and higher positron emission tomography-computed tomography nodal stage were associated with a higher probability of having advanced nodal disease. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) were 0.84 and 0.86 for predicting N1 or higher (vs. N0) disease and N2|3 (vs. N0 or N1) disease, respectively. Model fit was acceptable (Hosmer-Lemeshow, P = 0.960; Brier score, 0.36). In the temporal validation cohort (n = 473), AUCs were 0.86 and 0.88. Model fit was acceptable (Hosmer-Lemeshow, P = 0.172; Brier score, 0.30). In the external validation cohort (n = 722), AUCs were 0.86 and 0.88 but required calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow, P < 0.001; Brier score, 0.38). Calibration using the general calibration method resulted in acceptable model fit (Hosmer-Lemeshow, P = 0.094; Brier score, 0.34).Conclusions: This prediction model can estimate the probability of N0, N1, and N2|3 disease in patients with NSCLC. The model has the potential to facilitate decision-making in patients with NSCLC when stereotactic ablative radiotherapy is an option.

Alcohol consumption and lung cancer risk: A pooled analysis from the International Lung Cancer Consortium and the SYNERGY study

BACKGROUND

There is inadequate evidence to determine whether there is an effect of alcohol consumption on lung cancer risk. We conducted a pooled analysis of data from the International Lung Cancer Consortium and the SYNERGY study to investigate this possible association by type of beverage with adjustment for other potential confounders.

METHODS

Twenty one case-control studies and one cohort study with alcohol-intake data obtained from questionnaires were included in this pooled analysis (19,149 cases and 362,340 controls). Adjusted odds ratios (OR) or hazard ratios (HR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for each measure of alcohol consumption. Effect estimates were combined using random or fixed-effects models where appropriate. Associations were examined for overall lung cancer and by histological type.

RESULTS

We observed an inverse association between overall risk of lung cancer and consumption of alcoholic beverages compared to non-drinkers, but the association was not monotonic. The lowest risk was observed for persons who consumed 10-19.9 g/day ethanol (OR vs. non-drinkers = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.91), where 1 drink is approximately 12-15 g. This J-shaped association was most prominent for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The association with all lung cancer varied little by type of alcoholic beverage, but there were notable differences for SCC. We observed an association with beer intake (OR for ≥20 g/day vs nondrinker = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.90).

CONCLUSIONS

Whether the non-monotonic associations we observed or the positive association between beer drinking and squamous cell carcinoma reflect real effects await future analyses and insights about possible biological mechanisms.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): contemporary insights and advances

The standard-of-care treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) continues to be surgery in the form of lobectomy or pneumonectomy. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has evolved as a viable alternative to surgery for medically inoperable patients, achieving excellent local control (LC) with relatively minimal toxicity in standard-risk patients. Nevertheless, the maturation of SBRT has fostered debate regarding its use, technique, dose, and fractionation, particularly in the context of patient- and disease-specific characteristics such as tumor size and location. This review will cover the recent trends and future directions of SBRT as it becomes an increasingly individualized modality in the treatment of early-stage NSCLC.

Definitive radiotherapy alone over 60 Gy for patients unfit for combined treatment to stage II-III non-small cell lung cancer: retrospective analysis

Background

Elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are frequently treated with radiation therapy (RT) alone, due to poor performance status or underlying disease. We investigated the effectiveness of RT over 60 Gy administered alone to NSCLC patients who were unfit or rejecting for combination treatment.

Methods and materials

From April 2002 to July 2010, 83 patients with stage II-III NSCLC, aged over 60 years, treated by RT alone with a curative aim were analyzed. Radiation was targeted to the primary tumor and clinically involved lymph nodes. A total dose of 66 Gy in 30 fractions (2.2 Gy/fraction) was delivered once daily (5 fractions weekly). One month after completing RT, initial tumor responses were evaluated.

Results

Median age of patients was 73 years (range, 60 – 82 years). The median survival time was 18.6 months (range, 2–135). The actuarial overall survival rates at 2 and 3 years were 39 % and 23 %, and cause-specific survival rate at 2 and 3 years were 57 % and 47 %, respectively. When primary tumor was controlled, the 2- and 3-year CSS were 56 % and 45 %, but 32 % and 23 % in those patients with local failure, respectively (P = 0.017). Additionally, the local control rate was associated with the initial tumor response (P = 0.01). No patient experienced grade 4+ toxicity.

Conclusions

For stage II-III NSCLC patients aged over 60 years and unfit or rejecting for combination treatment, RT alone showed promising result. Long-term disease control can be expected if an early tumor response to radiation is achieved, which could result in improved overall survival rates.

WITHDRAWN: Radical radiotherapy for stage I/II non-small cell lung cancer in patients not sufficiently fit for or declining surgery (medically inoperable)

The authors are unable to update this review. A new team is being sought to update it.

The editorial group responsible for this previously published document have withdrawn it from publication.

ACR appropriateness criteria nonsurgical treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer: poor performance status or palliative intent

Radiation therapy plays a potential curative role in the treatment of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer with locoregional disease who are not surgical candidates and a palliative role for patients with metastatic disease. Stereotactic body radiation therapy is a relatively new technique in patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer. A trial from RTOG(®) reported >97% local control at 3 years. For patients with locally advanced disease, thoracic radiation to a dose of 60 Gy remains the standard of care. Sequential chemotherapy or radiation alone can be used for patients with poor performance status who cannot tolerate more aggressive approaches. Chemotherapy should be used for patients with metastatic disease. Radiation therapy is useful for palliation of symptomatic tumors, and a dose of approximately 30 Gy is commonly used. Endobronchial brachytherapy is useful for patients with symptomatic endobronchial tumors. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 2 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances in which evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment.

Effectiveness of radiation therapy for elderly patients with unresected stage I and II non-small cell lung cancer

RATIONALE

Radiotherapy (RT) is considered the standard treatment for patients with stage I or II non-small lung cancer who are not surgical candidates because of comorbities or preferences against surgery.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the outcomes of patients treated with RT alone with those who were untreated to assess the effect of RT on survival.

METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry linked to Medicare files, we identified 6,065 unresected patients with histologically confirmed stage I and stage II non-small cell lung cancer, diagnosed between 1992 and 2002. We used propensity score methods and instrumental variable analysis to control for the possible effects of known as well as unmeasured confounders.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Overall, 59% of patients received RT. The overall and lung cancer-specific survival of unresected patients treated with RT was significantly better compared with the untreated cases (P < 0.0001 for both comparisons). RT was associated with a 6-month improvement in median overall survival. Propensity score analyses showed that RT was associated with improved overall (hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.70-0.78) and lung cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.78). Instrumental variable analysis also indicated improved outcomes among patients treated with RT.

CONCLUSIONS

RT improves survival of elderly patients with unresected stage I or II lung cancer. These results should be confirmed in prospective trials.

Radical Radiotherapy in Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) – Singapore National Cancer Centre Experience

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of radical treatment for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with external beam radiation therapy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective series of 23 patients with stage I NSCLC treated radically with radiotherapy from September 1997 to December 2004 at the National Cancer Centre, Singapore. Eighteen patients had 3D conformal radiotherapy and 5 patients had 2D planning. The median radiation dose delivered was 55 Gy (range, 50 to 67.5 in 20 to 33 fractions). The estimated median BED10 was 63.9 Gy (range, 57.6 to 70.1). Complete response (CR) rates, overall survival and cause-specific survival rates were analysed for evaluation of treatment results. Local regional failure was defined as disease in the ipsilateral lung and entire mediastinum. Recurrence at the contralateral lung and other distal organs was defined as distant metastases. Survival data were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and tested for significance with log-rank statistics. Results: A total of 23 patients (16 males, 7 females) with a median age of 73 years (range, 45 to 88) were analysed. Six (26%) had stage IA and 17 (74%) had stage IB disease. Eleven patients refused surgery and 12 patients were medically inoperable. The median follow-up was 18.9 months (range, 6.2 to 117.4). The overall survival at 2 years and 3 years was 54.7% and 24.3% respectively. The overall cause-specific survival was 57.4% at 2 years and 25.6% at 3 years. Radiological CR was obtained in 6/23 patients (26%) and the median survival was 24.8 months as compared to 20 months in patients who attained partial response (PR) or unknown response (P = 0.24). The median survival for 12 patients who received a BED10 of ≥63.9Gy was not reached as compared to 20 months in 11 patients with BED10 of <63.9 Gy (P = 0.03). Sixteen patients died, 14 due to disease recurrence or progression and 2 of unrelated causes. Seven patients (29.2%) remained alive. The longest surviving patient had a follow-up time of 117.4 months. Four of these 7 patients were disease-free and 3 were alive with disease (2 with bone metastases and 1 with recurrence in the primary site). Conclusion: Our data are consistent with the reported literature for stage I NSCLC treated with radical radiotherapy. Patients who received a higher dose of radiation have a better outcome. The 3-year cause-specific survival of 25.6% is less than ideal and further investigations into dose escalation with modern radiotherapy techniques and perhaps the addition of chemotherapy or new targeted agents to radiation are warranted to improve the outcome. Key words: Dose fractionations, Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), Survival rates

Comparison of outcomes for patients with medically inoperable Stage I non–small-cell lung cancer treated with two-dimensional vs. three-dimensional radiotherapy

PURPOSE

This retrospective analysis was performed to assess the outcomes of three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiotherapy and two-dimensional (2D) planning.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between 1978 and 2003, 200 patients with Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated with radiotherapy alone at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Eighty-five patients were treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy. For the 3D group, median age, radiation dose, and follow-up was 73 (range, 50-92), 66 Gy (range, 45-90.3 Gy), and 19 months (range, 3-77 months), respectively; and for the 2D group, 69 (range, 44-88), 64 Gy (range, 20-74 Gy), 20 months (range, 1-173 months), respectively. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional control (LRC), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were analyzed.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in patient and tumor characteristics between 2D and 3D groups, except the 3D patients were older (p = 0.006). The OS, DSS, and LRC rates were significantly higher in patients who were treated by 3D conformal radiotherapy. Two- and 5-year OS for the 3D group were 68% and 36%, respectively, and 47% and 10% in the 2D group (p = 0.001). DSS at 2 and 5 years for the 3D group were 83% and 68%, respectively, vs. 62% and 29% in the 2D group (p < 0.001). LRC rates at 2 and 5 years for patients in the 3D group were 77% and 70% and 53% and 34% in the 2D group (p < 0.001). On univariate analysis elective, nodal irradiation was associated with decreased OS, DSS, and LRC. On multivariate analysis, 3D conformal radiotherapy was associated with increased OS and DSS. Male sex, age > or =70, weight loss > or =5%, and tumor size > or =4 cm were associated with decreased OS and DSS.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that 3D conformal radiotherapy improves outcomes in patients with medically inoperable Stage I NSCLC compared with 2D treatment and is an acceptable treatment for this group of patients.

Pretreatment prognostic factors in patients with early-stage (I/II) non–small-cell lung cancer treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy alone

PURPOSE

To investigate influence of various pretreatment prognostic factors in patients with early stage (I/II) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy alone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and sixteen patients were treated with tumor doses of 69.6 Gy, 1.2-Gy, twice-daily fractionation. There were 49 patients with Stage I and 67 patients with Stage II. Eighty patients had Karnofsky performance status (KPS) 90-100 and 95 patients had <5% weight loss. Peripheral tumors were observed in 57 patients. Squamous histology was observed in 70 patients and the majority of patients had concomitant disease (n=72).

RESULTS

The median survival time for all patients was 29 months; 5-year survival was 29%. The median time to local progression and the distant metastasis were not achieved, whereas 5-year local progression-free and distant metastasis-free survivals were 50% and 72%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified KPS, weight loss, location, histology, and the reason for not undergoing surgery as prognostic factors for survival. KPS, location, and histology influenced local progression-free survival, whereas only KPS and weight loss influenced distant metastasis-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective analysis identified KPS and weight loss as the most important prognostic factors of outcome in patients with early-stage NSCLC treated with hyperfractionation radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy alone in elderly with early stage non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Radiation therapy (RT) alone is frequently used in elderly patients with medically inoperable early stage (I/II) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We retrospectively investigated the effectiveness of RT alone in this patient population treated in our institution.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 1995 and 1999, a total of 33 patients were treated with RT alone in our institution, all being males. RT doses ranged 66-78 Gy (median, 70 Gy) using standard fractionation (2.0 Gy per fraction). The age range was 71-97 years (median, 75 years) with 11 patients being >or=80 years old. Twenty-two (67%) patients had a squamous cell carcinoma. There were 24 (73%) stage I and nine (27%) stage II patients.

RESULTS

Radiographic objective response rate was observed in 23 (70%) patients. The median survival time was 37.4 months and 3-year survival time was 50%, while the median cause-specific survival time was 48.1 months and a 3-year cause-specific survival rate was 55.3%. The median time to local recurrence was 36.8 months and a 3-year local recurrence-free survival rate was 50.2%, while the median time to distant metastasis was not achieved yet, the 3-year distant metastasis-free survival rate being 71.4%. One (3%) patient died of RT-induced acute lung toxicity, while only two (6%) patients experienced late grade 3 lung toxicity. No other high-grade toxicity was observed during this study.

CONCLUSIONS

RT alone was effective and low toxic in elderly with early stage (I/II) NSCLC and could be considered as treatment of choice in this patient population.

The impact of heterogeneity correction on dosimetric parameters that predict for radiation pneumonitis

PURPOSE

To determine if heterogeneity correction significantly affects commonly measured dosimetric parameters predicting pulmonary toxicity in patients receiving radiation for lung cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Sixty-eight patients treated for lung cancer were evaluated. The conformal treatment technique mostly employed anteroposterior/posterior-anterior fields and off-cord obliques. The percent total lung volume receiving 20 Gy or higher (V20) and mean lung dose (MLD) were correlated with the incidence of radiation pneumonitis. Parameters from both heterogeneity-corrected and heterogeneity-uncorrected plans were used to assess this risk.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between the development of radiation pneumonitis and both V20 and MLD. A best-fit line to a plot of V20 from the homogeneous plan against the corresponding V20 heterogeneous value produced a slope of 1.00 and zero offset, indicating no difference between the two parameters. For MLD, a similarly significant correlation is seen between the heterogeneous and homogeneous parameters, indicating a 4% difference when correcting for heterogeneity. A significant correlation was also observed between the MLD and V20 parameters (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

A high degree of correlation exists between heterogeneity-corrected and heterogeneity-uncorrected dosimetric parameters for lung and the risk of developing pneumonitis. Either V20 or MLD predicts the pneumonitis risk with similar effect.

Long-term results of high-dose conformal radiotherapy for patients with medically inoperable T1–3N0 non–small-cell lung cancer: Is low incidence of regional failure due to incidental nodal irradiation?

PURPOSE

To report the results of high-dose conformal irradiation and examine incidental nodal irradiation and nodal failure in patients with inoperable early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This analysis included patients with inoperable CT-staged T1-3N0M0 NSCLC treated on our prospective dose-escalation trial. Patients were treated with radiation alone (total dose, 63-102.9 Gy in 2.1-Gy daily fractions) with a three-dimensional conformal technique without intentional nodal irradiation. Bilateral highest mediastinal and upper/lower paratracheal, prevascular and retrotracheal, sub- and para-aortic, subcarinal, paraesophageal, and ipsilateral hilar regions were delineated individually. Nodal failure and doses of incidental irradiation were studied.

RESULTS

The potential median follow-up was 104 months. For patients who completed protocol treatment, median survival was 31 months. The actuarial overall survival rate was 86%, 61%, 43%, and 21% and the cause-specific survival rate was 89%, 70%, 53%, and 35% at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Weight loss (p = 0.008) and radiation dose in Gy (p = 0.013) were significantly associated with overall survival. In only 22% and 13% of patients examined did ipsilateral hilar and paratracheal (and subaortic for left-sided tumor) nodal regions receive a dose of > or = 40 Gy, respectively. Less than 10% of all other nodal regions received a dose of > or = 40 Gy. No patients failed initially at nodal sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiation dose is positively associated with overall survival in patients with medically inoperable T1-3N0 NSCLC, though long-term results remain poor. The nodal failure rate is low and does not seem to be due to high-dose incidental irradiation.

Re-Examining the Role of Elective Nodal Irradiation

OBJECTIVE

Elective nodal irradiation (ENI) of regional lymphatics has been a foundational paradigm for radiation oncologists in the treatment of nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its utility has recently been called into question. This review summarizes the controversies surrounding ENI and reviews the therapeutic options available to treat regional lymphatics in NSCLC.

METHODS

Local failure after conventional radiotherapy (RT) occurs in 40% to 80% of patients fueling the investigation of more aggressive RT regimens. As the dose is increased and accelerated the volume of normal lung tissue treated becomes a limiting factor. Thus elimination of ENI followed by further dose escalation has become a commonly pursued solution. When ENI is excluded, treatment is restricted to clinically positive disease and negative lymph node stations are left untreated.

RESULTS

Radiographic and surgical data suggest our ability to determine the true extent of disease is imperfect and therefore the elimination of ENI likely leaves microscopic NSCLC untreated.

CONCLUSIONS

At our institution we have concluded that the prophylactic treatment of regional lymph nodes is best reserved for patients most likely to achieve local control and are designing treatment protocols including chemotherapy to take advantage of this improvement in local control.

Concurrent hyperfractionated radiotherapy and low-dose daily carboplatin/paclitaxel in patients with early-stage (I/II) non-small-cell lung cancer: long-term results of a phase II study

PURPOSE

Feasibility and activity of concurrent hyperfractionated radiotherapy (Hfx RT) and low-dose, daily carboplatin and paclitaxel were investigated in patients with early-stage (I/II) non-small-cell lung cancer in a phase II study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-six patients started their treatment on day 1 with 30 mg/m2 of paclitaxel. Hfx RT using 1.3 Gy bid to a total dose of 67.6 Gy and concurrent low-dose daily carboplatin 25 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 10 mg/m2, both given Mondays through Fridays during the RT course, started from the second day.

RESULTS

There were 29 complete responses (52%) and 15 partial responses (27%), and 12 patients (21%), experienced stable disease. The median survival time was 35 months, and 3- and 5-year survival rates were 50% and 36%, respectively. The median time to local progression has not been achieved, but 3- and 5-year local progression-free survival rates were 56% and 54%, respectively. The median time to distant metastasis has not been achieved, but 3- and 5- year distant metastasis-free survival rates were 61% and 61%, respectively. The median and 5-year cause-specific survivals were 39 months and 43%, respectively. Acute high-grade (> 3) toxicity was hematologic (22%), esophageal (7%), or bronchopulmonary (7%). No grade 5 toxicity was observed. Late high-grade toxicity was rarely observed (total, 10%).

CONCLUSION

Hfx RT and concurrent low-dose daily carboplatin/paclitaxel was feasible with low toxicity and effective in patients with stage I/II non-small-cell lung cancer. It should continue to be investigated for this disease.

Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Unresected Stage I-II Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Radiotherapy is considered to be the standard treatment for patients with stage I or II non-small lung cancer who refuse surgery or who are not surgical candidates because of significant comorbidities. To determine whether radiotherapy benefits these patients, we compared the survival of those treated with radiation alone to those left untreated.

METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry, we identified all patients in whom histologically confirmed, stage I and II non-small cell lung cancer had been diagnosed between 1988 and 2001. Among these patients, 4,357 did not undergo surgical resection. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared among patients who received and who did not receive radiation therapy. We used Cox regression analysis to evaluate the effect of radiation on survival after adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

The survival of patients with lung cancer who did not undergo resection and had been treated with radiation therapy was significantly better compared to the untreated patients (stage I cancer, p = 0.0001; stage II cancer, p = 0.001). The median survival time of patients with stage I disease who underwent radiotherapy was 21 months compared to 14 months for untreated patients. Stage II patients who received and did not receive radiation therapy had median survival times of 14 and 9 months, respectively. The survival of treated and untreated patients was not significantly different approximately 5 years after diagnosis (stage I disease, 15% vs 14%, respectively; stage II disease, 11% vs 10%, respectively). In multivariate analysis, radiation therapy was significantly associated with improved lung cancer survival after controlling for age, sex, race, and tumor histology.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that radiotherapy is associated with improved survival in patients with unresected stage I or II non-small cell lung cancer. The observed improvement in median survival time was only 5 to 7 months, and radiotherapy did not offer the possibility of a cure.

Endobronchial brachytherapy and optimization of local disease control in medically inoperable non-small cell lung carcinoma: a matched-pair analysis

PURPOSE

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) alone for early stage, medically inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (MILC) can produce local disease control and sometimes cure. We have previously reported that higher EBRT doses result in improved disease control and, for patients with tumors > or =3.0 cm, improved survival. This report describes the impact of dose escalation with endobronchial brachytherapy boost during or following EBRT upon local disease control.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Medical records of 404 patients with MILC treated with radiotherapy alone were reviewed. Thirty-nine patients received a planned endobronchial brachytherapy boost during or following a course of EBRT. A matched-pair analysis of disease control and survival was performed by matching each brachytherapy patient to 2 EBRT patients from a reference group of the remaining patients.

RESULTS

Endobronchial brachytherapy boost significantly improved local disease control over EBRT alone (58% vs. 32% at 5 years). The local control benefit for brachytherapy was found to be limited to patients with T(1-2) disease or tumors < or =5.0 cm. Among these patients treated with endobronchial boost, EBRT doses of > or =6500 cGy were necessary to optimize local disease control. No overall survival differences were observed at 3 years. Excess toxicity with brachytherapy was not observed.

CONCLUSION

Endobronchial brachytherapy boost enhances local disease control rates in MILC treated with EBRT. Local control outcome is optimized when radical EBRT doses are used in conjunction with brachytherapy.

Impact of FDG-PET on radiation therapy volume delineation in non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

Locoregional failure remains a significant problem for patients receiving definitive radiation therapy alone or combined with chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Positron emission tomography (PET) with [(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) has proven to be a valuable diagnostic and staging tool for NSCLC. This prospective study was performed to determine the impact of treatment simulation with FDG-PET and CT on radiation therapy target volume definition and toxicity profiles by comparison to simulation with computed tomography (CT) scanning alone.

METHODS

Twenty-six patients with Stages I-III NSCLC were studied. Each patient underwent sequential CT and FDG-PET simulation on the same day. Immobilization devices used for both simulations included an alpha cradle, a flat tabletop, 6 external fiducial markers, and a laser positioning system. A radiation therapist participated in both simulations to reproduce the treatment setup. Both the CT and fused PET/CT image data sets were transferred to the radiation treatment planning workstation for contouring. Each FDG-PET study was reviewed with the interpreting nuclear radiologist before tumor volumes were contoured. The fused PET/CT images were used to develop the three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) plan. A second physician, blinded to the results of PET, contoured the gross tumor volumes (GTV) and planning target volumes (PTV) from the CT data sets, and these volumes were used to generate mock 3DCRT plans. The PTV was defined by a 10-mm margin around the GTV. The two 3DCRT plans for each patient were compared with respect to the GTV, PTV, mean lung dose, volume of normal lung receiving > or =20 Gy (V20), and mean esophageal dose.

RESULTS

The FDG-PET findings altered the AJCC TNM stage in 8 of 26 (31%) patients; 2 patients were diagnosed with metastatic disease based on FDG-PET and received palliative radiation therapy. Of the 24 patients who were planned with 3DCRT, PET clearly altered the radiation therapy volume in 14 (58%), as follows. PET helped to distinguish tumor from atelectasis in all 3 patients with atelectasis. Unsuspected nodal disease was detected by PET in 10 patients, and 1 patient had a separate tumor focus detected within the same lobe of the lung. Increases in the target volumes led to increases in the mean lung dose, V20, and mean esophageal dose. Decreases in the target volumes in the patients with atelectasis led to decreases in these normal-tissue toxicity parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiation targeting with fused FDG-PET and CT images resulted in alterations in radiation therapy planning in over 50% of patients by comparison with CT targeting. The increasing availability of integrated PET/CT units will facilitate the use of this technology for radiation treatment planning. A confirmatory multicenter, cooperative group trial is planned within the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group.

Radiation therapy alone in early stage non-small cell lung cancer

Among the patients with early stage (I/II) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there are those who, due to medical comorbidities, advanced age, or refusal, never undergo surgery. For them, exclusive radiation therapy (RT) has been the treatment of choice, achieving median survival times of 30 months and 5-year survival of up to 42%. Doses of > or =65 Gy with standard fractionation (or its radiobiological equivalent when altered fractionation is used) are necessary for long-lasting local control of the disease, with smaller tumors having a more favorable prognosis. The issue of elective nodal irradiation (ENI) remains controversial, since failure patterns identified local failure as the predominant pattern. None of the potential pretreatment patient- and tumor-related prognostic factors has been shown to clearly influence survival. Toxicity is generally mild to moderate, although high doses (e.g., 80 Gy) may carry a risk for an excessive rate of side effects. Conformal treatment and consideration of comorbidities such as altered lung function may be essential, since simultaneous supportive treatment of acute sequelae (mainly acute esophagitis) is necessary. RT is an effective treatment modality in technically operable, but medically inoperable patients with early stage NSCLC and offers a long-lasting cure.

The role of radiotherapy in treatment of stage I non-small cell lung cancer

Most information on results with radiotherapy (RT) for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is based on retrospective studies on RT-treated inoperable NSCLC cases. Thus, the role of RT for stage I NSCLC, as a curative modality, has not yet been established. A literature search for studies on stage I non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) treated by RT alone resulted in 18 papers published between 1988 and 2000. The majority of stage I patients received RT treatment because they were medically inoperable. The main contraindications for surgery were grave impairment of pulmonary function and serious cardiovascular disease. Local recurrence was the most common reason for treatment failure (median value 40%) but varied highly between the studies, ranging from 6.4 to 70%. In contrast with local recurrence, regional failure was not a major problem (0-3.2%). Generally, smaller tumour size, low T-stage and increased dose had a favourable impact on local control and increased local control was followed by increased survival. No serious treatment complications were recorded in the majority of these studies. Overall treatment results were, however, disappointing. The median survival in these studies ranged from 18 to 33 months. The 3- and 5-year overall survival was 34+/-9 and 21+/-8% (mean value+/-1 S.E.), respectively. The cause-specific survival at 3 and 5 years was 39+/-10 and 25+/-9% (mean value+/-1 S.E.), respectively. Dose escalation, in a setting with conformal RT using involved field or stereotactic RT, should be the focus of developmental therapeutic strategies with inoperable stage I NSCLC to improve local control and survival.

Elective nodal failures are uncommon in medically inoperable patients with Stage I non-small-cell lung carcinoma treated with limited radiotherapy fields

PURPOSE

To review the outcome for 56 Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer treated definitively with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and to investigate the value of elective nodal irradiation in this patient population.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between 1992 and 2001, 56 patients were treated with 3D-CRT for inoperable Stage I histologically confirmed non-small-cell lung cancer; 31 with T1N0 and 25 with T2N0 disease. All patients were treated with 3D-CRT to a median isocenter dose of 70 Gy (range 59.94-83.85) given in daily doses of 1.8 or 2 Gy. Prognostic factors were analyzed with respect to their impact on overall survival. Twenty-two patients received radiotherapy (RT) directed to elective regional lymphatics to doses of 45-50 Gy. The remaining 33 patients were treated to limited fields confined to the primary lung cancer with a margin. The patterns of failure were reviewed.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 20 months (range 6 months to 6 years). The actuarial local control rate was 88%, 69%, and 63%, at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The actuarial cause-specific survival rate was 82%, 67%, and 51% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The actuarial overall survival rate was 73%, 51%, and 34% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The actuarial metastasis-free survival rate was 90%, 85%, and 81% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The RT dose was the only factor predictive of overall survival in our analysis. No statistically significant difference was noted in cause-specific or overall survival according to whether patients received elective nodal irradiation. Two of 33 patients treated with limited fields had regional nodal failure.

CONCLUSION

Many patients with medically inoperable Stage I lung cancer die of intercurrent causes. The omission of the elective nodal regions from the RT portals did not compromise either the cause-specific or overall survival rate. Elective nodal failures were uncommon in the group treated with limited RT fields. A radiation dose 70 Gy was predictive of better survival in our population. We await the results of prospective trials evaluating high-dose RT in patients treated with RT alone for Stage I lung cancer.

Treatment of lung cancer in the elderly. Part I: non-small cell lung cancer

There is a general trend worldwide of an increasing incidence of elderly population. Age is the greatest risk factor for cancer; therefore, this demographic shift is the main reason for an increase of cancer incidence. Lung cancer is a typical disease of the elderly patients. This review summarizes the issues of treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the elderly. Early stage NSCLC is usually treated with radical surgery, locally advanced NSCLC with radiotherapy (RT) and/or chemotherapy (CHT) and metastatic disease with CHT, but the evidence for these approaches is based on studies which are usually performed with highly selected patients while elderly patients are under-represented. We used the data from studies addressing particularly elderly or providing subgroup information on age to analyse the feasibility of current standard approaches for elderly and discuss alternative approaches. Surgery is an effective method in elderly patients with early stage NSCLC although some approaches bear a somewhat higher risk of operative morbidity and mortality. RT for early stage may be an alternative with curative potential. For locally advanced stage RT alone, or combined radiochemotherapy in selected cases, is feasible for elderly patients with locally advanced NSCLC when a careful assessment of pre-therapeutic status is made and appropriate drugs are selected. Advanced age alone also should not preclude CHT, although the risk of adverse effect may be higher in certain cases. New generation drugs seem to be particularly feasible and efficient in elderly patients. In general, age itself does not seem to preclude patients from standard treatments although in some cases co-morbidity forces to alternative approaches. Currently, single-agent CHT should be considered as the standard treatment of advanced NSCLC elderly patients.

Radiotherapy for Medically Inoperable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer at Clinical Stage I and II

We reviewed the records of 36 patients with medically inoperable stage l-ll non-small cell lung carcinoma who were treated with radiotherapy. The median dose to the target was 60 Gy with conventional fractionation. Fifteen patients were treated without elective irradiation fields, while the remaining 21 were treated with extended fields including elective mediastinal regional lymph nodes. The overall survival rates at three and five years were 32.3% and 18.8%, the cause-specific survival rates were 40.9% and 27.3%, and the local control rates were 31.7% and 23.8%, respectively. In multivariate analysis the radiation dose had a marginally significant influence on the cause-specific survival, while tumor size had a significant influence on the local control rate. Only one patient had relapse in the regional mediastinal lymph nodes as the only site of metastasis. We conclude that the dose used in the present study is inadequate and recommend that further efforts be made to improve local control by dose escalation within a small target volume.

Lung cancer--where are we today? Current advances in staging and nonsurgical treatment

Lung cancer remains the commonest cause of cancer death in both men and women in the developed world, although mortality rates for men are dropping. Spiral computed tomography (CT) of the chest in middle-aged, smoking subjects may identify two to four times more lung cancers than a chest X-ray, with more than 70% of tumors being Stage I. The incidence of benign nodules is high, making interpretation difficult. Randomized controlled trials are required to determine whether spiral CT detects lung cancer early enough to improve mortality. Preoperative staging has relied on CT scans, but positron emission tomography scanning has greater sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy than CT and is recommended as the final confirmatory investigation when the CT shows resectable disease. In locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, there is a small advantage for the addition of chemotherapy to radiotherapy, but no advantage for postoperative radiotherapy. Chemotherapy gives no benefit when given as neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment around surgery. In advanced disease, newer cytotoxic agents confer a small survival advantage over older combinations, but the advantage in median survival over best supportive care remains a few months with modest improvements in quality of life. Survival with small cell lung cancer has shown little increase over the last 15 years despite multiple attempts to manipulate the timing, dose intensity of chemotherapy, and the potential of radiotherapy. Novel therapies are urgently needed for all cell types of lung cancer.

Radiotherapy alone in technically operable, medically inoperable, early-stage (I/II) non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the effectiveness of high-dose, curative radiotherapy (RT) given alone in technically operable, but medically inoperable, patients with early-stage (I-II) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Computerized and manual searches were done to identify published reports dealing with curative RT for NSCLC. Relevant studies were identified and the information provided therein was extracted regarding patient and treatment characteristics, treatment outcome, and various pretreatment and treatment-related factors influencing outcome, as well as toxicity and quality-of-life issues.

RESULTS

Although a large variation of pretreatment and treatment characteristics was noted in the available studies, a median survival time of >30 months and a 5-year survival rate of up to 30% had been achieved. Accumulated experience seems to suggest that doses of at least 65 Gy with standard fractionation, or its equivalent when altered fractionation is used, are necessary for control of NSCLC. Smaller tumors seem to have a favorable prognosis, and the issue of elective nodal RT continues to be controversial. Analyses of patterns of failure have clearly identified local failure as the predominant pattern. Although a number of potential pretreatment patient- and tumor-related prognostic factors have been examined, none has been shown to clearly influence survival. Toxicity was usually low, but very high doses (e.g., 80 Gy) given with a conventional approach may carry a risk of an excessive rate of side effects.

CONCLUSION

High-dose, curative RT is an effective treatment modality in technically operable, but medically inoperable, patients with early-stage NSCLC.

Older people with non small cell lung cancer in clinical stage IIIA and co-morbid conditions. Is curative irradiation feasible? Final results of a prospective study

Radiotherapy (RT) is widely used in the management of lung cancer but age-oriented randomized trials are lacking in older-unfit patients. We started a prospective study to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of definitive RT in very old-unfit patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in clinical stage IIIA, according to AJCC 1988. Forty patients, age > or = 75 years, Karnofsky Performance status (KPS) > or = 60, unfit to receive an aggressive combined treatment, were entered in the study. Each patient had one or more comorbidities, and the Charlson score was greater than two in 7/40. All patients were treated with radiation fields encompassing the primary tumor and grossly involved lymph nodes. A median radiation dose of 60 Gy/2 Gy day/5 days a week, was delivered. The 40 patients have been followed up, including those who died, for a potential median time of 4.6 years. As results, no treatment-related mortality, and clinically insignificant acute morbidity was recorded: in 28/40 cases a mild esophagitis occurred. Two patients showed a clinical radiation pneumonitis (RP). Late normal tissue damage was represented by lung fibrosis (40/40 patients). The treatment was efficacy since each patient obtained some clinical benefit from it. Median survival (MS) was 19 months (range 5-68); the 3 and 5-year actuarial survival was 18 and 12%, respectively. In conclusion, we think that older patients with concomitant illness can be submitted to curative 'involved field' irradiation and the results observed in this trial encourage to use curative RT in older subjects with local-regionally advanced NSCLC and co-morbid condition.

Quality of life after curative radiotherapy in Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in quality of life (QOL) among medically inoperable Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with curative radiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study sample was composed of 46 patients irradiated for Stage I NSCLC. Quality of life was assessed before, during, and after radiotherapy using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13. Changes in symptom and QOL scores over time were evaluated with a repeated measurement analysis of variance using the mixed effect modeling procedure, SAS Proc Mixed. Twenty-seven patients were treated only at the primary site, whereas for 19 patients, the regional lymph nodes were included in the target volume as well.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time of patients alive was 34 months. The median survival was 19.0 months. None of the locally treated patients developed regional recurrence. A significant, gradual increase over time was observed for dyspnea, fatigue, and appetite loss. A significant, gradual deterioration was observed also for role functioning. No significant changes were noted for the other symptoms or the functioning scales. Significantly higher levels of dysphagia, which persisted up to 12 months, were observed in those in which the regional lymph nodes were treated, as compared to the locally treated patients. Radiation-induced pulmonary changes assessed with chest radiograph were more pronounced in the group treated with locoregional radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

After curative radiotherapy for Stage I medically inoperable NSCLC, a gradual increase in dyspnea, fatigue, and appetite loss, together with a significant deterioration of role functioning, was observed, possibly because of pre-existing, slowly progressive chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and radiation-induced pulmonary changes. Taking into account the low incidence of regional recurrences after local irradiation, the higher incidence and severity of radiation-induced changes, and the higher levels of dysphagia persisting up to 12 months, local irradiation of the primary tumor without elective irradiation of the regional lymph nodes may be the most appropriate treatment for patients with small, peripherally located tumors.

Radiation therapy of stage I and II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Surgery is the preferred and standard treatment for patients with resectable stage I and II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Survival rates of local surgery are unbeaten by other treatment modalities. Up to 70% of these patients survive 5 years or longer. However, there is a subset of patients who either are inoperable due to the presence of severe associated diseases, or who refuse surgery. In these patients radical radiotherapy with curative intent is an effective alternative. In our department we retrospectively analysed survival and freedom from treatment failure in those patients treated in our hospital with primary irradiation for stage I and II NSCLC (T1-2 N0-1 M0) during the last 20 years. In total 60 patients with a median age of 69 years could be evaluated. 35% had stage I and 65% had stage II NSCLC. All patients received 2- or 3-dimensionally planned megavoltage radiotherapy with a median dose of 60 Gy with normally fractionated single doses of 2.0 Gy five times a week. Pneumonitis WHO Grade III was found in 5 out of the 60 patients (8.3%). Locoregional recurrence was observed in 53% of the patients resulting in a median progression-free survival of 18 months and a median overall survival of 20.5 months. However, there is a need for further improvement of treatment outcome of radiotherapy for medically inoperable patients with early-stage NSCLC. One possibility might be radiation dose escalation or alteration in fractionation of radiotherapy, such as continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy CHART or a modification thereof CHARTWEL. These new fractionation schemes might be beneficial for a subset of patients in terms of improved local control, reduced incidence of metastasis and improved long term survival. The combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy might be another option for treatment of early-stage NSCLC. In advanced disease combined modality treatment turned out to be superior to radiotherapy alone, concerning local control and survival. If this is true also for early-stage NSCLC, it has to be shown in further investigations.

Determining parameters for respiration-gated radiotherapy

Respiration-gated radiotherapy for tumor sites affected by respiratory motion will potentially improve radiotherapy outcomes by allowing reduced treatment margins leading to decreased complication rates and/or increased tumor control. Furthermore, for intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), respiratory gating will minimize the hot and cold spot artifacts in dose distributions that may occur as a result of interplay between respiratory motion and leaf motion. Most implementations of respiration gating rely on the real time knowledge of the relative position of the internal anatomy being treated with respect to that of an external marker. A method to determine the amplitude of motion and account for any difference in phase between the internal tumor motion and external marker motion has been developed. Treating patients using gating requires several clinical decisions, such as whether to gate during inhale or exhale, whether to use phase or amplitude tracking of the respiratory signal, and by how much the intrafraction tumor motion can be decreased at the cost of increased delivery time. These parameters may change from patient to patient. A method has been developed to provide the data necessary to make decisions as to the CTV to PTV margins to apply to a gated treatment plan.

Radical radiotherapy for stage I/II non-small cell lung cancer in patients not sufficiently fit for or declining surgery (medically inoperable): a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness of radical radiotherapy in medically inoperable stage I/II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the extent of treatment related morbidity.

METHODS

Randomised trials were sought by electronically searching the Cochrane Clinical Trials Register, and both randomised and non-randomised trials were sought by searching Medline and Excerpta Medica (Embase). Further studies were identified from references cited in those papers already identified by electronic searching. The studies included were those of patients of any age with stage I/II NSCLC receiving radiotherapy at a dose of >40 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks or its radiobiological equivalent.

RESULTS

Two randomised and 35 non-randomised studies were identified. One randomised and nine non-randomised studies did not meet the selection criteria, leaving one randomised and 26 non-randomised studies for analysis. In the randomised trial 2 year survival was higher following continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (CHART; 37%) than following 60 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks (24%). An estimated 2003 patients were included in the 26 non-randomised studies; overall survival was 22-72% at 2 years, 17-55% at 3 years, and 0-42% at 5 years. Following treatment, 11-43% of patients died from causes other than cancer. Cancer specific survival was 54-93% at 2 years, 22-56% at 3 years, and 13-39% at 5 years. Complete response rates were 33-61% and local failure rates were 6-70%. Distant metastases developed in approximately 25% of patients. Better response rates and survival were seen in those with smaller tumours and in those receiving higher doses although the reasons for prescribing higher doses were not clearly stated. The outcome was worse in those with prior weight loss or poor performance status. Assessment of treatment related morbidity and effects on quality of life and symptom control were inconclusive because of the lack of prospective evaluation and paucity of data.

CONCLUSIONS

No randomised trials compared a policy of immediate radical radiotherapy with palliative radiotherapy given when patients develop symptoms. In the absence of such trials, radical radiotherapy appears to result in a better survival than might be expected had treatment not been given. A substantial, though variable, proportion of patients died during follow up from causes other than cancer. The optimal radiation dose and treatment technique (particularly with respect to mediastinal irradiation) remain uncertain.