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Nowicka Z, Kuna K, Łaszczych M, Łazar-Poniatowska M, Sobocki BK, Stawiski K, Dąbrowski M, Bruski K, Zięba A, Pajdziński M, Staniewska E, Miszczyk M, Paganetti H, Fendler W, Tomasik B. Dose-volume metric-based prediction of radiotherapy-induced lymphocyte loss in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with modern radiotherapy techniques. Phys Imaging Radiat Oncol 2024; 30:100593. [PMID: 38912008 PMCID: PMC11190719 DOI: 10.1016/j.phro.2024.100593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Radiation-induced lymphopenia (RIL) is a common side effect of radiotherapy (RT) that may negatively impact survival. We aimed to identify RIL predictors in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Materials and Methods We retrospectively analysed data of 306 patients who underwent radical RT for NSCLC. Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) loss was evaluated for each patient by fitting an exponential decay curve to data from first 45 days since treatment start, and percentage ALC loss relative to baseline was calculated based on area under the decay curve and baseline ALC. We compared IMRT and VMAT treatment plans and used linear regression to predict ALC loss. Results ALC decreased during RT in the whole patient group, while neutrophil counts remained stable and decreased only in those treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Percentage ALC loss ranged between 11 and 78 % and was more strongly than lymphocyte nadir correlated with dose-volume metrics for relevant normal structures. We found evidence for the association of high radiation dose to the lungs, heart and body with percentage ALC loss, with lung volume exposed to 20-30 Gy being most important predictors in patients treated with IMRT. A multivariable model based on CRT use, baseline ALC and first principal component (PC1) of the dose-volume predictors showed good predictive performance (bias-corrected R2 of 0.40). Conclusion Percentage lymphocyte loss is a robust measure of RIL that is predicted by baseline ALC, CRT use and dose-volume parameters to the lungs, heart and body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Nowicka
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Kasper Kuna
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Mateusz Łaszczych
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | | | - Bartosz Kamil Sobocki
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Medicine, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Konrad Stawiski
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Michał Dąbrowski
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Medicine, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Konrad Bruski
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Medicine, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Adam Zięba
- Department of Radiotherapy, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | | | - Emilia Staniewska
- 3 Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Department, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Marcin Miszczyk
- 3 Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Department, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland
- Collegium Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, WSB University, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland
| | - Harald Paganetti
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wojciech Fendler
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bartłomiej Tomasik
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Medicine, Gdańsk, Poland
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Peng H, Deng J, Jiang S, Timmerman R. Rethinking the potential role of dose painting in personalized ultra-fractionated stereotactic adaptive radiotherapy. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1357790. [PMID: 38571510 PMCID: PMC10987838 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1357790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Fractionated radiotherapy was established in the 1920s based upon two principles: (1) delivering daily treatments of equal quantity, unless the clinical situation requires adjustment, and (2) defining a specific treatment period to deliver a total dosage. Modern fractionated radiotherapy continues to adhere to these century-old principles, despite significant advancements in our understanding of radiobiology. At UT Southwestern, we are exploring a novel treatment approach called PULSAR (Personalized Ultra-Fractionated Stereotactic Adaptive Radiotherapy). This method involves administering tumoricidal doses in a pulse mode with extended intervals, typically spanning weeks or even a month. Extended intervals permit substantial recovery of normal tissues and afford the tumor and tumor microenvironment ample time to undergo significant changes, enabling more meaningful adaptation in response to the evolving characteristics of the tumor. The notion of dose painting in the realm of radiation therapy has long been a subject of contention. The debate primarily revolves around its clinical effectiveness and optimal methods of implementation. In this perspective, we discuss two facets concerning the potential integration of dose painting with PULSAR, along with several practical considerations. If successful, the combination of the two may not only provide another level of personal adaptation ("adaptive dose painting"), but also contribute to the establishment of a timely feedback loop throughout the treatment process. To substantiate our perspective, we conducted a fundamental modeling study focusing on PET-guided dose painting, incorporating tumor heterogeneity and tumor control probability (TCP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Peng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Medical Artificial Intelligence and Automation Laboratory, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Jie Deng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Medical Artificial Intelligence and Automation Laboratory, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Steve Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Medical Artificial Intelligence and Automation Laboratory, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Robert Timmerman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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Wang X, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Shi H, Liu K, Wang F, Wang Y, Chen H, Shi Y, Wang R. Immune modulatory roles of radioimmunotherapy: biological principles and clinical prospects. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1357101. [PMID: 38449871 PMCID: PMC10915027 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1357101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) not only can directly kill tumor cells by causing DNA double-strand break, but also exerts anti-tumor effects through modulating local and systemic immune responses. The immunomodulatory effects of RT are generally considered as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, RT effectively enhances the immunogenicity of tumor cells, triggers type I interferon response, induces immunogenic cell death to activate immune cell function, increases the release of proinflammatory factors, and reshapes the tumor immune microenvironment, thereby positively promoting anti-tumor immune responses. On the other hand, RT stimulates tumor cells to express immunosuppressive cytokines, upregulates the function of inhibitory immune cells, leads to lymphocytopenia and depletion of immune effector cells, and thus negatively suppresses immune responses. Nonetheless, it is notable that RT has promising abscopal effects and may achieve potent synergistic effects, especially when combined with immunotherapy in the daily clinical practice. This systematic review will provide a comprehensive profile of the latest research progress with respect to the immunomodulatory effects of RT, as well as the abscopal effect of radioimmunotherapy combinations, from the perspective of biological basis and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yonggang Zhang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Hongyun Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Kuan Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Huijing Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Ruiyao Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
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Paganetti H. A review on lymphocyte radiosensitivity and its impact on radiotherapy. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1201500. [PMID: 37601664 PMCID: PMC10435323 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1201500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well known that radiation therapy causes lymphopenia in patients and that this is correlated with a negative outcome. The mechanism is not well understood because radiation can have both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive effects. How tumor dose conformation, dose fractionation, and selective lymph node irradiation in radiation therapy does affect lymphopenia and immune response is an active area of research. In addition, understanding the impact of radiation on the immune system is important for the design and interpretation of clinical trials combining radiation with immune checkpoint inhibitors, both in terms of radiation dose and treatment schedules. Although only a few percent of the total lymphocyte population are circulating, it has been speculated that their increased radiosensitivity may contribute to, or even be the primary cause of, lymphopenia. This review summarizes published data on lymphocyte radiosensitivity based on human, small animal, and in vitro studies. The data indicate differences in radiosensitivity among lymphocyte subpopulations that affect their relative contribution and thus the dynamics of the immune response. In general, B cells appear to be more radiosensitive than T cells and NK cells appear to be the most resistant. However, the reported dose-response data suggest that in the context of lymphopenia in patients, aspects other than cell death must also be considered. Not only absolute lymphocyte counts, but also lymphocyte diversity and activity are likely to be affected by radiation. Taken together, the reviewed data suggest that it is unlikely that radiation-induced cell death in lymphocytes is the sole factor in radiation-induced lymphopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Paganetti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, United States
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Helm A, Totis C, Durante M, Fournier C. Are charged particles a good match for combination with immunotherapy? Current knowledge and perspectives. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 376:1-36. [PMID: 36997266 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Charged particle radiotherapy, mainly using protons and carbon ions, provides physical characteristics allowing for a volume conformal irradiation and a reduction of the integral dose to normal tissue. Carbon ion therapy additionally features an increased biological effectiveness resulting in peculiar molecular effects. Immunotherapy, mostly performed with immune checkpoint inhibitors, is nowadays considered a pillar in cancer therapy. Based on the advantageous features of charged particle radiotherapy, we review pre-clinical evidence revealing a strong potential of its combination with immunotherapy. We argue that the combination therapy deserves further investigation with the aim of translation in clinics, where a few studies have been set up already.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Helm
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - C Totis
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - M Durante
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - C Fournier
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
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Gamma Irradiation Triggers Immune Escape in Glioma-Propagating Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112728. [PMID: 35681710 PMCID: PMC9179833 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Stem cell-like glioma-propagating cells (GPCs) are crucial for initiation, growth, and treatment resistance of glioblastoma multiforme. Due to their strong immunosuppressive activities, they essentially limit immunotherapeutic approaches. This study offers a new model of radio-selected patient-derived GPCs mimicking a clinical treatment regime of tumor irradiation which is especially useful for immunotherapeutic studies. We provide evidence that clinically relevant, sub-lethal fractions of γ radiation select for a more radio-resistant GPC phenotype with lower immunogenic potential, potentially hampering the success of adjuvant T-cell-based immunotherapies. The immune evasion in GPCs was characterized by quantitative proteomics. It revealed a marked downregulation of the antigen processing machinery in lipid rafts of these cells, leading to reduced MHC surface expression and weaker cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) recognition. Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and devastating form of brain tumor for which only palliative radio- and chemotherapy exists. Although some clinical studies on vaccination approaches have shown promising efficacy due to their potential to generate long-term immune surveillance against cancer cells, the evasion mechanisms preventing therapy response are largely uncharacterized. Here, we studied the response of glioblastoma-propagating cells (GPCs) to clinically relevant doses of γ radiation. GPCs were treated with 2.5 Gy of γ radiation in seven consecutive cellular passages to select for GPCs with increased colony-forming properties and intrinsic or radiation-induced resistance (rsGPCs). Quantitative proteomic analysis of the cellular signaling platforms of the detergent-resistant membranes (lipid rafts) in GPCs vs. rsGPCs revealed a downregulation of the MHC class I antigen-processing and -presentation machinery. Importantly, the radio-selected GPCs showed reduced susceptibility towards cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell-mediated killing. While previous studies suggested that high-dose irradiation results in enhanced antigen presentation, we demonstrated that clinically relevant sub-lethal fractionated irradiation results in reduced expression of components of the MHC class I antigen-processing and -presentation pathway leading to immune escape.
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