Evaluation of predictive variables in locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients receiving definitive chemoradiation

Inter-Breath-Hold Geometric and Dosimetric Variations in Organs at Risk during Pancreatic Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy: Implications for Adaptive Radiation Therapy

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death, with nearly 60,000 cases each year and less than a 10% 5-year overall survival rate. Radiation therapy (RT) is highly beneficial as a local-regional anticancer treatment. As anatomical variation is of great concern, motion management techniques, such as DIBH, are commonly used to minimize OARs toxicities; however, the variability between DIBHs has not been well studied. Here, we present an unprecedented systematic analysis of patients' anatomical reproducibility over multiple DIBH motion-management technique uses for pancreatic cancer RT. We used data from 20 patients; four DIBH scans were available for each patient to design 80 SBRT plans. Our results demonstrated that (i) there is considerable variation in OAR geometry and dose between same-subject DIBH scans; (ii) the RT plan designed for one scan may not be directly applicable to another scan; (iii) the RT treatment designed using a DIBH simulation CT results in different dosimetry in the DIBH treatment delivery; and (iv) this confirms the importance of adaptive radiation therapy (ART), such as MR-Linacs, for pancreatic RT delivery. The ART treatment delivery technique can account for anatomical variation between referenced and scheduled plans, and thus avoid toxicities of OARs because of anatomical variations between DIBH patient setups.

A phantom-based analysis for tracking intra-fraction pancreatic tumor motion by ultrasound imaging during radiation therapy

Purpose

In this study, we aim to further evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound tracking for intra-fraction pancreatic tumor motion during radiotherapy by a phantom-based study.

Methods

Twelve patients with pancreatic cancer who were treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy were enrolled in this study. The displacement points of the respiratory cycle were acquired from 4DCT and transferred to a motion platform to mimic realistic breathing movements in our phantom study. An ultrasound abdominal phantom was placed and fixed in the motion platform. The ground truth of phantom movement was recorded by tracking an optical tracker attached to this phantom. One tumor inside the phantom was the tracking target. In the evaluation of the results, the monitoring results from the ultrasound system were compared with the phantom motion results from the infrared camera. Differences between infrared monitoring motion and ultrasound tracking motion were analyzed by calculating the root-mean-square error.

Results

The 82.2% ultrasound tracking motion was within a 0.5 mm difference value between ultrasound tracking displacement and infrared monitoring motion. 0.7% ultrasound tracking failed to track accurately (a difference value > 2.5 mm). These differences between ultrasound tracking motion and infrared monitored motion do not correlate with respiratory displacements, respiratory velocity, or respiratory acceleration by linear regression analysis.

Conclusions

The highly accurate monitoring results of this phantom study prove that the ultrasound tracking system may be a potential method for real-time monitoring targets, allowing more accurate delivery of radiation doses.

Impact of Baseline Muscle Mass and Myosteatosis on the Development of Early Toxicity During First-Line Chemotherapy in Patients With Initially Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Objectives

Although chemotherapy is the only treatment option for metastatic pancreatic cancer (PDAC), patients frequently encounter adverse events during chemotherapy leading deterioration of patients’ quality of life and treatment interruption. We evaluated the role of baseline CT-assessed body composition in predicting early toxicity during first cycle of the first-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic PDAC.

Methods

This retrospective study included 636 patients with initially metastatic PDAC who underwent first-line chemotherapy from January 2009 to December 2019. Chemotherapy regimen, baseline laboratory data, and body composition parameters acquired from baseline CT were obtained. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) was used to identify patients with a low muscle mass (SMI < 41 cm2/m2 for women, and < 43 cm2/m2 [body mass index < 25 cm/kg2] or < 53 cm2/m2 [body mass index ≥ 25 cm/kg2] for men), and myosteatosis was defined as low-attenuated muscle area divided by skeletal muscle area (LAMA/SMA index) ≥ 20%. Univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed using bootstrapping with 500 interactions to identify predictors of grade 3–4 toxicity and any treatment-modifying toxicity which led to a dose reduction, delayed administration, drug skip or discontinuation.

Results

During the first cycle of the first-line chemotherapy, grade 3–4 toxicity and treatment-modifying toxicity occurred in 160 patients (25.2%) and in 247 patients (38.8%), respectively. The presence of both low muscle mass and myosteatosis was significantly associated with the occurrence of both grade 3-4 toxicity (odd ratio [OR], 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–2.63) and treatment-modifying toxicity (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.26–2.66) whereas low muscle mass alone did not.

Conclusions

The presence of both low muscle mass and myosteatosis assessed on baseline CT may be used to predict early chemotherapy-related toxicity in patients with metastatic PDAC.

Re-Irradiation With Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for In-Field Recurrence of Pancreatic Cancer After Prior Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy: Analysis of 24 Consecutive Cases

Purpose/Objectives

Locally recurrent pancreatic cancer is a therapeutic challenge, and aggressive approaches are needed to improve its clinical outcomes. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a promising treatment for pancreatic cancer with an excellent local control and acceptable toxicity. However, the safety and efficacy of SBRT for in-field recurrence after initial SBRT remain unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of re-irradiation with SBRT for locally recurrent pancreatic cancer after prior definitive SBRT.

Material/Methods

Twenty-four consecutive patients with pancreatic cancer received two courses of SBRT in our center between January 2014 and December 2016. The median prescription dose of the initial and second courses of SBRT was 35.5 Gy/5–7f and 32 Gy/5–8f, respectively. Clinical outcomes including overall survival (OS), disease control, and toxicity were evaluated after treatment.

Results

The median interval between two courses of SBRT was 13 months (range: 6–29 months). From the first SBRT, the median OS of 18 patients with limited diseases was 26 months (95% CI: 19.1–32.95 months). The median OS of 12 patients without metastasis was 14 months (95% CI: 10.6–17.4 months) from re-irradiation of SBRT. The overall response rate and disease control rate were 50% and 13%, and 100% and 86.9% after each SBRT, respectively. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels declined dramatically after re-irradiation within 1 month (p = 0.002) and 3 months (p = 0.028). Twelve (75%) out of 16 patients had pain relief after re-irradiation. None of the patients experienced gastrointestinal toxicity.

Conclusions

Re-irradiation with SBRT can provide favorable outcomes and effective analgesia with mild toxicity after prior SBRT for in-field recurrent pancreatic cancer, which might be feasible for locally relapsed pancreatic cancer.

Life expectancy estimations and determinants of return to work among cancer survivors over a 7-year period

Due to advances in medical science and technology, the number of cancer survivors continues to increase. The workplace needs and employment difficulties cancer survivors face after treatment need to be addressed to protect these individuals’ right to work and to maintain the overall labor force of the country. We conducted a retrospective cohort study with a follow-up period from 2004 to 2010. All data analyzed in the study were obtained from the Labor Insurance Database, the Taiwan Cancer Registry of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the National Health Insurance Research Database. The relationships between risk factors and the presence of returning to work were analyzed by a Cox proportional hazard model. The survival rates of patients with different cancer stages were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Among the employees with an initial diagnosis of cancer, 70.4% remained employed through 1 year after the diagnosis, accounting for 83.4% of all cancer survivors; only 51.1% remained employed through 5 years after the diagnosis, accounting for 78.7% of all cancer survivors, a notable decrease. Age, gender, salary, treatment method, company size, and cancer stage were the factors that affected whether employees could return to work or not. The long-term survival of people diagnosed with cancer depends on their chances of returning to work. Strengthening existing return-to-work policies and assisting cancer survivors with returning to work after the treatment should be priorities for protecting these individuals’ right to work and for maintaining the overall labor force.

Analysis of the efficacy, safety and survival factors of stereotactic body radiation therapy in patients with recurrence of pancreatic cancer

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) using Cyber Knife (CK) in the treatment of patients with recurrent pancreatic cancer after surgery, and analyze its survival-related factors. Methods: The primary endpoint was freedom from local progression (FFLP) and local control (LC) rate after CK. The secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), symptom relief and toxicities. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the optimal cut-off values of inflammatory composite indicators NLR, PLR, SII and PNI. The prognostic factors that affected these patients were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively. Results: A total of 27 patients were enrolled. Median local recurrence disease free interval（DFI）was 11.3 (1.3-30.6) months, LC was 81.5% and 37.0% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Median PFS was 7.1 (1.3-27.1) months. Median OS was 11.3 (1.3-30.6) months. Symptom alleviation was observed in 16 of 17 patients (94.1%) within 2 weeks after CK. Subsequent chemotherapy, CA199≥50% decrease after CK were independent prognostic factors for OS (all P <0.05). Conclusion: SBRT is a safe and effective treatment approach for recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Encouraging local control rate, low toxicity, and effective symptom relief suggests the vital role of CK in the treatment of these patients. This clinical application needs to be further studied in the combination of CK and multimodal therapy.

Evaluation of a Novel Absorbable Radiopaque Hydrogel in Patients Undergoing Image Guided Radiation Therapy for Borderline Resectable and Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

We assessed the feasibility and safety of placing a radiopaque hydrogel in the pancreaticoduodenal groove via endoscopic ultrasound guidance in patients with borderline resectable/locally advanced pancreatic cancer (BR/LAPC).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Hydrogel injections were done at time of fiducial placement to form blebs in the pancreaticoduodenal groove. Patients subsequently underwent simulation computed tomography (sim-CT) followed by hypofractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT; 33 Gy in 5 fractions). Four to 8 weeks after SBRT, patients underwent CT re-evaluation for surgical candidacy and assessment of hydrogel location and size. Hydrogel placement was considered successful if identified in the pancreaticoduodenal groove on sim-CT scan. Stability was evaluated using equivalence testing analyses, with a null hypothesis of the presence of a ≥20% mean percentage change in volume and ≥2 mm change in the median and mean interbleb surface distance with a P value <.05 required to reject the null hypothesis and conclude equivalence. For patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, hydrogel sites were histologically examined for location and local inflammatory reactions.

RESULTS

Hydrogel placement was successful in 6 of the 6 evaluable patients. The average changes in median and mean interbleb distances were -0.43 mm and -0.35 mm, respectively, with P < .05. The average change in volume from sim-CT to post-SBRT CT was -1.0%, with P < .05. One patient experienced grade 3 nausea after fiducial/hydrogel placement, with no other adverse events to date.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate feasibility and safety of injecting a hydrogel marker in the pancreaticoduodenal groove in patients with BR/LAPC and set the stage for a follow-up clinical trial to place hydrogel as a spacer between the pancreatic tumor and dose-limiting, radiosensitive duodenum.

Using adaptive magnetic resonance image-guided radiation therapy for treatment of inoperable pancreatic cancer

Background

Adaptive magnetic resonance imaging‐guided radiation therapy (MRgRT) can escalate dose to tumors while minimizing dose to normal tissue. We evaluated outcomes of inoperable pancreatic cancer patients treated using MRgRT with and without dose escalation.

Methods

We reviewed 44 patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer treated with MRgRT. Treatments included conventional fractionation, hypofractionation, and stereotactic body radiation therapy. Patients were stratified into high‐dose (biologically effective dose [BED₁₀] >70) and standard‐dose groups (BED₁₀ ≤70). Overall survival (OS), freedom from local failure (FFLF) and freedom from distant failure (FFDF) were evaluated using Kaplan‐Meier method. Cox regression was performed to identify predictors of OS. Acute gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity was assessed for 6 weeks after completion of RT.

Results

Median follow‐up was 17 months. High‐dose patients (n = 24, 55%) had statistically significant improvement in 2‐year OS (49% vs 30%, P = 0.03) and trended towards significance for 2‐year FFLF (77% vs 57%, P = 0.15) compared to standard‐dose patients (n = 20, 45%). FFDF at 18 months in high‐dose vs standard‐dose groups was 24% vs 48%, respectively (P = 0.92). High‐dose radiation (HR: 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21‐0.94; P = 0.03) and duration of induction chemotherapy (HR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72‐0.98; P = 0.03) were significantly correlated with OS on univariate analysis but neither factor was independently predictive on multivariate analysis. Grade 3+ GI toxicity occurred in three patients in the standard‐dose group and did not occur in the high‐dose group.

Conclusions

Patients treated with dose‐escalated MRgRT demonstrated improved OS. Prospective evaluation of high‐dose RT regimens with standardized treatment parameters in inoperable pancreatic cancer patients is warranted.

Dose Prediction Model for Duodenum Sparing With a Biodegradable Hydrogel Spacer for Pancreatic Cancer Radiation Therapy

PURPOSE

We previously have shown the feasibility of duodenum sparing using a biodegradable hydrogel spacer in pancreatic cancer radiation therapy. In this study, we propose an overlap volume histogram (OVH) prediction model to select patients who might benefit from hydrogel placement and to predict the hydrogel spacing required to achieve clinical constraints.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

OVH metrics for the duodenum were collected from the stereotactic body radiation therapy plans of 232 patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer (33 Gy in 5 fractions). OVH metrics L_9cc and L_3cc were defined as the tumor volume expansion distance at which 9 cm³ and 3 cm³ volumes of the duodenum overlap with tumor. D_9cc and D_3cc of the duodenum were defined as the dose-volume histogram dose to 9 cm³ and 3 cm³, respectively, of the duodenum. Prediction models were established by linear regression between L_x and D_x, where x = 3 cm³ and 9 cm³. OVH thresholds were obtained for predicting the target spacer thickness. The accuracy of the prediction model was then evaluated using treatment plans on pre-and post-hydrogel injection computed tomography scans from 2 cadaver specimens and 6 patients with previously treated locally advanced pancreatic cancer with simulated spacer.

RESULTS

Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between L_x and D_x (r² = 0.51 and 0.51 for L_3cc-D_3cc and L_9cc-D_9cc, respectively; both P < .01). The OVH thresholds were Lˆ_3cc = 7 mm and Lˆ_9cc = 13 mm. The observed planning doses D_3cc and D_9cc of duodenum from pre-and post-hydrogel injection computed tomography scans of cadaver specimens and clinical patients with simulated spacer using predicted target spacer thickness were within the OVH model prediction range.

CONCLUSION

Our model may predict which patients require placement of a hydrogel spacer before stereotactic body radiation therapy to meet predefined dose constraints. Furthermore, by predicting the required target hydrogel thickness, the spacer injection can be better guided to improve efficacy.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Isolated Local Recurrence After Surgical Resection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Appears to be Safe and Effective

BACKGROUND

A standardized treatment regimen for unresectable isolated local recurrence (ILR) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has not been established. This study evaluated the outcomes for patients with ILR who underwent stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

METHODS

The records of patients with ILR who underwent SBRT between 2010 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Symptom palliation and treatment-related toxicity were recorded. Associations between patient or treatment characteristics and overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and local progression-free survival (LPFS) were assessed.

RESULTS

The study identified 51 patients who received SBRT for ILR. Of the 51 patients, 26 (51%) had not received radiation therapy before SBRT. The median OS was 36 months after diagnosis. From the first day of SBRT, the median OS, PFS, and LPFS were respectively 16, 7, and 10 months. Patients with a recurrence-free interval of 9 months or longer after surgery had superior OS (P = 0.019). Maintenance chemotherapy after SBRT was associated with superior OS (P < 0.001) and LPFS (P = 0.027). In the multivariable analysis, poorly differentiated tumor grade [hazard ratio (HR) 11.274], positive surgical margins (HR 0.126), and reception of maintenance chemotherapy (HR 0.141) were independently associated with OS. Positive surgical margins (HR 0.255) and maintenance chemotherapy (HR 0.299) were associated with improved LPFS. Of 16 patients, 10 (63%) experienced abdominal pain relief after SBRT. Four patients (8%) experienced grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity, and one patient experienced grade 4 gastrointestinal toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of SBRT for ILR improved pain for a majority of the patients with acceptable acute and late toxicity. The findings show that SBRT is a feasible treatment for select patients with ILR. For those who receive SBRT, maintenance chemotherapy should be considered.

A Novel Absorbable Radiopaque Hydrogel Spacer to Separate the Head of the Pancreas and Duodenum in Radiation Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer

PURPOSE

We assessed the feasibility and theoretical dosimetric advantages of an injectable hydrogel to increase the space between the head of the pancreas (HOP) and duodenum in a human cadaveric model.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Using 3 human cadaveric specimens, an absorbable radiopaque hydrogel was injected between the HOP and duodenum by way of open laparotomy in 1 case and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance in 2 cases. The cadavers were subsequently imaged using computed tomography and dissected for histologic confirmation of hydrogel placement. The duodenal dose reduction and planning target volume (PTV) coverage were characterized using pre- and postspacer injection stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) plans for the 2 cadavers with EUS-guided placement, the delivery method that appeared the most clinically desirable. Modeling studies were performed using 60 SBRT plans consisting of 10 previously treated patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer, each with 6 different HOP-duodenum separation distances. The duodenal volume receiving 15 Gy (V15), 20 Gy (V20), and 33 Gy (V33) was assessed for each iteration.

RESULTS

In the 3 cadaveric studies, an average of 0.9 cm, 1.1 cm, and 0.9 cm HOP-duodenum separation was achieved. In the 2 EUS cases, the V20 decreased from 3.86 cm³ to 0.36 cm³ and 3.75 cm³ to 1.08 cm³ (treatment constraint <3 cm³), and the V15 decreased from 7.07 cm³ to 2.02 cm³ and 9.12 cm³ to 3.91 cm³ (treatment constraint <9 cm³). The PTV coverage improved or was comparable between the pre- and postinjection studies. Modeling studies demonstrated that a separation of 8 mm was sufficient to consistently reduce the V15, V20, and V33 to acceptable clinical constraints.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently, dose escalation has been limited owing to radiosensitive structures adjacent to the pancreas. We demonstrated the feasibility of hydrogel separation of the HOP and duodenum. Future studies will evaluate the safety and efficacy of this technique with the potential for more effective dose escalation using SBRT or intensity-modulated radiation therapy to improve the outcomes in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Clinical development of new drug-radiotherapy combinations

In countries with the best cancer outcomes, approximately 60% of patients receive radiotherapy as part of their treatment, which is one of the most cost-effective cancer treatments. Notably, around 40% of cancer cures include the use of radiotherapy, either as a single modality or combined with other treatments. Radiotherapy can provide enormous benefit to patients with cancer. In the past decade, significant technical advances, such as image-guided radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, and proton therapy enable higher doses of radiotherapy to be delivered to the tumour with significantly lower doses to normal surrounding tissues. However, apart from the combination of traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy with radiotherapy, little progress has been made in identifying and defining optimal targeted therapy and radiotherapy combinations to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment. The National Cancer Research Institute Clinical and Translational Radiotherapy Research Working Group (CTRad) formed a Joint Working Group with representatives from academia, industry, patient groups and regulatory bodies to address this lack of progress and to publish recommendations for future clinical research. Herein, we highlight the Working Group's consensus recommendations to increase the number of novel drugs being successfully registered in combination with radiotherapy to improve clinical outcomes for patients with cancer.

Longer Course of Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Chemoradiation Favors Better Survival Outcomes for Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

OBJECTIVES

At diagnosis, 30% of patients with pancreatic cancer are unresectable stage 3 locally advanced. The standard treatment for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is not defined. The current study was conducted to assess the roles of chemotherapy and chemoradiation for LAPC treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between June 2006 and March 2011, 100 patients with LAPC were treated at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Retrospective analysis was performed to compare cumulative incidence of progression (CIP) and overall survival (OS) among different subgroups.

RESULTS

For the 100 patients, the median OS was 15.8 months and the median CIP was 8.4 months. The combination of chemotherapy and chemoradiation before disease progression was significantly associated with improved CIP (P=0.001) and improved OS when compared with chemoradiation alone (median OS: 16.4 vs. 11.1 mo, P=0.03). Among patients receiving combination treatment, patients who received chemotherapy first followed by chemoradiation had a trend toward lower CIP (P=0.09) and improved OS (median OS: 18.1 vs. 11.0 mo, P=0.09). Patients who received >2 cycles of chemotherapy before chemoradiation had a significantly decreased CIP (P=0.008) and a trend toward better OS (median OS: 19.4 vs. 15.7 mo, P=0.10). On multivariate analysis, receiving >2 cycles of chemotherapy before chemoradiation was associated with improved CIP.

CONCLUSIONS

Although combination chemotherapy and chemoradiation is favored in the treatment of LAPC, longer induction chemotherapy may play a more important role in sensitization of tumors to subsequent chemoradiation. Our results support treating patients with induction chemotherapy for at least 3 cycles followed by consolidative chemoradiation. These results merit further validation by a prospective study.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer: recent progress and future directions

Despite advances in surgical, medical, and radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer, the prognosis remains poor. At this time, the only chance for long-term survival is surgical resection. More challenging is the optimal management of unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer, which has historically been treated with concurrent chemoradiation or chemotherapy alone. However, the survival and local control benefit of conventional radiotherapy in addition to chemotherapy was unclear. More recently, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is emerging as a viable approach to maximizing local tumor control with a tolerable side effect profile. SBRT achieves sharp dose fall-off facilitating safe delivery of highly focused radiation to the tumor over 1-5 days. Although the optimal regimen of pancreas SBRT has not yet been established, its short treatment course limits the delay of additional. Future directions involve prospective study of pancreas SBRT and exploration of biomarkers and imaging technology in order to adopt a personalized management paradigm.

Tolerance and efficacy of palliative radiotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer: A retrospective analysis of single-institutional experiences

This study was conducted to investigate hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. A total of 31 patients were enrolled in this study, 26 of whom had locally advanced (M0) pancreatic cancer and 5 had metastatic (M1) disease. The patients were treated with palliative RT (6-30 Gy in 1-10 fractions over a period of 1 day-2 weeks). Treatment-related toxicity was classified according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0. Early mild toxicity was observed. A total of 17 patients (55%) achieved good pain control without pharmacological therapy, and 12 patients (39%) reduced their use of analgesics; in the remaining 2 patients (6%), there was no change in analgesic use. Late high-grade (>3) toxicity was not observed. The average survival time for the 31 patients was 9 months. The 1-year overall survival rate was 16%. Palliative RT was well-tolerated and was able to prolong the survival time. The majority of the patients achieved better pain control with palliative RT.

The Association Between Chemoradiation-related Lymphopenia and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Lymphopenia is a common consequence of chemoradiation therapy yet is seldom addressed clinically. This study was conducted to determine if patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) treated with definitive chemoradiation develop significant lymphopenia and if this affects clinical outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients with LAPC treated with chemoradiation at a single institution from 1997 to 2011 was performed. Total lymphocyte counts (TLCs) were recorded at baseline and then monthly during and after chemoradiation. The correlation between treatment-induced lymphopenia, established prognostic factors, and overall survival was analyzed using univariate Cox regression analysis. Important factors identified by univariate analysis were selected as covariates to construct a multivariate proportional hazards model for survival.

RESULTS

A total of 101 patients met eligibility criteria. TLCs were normal in 86% before chemoradiation. The mean reduction in TLC per patient was 50.6% (SD, 40.6%) 2 months after starting chemoradiation (P<0.00001), and 46% had TLC<500 cells/mm. Patients with TLC<500 cells/mm 2 months after starting chemoradiation had inferior median survival (8.7 vs. 13.3 mo, P=0.03) and PFS (4.9 vs. 9.0 mo, P=0.15). Multivariate analysis revealed TLC<500 cells/mm to be an independent predictor of inferior survival (HR=2.879, P=0.001) along with baseline serum albumin (HR=3.584, P=0.0002), BUN (HR=1.060, P=0.02), platelet count (HR=1.004, P=0.005), and radiation planning target volume (HR=1.003, P=0.0006).

CONCLUSIONS

Severe treatment-related lymphopenia occurs frequently after chemoradiation for LAPC and is an independent predictor of inferior survival.

Definitive Chemoradiation With Full-dose Gemcitabine for Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer: Efficacy of Involved-Field Radiotherapy

OBJECTIVES

Definitive chemoradiotherapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer has traditionally involved 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. Our institution has a long history of combining gemcitabine and radiotherapy (RT), and performed a retrospective review of all patients treated in this manner.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the records of 180 patients treated from 1999 to 2012. Mean RT dose was 40.9 Gy in 2.2-Gy fractions, and targeted only radiographically apparent disease. Ninety-six percent of patients received full-dose gemcitabine-based chemotherapy with RT. Kaplan-Meier was used to analyze time-to-event endpoints, and Cox regression models were used to assess significant prognostic variables.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine percent of patients completed RT without a toxicity-related treatment break. Median follow-up was 10.2 months. Twenty-nine percent of patients had a radiographic decrease in primary tumor size following treatment. Median overall survival was 11.8 months, time to distant metastasis (TDM) was 6.7 months, and time to local recurrence (TLR) was 8.3 months. On multivariate analysis, male sex, lower performance status, and higher posttreatment CA 19-9 level predicted for worse overall survival. Posttreatment, CA 19-9 was also associated with TDM and TLR, and radiographic tumor response was associated with better TLR.

CONCLUSION

Definitive chemoradiation using full-dose gemcitabine is well tolerated and achieves survival outcomes comparable to reported trials in the literature.

Intensity modulated radiotherapy for locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer: a mono-institutional retrospective analysis

Background

To evaluate the role of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC), and the prognostic factors in the setting of multidisciplinary approach strategies.

Methods

63 patients with LAPC and MPC receiving IMRT in our institution were retrospectively identified. Information on patient baseline, treatment characteristics and overall survival (OS) time were collected. Data of pain relief and toxicity were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to investigate the prognostic factors.

Results

All patients received IMRT with a median dose of 46.0 Gy. The median OS for LAPC and MPC patients were 15.7 months and 8.0 months, respectively (p = 0.029). Symptomatic improvements were observed in the 44 patients with abdominal/back pain after radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), particularly in those with severe pain. Only 13.9% and 14.8% cases presented Grade ≥ 3 hematologic toxicities in RT and CCRT group, while no cases developed Grade ≥ 3 non-hematologic toxicities in both groups. Multivariate analysis indicated that tumors located in pancreas body/tail (HR 0.28, p = 0.008), pretreatment CA19-9 < 1000 U/mL (HR 0.36, p = 0.029) and concurrent chemotherapy (HR 0.37, p = 0.016) were independent favorable predictors for OS.

Conclusions

CCRT further improved OS for LAPC and MPC with acceptable toxicities, and use of RT markedly alleviated pain. Tumors located in pancreas body/tail, pretreatment CA19-9 level of < 1000 U/mL and CCRT were associated with better OS. However, regional intra-arterial chemotherapy did not show any survival benefit in our study.

Correlation of clinical stage and performance status with quality of life in patients seen in a pancreas multidisciplinary clinic

INTRODUCTION

The objectives of this study were to evaluate quality of life (QoL) in patients presenting to the Johns Hopkins Pancreas Multidisciplinary Clinic (PMDC), and to examine associations between disease status, performance status, and QoL in order to identify patient subgroups that are most at risk for reduced QoL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from 77 patients were evaluated. At initial presentation, disease and performance status were assessed, as well as QoL, which was obtained with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-PAN26 questionnaire. Statistical analyses examined associations between QoL, disease status, and performance status.

RESULTS

Digestive symptoms (P < .003) significantly differed by pancreatic disease status (resectable, resected, locally advanced, and metastatic). Patients with a worse performance status, defined as Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ≥ 1, were more likely to report symptomatic pancreatic pain (P = .001), digestive symptoms (P = .017), cachexia (P = .004), and ascites (P < .001) compared with patients with a performance status of 0. The majority (92%) of patients reported a significant fear of future health problems, regardless of disease status or performance status.

CONCLUSION

Although several measures of QoL have been observed in all patients, certain measures appear to correlate specifically with worse disease status. Therefore, routine assessment of QoL is suggested in order to guide treatment decisions. Further investigation on optimizing the use of QoL measures and patient-reported outcomes to better tailor management is warranted.

Management options in locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly lethal cancer that is rarely curable at the time of presentation. Unfortunately, most patients are diagnosed with either metastatic or locally advanced disease, which is not amenable to surgery owing to the high likelihood of incomplete resection. Given the generally poor prognosis with propensity for metastatic failure greater than that for local failure, treatment options are variable, and include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, and combinations thereof. This review summarizes the current evidence for definitive management of locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma, as well as the role of palliative therapies. Future directions, including the development of predictive biomarkers and novel systemic agents, are also discussed.

Postradiotherapy CA19-9 kinetics correlate with outcomes in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine if carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9 ) nadir (nCA19-9), time to nadir (TTN), and doubling time (DT) after radiotherapy (RT) correlate with outcomes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

We examined the records of 102 patients treated with RT for primary, nonmetastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma between August 1998 and July 2011. Of these, 33 patients were treated with postoperative chemoradiotherapy (PORT) and 69 patients with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

RESULTS

Among the patients treated with PORT, TTN and DT were associated with both overall survival (OS; P = <0.01 for both) and freedom from progression (FFP; P = <0.01 for both). In patients treated with CRT, nCA19-9 and TTN correlated with both OS (P = <0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively) and FFP (P = 0.01 and <0.01, respectively). On multivariable analysis, in patients treated with PORT, TTN remained independently correlated with OS and FFP (P = 0.01; hazard ratios [HR], 6.43 and P = 0.02; HR, 4.00, respectively), whereas DT remained independently correlated to FFP (P = 0.04; HR, 0.27). In patients treated with CRT, controlling for pretreatment CA19-9, nCA19-9 and TTN independently correlated with OS (P = <0.01; HR, 3.0 and P = 0.03; HR, 2.56, respectively) and FFP (P = 0.04; HR, 2.31 and P = <0.01; HR, 4.0, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

CA19-9 kinetics after RT correlate with disease progression and survival and could serve as a prognostic tool to guide treatment decisions.

The clinical utility of biomarkers in the management of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and survival rates have seen minimal improvement over the past few decades. Although results are poor, surgical resection is considered the only curative therapeutic intervention for pancreatic cancer, thereby emphasizing the significance of effective diagnostic and prognostic tools to improve outcomes. As such, biomarkers play a promising role in the development of personalized treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer. Prognostic biomarkers, such as serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in particular, as well as cancer stem cell markers, provide valuable insight into the biological processes of an individual and their likely course of disease. This, consequently, allows for the assessment of optimal therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, current efforts target putative predictive biomarkers such as BRCA2, PALB2, and SPARC so as to determine their influence on tumor response on targeted therapies. As research progresses, more evidence will provide clinicians with guidelines on the utilization of biomarkers to accurately stage and tailor personalized treatment to the needs of specific patients with pancreatic cancer.

Management of borderline and locally advanced pancreatic cancer: Where do we stand?

Many patients with pancreas cancer present with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). The principle tools used for diagnosis and staging of LAPC include endoscopic ultrasound, axial imaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and diagnostic laparoscopy. The definition of resectability has historically been vague, as there is considerable debate and controversy as to the definition of LAPC. For the patient with LAPC, there is some level of involvement of the surrounding vascular structures, which include the superior mesenteric artery, celiac axis, hepatic artery, superior mesenteric vein, or portal vein. When feasible, most surgeons would recommend possible surgical resection for patients with borderline LAPC, with the goal of an R0 resection. For initially unresectable LAPC, neoadjuvant should be strongly considered. Specifically, these patients should be offered neoadjuvant therapy, and the tumor should be assessed for possible response and eventual resection. The efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy with this approach as a bridge to potential curative resection is broad, ranging from 3%-79%. The different modalities of neoadjuvant therapy include single or multi-agent chemotherapy combined with radiation, chemotherapy alone, and chemotherapy followed by chemotherapy with radiation. This review focuses on patients with LAPC and addresses recent advances and controversies in the field.

Phase II Trial of Cetuximab and Conformal Radiotherapy Only in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer with Concurrent Tissue Sampling Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

Preclinical data have indicated the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) agent cetuximab (Erbitux) as a radiosensitizer in pancreatic cancer, but this has not been specifically addressed in a clinical study. We report the results of an original study initiated in 2007, where cetuximab was tested with radiotherapy (RT) alone in locally advanced pancreatic cancer in a phase II trial (PACER).

METHODS

Patients (n = 21) received cetuximab loading dose (400 mg/m(2)) and weekly dose (250 mg/m(2)) during RT (50.4 Gy in 28 fractions). Toxicity and disease response end point data were prospectively assessed. A feasibility study of on-trial patient blood and skin sampling was incorporated.

RESULTS

Treatment was well tolerated, and toxicity was low; most patients (71%) experienced acute toxicities of grade 2 or less. Six months posttreatment, stable local disease was achieved in 90% of evaluable patients, but only 33% were free from metastatic progression. Median overall survival was 7.5 months, and actuarial survival was 33% at 1 year and 11% at 3 years, reflecting swift metastatic progression in some patients but good long-term control of localized disease in others. High-grade acneiform rash (P = .0027), posttreatment stable disease (P = .0059), and pretreatment cancer antigen 19.9 (CA19.9) level (P = .0042) associated with extended survival. Patient skin and blood samples yielded sufficient RNA and good quality protein, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that cetuximab inhibits EGFR-mediated radioresistance to achieve excellent local control with minimal toxicity but does not sufficiently control metastatic progression in all patients. Translational studies of patient tissue samples may yield molecular information that may enable individual treatment response prediction.

Re-irradiation with stereotactic body radiation therapy as a novel treatment option for isolated local recurrence of pancreatic cancer after multimodality therapy: experience from two institutions

Limited treatment options exist for isolated local recurrence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) following surgical resection accompanied by neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT). While select patients are eligible for re-resection, recurrent lesions are often unresectable. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) represents a possible minimally invasive treatment option for these patients, although published data in this setting are currently lacking. This study examines the safety, efficacy, and palliative capacity of re-irradiation with SBRT for isolated local PDA recurrence. All patients undergoing SBRT at two academic centers from 2008-2012 were retrospectively reviewed to identify those who received re-irradiation with SBRT for isolated local recurrence or progression of PDA after previous conventionally fractionated CRT. Information regarding demographics, clinicopathologic characteristics, therapies received, survival, symptom palliation, and toxicity was obtained from patient charts. Kaplan-Meier statistics were used to analyze survival and the log-rank test was used to compare survival among patient subgroups. Eighteen patients were identified. Fifteen had previously undergone resection with neoadjuvant or adjuvant CRT, while 3 received definitive CRT for locally advanced disease. Median CRT dose was 50.4 Gy [interquartile range (IQR), 45.0-50.4 Gy] in 28 fractions. All patients subsequently received gemcitabine-based maintenance chemotherapy, but developed isolated local disease recurrence or progression without evidence of distant metastasis. Locally recurrent or progressive disease was treated with SBRT to a median dose of 25.0 Gy (range, 20.0-27.0 Gy) in 5 fractions. Median survival from SBRT was 8.8 months (95% CI, 1.2-16.4 months). Despite having similar clinicopathologic disease characteristics, patients who experienced local progression greater than vs. less than 9 months after surgery/definitive CRT demonstrated superior median survival (11.3 vs. 3.4 months; P=0.019) and progression-free survival (10.6 vs. 3.2 months; P=0.030) after SBRT. Rates of freedom from local progression at 6 and 12 months after SBRT were 78% (14 of 18 patients) and 62% (5 of 8 patients), respectively. Effective symptom palliation was achieved in 4 of 7 patients (57%) who reported symptoms of abdominal or back pain prior to SBRT. Five patients (28%) experienced grade 2 acute toxicity; none experienced grade ≥3 acute toxicity. One patient (6%) experienced grade 3 late toxicity in the form of small bowel obstruction. In conclusion, re-irradiation with hypofractionated SBRT in this salvage scenario appears to be a safe and reasonable option for palliation of isolated local PDA recurrence or progression following previous conventional CRT. Patients with a progression-free interval of greater than 9 months prior to isolated local recurrence or progression may be most suitable for re-irradiation with SBRT, as they appear to have a better prognosis with survival that is long enough for local control to be of potential benefit.

Randomized phase III multi-institutional study of TNFerade biologic with fluorouracil and radiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer: final results

PURPOSE

TNFerade biologic is a novel means of delivering tumor necrosis factor alpha to tumor cells by gene transfer. We herein report final results of the largest randomized phase III trial performed to date among patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and the first to test gene transfer against this malignancy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 304 patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to standard of care plus TNFerade (SOC + TNFerade) versus standard of care alone (SOC). SOC consisted of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions with concurrent fluorouracil (200 mg/m(2) per day continuous infusion). TNFerade was injected intratumorally before the first fraction of radiotherapy each week at a dose of 4 × 10(11) particle units by using either a percutaneous transabdominal or an endoscopic ultrasound approach. Four weeks after chemoradiotherapy, patients began gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m(2) intravenously) with or without erlotinib (100 to 150 mg per day orally) until progression or toxicity.

RESULTS

The analysis included 187 patients randomly assigned to SOC + TNFerade and 90 to SOC by using a modified intention-to-treat approach. Median follow-up was 9.1 months (range, 0.1 to 50.5 months). Median survival was 10.0 months for patients in both the SOC + TNFerade and SOC arms (hazard ratio [HR], 0.90; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.22; P = .26). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.8 months for SOC + TNFerade versus 7.0 months for SOC (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.32; P = .51). Among patients treated on the SOC + TNFerade arm, multivariate analysis showed that TNFerade injection by an endoscopic ultrasound-guided transgastric/transduodenal approach rather than a percutaneous transabdominal approach was a risk factor for inferior PFS (HR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.06 to 4.06; P = .032). The patients in the SOC + TNFerade arm experienced more grade 1 to 2 fever and chills than those in the SOC arm (P < .001) but both arms had similar rates of grade 3 to 4 toxicities (all P > .05).

CONCLUSION

SOC + TNFerade is safe but not effective for prolonging survival in patients with LAPC.