Stage Migration in Planning PET/CT Scans in Patients Due to Receive Radiotherapy for Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Stereotactic body radiotherapy in lung cancer: a contemporary review

The treatment of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has improved enormously in the last two decades. Although surgery is not the only choice, lobectomy is still the gold standard treatment type for operable patients. For inoperable patients stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) should be offered, reaching very high local control and overall survival rates. With SBRT we can precisely irradiate small, well-defined lesions with high doses. To select the appropriate fractionation schedule it is important to determine the size, localization and extent of the lung tumor. The introduction of novel and further developed planning (contouring guidelines, diagnostic image application, planning systems) and delivery techniques (motion management, image guided radiotherapy) led to lower rates of side effects and more conformal target volume coverage. The purpose of this study is to summarize the current developments, randomised studies, guidelines about lung SBRT, with emphasis on the possibility of increasing local control and overall rates in "fit," operable patients as well, so SBRT would be eligible in place of surgery.

COMP Report: CPQR technical quality control guidelines for use of positron emission tomography/computed tomography in radiation treatment planning

Positron emission tomography with x-ray computed tomography (PET/CT) is increasingly being utilized for radiation treatment planning (RTP). Accurate delivery of RT therefore depends on quality PET/CT data. This study covers quality control (QC) procedures required for PET/CT for diagnostic imaging and incremental QC required for RTP. Based on a review of the literature, it compiles a list of recommended tests, performance frequencies, and tolerances, as well as references to documents detailing how to perform each test. The report was commissioned by the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists as part of the Canadian Partnership for Quality Radiotherapy initiative.

Association between time-to-treatment and outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

National targets for timely diagnosis and management of a potential cancer are driven in part by the perceived risk of disease progression during avoidable delays. However, it is unclear to what extent time-to-treatment impacts prognosis for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, with previous reviews reporting mixed or apparently paradoxical associations. This systematic review focuses on potential confounders in order to identify particular patient groups which may benefit most from timely delivery of care.

METHODS

Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched for publications between January 2012 and October 2020, correlating timeliness in secondary care pathways to patient outcomes. The protocol is registered with PROSPERO (the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; ID 99239). Prespecified factors (demographics, performance status, histology, stage and treatment) are examined through narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven articles were included. All but two were observational. Timely care was generally associated with a worse prognosis in those with advanced stage disease (6/8 studies) but with better outcomes for patients with early-stage disease treated surgically (9/12 studies). In one study, patients with squamous cell carcinoma referred for stereotactic ablative radiotherapy benefited more from timely care, compared with patients with adenocarcinoma. One randomised controlled trial supported timeliness as being advantageous in those with stage I-IIIA disease.

CONCLUSION

There are limitations to the available evidence, but observed trends suggest timeliness to be of particular importance in surgical candidates. In more advanced disease, survival trends are likely outweighed by symptom burden, performance status or clinical urgency dictating timeliness of treatment.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for operable stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (revised STARS): long-term results of a single-arm, prospective trial with prespecified comparison to surgery

BACKGROUND

A previous pooled analysis of the STARS and ROSEL trials showed higher survival after stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) than with surgery for operable early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but that analysis had notable limitations. This study reports long-term results of the revised STARS trial, in which the SABR group was re-accrued with a larger sample size, along with a protocol-specified propensity-matched comparison with a prospectively registered, contemporary institutional cohort of patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection (VATS L-MLND).

METHODS

This single-arm prospective trial was done at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX, USA) and enrolled patients aged 18 years or older with a Zubrod performance status of 0-2, newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed NSCLC with N0M0 disease (squamous cell, adenocarcinoma, large cell, or NSCLC not otherwise specified), and a tumour diameter of 3 cm or less. This trial did not include patients from the previous pooled analysis. SABR dosing was 54 Gy in three fractions (for peripheral lesions) or 50 Gy in four fractions (for central tumours; simultaneous integrated boost to gross tumour totalling 60 Gy). The primary endpoint was the 3-year overall survival. For the propensity-matching analysis, we used a surgical cohort from the MD Anderson Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery's prospectively registered, institutional review board-approved database of all patients with clinical stage I NSCLC who underwent VATS L-MLND during the period of enrolment in this trial. Non-inferiority could be claimed if the 3-year overall survival rate after SABR was lower than that after VATS L-MLND by 12% or less and the upper bound of the 95% CI of the hazard ratio (HR) was less than 1·965. Propensity matching consisted of determining a propensity score using a multivariable logistic regression model including several covariates (age, tumour size, histology, performance status, and the interaction of age and sex); based on the propensity scores, one patient in the SABR group was randomly matched with one patient in the VATS L-MLND group using a 5:1 digit greedy match algorithm. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02357992.

FINDINGS

Between Sept 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2017, 80 patients were enrolled and included in efficacy and safety analyses. Median follow-up time was 5·1 years (IQR 3·9-5·8). Overall survival was 91% (95% CI 85-98) at 3 years and 87% (79-95) at 5 years. SABR was tolerated well, with no grade 4-5 toxicity and one (1%) case each of grade 3 dyspnoea, grade 2 pneumonitis, and grade 2 lung fibrosis. No serious adverse events were recorded. Overall survival in the propensity-matched VATS L-MLND cohort was 91% (95% CI 85-98) at 3 years and 84% (76-93) at 5 years. Non-inferiority was claimed since the 3-year overall survival after SABR was not lower than that observed in the VATS L-MLND group. There was no significant difference in overall survival between the two patient cohorts (hazard ratio 0·86 [95% CI 0·45-1·65], p=0·65) from a multivariable analysis.

INTERPRETATION

Long-term survival after SABR is non-inferior to VATS L-MLND for operable stage IA NSCLC. SABR remains promising for such cases but multidisciplinary management is strongly recommended.

FUNDING

Varian Medical Systems and US National Cancer Institute (National Institutes of Health).

Feasibility of semiquantitative 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography in patients with advanced lung cancer for interim treatment evaluation of combining immunotherapy and chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the prognosis value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in advanced lung cancer patients with immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy.

METHODS

Fifty-one advanced lung cancer patients were included in this retrospective study, who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging before four cycles of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy at our institution between January 2018 and January 2020. The following PET/CT parameters were calculated: standardized uptake value SUVmax, SUVmean, SUVpeak, SUVsd, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), MTV25%, MTV42%, MTV50%, MTV75%, global lung glycolysis (GLG), target-to-background ratio (TBR), SUVpeakwb, MTVwb, TLGwb, SUVmeanwb, SUVmaxwb. Logistics regression analyses were used for assessing the association between baseline metabolic parameters and response to treatment. Kaplan-Meier estimator curves and the log-rank test were constructed for survival analyses.

RESULTS

According to RECIST, nine patients (18%) showed partial response, 25 (49%) had SD, and 17 (33%) had progressive disease. The mean ± SD of SUVmax, SUVpeak, MTV were lower in clinical benefit (CB) group than no-clinical benefit (no-CB) group (all P < 0.05). Median PFS was 3.7 months in no-CB group and 9.9 months in CB group (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that SUVmax and histology were independent factors significantly related to the evaluation of therapeutic efficiency. Furthermore, SUVmax is an independent predictor of efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer.

CONCLUSION

SUVmax can be used to predict interim treatment response of immunotherapy combination with chemotherapy for advanced lung cancer. Moreover, the combination of SUVmax and histology may predict treatment response with acceptable reliability. However, a large prospective multicenter trial is still needed to examine the above finding for lacking limited evidence.

Prognostic Significance of SUVmax Combined With Lactate Dehydrogenase in Advanced Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Plus Chemotherapy: A Retrospective Study

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the predictive capacity of PET/CT quantitative parameters combined with haematological parameters in advanced lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus chemotherapy.

Methods

A total of 120 patients who underwent ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) were enrolled before therapy. The following parameters were calculated: the maximum, mean, and peak standardized uptake value (SUVmax, SUVmean, and SUVpeak, respectively); total tumour volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG); and whole-body metabolic values (MTVwb, TLGwb, SUVmeanwb, and SUVmaxwb). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, absolute neutrophil count, absolute platelet count, albumin levels and derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) were also computed. The associations between the variables and therapy outcome (evaluated by iRECIST) were analyzed.

Results

Based on iRECIST, 32 of 120 patients showed iPD, 43 iSD, 36 iPR and 9 iCR. Multivariate analysis found that SUVmax, MTVwb, LDH and absolute platelet count were associated with treatment response (P =0.015, P =0.005, P <0.001 and P =0.015, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival analyses showed that SUVmax ≥11.42 and LDH ≥245 U/L were associated with shorter OS (P = 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression revealed that SUVmax and LDH alone were not correlated with survival prognosis (p>0.05), but the combination of SUVmax and LDH was independently associated with OS (P=0.015, P=0.001, respectively). The median survival time (MST) for the low (LDH<245 and SUVmax<11.42), intermediate(LDH<245 or SUVmax<11.42), and high(SUVmax≥11.42 and LDH≥245) groups was 24.10 months (95% CI: 19.43 to 28.77), 17.41 months (95% CI: 15.83 to 18.99), and 13.76 months (95% CI: 12.51 to 15.02), respectively.

Conclusion

This study identified that SUVmax plus LDH correlated with the survival outcome in patients with advanced lung cancer receiving PD-1/PD-L1 blockade plus chemotherapy.

Evolving target volume concepts in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Radiotherapy (RT) target volume concepts for locally advanced lung cancer have been under discussion for years. Although they may be as important as treatment doses, many aspects of them are still based on conventions, which, due to the paucity of prospective data, rely on long-term practice or on clinical knowledge and experience (e.g., on patterns of spread or recurrence). However, in recent years, large improvements have been made in medical imaging and molecular imaging methods have been implemented, which are of great interest in RT. For lung cancer, in recent years, 18F-fluoro-desoxy-glucose (FDG)-positron-emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) has shown a superior diagnostic accuracy as compare to conventional imaging and has become an indispensable standard tool for diagnostic workup, staging and response assessment. This offers the chance to optimize target volume concepts in relation to modern imaging. While actual recommendations as the EORTC or ESTRO-ACROP guidelines already include imaging standards, the recently published PET-Plan trial prospectively investigated conventional versus imaging guided target volumes in relation to patient outcome. The results of this trial may help to further refine standards. The current review gives a practical overview on procedures for pre-treatment imaging and target volume delineation in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in synopsis of the procedures established by the PET-Plan trial with the actual EORTC and ACROP guidelines.

Non-small cell lung cancer stage migration as a function of wait times from diagnostic imaging: A pooled analysis from five international centres

INTRODUCTION

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can experience rapid disease progression between initial staging FDG-PET scans and commencement of curative-intent radiotherapy (RT). Previous studies that estimated stage migration rates by comparing staging PET/CT and treatment-planning PET/CT images were limited by small sample sizes.

METHODS

This multicenter, international study combined prospective data from five institutions for PET-staged patients with NSCLC who were intended to receive curative-intent RT. TNM status was compared for staging and RT planning scans and the probability of TNM status and overall stage migration was analyzed as a function of the interval between PET/CT scans. The impacts of N classification, overall stage, and pathology were also studied.

RESULTS

Pooled data from 181 patients were analyzed. The median interval between PET/CT scans was 42 days (range, 2-208). Upstaging occurred in 32 % of patients. The overall rate of stage migration was higher for patients presenting with initial stage IIIB/IIIC disease (p = 0.006) and patients with N2-3 nodal disease (p = 0.019). Upstaging to M1 disease was significantly associated with initial stage IIIB/IIIC disease (HR = 15.2) and adenocarcinoma (HR = 10) histology.

CONCLUSION

Longer intervals between imaging and treatment in patients with NSCLC were associated with high rates disease progression with consequent risks of geographic miss in RT planning and futile treatment in patients with M1 disease. Patients with more extensive initial nodal involvement and those with adenocarcinoma had the highest rates of stage migration. Dedicated RT planning PET/CT imaging is recommended, especially if >3 weeks have elapsed after initial staging.

Influence of timeliness and receipt of first treatment on geographic variation in non-small cell lung cancer mortality

Mortality from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) exhibits substantial geographical disparities. However, there is little evidence on whether this variation could be attributed to patients' clinical characteristics and/or socioeconomic inequalities. This study evaluated the independent and relative contribution of the individual- and area-level risk factors on geographic variation in 2-year all-cause mortality among NSCLC patients. In the Hierarchical-related regression approach, we used the Bayesian spatial multilevel logistic regression model to combine individual- and area-level predictors with outcomes while accounting for geographically structured and unstructured correlation. Individual-level data included 3330 NSCLC cases reported to the Victoria Lung Cancer Registry between 2011 and 2016. Area-level data comprised socioeconomic disadvantage, remoteness and pollution data at the postal area level in Victoria, Australia. With the inclusion of significant individual- and area-level risk factors, timely (≤14 days) first definitive treatment (odds ratio [OR] = 0.73, 95% credible interval [Crl] = 0.56-0.94) and multidisciplinary meetings (MDM) (OR = 0.74, 95% Crl = 0.59-0.93) showed an independent association with a lower likelihood of NSCLC 2-year all-cause mortality. Timely and delayed (>14 days) first nondefinitive treatment, no treatment, advanced clinical stage, smoking, poor performance status, public hospital insurance and area-level deprivation were independently associated with a higher likelihood of 2- and 5-year all-cause mortality. NSCLC's 2-year all-cause mortality exhibited substantial geographic variation, mainly associated with timeliness and receipt of first definitive treatment, no treatment followed by patient prognostic factors with some contribution from area-level deprivation, MDM and public hospital insurance. This study highlights NSCLC patients should receive the first definitive treatment within the recommended 14-days from diagnosis.

Effectiveness of Post-Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) in Comparison with Conventional Autopsy: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

With the advancement of technology, Computed Tomography (CT) scan imaging can be used to gain deeper insight into the cause of death.

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of the efficacy of Post- Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) scan compared with the conventional autopsies gleaned from literature published in English between the year 2009 and 2016.

METHODOLOGY

A literature search was conducted on three databases, namely PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus. A total of 387 articles were retrieved, but only 21 studies were accepted after meeting the review criteria. Data, such as the number of victims, the number of radiologists and forensic pathologists involved, causes of death, and additional and missed diagnoses in PMCT scans were tabulated and analysed by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

Compared with the conventional autopsy, the accuracy of PMCT scans in detecting injuries and causes of death was observed to range between 20% and 80%. The analysis also showed that PMCT had more advantages in detecting fractures, fluid in airways, gas in internal organs, major hemorrhages, fatty liver, stones, and bullet fragments. Despite its benefits, PMCT could also miss certain important lesions in a certain region such as cardiovascular injuries and minor vascular injuries.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review suggests that PMCT can replace most of the conventional autopsies in specific cases and is also a good complementary tool in most cases.

Improving Timeliness of Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Staging Investigations Through Implementation of Standardized Triage Pathways

PURPOSE

Timely care for patients with lung cancer (LC) is associated with improved clinical outcomes. In Southeastern Ontario, Canada, we identified delays in the diagnostic process for patients undergoing evaluation for suspected LC through a rapid assessment clinic. We developed improvement initiatives with an aim of reducing the time from referral to diagnosis.

METHODS

A Standardized Triage Process (STP) was implemented for patients referred with suspected LC, including routine interdisciplinary triage, standardized pathways with preordered staging tests, and a new Small Nodule Clinic. We retrospectively analyzed all patients referred pre-STP (January to April 2018) and prospectively for improvement (May 2018 to March 2019). Process measures included STP compliance and time to completion of staging investigations (positron emission tomography [PET] and computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging of brain). Data are reported as means; significance was determined by special-cause variation using Statistical Process Control charts; unpaired t tests were compared between groups.

RESULTS

We reviewed 833 referrals (207 baseline and 626 post-STP). STP compliance improved monthly to 99.4%. Post-STP, time from referral to PET decreased (from 38.5 to 15.7 days), time from referral to brain imaging decreased (from 33.4 to 13.1 days), and time from referral to diagnosis decreased (from 38.0 to 22.7 days), all demonstrating special-cause variation. Patients completing preordered staging tests experienced significantly faster care than those without preordered tests, including time to PET (23.0 v 35.9 days), computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging of brain (16.2 v 29.9 days), and diagnosis (39.9 v 28.1 days), all P < .001.

CONCLUSION

An STP significantly improved timeliness of diagnosis and staging for patients with suspected LC undergoing evaluation in a rapid assessment clinic.

The Role of Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Radiotherapy Target Delineation

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an advanced functional imaging modality in oncology care for the diagnosis, staging, prognostication, and surveillance of numerous malignancies. PET can also offer considerable advantages for target volume delineation as part of radiation treatment planning. In this review, data and clinical practice from 6 general oncology disease sites are assessed to descriptively evaluate the role of PET in target volume delineation. Also highlighted are several specific and practical utilities for PET imaging in radiation treatment planning. Publication of several ongoing prospective trials in the future may further expand the utility of PET for target delineation and patient care.

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET in Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: From Predicting Outcomes to Guiding Therapy

PET using 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) has become an important part of the work-up for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This article summarizes advancements in using FDG-PET for patients with locally advanced NSCLC treated with definitive radiation therapy (RT). This article discusses prognostication of outcome based on pretreatment or midtreatment PET metrics, using textural image features to predict treatment outcomes, and using PET to define RT target volumes and inform RT dose modifications. The role of PET is evolving and is moving toward using quantitative image information, with the overarching goal of individualizing therapy to improve outcomes for patients with NSCLC.

Treatment patterns and survival after 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography-guided local consolidation therapy for oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a two-center propensity score-matched analysis

Purpose

In this retrospective study, we evaluated the treatment patterns and survival after positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT)-guided local consolidation therapy (LCT) for oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of Chinese patients with oligometastatic stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (≤ 5 metastases) who had undergone PET/CT and were eligible for systemic therapy at two centers between May 2005 and August 2019. Propensity score matching (1:1) was used to reduce selection bias and imbalanced distribution of confounding factors.

Results

We identified 84 eligible patients and used propensity scores to create well-matched groups of 35 patients who did or did not undergo LCT. Among all patients, the 1-year overall survival (OS) rate was 47.6% and the 2-year OS rate was 22.6%. Relative to the group that did not receive LCT, the LCT group had a significantly higher OS rate (13 months vs. 7 months, p = 0.002). The two groups had similar incidences and classifications of LCT-related side effects. In multivariable analysis, LCT was found to be strongly associated with a favorable OS (hazard ratio: 0.508, 95% confidence interval: 0.311–0.828, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

We concluded that LCT was significantly associated with improved clinical outcomes among the Chinese patients with oligometastatic NSCLC who were eligible for systemic treatment and could undergo PET/CT evaluation.

Reduced delays in diagnostic pathways for non-small cell lung cancer after local and National initiatives

OBJECTIVES

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may experience progression and stage shift due to delays in a complex and time-consuming diagnostic work-up. We have analyzed the impact of both a local and national intervention on total time to treatment (TTT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All patients diagnosed with NSCLC at a Norwegian county hospital from 2007 to 2016 were reviewed. Logistic bottlenecks and delays were identified (2007-12) resulting in implementation of a local initiative with new diagnostic algorithm introduced by the beginning of 2013. In 2015, national diagnostic cancer pathways were implemented. TTT defined as time from received referral from the primary physician to start of treatment was compared in the three diagnostic time periods; baseline (2007-12), local (2013-14) and national (2015-16).

RESULTS

A total of 780 patients were included. Among patients treated with curative intent the median TTT decreased by 21 days, from 64 to 43 days (p < 0.001) while the mean number of diagnostic procedures increased from 3.5 to 3.9. In median regression analysis, the local initiative was associated with a reduction of estimated 7.8 days (95% CI 3.2, 12.3) in TTT, while the national initiative correlated with a reduction of estimated 14.9 days (95% CI 10.2, 19.6) compared to time at baseline. Covariates associated with longer TTT were stage I, use of PET-CT, diagnostic procedure at external hospital, and number of diagnostic procedures.

CONCLUSION

Local and national initiatives significantly reduced TTT in NSCLC. The effect was most pronounced among patients with disease available for curative treatment.

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography may not visualize radiation pneumonitis

Background

Radiation pneumonitis is a common and potentially fatal complication of radiotherapy (RT). Some patients with radiation pneumonitis show increases in uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) on positron emission tomography (PET), but others do not. The exact relationship between radiation pneumonitis and ¹⁸F-FDG PET findings remains controversial.

Methods

We used an animal model of radiation pneumonitis involving both radiation and simulated bacterial infection in Wistar rats. Treatment groups (10 rats/group) were as follows: control, RT-only, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-only, and RT+LPS. All rats had micro-PET scans at 7 weeks after RT (or sham). Histologic, immunohistochemical, and biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate potential mechanisms.

Results

Irradiated rats had developed radiation pneumonitis at 7 weeks after RT based on pathology and CT scans. Maximum and mean standardized uptake values (SUV_max and SUV_mean) at that time were significantly increased in the LPS group (P < 0.001 for both) and the RT+LPS group (P < 0.001 for both) relative to control, but were not different in the RT-only group (P = 0.156 SUV_max and P = 0.304 SUV_mean). The combination of RT and LPS increased the expression of the aerobic glycolysis enzyme PKM2 (P < 0.001) and the glucose transporter GLUT1 (P = 0.004) in lung tissues. LPS alone increased the expression of PKM2 (P = 0.018), but RT alone did not affect PKM2 (P = 0.270) or GLUT1 (P = 0.989).

Conclusions

Aseptic radiation pneumonitis could not be accurately assessed by ¹⁸F-FDG PET, but was visualized after simulated bacterial infection via LPS. The underlying mechanism of the model of bacterial infection causing increased FDG uptake may be the Warburg effect.

Quantification of global lung inflammation using volumetric 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a comparison of photon and proton radiation therapy

INTRODUCTION

Radiation pneumonitis is a major dose-limiting complication in thoracic radiation therapy (RT) and presents clinically in the first few months after RT. We evaluated the feasibility of quantifying pulmonary parenchymal glycolysis (PG) as a surrogate of global lung inflammation and radiation-induced pulmonary toxicity using a novel semiautomatic lung segmentation technique in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and compared PG in patients treated with photon or proton RT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated 18 consecutive locally advanced NSCLC patients who underwent pretreatment and post-treatment F-FDG PET/CT treated with definitive (median: 66.6 Gy; 1.8 Gy fractions) photon or proton RT between 2010 and 2014. Lung volume segmentation was conducted using 3D Slicer by performing simple thresholding. Pulmonary PG was calculated by summing F-FDG uptake in the whole lung.

RESULTS

In nine patients treated with photon RT, significant increases in PG in both ipsilateral (mean difference: 1400±510; P=0.02) and contralateral (mean difference: 1200±450; P=0.03) lungs were noted. In nine patients treated with proton therapy, no increase in pulmonary PG was observed in either the ipsilateral (P=0.30) or contralateral lung (P=0.98).

CONCLUSION

We observed a significant increase in global lung inflammation bilaterally as measured by quantification of PG. However, no significant change in global lung inflammation was noted after proton therapy. Future larger studies are needed to determine whether this difference correlates with lower risks of radiation pneumonitis in NSCLC patients treated with proton therapy.

Increases in Serial Pretreatment 18F-FDG PET-CT Metrics Predict Survival in Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy

Purpose

Quantitative changes in positron emission tomography with computed tomography imaging metrics over serial scans may be predictive biomarkers. We evaluated the relationship of pretreatment metabolic tumor growth rate (MTGR) and standardized uptake value velocity (SUVV) with disease recurrence or death in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer treated with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR).

Methods and Materials

Under institutional review board approval, we retrospectively identified patients who underwent positron emission tomography with computed tomography at diagnosis and staging and simulation for SABR. Two cohorts underwent SABR between November 2005 to October 2012 (discovery) and January 2012 to April 2016 (validation). MTGR and SUVV were calculated as the daily change in metabolic tumor volume and maximum standardized uptake value, respectively. Cox proportional hazard models identified predictors of local, regional, and distant recurrence and death for the combined cohort. MTGR and SUVV thresholds dichotomizing risk of death in the discovery cohort were applied to the validation cohort.

Results

A total of 152 lesions were identified in 143 patients (92 lesions in 83 discovery cohort patients). In multivariable models, increasing MTGR trended toward increased hazard of distant recurrence (hazard ratio, 6.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-72.61; P = .10). In univariable models, SUVV trended toward risk of death (hazard ratio, 11.8, 95% confidence interval, 0.85-165.1, P = .07). MTGR greater than 0.04 mL/d was prognostic of decreased survival in discovery (P = .048) and validation cohorts (P < .01).

Conclusions

MTGR greater than 0.04 mL/d is prognostic of death in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with SABR. Increasing SUVV trends, nonsignificantly, toward increased risk of recurrence and death. MTGR and SUVV may be candidate imaging biomarkers to study in trials evaluating systemic therapy with SABR for patients at high risk of out-of-field recurrence.

Clinical significance of pretreatment tumor growth rate for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may exhibit significant tumor growth before the initiation of definitive chemoradiation therapy (CRT). We thus investigated the prognostic value of pretreatment tumor growth rate as measured by specific growth rate (SGR).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of 42 patients with locally advanced NSCLC treated with definitive concurrent CRT. For each patient, we contoured the primary gross tumor volume (GTV) on the pretreatment diagnostic chest computed tomography (CT) scan and the radiation therapy (RT) planning CT scan. We then calculated SGR based on the primary GTV from each scan and the time interval between scans. We used log-rank tests and univariate Cox regression models to quantify differences in progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and recurrence based on SGR.

Results

We divided patients into two groups for analysis: those with an SGR greater than or equal to the upper tercile value of 0.94%/day (high SGR) and those with SGR less than 0.94%/day (low SGR). Patients with high SGRs versus low SGRs experienced inferior PFS (median, 5.6 vs. 13.6 months, P=0.016), without a significant difference in OS. The inferior PFS in the high SGR group persisted on multivariate analysis [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 2.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-5.25, P=0.034]. The risk of distant recurrence was higher in the high SGR group (HR 2.62, 95% CI: 1.08-6.38, P=0.033), but there was no difference in the risk of locoregional recurrence between groups.

Conclusions

Pretreatment SGR was associated with inferior PFS and distant control among patients with locally advanced NSCLC treated with concurrent CRT. Further studies in larger populations may aid in elucidating optimal SGR cut-off points for risk stratification.

Patterns of Care and Survival in Stage III NSCLC Among Black and Latino Patients Compared With White Patients

BACKGROUND

Race and socioeconomic status have continued to affect the survival and patterns of care of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, data evaluating these associations in patients with stage III disease remain limited. Therefore, we investigated the patterns of care and overall survival (OS) of black and Latino patients with locally advanced NSCLC compared with white patients, using the National Cancer Database.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients with stage III NSCLC from 2004 to 2013 who had undergone external beam radiotherapy (RT) alone, RT with chemotherapy (bimodality), or RT with chemotherapy followed by surgery (trimodality) were analyzed within the National Cancer Database according to race (n = 113,945). Univariate associations among the demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics within the 3 cohorts were assessed using χ² tests. The OS between cohorts were analyzed using the log-rank test and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

The black and Latino patients were younger at diagnosis, had lower median household incomes, and were less likely to be insured than were the white patients. The black patients were more likely to receive RT alone (19.3% vs. 18%; P < .001) and less likely to have undergone concurrent chemo-RT (53.6% vs. 56.1%; P < .001) compared with the white patients. Black patients had improved OS (P < .001). In contrast, the Latino patients had survival equivalent to that of the white patients (P = .920).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite epidemiologic differences and a propensity for less aggressive treatment, black patients with locally advanced NSCLC had better OS than white patients and Latino patients had equivalent outcomes. Additional research is needed to elucidate this finding, perhaps focusing on biological differences among the cohorts.

Using a Dedicated Interventional Pulmonology Practice Decreases Wait Time Before Treatment Initiation for New Lung Cancer Diagnoses

PURPOSE

While there is significant mortality and morbidity with lung cancer, early stage diagnoses carry a better prognosis. As lung cancer screening programs increase with more pulmonary nodules detected, expediting definitive treatment initiation for newly diagnosed patients is imperative. The objective of our analysis was to determine if the use of a dedicated interventional pulmonology practice decreases time delay from new diagnosis of lung cancer or metastatic disease to the chest to treatment initiation.

METHODS

Retrospective chart analysis was done of 87 consecutive patients with a new diagnosis of primary lung cancer or metastatic cancer to the chest from our interventional pulmonology procedures. Demographic information and time intervals from abnormal imaging to procedure and to treatment initiation were recorded.

RESULTS

Patients were older (mean age 69) and former or current smokers (72%). A median of 27 days (1-127 days) passed from our diagnostic biopsy to treatment initiation. A median of 53 total days (2-449 days) passed from abnormal imaging to definitive treatment. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration was the most commonly used diagnostic procedure (59%), with non-small cell lung cancer the majority diagnosis (64%). For surgical patients, all biopsy-negative lymph nodes from our procedures were cancer-free at surgical excision.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to prior reports from international and United States cohorts, obtaining a tissue biopsy diagnosis through a gatekeeper interventional pulmonology practice decreases median delay from abnormal imaging to treatment initiation. This finding has the potential to positively impact patient outcomes and requires further evaluation.

Improving Timeliness of Oncology Assessment and Cancer Treatment Through Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Clinic

PURPOSE

Timely lung cancer care has been associated with improved clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. We identified improvement opportunities in lung cancer management pathways at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. Quality improvement strategies led to the implementation of a multidisciplinary lung cancer clinic (MDC).

METHODS

We set an outcome measure of decreasing the time from diagnosis to first cancer treatment by 10 days within 6 months of clinic implementation. We implemented a weekly MDC that involved respirologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists at which patients with new lung cancer diagnoses were offered concurrent oncology consultation. We used Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to guide our improvement initiatives. A total of five Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles spanned 14 months and consisted of an MDC pilot clinic, large-scale MDC launching, debriefing meetings, and clinic expansion. Pre-MDC data were analyzed retrospectively to establish baseline and prospectively for improvement. Statistical Process Control XmR(i) charts were used to report data.

RESULTS

Since MDC initiation, 128 patients have been seen in 34 MDC clinics (3.8 patients per clinic). Mean days from diagnosis to first oncology assessment decreased from 12.4 days to 3.9 days, and mean days from diagnosis to first cancer treatment decreased from 39.5 to 15.0 days, both of which demonstrated special cause variation. Time to assessment and treatment improved for patients with every stage of lung cancer and for both small-cell and non-small-cell subtypes.

CONCLUSION

MDC shortens the time from lung cancer diagnosis to oncology assessment and treatment. Time to treatment improved more than time to oncology assessment, which suggests the improvement is related to benefits beyond faster oncology assessment.

Modern Radiation Further Improves Survival in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Analysis of 288,670 Patients

Background: Radiation therapy plays an increasingly important role in the treatment of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of the present study is to assess the survival outcomes of radiotherapy treatment compared to other treatment modalities and to determine the potential role of advanced technologies in radiotherapy on improving survival. Methods: We used cancer incidence and survival data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database linked to U.S. Census data to compare survival outcomes of 288,670 patients with stage I-IV NSCLC treated between 1999 and 2008. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Results: Among the 288,670 patients diagnosed with stage I-IV NSCLC, 92,374 (32%) patients received radiotherapy-almost double the number receiving surgery (51,961, 18%). Compared to other treatment groups and across all stages of NSCLC, patients treated with radiotherapy showed greater median and overall survival than patients without radiation treatment (p < 0.0001). Radiotherapy had effectively improved overall survival regardless of age, gender, and histological categorization. Radiotherapy treatment received during the recent time period 2004 - 2008 is correlated with enhanced survival compared to the earlier time period 1999 - 2003. Conclusion: Radiation therapy was correlated with increased overall survival for all patients with primary NSCLC across stages. Combined surgery and radiotherapy treatment also correlates with improved survival, signaling the value of bimodal or multimodal treatments. Population-based increases in overall survival were seen in the recent time period, suggesting the potential role of advanced radiotherapeutic technologies in enhancing survival outcomes for lung cancer patients.

A prospective study of the feasibility of FDG-PET/CT imaging to quantify radiation-induced lung inflammation in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving proton or photon radiotherapy

PURPOSE

This prospective study assessed the feasibility of ¹⁸F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to quantify radiation-induced lung inflammation in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received radiotherapy (RT), and compared the differences in inflammation in the ipsilateral and contralateral lungs following proton and photon RT.

METHODS

Thirty-nine consecutive patients with NSCLC underwent FDG-PET/CT imaging before and after RT on a prospective study. A novel quantitative approach utilized regions of interest placed around the anatomical boundaries of the lung parenchyma and provided lung mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), global lung glycolysis (GLG), global lung parenchymal glycolysis (GLPG) and total lung volume (LV). To quantify primary tumor metabolic response to RT, an adaptive contrast-oriented thresholding algorithm was applied to measure metabolically active tumor volume (MTV), tumor uncorrected SUVmean, tumor partial volume corrected SUVmean (tumor-PVC-SUVmean), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). Parameters of FDG-PET/CT scans before and after RT were compared using two-tailed paired t-tests.

RESULTS

All tumor parameters after either proton or photon RT decreased significantly (p < 0.001). Among the 21 patients treated exclusively with proton RT, no significant increase in PVC-SUVmean or PVC-GLPG was observed in ipsilateral lungs after the PVC parameters of primary tumor were subtracted (p = 0.114 and p = 0.453, respectively). Also, there were no significant increases in SUVmean or GLG of contralateral lungs of patients who received proton RT (p = 0.841, p = 0.241, respectively). In contrast, among the nine patients who received photon RT, there was a statistically significant increase in PVC-GLPG of ipsilateral lung (p < 0.001) and in GLG of contralateral (p = 0.036) lung. In the subset of nine patients who received a combined proton and photon RT, there was a statistically significant increase in PVC-GLPG of ipsilateral lung (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest less induction of inflammatory response in both the ipsilateral and contralateral lungs of patients treated with proton compared to photon or combined proton-photon RT.

Radiomics in Nuclear Medicine Applied to Radiation Therapy: Methods, Pitfalls, and Challenges

Radiomics is a recent area of research in precision medicine and is based on the extraction of a large variety of features from medical images. In the field of radiation oncology, comprehensive image analysis is crucial to personalization of treatments. A better characterization of local heterogeneity and the shape of the tumor, depicting individual cancer aggressiveness, could guide dose planning and suggest volumes in which a higher dose is needed for better tumor control. In addition, noninvasive imaging features that could predict treatment outcome from baseline scans could help the radiation oncologist to determine the best treatment strategies and to stratify patients as at low risk or high risk of recurrence. Nuclear medicine molecular imaging reflects information regarding biological processes in the tumor thanks to a wide range of radiotracers. Many studies involving ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography suggest an added value of radiomics compared with the use of conventional PET metrics such as standardized uptake value for both tumor diagnosis and prediction of recurrence or treatment outcome. However, these promising results should not hide technical difficulties that still currently prevent the approach from being widely studied or clinically used. These difficulties mostly pertain to the variability of the imaging features as a function of the acquisition device and protocol, the robustness of the models with respect to that variability, and the interpretation of the radiomic models. Addressing the impact of the variability in acquisition and reconstruction protocols is needed, as is harmonizing the radiomic feature calculation methods, to ensure the reproducibility of studies in a multicenter context and their implementation in a clinical workflow. In this review, we explain the potential impact of positron emission tomography radiomics for radiation therapy and underline the various aspects that need to be carefully addressed to make the most of this promising approach.

High-Dose Radiotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Trimodality therapy (chemoradiation followed by surgery) provides a benefit in progression-free survival but not overall survival. We sought to determine if a high dose of radiation could be delivered safely and provide a clinical benefit.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with stage IIIA or IIIB non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery were reviewed with IRB approval.

RESULTS

A total of 48 patients were treated from November 2007 to May 2014. Of these, 64% had stage IIIA disease while 36% had stage IIIB; 46% had adenocarcinoma, 34% squamous, and 23% NSCLC not otherwise specified. The median dose of chemoradiotherapy was 72 Gy (60-72). Overall, 86% of patients received cisplatin (50 mg/m2) and etoposide (50 mg/m2) concurrently with radiotherapy; 72% of patients underwent lobectomy following chemoradiotherapy and 28% underwent pneumonectomy. The 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 0%. The nodal downstaging rate was 82% and there was a 64% rate of pathologic complete response. The overall survival was 29.9 months (95% CI, 19-86 months). The median time to locoregional progression was 35.1 months and the median time to distant progression was 39.3 months. Locoregional failure was 8% and distant failure was 44%.

CONCLUSION

High-dose preoperative chemoradiotherapy was safe and effective. This combination should be further considered.

ESTRO ACROP guidelines for target volume definition in the treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Radiotherapy (RT) plays a major role in the curative treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, the ACROP committee was asked by the ESTRO to provide recommendations on target volume delineation for standard clinical scenarios in definitive (chemo)radiotherapy (RT) and adjuvant RT for locally advanced NSCLC. The guidelines given here are a result of the evaluation of a structured questionnaire followed by a consensus discussion, voting and writing procedure within the committee. Hence, we provide advice for methods and time-points of diagnostics and imaging before the start of treatment planning and for the mandatory and optional imaging to be used for planning itself. Concerning target volumes, recommendations are given for GTV delineation of primary tumour and lymph nodes followed by issues related to the delineation of CTVs for definitive and adjuvant radiotherapy. In the context of PTV delineation, recommendations about the management of geometric uncertainties and target motion are given. We further provide our opinions on normal tissue delineation and organisational and responsibility questions in the process of target volume delineation. This guideline intends to contribute to the standardisation and optimisation of the process of RT treatment planning for clinical practice and prospective studies.

Anatomic, functional and molecular imaging in lung cancer precision radiation therapy: treatment response assessment and radiation therapy personalization

This article reviews key imaging modalities for lung cancer patients treated with radiation therapy (RT) and considers their actual or potential contributions to critical decision-making. An international group of researchers with expertise in imaging in lung cancer patients treated with RT considered the relevant literature on modalities, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). These perspectives were coordinated to summarize the current status of imaging in lung cancer and flag developments with future implications. Although there are no useful randomized trials of different imaging modalities in lung cancer, multiple prospective studies indicate that management decisions are frequently impacted by the use of complementary imaging modalities, leading both to more appropriate treatments and better outcomes. This is especially true of ¹⁸F-fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT which is widely accepted to be the standard imaging modality for staging of lung cancer patients, for selection for potentially curative RT and for treatment planning. PET is also more accurate than CT for predicting survival after RT. PET imaging during RT is also correlated with survival and makes response-adapted therapies possible. PET tracers other than FDG have potential for imaging important biological process in tumors, including hypoxia and proliferation. MRI has superior accuracy in soft tissue imaging and the MRI Linac is a rapidly developing technology with great potential for online monitoring and modification of treatment. The role of imaging in RT-treated lung cancer patients is evolving rapidly and will allow increasing personalization of therapy according to the biology of both the tumor and dose limiting normal tissues.

A PET/CT-Based Strategy Is a Stronger Predictor of Survival Than a Standard Imaging Strategy in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Our purpose was to examine whether staging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) by upfront ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT (i.e., on the day of biopsy and before the biopsy) discriminates survival better than the traditional imaging strategies based on chest x-ray plus head and neck MRI (CXR/MRI) or chest CT plus head and neck MRI (CCT/MRI). Methods: We performed a masked prospective cohort study based on paired data. Consecutive patients with histologically verified primary HNSCC were recruited from Odense University Hospital from September 2013 to March 2016. All patients underwent CXR/MRI, CCT/MRI, and PET/CT on the same day. Tumors were categorized as localized (stages I and II), locally advanced (stages III and IVB), or metastatic (stage IVC). Discriminative ability for each imaging modality with respect to HNSCC staging were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox proportional hazards regression with the Harrell C-index, and net reclassification improvement. Results: In total, 307 patients with histologically verified HNSCC were included. Use of PET/CT significantly altered the stratification of tumor stage when compared with either CXR/MRI or CCT/MRI (χ², P < 0.001 for both). Cancer stages based on PET/CT, but not CXR/MRI or CCT/MRI, were associated with significant differences in mortality risk on Kaplan-Meier analyses (P ≤ 0.002 for all PET/CT-based comparisons). Furthermore, overall discriminative ability was significantly greater for PET/CT (C-index, 0.712) than for CXR/MRI (C-index, 0.675; P = 0.04) or CCT/MRI (C-index, 0.657; P = 0.02). Finally, PET/CT was significantly associated with a positive net reclassification improvement when compared with CXR/MRI (0.184, P = 0.03) but not CCT/MRI (0.094%, P = 0.31). Conclusion: Tumor stages determined by PET/CT were associated with more distinct prognostic properties in terms of survival than those determined by standard imaging strategies.

Optimal FDG PET/CT volumetric parameters for risk stratification in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: results from the ACRIN 6668/RTOG 0235 trial

PURPOSE

In recent years, multiple studies have demonstrated the value of volumetric FDG-PET/CT parameters as independent prognostic factors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to determine the optimal cut-off points of pretreatment volumetric FDG-PET/CT parameters in predicting overall survival (OS) in patients with locally advanced NSCLC and to recommend imaging biomarkers appropriate for routine clinical applications.

METHODS

Patients with inoperable stage IIB/III NSCLC enrolled in ACRIN 6668/RTOG 0235 were included. Pretreatment FDG-PET scans were quantified using semiautomatic adaptive contrast-oriented thresholding and local-background partial-volume-effect-correction algorithms. For each patient, the following indices were measured: metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), SUVmax, SUVmean, partial-volume-corrected TLG (pvcTLG), and pvcSUVmean for the whole-body, primary tumor, and regional lymph nodes. The association between each index and patient outcome was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Optimal cut-off points were estimated using recursive binary partitioning in a conditional inference framework and used in Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank testing. The discriminatory ability of each index was examined using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and corresponding area under the curve (AUC(t)).

RESULTS

The study included 196 patients. Pretreatment whole-body and primary tumor MTV, TLG, and pvcTLG were independently prognostic of OS. Optimal cut-off points were 175.0, 270.9, and 35.5 cm³ for whole-body TLG, pvcTLG, and MTV, and were 168.2, 239.8, and 17.4 cm³ for primary tumor TLG, pvcTLG, and MTV, respectively. In time-dependent ROC analysis, AUC(t) for MTV and TLG were uniformly higher than that of SUV measures over all time points. Primary tumor and whole-body parameters demonstrated similar patterns of separation for those patients above versus below the optimal cut-off points in Kaplan-Meier curves and in time-dependent ROC analysis.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that pretreatment whole-body and primary tumor volumetric FDG-PET/CT parameters, including MTV, TLG, and pvcTLG, are strongly prognostic for OS in patients with locally advanced NSCLC, and have similar discriminatory ability. Therefore, we believe that, after validation in future trials, the derived optimal cut-off points for primary tumor volumetric FDG-PET/CT parameters, or their more refined versions, could be incorporated into routine clinical practice, and may provide more accurate prognostication and staging based on tumor metabolic features.

Multi-institutional experience of stereotactic body radiotherapy for large (≥5 centimeters) non-small cell lung tumors

BACKGROUND

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is the standard of care for patients with nonoperative, early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) measuring < 5 cm, but its use among patients with tumors measuring ≥5 cm is considerably less defined, with the existing literature limited to small, single-institution reports. The current multi-institutional study reported outcomes evaluating the largest such population reported to date.

METHODS

Clinical/treatment characteristics, outcomes, toxicities, and patterns of failure were assessed in patients with primary NSCLC measuring ≥5 cm without evidence of distant/lymph node metastasis who underwent SBRT using ≤5 fractions. Statistics included Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and univariate/multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

A total of 92 patients treated from 2004 through 2016 were analyzed from 12 institutions. The median follow-up was 12 months (15 months in survivors). The median age and tumor size among the patients were 73 years (range, 50-95 years) and 5.4 cm (range, 5.0-7.5 cm), respectively. The median dose/fractionation was 50 Gray/5 fractions. The actuarial local control rates at 1 year and 2 years were 95.7% and 73.2%, respectively. The disease-free survival rate was 72.1% and 53.5%, respectively, at 1 year and 2 years. The 1-year and 2-year disease-specific survival rates were 95.5% and 78.6%, respectively. The median, 1-year, and 2-year overall survival rates were 21.4 months, 76.2%, and 46.4%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, lung cancer history and pre-SBRT positron emission tomography maximum standardized uptake value were found to be associated with overall survival. Posttreatment failures were most commonly distant (33% of all disease recurrences), followed by local (26%) and those occurring elsewhere in the lung (23%). Three patients had isolated local failures. Grade 3 to 4 toxicities included 1 case (1%) and 4 cases (4%) of grade 3 dermatitis and radiation pneumonitis, respectively (toxicities were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 4.0]). Grades 2 to 5 radiation pneumonitis occurred in 11% of patients. One patient with a tumor measuring 7.5 cm and a smoking history of 150 pack-years died of radiation pneumonitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study, which is the largest study of patients with NSCLC measuring ≥5 cm reported to date, indicate that SBRT is a safe and efficacious option. Cancer 2017;123:688-696. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Clinical outcomes of CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery for elderly patients with presumed primary stage I lung cancer

BACKGROUND

In certain situations, especially in the elderly patient population, a tissue diagnosis of a suspected pulmonary neoplasm is not feasible. Often, a definitive treatment such as stereotactic body radiosurgery is recommended, rather than active surveillance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for elderly patients with presumed primary stage I lung cancer without pathological tissue confirmation.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 25 elderly patients (≥75 years) with presumed primary stage I lung cancer treated with SBRT from 2009-2015. The primary end point was local control (LC); secondary end points were survival and toxicity.

RESULTS

The median follow-up (FU) was 36.0 months (range, 4 to 84 months). The 1-year LC rate was 100%, 3-year LC rate was 78.8%, and 5-year LC rate was 65.7%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 48.0 months (95% CI: 31.2-64.8). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 96.0%, 70.2%, and 50.7%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were 100%, 81.3%, and 67.0%, respectively. No grade 4 or higher toxicity was encountered.

CONCLUSIONS

SBRT is safe and effective treatment for patients with presumed primary stage I lung cancer where obtaining pathological confirmation of malignancy is challenging.

The IASLC Lung Cancer Staging Project: Proposals for the Revision of the M Descriptors in the Forthcoming Eighth Edition of the TNM Classification of Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to analyze all metastatic (M) categories of the current tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) classification of lung cancer with the objective of providing suggestions for modifications of the M component in the next edition of the TNM classification for lung cancer.

METHODS

The new International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer lung cancer database was created from 94,708 patients diagnosed as having lung cancer between 1999 and 2010. Including further patients submitted through the electronic data capture system to Cancer Research and Biostatistics until 2012, all together 1059 non-small-cell lung cancer cases were available for a detailed analysis of the clinical M categories. Overall survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognosis was assessed using a Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found among the M1a (metastases within the chest cavity) descriptors. However, when M1b (distant metastases outside the chest cavity) were assessed according to the number of metastases, tumors with a single metastasis in a single organ had significantly better prognosis than those with multiple metastases in one or several organs.

CONCLUSIONS

In this revision of the TNM classification, cases with pleural/pericardial effusions, contralateral/bilateral lung nodules, contralateral/bilateral pleural nodules, or a combination of multiple of these parameters should continue to be grouped as M1a category. Single metastatic lesions in a single distant organ should be newly designated to the M1b category. Multiple lesions in a single organ or multiple lesions in multiple organs should be reclassified as M1c category. This new division can serve as a first step into providing rational definitions for an oligometastatic disease stage in non-small-cell lung cancer in the future.

Risk factors and management of oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an aggressive malignancy with close to half of all patients presenting with metastatic disease. A proportion of these patients with limited metastatic disease, termed oligometastatic disease, have been shown to benefit from a definitive treatment approach. Synchronous and metachronous presentation of oligometastatic disease have prognostic significance, with current belief that metachronous disease is more favorable. Surgical excision of intracranial and extracranial oligometastatic disease has been shown to improve survival, especially in patients with lymph node-negative disease, adenocarcinoma histology and smaller thoracic tumors. Definitive radiation to sites of oligometastatic disease and initial thoracic disease has also been shown to have a similar impact on survival for both intracranial and extracranial disease. Recent studies have reported on the use of targeted agents combined with ablative doses of radiation in the oligometastatic setting with promising outcomes. In this review, we present the historical and current literature describing surgical and radiation treatment options for patients with oligometastatic NSCLC.

Reasons for palliative treatments in stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: what contribution is made by time-dependent changes in tumour or patient status?

INTRODUCTION

Stage iii lung cancer is the most advanced stage of lung cancer for which the potential of curative treatment is often discussed. However, a large proportion of patients are treated with palliative intent. An understanding of the time-dependent and -independent factors contributing to the choice of palliative-intent treatment is needed to help optimize patient outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study of patients with stage iii non-small-cell lung cancer (nsclc) newly diagnosed between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012 at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario collected data including patient demographics, clinical characteristics, tumour characteristics, treatment, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 237 patients with stage iii nsclc included in the study, 130 were not treated with radical or curative intent (55%). Major time-independent variables cited for palliative-intent treatment included extreme age (5%), comorbidity (27%), patient choice (5%), and poor lung function (5%). Time-dependent variables included tumour progression on imaging (15%), weight loss (33%), performance status (32%), and the occurrence of a major complication such as hemoptysis, lung collapse, or pulmonary embolism (7%). A significant number of patients (20%) experienced a decline in performance status-to 2, 3, or 4 from 0 or 1-over the course of the diagnostic journey, and 12% experienced a transition from no weight loss to more than 10% weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of patients receive palliative therapy for stage iii nsclc because of changes that occur during the diagnostic journey. Shortening or altering that pathway to avoid tumour growth or patient deterioration during care could allow for more patients to be treated with curative intent.

(68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT: a new technique with high potential for the radiotherapeutic management of prostate cancer patients

PURPOSE

Radiotherapy is the main therapeutic approach besides surgery of localized prostate cancer. It relies on risk stratification and exact staging. This report analyses the potential of [(68)Ga]Glu-urea-Lys(Ahx)-HBED-CC ((68)Ga-PSMA-11), a new positron emission tomography (PET) tracer targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) for prostate cancer staging and individualized radiotherapy planning.

METHODS

A cohort of 57 patients with prostate cancer scanned with (68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT for radiotherapy planning was retrospectively reviewed; 15 patients were at initial diagnosis and 42 patients at time of biochemical recurrence. Staging results of conventional imaging, including bone scintigraphy, CT or MRI, were compared with (68)Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT results and the influence on radiotherapeutic management was quantified.

RESULTS

(68)Ga-PSMA ligand PET/CT had a dramatic impact on radiotherapy application in the presented cohort. In 50.8 % of the cases therapy was changed.

CONCLUSION

The presented imaging technique of (68)Ga-PSMA PET/CT could be a key technology for individualized radiotherapy management in prostate cancer.

Intensity-modulated proton therapy for elective nodal irradiation and involved-field radiation in the definitive treatment of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a dosimetric study

BACKGROUND

Photon involved-field (IF) radiation therapy (IFRT), the standard for locally advanced (LA) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), results in favorable outcomes without increased isolated nodal failures, perhaps from scattered dose to elective nodal stations. Because of the high conformality of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT), proton IFRT could increase nodal failures. We investigated the feasibility of IMPT for elective nodal irradiation (ENI) in LA-NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

IMPT IFRT plans were generated to the same total dose of 66.6-72 Gy received by 20 LA-NSCLC patients treated with photon IFRT. IMPT ENI plans were generated to 46 cobalt Gray equivalent (CGE) to elective nodal planning treatment volumes (PTV) plus 24 CGE to IF-PTVs.

RESULTS

Proton IFRT and ENI improved the IF-PTV percentage of volume receiving 95% of the prescribed dose (D95) by 4% (P < .01) compared with photon IFRT. All evaluated dosimetric parameters improved significantly with both proton plans. The lung percentage of volume receiving 20 Gy/CGE (V20) and mean lung dose decreased 18% (P < .01) and 36% (P < .01), respectively, with proton IFRT, and 11% (P = .03) and 26% (P < .01) with ENI. The mean esophagus dose decreased 16% with IFRT and 12% with ENI; heart V25 decreased 63% with both (all P < .01).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the feasibility of IMPT for LA-NSCLC ENI. Potential decreased toxicity indicates that IMPT could allow ENI while maintaining a favorable therapeutic ratio compared with photon IFRT.

PET/CT imaging for target volume delineation in curative intent radiotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer: IAEA consensus report 2014

This document describes best practice and evidence based recommendations for the use of FDG-PET/CT for the purposes of radiotherapy target volume delineation (TVD) for curative intent treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These recommendations have been written by an expert advisory group, convened by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to facilitate a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) aiming to improve the applications of PET based radiation treatment planning (RTP) in low and middle income countries. These guidelines can be applied in routine clinical practice of radiotherapy TVD, for NSCLC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation or radiotherapy alone, where FDG is used, and where a calibrated PET camera system equipped for RTP patient positioning is available. Recommendations are provided for PET and CT image visualization and interpretation, and for tumor delineation using planning CT with and without breathing motion compensation.

Lung cancer

(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) plays a key role in the evaluation of undiagnosed lung nodules, when primary lung cancer is strongly suspected, or when it has already been diagnosed by other techniques. Although technical factors may compromise characterization of small or highly mobile lesions, lesions without apparent FDG uptake can generally be safely observed, whereas FDG-avid lung nodules almost always need further evaluation. FDG-PET/CT is now the primary staging imaging modality for patients with lung cancer who are being considered for curative therapy with either surgery or definitive radiation therapy.