Minimally important difference for the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite Short Form

Prostate Brachytherapy With Cs-131: Long-term Results Compared With Published Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Data

OBJECTIVE

We sought to compare our results of patients treated with Cs-131 prostate brachytherapy (PB) as monotherapy to recently published results of patients treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy.

METHODS

We analyzed data from patients treated at our institution with Cs-131 PB as monotherapy who had at least 5 years of follow-up and who prospectively completed expanded prostate cancer index composite questionnaires at baseline, 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years. We compared our data with the recently published data from radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) 0938 and PACE-B (NCT01584258).

RESULTS

A total of 138 patients were included in our cohort. Using RTOG 0938's definition, the frequency of a decline in urinary function in our PB cohort was 43% compared with 41.3% in RTOG 0938. According to PACE-B's definition, our PB cohort had minimal clinically important differences in the urinary incontinence domain of 26.4% and in the urinary obstructive/irritative domain of 40.7% at 2 years compared with PACE-B's reported rate of 32% and 33%, respectively. The frequency of a >5-point change in the expanded prostate cancer index composite bowel summary score at 5 years was 25% compared with 30.7% in RTOG 0938. Our bowel difference at 2 years was 23% compared with PACE-B's reported 24%. Our 5-year biochemical disease free survival (bDFS) was 97.8%, compared with 91.3% in RTOG 0938 and 95.8% in PACE-B.

CONCLUSIONS

Low dose rate (LDR) PB with Cs-131 as monotherapy provides excellent biochemical control of prostate cancer in low and intermediate-risk patients. Our cohort of patients had modest differences in patient-reported urinary and bowel quality of life compared with baseline. These differences were comparable to recently published stereotactic body radiotherapy data. When comparing prostate cancer treatments in terms of patient convenience and available resources, PB certainly should be considered.

A controlled study of use and effectiveness of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors in long-term survivors after curative radiotherapy for prostate cancer (PCa)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We lack population-based data on the use and effectiveness of phosphodiesterase- 5inhibitors (PDE-5Is) in post-radiotherapy long-term prostate cancer survivors (PCaSs). In this cross-sectional survey performed 9 years after curative radiotherapy we explored PDE-5I use and the drugs'effectiveness in 1,092 nine-year PCaSs responding to the sexual items of EPIC-26. The findings from PCaSs were compared to those from 2,847 age-similar men from the general population (Norms).

RESULTS

13 % of the PCaSs and 9 % of the Norms were Current Users of PDE-5Ies, High sexual interest and, restricted to PCaSs, age below 70 years significantly increased the use of PDE-Is. In PCaSs and Norms, who used PDE-5Is the levels of the six sexual items of EPIC-26 and of the Sexual Domain Summary Score (DSS) were similar. The corresponding differences were large in Never Users of PDE-5Ies. High sexual interest in PCaSs, and use of PDE-5Is were significantly and positively associated with an acceptable level of the sexual domain in EPIC-26 (Score > 40), whereas the association was negative for age > 70 years, reduced health and obesity, CONCLUSION: At least 1 of 10 long-term post-radiotherapy PCaSs experience "some help" of their erectile dysfunction by use of PDE-5Is. These patients are identified by high sexual interest, age < 70 years and good health During long-term follow-up of PCaSs clinicians are challenged early to identify these, often relatively young men, based on their high sexual interest.

Pelvis Or Involved Node Treatment: Eradicating Recurrence in Prostate Cancer (POINTER-PC) - study protocol paper for a phase III multicentre, open-label randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer in men. Recurrence may occur in up to half of patients initially treated with curative intent for high-risk localised/locally advanced PCa. Pelvic nodal recurrence is common in this setting, but no clear standard of care exists for these patients, with potential therapeutic approaches including stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to the involved node(s) alone, extended nodal irradiation (ENI) to treat sites of potential micrometastatic spread in addition to involved node(s) and androgen deprivation therapy with or without additional systemic anticancer therapies. Based on observational studies, ENI is associated with promising metastasis-free survival (MFS) compared with SBRT and appears to result in low rates of severe late toxicity.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Pelvis Or Involved Node Treatment: Eradicating Recurrence in Prostate Cancer is a UK multicentre, open-label, phase III randomised controlled trial, which will deliver much needed, high-quality evidence of the impact on metastatic progression from ENI compared with SBRT in patients with PCa pelvic nodal recurrence. The trial will also evaluate the long-term toxicity of 5-fraction ENI compared with a standard 20-fraction schedule. The trail will randomise 480 participants in a ratio of 2:1:1 to SBRT, 5-fraction ENI or 20-fraction ENI from 35 to 40 UK radiotherapy sites over 4 years. Coprimary endpoints are MFS at 3 years and participant-reported late bowel toxicity at 3 years. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, biochemical progression-free survival, failure-free survival, patterns of failure, participant-reported/clinician-reported toxicity and health-related quality of life. Collection of blood and tissue samples will enable future evaluation of biomarkers of disease and toxicity and support stratification of salvage therapeutic approaches.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was obtained from NHS Health Research Authority, East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee (24/EE/0099). Trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and adhere to International Committee of Medical Journal Editors guidelines.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN11089334, registered on 23 September 2024.

Patient-reported functional outcomes and treatment-related regret in Hispanic and Spanish-speaking men following prostate cancer treatment

OBJECTIVES

Compare functional outcomes and treatment-related regret over 10 years in Spanish- and English-speaking Hispanic men compared to non-Hispanic men following treatment of localized prostate cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Data from a prospective cohort study of men with localized prostate cancer treated with active surveillance, radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy were used to examine the effect of survey language (Spanish speaking vs. English speaking) and ethnicity (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic) on functional outcomes and treatment-related regret over 10 years. Outcomes were measured using validated questionaries adjusting for baseline patient and disease characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 770 men were included, 12% were Spanish-speaking and 12% were English-speaking Hispanic men. Compared to non-Hispanic men, Spanish-speaking Hispanic men had clinically meaningfully better urinary incontinence scores at years 3, 5 and 10 (adjusted mean difference [aMD], 12.4, 95% CI, 4.8 to 20.0; at year 10), as well as better bowel function scores at 10 years (aMD, 5.1, 95% CI 2.3 to 8.0). English-speaking Hispanic men had clinically worse urinary incontinence at 3 and 5 years (aMD, -10.7 [95% CI, -17.6 to -3.9]; at year 5) and bowel function at 10 years (aMD, -4.3 [95% CI, -8.2 to -0.4]) compared to Spanish-speaking Hispanic men. English-speaking Hispanic men were more likely to report regret than Spanish-speaking Hispanic men at 10 years (adjusted odds ratio, 7.9, 95% CI, 1.3-46.2).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the importance of considering language and ethnicity when providing counseling and support for prostate cancer survivors, emphasizing the need for personalized patient-centered care.

Acute Toxicity and Early Prostate Specific Antigen Response After Two-Fraction Stereotactic Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer Using Peri-Rectal Spacing-Initial Report of the SABR-Dual Trial

PURPOSE

SABR-Dual is a phase-III trial with an initial phase-I safety cohort, of 2-fraction stereotactic radiotherapy (SABR) with optional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based focal boost, using peri-rectal spacing, for localized prostate cancer. This represents the initial report from the phase-I non-randomized cohort.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Subjects had favorable intermediate risk (FIR) or low risk prostate adenocarcinoma, and gland volume <80 cc. All underwent radiopaque hydrogel spacer and fiducial marker placement before simulation (computed tomography and 3-tesla T2 MRI). The clinical target volume included the entire prostate, and in FIR patients, 1-2 cm of seminal vesicle. A 2-mm expansion was applied for planning target volume (PTV), and a dose of 27 Gy was prescribed to the PTV-prostate, 23 Gy to the PTV-seminal vesicle, with an optional 30 Gy simultaneous boost to an MRI-defined dominant lesion. Primary endpoint was 3-month patient-reported changes in quality of life based on the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-26, International Prostate Symptom Score, and Sexual Health Inventory for Men questionnaires. Secondary endpoints were 6-month quality of life, acute toxicity (using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0) and early Prostate specific antigen (PSA) response.

RESULTS

Among the 20 patients in the phase-I cohort, 95% had FIR disease, and 50% received a simultaneous boost. At median follow-up of 8 months, a 3-month minimally clinically important change occurred in 1/20 (5%), 6/20 (30%), 2/20 (10%), 4/20 (20%), and 5/20 (25%) in urinary incontinence, urinary obstructive, bowel, sexual, and hormonal domains. There was a mean increase of 1 ± 5.4 in International Prostate Symptom Score and decrease of 1.8 ± 6.5 in Sexual Health Inventory for Men scores. Rates of grade 2 urinary and bowel toxicity were 10% and 0%, respectively, with no grade ≥3 toxicities. Mean PSA decrease at last follow-up was 70.4% ± 17.7%.

CONCLUSION

This generalizable protocol of 2-fraction prostate SABR using peri-rectal spacing is a safe approach for ultra-hypofractionated dose-escalation, with minimal acute toxicity. Longer-term outcomes and direct comparison with standard 5-fraction SABR are being studied in the phase-III randomized portion of SABR-Dual.

Prospective, Randomized Controlled Pivotal Trial of Biodegradable Balloon Rectal Spacer for Prostate Radiation Therapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

Rectal spacers have been shown to reduce rectal side effects in patients receiving prostate radiation. However, concerns remain regarding precise and reproducible gel injection. We evaluated efficacy and safety of a novel rectoprostatic spacer balloon that allows potential for controlled, adaptable deployment. This study tested co-primary hypotheses: (1) balloon spacer would result in ≥25% reduction of rectal V70 in >75% of subjects and (2) implantation procedure-related and rectal ≥grade 1 adverse events within 6 months (duration ≥2 days, Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4.0) would be noninferior in balloon versus control subjects.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 222 subjects were enrolled at 16 centers. All patients had T1-T3 prostate cancer without magnetic resonance imaging evidence of posterior extraprostatic invasion. Randomization was 2:1 (balloon: control) and subject-blinded. Patients underwent transperineal transrectal ultrasound axial and sagittal-guided fiducial placement ± balloon, followed by Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (81 Gy in 1.8 Gy fractions or biologically equivalent hypofractionated dose). For efficacy comparisons, plans were generated by a central core lab on pre- and postimplant computed tomography scans.

RESULTS

The primary efficacy endpoint was met, with 97.9% of balloon subjects (139/142) having rectal V70 reduction >25% (P < .001). Mean V70 was 7.0 % pre- versus 1.1% postimplant. The primary safety endpoint was met with balloon subjects experiencing fewer ≥grade 1 events, 18% versus 23% (P < .001 for noninferiority). On predefined secondary endpoint of ≥grade 2 events, rates trended lower in balloon subjects (4.3% vs 6.5%, P = .527). Mean perirectal spacing was 19 ± 3.7 mm and maintained through radiation treatment (18 ± 3.9 mm). Balloon resorption was observed on 6-month computed tomography in 98.5% (133/135) of subjects. The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index quality of life instrument was collected throughout study, and did not differ statistically between the study arms.

CONCLUSIONS

Biodegradable rectal spacer balloon was effective in significantly reducing dose to rectum, and associated with decreased cumulative rectal plus implantation-related adverse events. Balloon resorption was consistently observed by 6 months.

Radical Prostatectomy Versus Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Clinically Localised Prostate Cancer: Results of the PACE-A Randomised Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Randomised data on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and prostatectomy in localised prostate cancer are lacking. PACE-A compared patient-reported health-related quality of life after SBRT with that after prostatectomy.

METHODS

PACE is a phase 3 open-label, randomised controlled trial. PACE-A randomised men with low- to intermediate-risk localised prostate cancer to SBRT or prostatectomy (1:1). Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was not permitted. The coprimary outcomes were the Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC-26) number of absorbent urinary pads required daily and bowel domain score at 2 yr. The secondary endpoints were clinician-reported toxicity, sexual functioning, and other PROs.

KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS

In total, 123 men were randomised (60 undergoing prostatectomy and 63 SBRT) from August 2012 to February 2022. The median follow-up time was 60.7 mo. The median age was 65.5 yr and the median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value 7.9 ng/ml; 92% had National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) intermediate-risk disease. Fifty participants received prostatectomy and 60 received SBRT. At 2 yr, 16/32 (50%) prostatectomy and three of 46 (6.5%) SBRT participants used one or more urinary pads daily (p < 0.001; 15 and two, respectively, used one pad daily); the estimated difference was 43% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 25%, 62%). At 2 yr, bowel scores were better for prostatectomy (median [interquartile range] 100 [100-100]) than for SBRT (87.5 [79.2-100]; p < 0.001), with an estimated mean difference of 8.9 between these (95% CI: 4.2, 13.7); sexual scores were worse for prostatectomy (18 [13.8-40.3]) than for SBRT (62.5 [32.0-87.5]). The limitations were slow recruitment and incomplete 2-yr PRO response rates.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

SBRT was associated with less patient-reported urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, and slightly more bowel bother than prostatectomy. These randomised data should inform treatment decision-making for patients with localised, intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Effectiveness of proactive health interventions in reducing symptoms and enhancing self-efficacy and self-management in prostate cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a proactive health intervention in reducing symptoms, enhancing self-efficacy, and improving self-management capabilities in prostate cancer survivors.

METHODS

A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 200 prostate cancer survivors at a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang Province. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 95), which received a 3-month proactive health management program based on five health modules with online and telephone follow-up, or the control group (n = 97), which received routine telephone follow-up care. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months post-discharge, focusing on prostate cancer symptoms, self-care ability, self-efficacy, and psychological well-being.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed significant improvements in prostate cancer symptoms (95% CI = [- 5.898, - 1.756], p < 0.001), self-care ability (95% CI = [14.427, 20.878], p < 0.001), and self-efficacy (95% CI = [0.078, 0.408], p = 0.004) after the intervention. Anxiety and depression (95% CI = [- 2.408, - 1.404], p < 0.001) were significantly reduced at the 3-month follow-up compared to baseline, although no significant difference was observed between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3-month proactive health management intervention significantly reduced symptoms, anxiety, and depression in prostate cancer survivors, while improving self-care ability and self-efficacy. Further studies with larger samples and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these findings.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Rehabilitation for prostate cancer survivors should integrate both physical and psychological recovery to address comprehensive health needs. Enhancing survivors' proactive health management skills supports sustained recovery.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: ChiCTR2300076594.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Versus Computed Tomography Guidance for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer: 2-year Outcomes from the MIRAGE Randomized Clinical Trial

It has been shown that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance versus computed tomography (CT) guidance for aggressive margin-reduction (AMR) for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in prostate cancer reduces acute toxicity, but the longer-term benefits are unknown. We performed a secondary analysis of MIRAGE, a phase 3 randomized clinical trial of MRI-guided SBRT for prostate cancer, to determine whether AMR with MRI guidance significantly reduced 2-yr physician-scored or patient-reported toxic effects in comparison to CT guidance. The cumulative incidence of 2-yr physician-scored toxicity, defined as grade ≥2 genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxic effects according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03, were lower with MRI guidance. Cumulative incidence rates of late grade ≥2 toxicity at 2 yr with MRI-guided versus CT-guided SBRT were 27% (95% confidence interval [CI] 19-39%)] versus 51% (95% CI 41-63%) for GU toxicity (p = 0.004), and 1.4% (95% CI 0.2-9.6) versus 9.5% (95% CI 4.6-19) for GI toxicity (p = 0.025). Cumulative logistic regression revealed that MRI-guided SBRT was associated with significantly lower odds of a clinically relevant deterioration in bowel function according to the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-26 score (odds ratio 0.444, 95% CI 0.209-0.942; p = 0.035) and in the Sexual Health Inventory in Men score (odds ratio 0.366, 95% CI 0.148-0.906; p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in the odds of a deterioration for other quality-of-life metrics. These findings support the hypothesis that aggressive planning for margin reduction for prostate SBRT using MRI leads to continued reductions in toxic effects over 2-yr follow-up. This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier as NCT04384770.

PRO-P: evaluating the effect of electronic patient-reported outcome measures monitoring compared with standard care in prostate cancer patients undergoing surgery-study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

With over 65,000 new cases per year in Germany, prostate cancer (PC) is the most common cancer in men in Germany. Localized PC is often treated by radical prostatectomy and has a very good prognosis. Postoperative quality of life (QoL) is significantly influenced by the side effects of surgery. One possible approach to improve QoL is postoperative symptom monitoring using ePROMs (electronic patient-reported outcome measures) to accurately identify any need for support.

METHODS

The PRO-P ("Influence of ePROMS in surgical therapy of PC on the postoperative course") study is a randomized controlled trial employing 1:1 randomization at 6 weeks postoperatively, involving 260 patients with incontinence (≥ 1 pad/day) at six participating centers. Recruitment is planned for 1 year with subsequent 1-year follow-up. PRO-monitoring using domains of EPIC-26, psychological burden, and QoL are assessed 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 52 weeks postoperatively. Exceeding predefined PRO-score cutoffs triggers an alert at the center, prompting patient contact, medical consultation, and potential interventions. The primary endpoint is urinary continence. Secondary endpoints refer to EPIC-26 domains, psychological distress, and QoL. Aspects of feasibility, effect, and implementation of the intervention will be investigated within the framework of a qualitative process evaluation.

DISCUSSION

PRO-P investigates the effect on postoperative symptom monitoring of a structured follow-up using ePROMs in the first year after prostatectomy. It is one of the first studies in cancer surgery investigating PRO-monitoring and its putative applicability to routine care. Patient experiences with intensified monitoring of postoperative symptoms and reflective counseling will be examined in order to improve primarily urinary continence, and secondly other burdens of physical and psychological symptoms, quality-of-life, and patient competence. The potential applicability of the intervention in clinical practice is facilitated by IT adaption to the certification standards of the German Cancer Society and the integration of the ePROMs survey via a joint patient portal. Positive outcomes could readily translate this complex intervention into routine clinical care. PRO-P might improve urinary incontinence and QoL in patients with radical prostatectomy through the structured use of ePROMs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05644821. Registered on 09 December 2022.

Discrimination against Gay and Bisexual Patients in Prostate Cancer Treatment: Results from the Restore-2 Study

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of discrimination during prostate cancer treatment and assess the association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a cohort of gay and bisexual men (GBM) prostate cancer survivors. This is a cross-sectional analysis of the 24-month follow-up survey from the Restore-2 clinical trial that tested the effectiveness of an online rehabilitation program tailored for GBM prostate cancer survivors in the U.S. This analysis uses data from the 347 participants who completed all items of the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) at the 24-month follow-up. A log-binomial regression model estimated the risk of experiencing discrimination across treatment received and demographic characteristics. Multivariable linear regression models estimated mean differences in HRQOL measures with discrimination as a binary variable after adjustment for relevant covariates. Nearly half (49.3%) of participants endorsed at least one experience of discrimination during prostate cancer treatment. About half (52%) of these rated the discrimination as "rare" (total EDS = 1-3), while 48% reported it as more common (total EDS ≥ 4). Most attributed the discrimination to their sexual orientation (35.5%) or to their provider's attributes (29.6%). Those who underwent systemic/combined treatment (vs. either surgery or radiation only) and those with less than a bachelor's or graduate-level degree (vs. bachelor's degree) were more likely to report discrimination. Experiencing any discrimination was associated with significantly worse HRQOL outcomes. Discrimination during prostate cancer treatment appears to be a common experience for GBM patients and may result in poorer treatment outcomes.

Association between smoking and prostate cancer survivors' long-term quality of life and function: an analysis of the CEASAR (Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation) study

PURPOSE

There is limited evidence of tobacco smoking's effect on cancer survivors' quality of life (QOL) and function. As the natural history of localized prostate cancer (PCa) is protracted, there is a need to identify modifiable risk factors that can influence PCa survivorship, such as tobacco smoking.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We used up to 10-year survey data from the CEASAR (Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation) study, a prospective, population-based, observational study of patients diagnosed with localized PCa in 2011-2012. Survivors were categorized as never, former, and current smokers during survivorship. Adjusted multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the association between smoking and 5-year and 10-year scores on the 26-Item Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC-26; PCa-specific domains) and 5-year scores on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36; general health domains).

RESULTS

We included 2426 patients of whom 142 (6%) were current smokers, 1039 (43%) were former smokers, and 1245 (51%) were never smokers. Current smokers were more likely to be Black, low-income, and less formally educated (all p < 0.01). After adjustments, there was no association between smoking history with disease-specific functional outcomes (EPIC-26) at 5 years or 10 years (all p > 0.05). However, in adjusted analyses assessing general health domains (SF-36), compared to participants who never smoked, current smokers during survivorship had worse physical function (- 10.96, 95% CI - 16.37 to - 5.55, p < 0.01) at 5 years.

CONCLUSION

PCa survivors who continue to smoke experience worse physical functioning though there is no significant independent effect on PCa-specific functional domains.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Prostate cancer survivors who continue to smoke experience worse physical functioning though there is no significant independent effect on PCa-specific functional domains. Smoking cessation may improve prostate cancer survivorship.

Setting the Stage: Feasibility and Baseline Characteristics in the PARTIQoL Trial Comparing Proton Therapy Versus Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE

Men with localized prostate cancer may receive either photon-based intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or proton beam therapy (PBT). The PARTIQoL trial (NCT01617161) demonstrates the feasibility of performing a large, multicenter phase 3 randomized trial comparing IMRT with PBT for localized prostate cancer. Here, we report baseline features of patients enrolled on this trial and present strategies to improve feasibility of other similar trials.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer were randomly assigned to either PBT or IMRT with stratification by institution, age, use of rectal spacer, and fractionation schedule (conventional fractionation: 79.2 Gy in 44 fractions vs moderate hypofractionation: 70.0 Gy in 28 fractions). The primary endpoint is a change from baseline bowel health using the Expanded Prostate Index Composite score 24 months after radiation therapy. Secondary objectives include treatment-related differences in urinary and erectile functions, adverse events, and efficacy endpoints.

RESULTS

Between July 2012 and November 2021, 450 patients were successfully accrued. Patients were randomly assigned to either PBT (N = 226) or to IMRT (N = 224); 13 were ineligible or withdrew before treatment. The median age of 437 analyzed patients was 68 years (range, 46-89 years). A total of 41% of patients had low-risk and 59% had intermediate-risk disease. In total, 49% of patients were treated with conventional fractionation and 51% with moderately hypofractionation. 48% of patients used a rectal spacer. For patients receiving PBT, pencil beam scanning was used in 48%. PBT and IMRT arms were balanced for baseline variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite significant challenges, the PARTIQoL trial demonstrated that, with targeted recruitment approaches, multicenter collaboration, payer engagement, and protocol updates to incorporate contemporary techniques, it is feasible to perform a large phase 3 randomized clinical trial to assess whether PBT improves outcomes. We will separately report primary results and continue to monitor participants for longer follow-up and secondary endpoints.

Effects on patient activation of eHealth support in addition to standard care in patients after radical prostatectomy: Analysis of secondary outcome from a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer is often treated with radical prostatectomy, but surgery can leave patients with side effects. Patients who actively take part in their rehabilitation have been shown to achieve better clinical outcomes. eHealth support has the potential to increase patient activation, but has rarely been evaluated in long-term randomized controlled trials. Therefore, we evaluated the effects on patient activation of eHealth support (electronic Patient Activation in Treatment at Home, ePATH) based on motivational theory. The aim was to investigate the effects of eHealth support on patient activation at 6 and 12 months after radical prostatectomy, compared with standard care alone, and associations with baseline patient activation and depression.

METHODS

A multicentre randomized controlled trial with two study arms was conducted. Men planned for radical prostatectomy at three county hospitals in southern Sweden were included and randomized to the intervention or control group. The effects of ePATH on the secondary outcome, patient activation, were evaluated for one year after surgery using the patient activation measure and analysed using a linear mixed model.

RESULTS

The study included 170 men during 2018-2019. In the intervention group, 64% (53/83) used ePATH. The linear mixed model showed no significant differences between groups in patient activation [β -2.32, P .39; CI -7.64-3.00]. Baseline patient activation [β 0.65, P < .001; CI 0.40-0.91] and depression [β -0.86, P .03; CI -1.64- -0.07] statistically impacted patient activation scores over one year.

CONCLUSIONS

ePATH had no impact on patient activation during long-term prostate cancer rehabilitation. However, patient activation at baseline and depression scores significantly influenced patient activation, underlining the need to assess these aspects in prostate cancer surgery rehabilitation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN18055968, (07/06/2018); https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN18055968; International Registered Report Identifier: RR2-10.2196/11625.

Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Magnetic Resonance-Guided Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

This systematic review provides an overview of literature on the impact of magnetic resonance-guided radiation therapy (MRgRT) on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with prostate cancer (PC).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A systematic search was performed in October 2023 in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. The Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Study design (PICOS) framework was used to determine eligibility criteria. Included were studies assessing PROs following MRgRT for PC with a sample size >10. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane's Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies - of Interventions and Cochrane's risk of bias tool for randomized trials. Relevant mean differences (MDs) compared with pre-RT were interpreted using minimal important differences. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.

RESULTS

Eleven observational studies and 1 randomized controlled trial (n = 897) were included. Nine studies included patients with primary PC with MRgRT as first-line treatment (n = 813) and 3 with MRgRT as second-line treatment (n = 84). Substantial risk of bias was found in 5 studies. European Organization for Research and Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ) core 30 (C30) and EORTC QLQ prostate cancer module (PR25) scores were pooled from 3 studies, and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC)-26 scores were pooled from 4 studies. Relevant MDs for the urinary domain were found with the EPIC-26 (MD, -10.0; 95% CI, -12.0 to -8.1; I2 = 0%) and the EORTC QLQ-PR25 (MD, 8.6; 95% CI, -4.7 to 22.0; I2 = 97%), both at end-RT to 1-month follow-up. Relevant MDs for the bowel domain were found with the EPIC-26 (MD, -4.7; 95% CI, -9.2 to -0.2; I2 = 82%) at end-RT or 1-month follow-up, but not with the EORTC QLQ-PR25. For both domains, no relevant MDs were found after 3 months of follow-up. No relevant MDs were found in the general quality of life domains of the EORTC QLQ C30.

CONCLUSIONS

MRgRT for PC results in a temporary worsening of patient-reported urinary and bowel symptoms during the first month after treatment compared with pre-RT, resolving at 3 months. No clinically relevant changes were found for general quality of life domains. These results provide important information for patient counseling and can serve as a benchmark for future studies.

Familism, family cohesion, and health-related quality of life in Hispanic prostate cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

Familism, the cultural value that emphasizes feelings of loyalty and dedication to one's family, has been related to both positive and negative outcomes in Hispanic cancer survivors. One potential source of observed inconsistencies may be limited attention to the family environment, as familism may be protective in a cohesive family whereas it can exacerbate distress in a conflictive family.

PURPOSE

The current study explored the associations of familism with general and disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Hispanic men who completed prostate cancer (PC) treatment, and whether family cohesion may help explain these relationships.

METHODS

Hispanic men treated for localized PC (e.g., radiation, surgery) were enrolled in a randomized controlled stress management trial and assessed prior to randomization. Familism (familial obligation) was assessed using Sabogal's Familism Scale and family cohesion was measured using the Family Environment Scale (ranging from high to low). The sexual, urinary incontinence, and urinary obstructive/irritative domains of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite - Short Form measured disease-specific HRQoL. The physical, emotional, and functional well-being subscales of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General captured general HRQoL. Hierarchical linear regression and the SPSS PROCESS macro were used to conduct moderation analyses, while controlling for relevant covariates.

RESULTS

Participants were 202 older men on average 65.7 years of age (SD = 8.0) who had been diagnosed with PC an average of 22 months prior to enrollment. Familism was not directly associated with general and disease-specific HRQoL. Moderation analyses revealed that greater familism was related to poorer urinary functioning in the incontinence (p = .03) and irritative/obstructive domains (p = .01), and lower emotional well-being (p = .02), particularly when family cohesion was low.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the importance of considering contextual factors, such as family cohesion, in understanding the influence of familism on general and disease-specific HRQoL among Hispanic PC patients. The combined influence of familism and family cohesion predicts clinically meaningful differences in urinary functioning and emotional well-being during the posttreatment phase. Culturally sensitive psychosocial interventions to boost family cohesion and leverage the positive impact of familistic attitudes are needed to enhance HRQoL outcomes in this population.

Intensifying Salvage Therapy in Prostate-specific Antigen Recurrent Prostate Cancer After Radical Prostatectomy with Apalutamide, Salvage Radiation, and Docetaxel: The Phase 2 STARTAR Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with salvage radiation therapy (RT) improves survival for patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer (PC), but many patients suffer further relapse. This study aims to determine the benefit of the combination of ADT, apalutamide, salvage RT, and docetaxel for high-risk PSA recurrent PC.

METHODS

STARTAR is a multicenter, investigator-initiated phase 2 trial of men with PSA recurrent PC after RP. The key inclusion criteria included M0 by computed tomography/bone scan, Gleason 7 with either T3/positive margin/N1 disease or Gleason 8-10 prostate adenocarcinoma, PSA relapse (0.2-4 ng/ml) <4 yr after RP, and fewer than four positive resected lymph nodes. Patients received ADT with apalutamide for 9 mo, RT starting week 8, and then six cycles of docetaxel. The primary endpoint was 36-mo progression-free survival (PFS) with testosterone recovery and compared against the prior STREAM trial.

KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS

We enrolled 39 men, including those with Gleason 8-10 (46%), pN1 (23%); the median PSA was 0.58 ng/ml. The median follow-up was 37 mo. All patients achieved undetectable PSA nadir. At 24 and 36 mo, PFS rates were 84% and 71%, respectively, which improved significantly over 3-yr 47% historic PFS and 54% enzalutamide/ADT/RT (STREAM) PFS rates (p = 0.004 and p = 0.039, respectively). Common any-grade adverse events included 98% hot flashes, 88% fatigue, 77% alopecia, 53% rash (10% G3), and 5% febrile neutropenia.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

In this phase 2 trial of ADT, apalutamide, salvage RT, and six cycles of docetaxel for high-risk PSA recurrence, the 3-yr PFS rate improved to 71%, indicating feasible and efficacious treatment intensification, with durable remissions beyond historic data.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Prostate cancer recurrence after surgical removal of the tumor occurs often, and current treatment options to limit recurrence after surgery are only partially effective. In this study, we found that the addition of an androgen receptor inhibitor and docetaxel chemotherapy to standard postsurgery radiation therapy and androgen deprivation therapy significantly improved progression-free survival at 3 yr after treatment. These results suggest that intensification of treatment after surgery can provide long-term benefit to a subset of patients with high-risk prostate cancer.

Reduction of lower urinary tract symptoms in prostate cancer patients treated with robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy

PROBLEM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in LUTS in patients treated with RALP and to assess factors that may predict an improvement of LUTS.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

In our institutional prospective research registry, 1935 patients operated in the period between 2009 and 2021 with complete baseline- and 12-month EPIC-26 questionnaire were eligible for the study. Also SF-12 data estimating general quality of life (QoL) were analyzed. A LUTS summary score was constructed from the two questions concerning voiding stream/residual and frequency, and transformed linearly to a 0-100 scale with higher scores representing less symptoms  A change of 6 points or more were considered Meaningful Clinical Differences (MCD). Two summary scores were calculated from the SF-12 - a mental component score (MCS-12) and a physical component score (PCS-12). Multivariate regression was used to estimate covariates associated with postoperative MCD, MCS-12 and PCS-12.

RESULTS

Mean change of LUTS-score showed an increase of 10 points 12-months post-RALP.  52% of patients achieved MCD. In multivariate logistic regression, preoperative LUTS was statistically significant associated with MCD. Reduction of LUTS was associated improved mean score of MCS-12 and PCS-12.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Along with information about risk for urinary incontinence after RALP, patients with LUTS at baseline must be informed that these symptoms may be reduced after RALP. In our study, this LUTS reduction was associated with better general QoL.

Distinguishing Clinical From Statistical Significances in Contemporary Comparative Effectiveness Research

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of clinical significance reporting in contemporary comparative effectiveness research (CER).

BACKGROUND

In CER, a statistically significant difference between study groups may or may not be clinically significant. Misinterpreting statistically significant results could lead to inappropriate recommendations that increase health care costs and treatment toxicity.

METHODS

CER studies from 2022 issues of the Annals of Surgery , Journal of the American Medical Association , Journal of Clinical Oncology , Journal of Surgical Research , and Journal of the American College of Surgeons were systematically reviewed by 2 different investigators. The primary outcome of interest was whether the authors specified what they considered to be a clinically significant difference in the "Methods."

RESULTS

Of 307 reviewed studies, 162 were clinical trials and 145 were observational studies. Authors specified what they considered to be a clinically significant difference in 26 studies (8.5%). Clinical significance was defined using clinically validated standards in 25 studies and subjectively in 1 study. Seven studies (2.3%) recommended a change in clinical decision-making, all with primary outcomes achieving statistical significance. Five (71.4%) of these studies did not have clinical significance defined in their methods. In randomized controlled trials with statistically significant results, sample size was inversely correlated with effect size ( r = -0.30, P = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

In contemporary CER, most authors do not specify what they consider to be a clinically significant difference in study outcome. Most studies recommending a change in clinical decision-making did so based on statistical significance alone, and clinical significance was usually defined with clinically validated standards.

The association of smoking with urinary and sexual function recovery following radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Urinary and sexual dysfunction after radical prostatectomy remains a major cause of morbidity, despite widespread availability of pharmacological and rehabilitative treatments. Smoking is a modifiable risk factor known to correlate with erectile and urinary dysfunction and we hypothesise that smoking cessation may improve post-prostatectomy urinary and sexual function recovery. Our objective is to systematically evaluate literature describing the association of smoking status with urinary and sexual function in men following radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

In total, 310 unique records were identified through a systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and CENTRAL databases up to February 2023. Nine studies reported smoking status and post radical prostatectomy urinary and sexual function outcomes in men with localized prostate cancer. Risk of bias was assessed and meta-analysis included six studies.

RESULTS

Smokers had inferior erectile function after prostatectomy compared to non-smokers (OR 0.73, [95% CI 0.56-0.95]) during follow-up, while urinary incontinence was not statistically different between groups (OR 1.20, [95% CI 0.75-1.91]). Smoking cessation improved the EPIC-26 sexual domain score with 6.6 points on average [p = 0.03] to a clinically significant maximum of 12.5 points at 18-24 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking is associated with impaired sexual function recovery after radical prostatectomy and quitting may improve sexual function >18 months. Current evidence shows no such association for urinary outcomes. Further studies are needed to corroborate findings.

Late Toxicity of Prostate Ultrahypofractionated Radiation Therapy Compared With Moderate Hypofractionation in a Randomized Trial

PURPOSE

We report late toxicity, quality of life (QOL), and urinary symptom score with prostate cancer radiation therapy in a randomized trial comparing moderate hypofractionation and ultrahypofrationation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer were randomized to either Arm 1 (70 Gy/28 fractions) or Arm 2 (36.25 Gy/5 weekly fractions). Late toxicity was evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytical scales. QOL was assessed with the Expanded Prostate Inventory Composite-26 Short Form and urinary function with the International Prostate Symptom Score.

RESULTS

Eighty participants were randomized. Two from Arm 1 withdrew, leaving 36 patients in Arm 1 and 42 in Arm 2. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, except for worse International Prostate Symptom Score in Arm 2. No difference was observed in freedom from grade 3 or worse toxicity between treatments (P = .921), with only a single grade 3 event in each arm. There was no significant difference in freedom from grade 2 or worse toxicity (P = .280). No difference was observed in freedom from grade 2 or worse genitorurinary toxicity, with cumulative probabilities of 69.0% and 87.0% at 5 years for Arms 1 and 2, respectively (0.132). No difference was observed in freedom from grade 2 or worse gastrointestinal toxicity, with cumulative probabilities of 74.0% in Arm 1 and 80.0% in Arm 2 (P = .430). There were no significant differences in Expanded Prostate Inventory Composite-26 Short Form QOL between arms.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrahypofrationation, delivered weekly, is well tolerated with no significant differences in freedom from late toxicity compared with moderate hypofractionation.

The association between pre-diagnostic levels of psychological distress and adverse effects after radical prostatectomy

Objectives

To prospectively analyse the associations between pre-diagnostic levels of anxiety and depression and patient-reported urinary and sexual adverse effects after radical prostatectomy in a population-based setting.

Patients and Methods

In three Norwegian county hospitals, men referred with a suspicion of prostate cancer were asked to fill out a patient-reported outcome measurement (PROM) questionnaire prior to prostate biopsy. Those who later underwent radical prostatectomy were stratified into three distress groups according to their Hopkins Symptom Checklist 5-score. Additional PROM questionnaires, including the EPIC-26 to measure adverse effects, were collected at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Multivariable mixed models were estimated and post hoc pairwise comparisons performed to explore differences in adverse effects between distress groups.

Results

A total of 416 men were included at baseline and of those, 365 (88%) returned questionnaires at 6 months and 360 (87%) at 12 months. After adjusting for confounders, men with high distress at baseline had worse urinary incontinence domain score (58.9 vs. 66.8, p = 0.028), more urinary bother (64.7 vs. 73.6, p = 0.04) and a higher risk of using incontinence pads (70.6% vs. 54.2%, p = 0.034) at 6 months than those with low distress. There was no difference in the sexual domain scores between distress groups postoperatively, but the high-distress group expressed more sexual bother (24.9 vs. 37.5, p = 0.015) and the intermediate-distress group had a greater probability of using sexual medications or devices (63.8% vs. 50.0%, p = 0.015) than the low-distress group at 6 months. At 12 months scores generally improved slightly and differences between distress groups were less evident.

Conclusion

Men with higher levels of anxiety and depression before prostate biopsy report more urinary and sexual adverse effects after radical prostatectomy. This should be considered both in treatment decision-making and during follow-up after radical prostatectomy.

Evaluating the Quality-of-Life Effect of Apical Spacing with Hyaluronic Acid Prior to Hypofractionated Prostate Radiation Therapy: A Secondary Analysis

PURPOSE

Recently, a randomized trial demonstrated that a hyaluronic acid (HA) spacer placed before prostate hypofractionated intensity modulated radiation therapy improved rectal dosimetry and reduced acute grade 2+ gastrointestinal toxicity. However, 26.5% of patients receiving the spacer experienced a minimal clinically important decline (MCID) in bowel quality-of-life (QOL). The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether certain characteristics of the rectal spacer, as determined on postimplant imaging, were associated with change in bowel QOL at 3-months.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This is a secondary analysis of the 136 patients who received the HA spacer on the randomized trial. Postimplant spacer characteristics (ie, prostate-rectum spacing at superior/midgland/inferior/apex planes, symmetry, prostate volume, spacer volume) were systematically analyzed from structure sets using custom software code. Characteristics demonstrating significant associations with rectal V30 on multivariate linear regression were identified. Linear regression models were used to analyze the associations of such characteristics with change (baseline to 3 months) in both bowel and urinary QOL.

RESULTS

Apical spacing (mean 9.4 (standard deviation 4.0)) was significantly smaller than spacing measurements at more superior planes. 95.6% of patients had a symmetrical implant. Apical spacing (P < .001) and prostate volume (P = .01) were significantly associated with rectal V30 on multivariate analysis. However, only apical spacing (0.38/mm; P = .01) was associated with change in bowel QOL, even with adjustment of baseline bowel score (-0.33; P < .01). Percentages of patients with bowel MCID were 14.8% for >= 10 mm versus 36.6% for <10 mm apical spacing (P = .01). Apical spacing was not associated with change in urinary QOL (-0.09; P = .72), when adjusted for baseline urinary QOL (-0.52; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Greater apical spacing was associated with improved rectal dosimetry and smaller decline in bowel QOL at 3-months. Further prospective data are needed to fully understand the ramifications of increased apical spacing.

International Variations in Surgical Quality of Care in Men With Prostate Cancer: Results From the TrueNTH Global Registry

PURPOSE

Functional problems such as incontinence and sexual dysfunction after radical prostatectomy (RP) are important outcomes to evaluate surgical quality in prostate cancer (PC) care. Differences in survival after RP between countries are known, but differences in functional outcomes after RP between providers from different countries are not well described.

METHODS

Data from a multinational database of patients with PC (nonmetastatic, treated by RP) who answered the EPIC-26 questionnaire at baseline (before RP, T0) and 1 year after RP (T1) were used, linking survey data to clinical information. Casemix-adjusted incontinence and sexual function scores (T1) were calculated for each country and provider on the basis of regression models and then compared using minimally important differences (MIDs).

RESULTS

A total of 21,922 patients treated by 151 providers from 10 countries were included. For the EPIC-26 incontinence domain, the median adjusted T1 score of countries was 76, with one country performing more than one MID (for incontinence: 6) worse than the median. Eighteen percent of the variance (R2) of incontinence scores was explained by the country of the providers. The median adjusted T1 score of sexual function was 33 with no country performing perceivably worse than the median (more than one MID worse), and 34% (R2) of the variance of the providers' scores could be explained by country.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first comparison of functional outcomes 1 year after surgical treatment of patients with PC between different countries. Country is a relevant predictor for providers' incontinence and sexual function scores. Although the results are limited because of small samples from some countries, they should be used to enhance cross-country initiatives on quality improvement in PC care.

Can proactive support prevent unscheduled care? A controlled observational retrospective cohort study in cancer patients in Scotland

INTRODUCTION

Preventative spend is a global health and social care strategy. Improving Cancer Journeys (ICJ) is a proactive, holistic, multidisciplinary project consistent with this agenda, currently being rolled out across Scotland and parts of UK. ICJ helps people with cancer access whatever support they need to mitigate their most pressing concerns. This study hypothesised that ICJ service users should subsequently use less unscheduled care than matched cohorts not using ICJ.

METHODS

Retrospective observational cohort study using linked national datasets. N = 1,214 ICJ users in Glasgow were matched for age, sex, deprivation, cancer type, stage, and diagnosis year to two control groups: 1. Cancer patients from Glasgow before ICJ (pre-2014), 2. Cancer patients from rest of Scotland during study period (2014-2018). Cancer registrations were linked for 12-month baseline and study periods to: NHS24 calls, A&E admissions, inpatient hospital admissions, unscheduled care, number & cost of psychotropic prescriptions. Per-person mean service uses were compared between groups.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in NHS24 calls in the ICJ group (0.36 per person vs. -0.03 or 0.35), more and longer A&E attendances in ICJ (0.37 per person vs. 0.19 or 0.26; 2.19 h per person vs. 0.81-0.92 h), more and longer hospital admissions in ICJ (4.25 vs. 2.59 or 2.53; 12.05 days vs. 8.37 or 8.64), more care pathways involving more steps in ICJ (0.77 spells vs. 0.39 or 0.57; 1.88 steps vs. 1.56 or 1.21), more psychotropic drug prescriptions and higher costs in ICJ (1.88 prescription vs. 1.56 or 1.21; £9.51 vs. £9.57 or £6.95) in comparison to both control groups.

DISCUSSION

ICJ users sourced significantly more unscheduled care than matched cohorts. These findings were consistent with much of the comparable literature examining the impact of non-health interventions on subsequent health spend. They also add to the growing evidence showing that ICJ reached its intended target, those with the greatest need. Together these findings raise the possibility that those choosing to use ICJ may also be self-identifying as a cohort of people more likely to use unscheduled care in future. This needs to be tested prospectively, because this understanding would be very helpful for health and social care planners in all countries where proactive holistic services exist.

SABR-Dual: a phase II/III trial of two-fraction versus five-fraction stereotactic radiotherapy for localized low- and favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Dose-escalated radiotherapy is known to improve progression free survival in patients with localized prostate cancer, and recent advances have led to the standardization of ultrahypofractionated stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) delivered in just 5-fractions. Based on the known effectiveness of the accepted though invasive 2-fraction treatment method of high-dose-rate brachytherapy and given the ubiquity of prostate cancer, a further reduction in the number of treatments of external-beam SABR is possible. This study aims to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and non-inferiority of generalizable 2-fraction SABR compared to the current 5-fraction regimen.

METHODS

502 patients will be enrolled on this phase II/III randomized control trial. Eligible patients will have previously untreated low- or favorable intermediate-risk adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Patients will be randomized between standard SABR of 40 Gy in 5 fractions given every-other-day and 27 Gy in 2 fractions at least two days apart but completing within seven days. MRI-based planning, radiopaque hydrogel spacer insertion, and fiducial marker placement are required, and SABR will be delivered on either a standard CT-guided linear accelerator or MR-LINAC. The primary endpoint will be freedom from disease progression, with additional secondary clinical, toxicity, and quality of life endpoints.

DISCUSSION

This study will be the largest prospective randomized trial, adequately powered to demonstrate non-inferiority, comparing 2-fraction SABR to standard 5-fraction SABR for localized prostate cancer. As the protocol does not obligate use of an MRI-LINAC or other adaptive technologies, results will be broadly generalizable to the wider community.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial is registered on Clinicaltrials.gov: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06027892.

Military service and health-related quality of life among gay and bisexual prostate cancer survivors: Results from the -2 study

INTRODUCTION

There are notable disparities in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between gay and bisexual men (GBM) and heterosexual patients with prostate cancer (PCa); however, the role of past military service is unclear. This study examines HRQOL differences in GBM PCa survivors based on reported military service history.

METHODS

We used data from the 24-month follow-up survey of the Restore-2 study, a clinical trial which evaluated a rehabilitation programme for GBM PCa survivors. PCa HRQOL was assessed using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-50) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Prostate (FACT-P). Mental health quality of life was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) scale, while sexual functioning was measured using the Sexual Minorities and Prostate Cancer Scale (SMACS). Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted mean differences in HRQOL between GBM with and without a reported history of military service.

RESULTS

In this cross-sectional study of 351 GBM PCa survivors, 47 (13.4%) reported a history of US military service. After adjusting for covariates, participants who reported a history of military service (compared with those with no military service) had clinically better scores on the FACT-P physical, social and emotional well-being domains, as well as higher total FACT-General, EPIC urinary bother and hormonal function scores. Additionally, men with a history of military service reported significantly fewer sexual problems, more sexual confidence and less urinary incontinence in sex.

CONCLUSION

This exploratory study provides the first evidence that GBM PCa survivors with a military background may have clinically better outcomes than those without military service. Potential reasons may include the structured support and healthcare access associated with military service, fostering resilience and well-being. These findings underscore the need for further research to elucidate how military service influences PCa HRQOL.

Impact of Interfractional Bladder and Trigone Displacement and Deformation on Radiation Exposure and Subsequent Acute Genitourinary Toxicity: A Post Hoc Analysis of Patients Treated with Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Prostate Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in a Phase 3 Randomized Trial

PURPOSE

Emerging data suggest that trigone dosimetry may be more associated with poststereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) urinary toxicity than whole bladder dosimetry. We quantify the dosimetric effect of interfractional displacement and deformation of the whole bladder and trigone during prostate SBRT using on-board, pretreatment 0.35T magnetic resonance images (MRI).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Seventy-seven patients treated with MRI-guided prostate SBRT (40 Gy/5 fractions) on the MRI arm of a phase 3 single-center randomized trial were included. Bladder and trigone structures were contoured on images obtained from a 0.35T simulation MRI and 5 on-board pretreatment MRIs. Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) scores and changes in volume between simulation and daily treatments were calculated. Dosimetric parameters including Dmax, D0.03 cc, Dmean, V40 Gy, V39 Gy, V38 Gy, and V20 Gy for the bladder and trigone for the simulation and daily treatments were collected. Both physician-scored (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.03 scale) as well as patient-reported (International Prostate Symptom Scores and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-26 scores) acute genitourinary (GU) toxicity outcomes were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The average treatment bladder volume was about 30% smaller than the simulation bladder volume; however, the trigone volume remained fairly consistent despite being positively correlated with total bladder volume. Overall, the trigone accounted for <2% of the bladder volume. Median DSC for the bladder was 0.79, whereas the median DSC of the trigone was only 0.33. No statistically significant associations between our selected bladder and trigonal dosimetric parameters and grade ≥2 GU toxicity were identified, although numerically, patients with GU toxicity (grade ≥2) had higher intermediate doses to the bladder (V20 Gy and Dmean) and larger volumes exposed to higher doses in the trigone (V40 Gy, V39 Gy, and V38 Gy).

CONCLUSIONS

The trigone exhibits little volume change, but considerable interfractional displacement/deformation. As a result, the relative volume of the trigone receiving high doses during prostate SBRT varies substantially between fractions, which could influence GU toxicity and may not be predicted by radiation planning dosimetry.

Bothersome Hot Flashes Following Neoadjuvant Androgen Deprivation Therapy and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves local cancer control in unfavorable localized prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy. ADT is known to cause hormonally related symptoms that resolve with testosterone recovery. Hot flashes are particularly burdensome. This study sought to evaluate the timeline of hot flashes following short-course ADT and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) as well as its relationship with testosterone recovery.

METHODS

Institutional IRB approval was obtained for this retrospective review of prospectively collected data (IRB#: 2009-510). ADT was initiated three months prior to the start of SBRT. Hot flashes were self-reported via question 13a of the Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC)-26 prior to ADT initiation, the first day of robotic SBRT, and at each follow-up (one, three, six, nine, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months). The responses were grouped into three relevant categories (no problem, very small-small problem, and moderate-big problem). Scores were transformed to a 0-100 scale with higher scores reflecting less bother. Testosterone levels were measured at each follow-up.

RESULTS

From 2007 to 2010, 122 localized prostate cancer patients (nine low-, 64 intermediate-, and 49 high-risk according to the D'Amico classification) at a median age of 72 years (range 54.5-88.3) were treated with short course ADT (three to six months) and SBRT (35-36.25 Gy) at Georgetown University Hospital. Thirty-two percent were Black and 27% were obese. Seventy-seven percent of patients received three months of ADT. At baseline, 2% of men experienced hot flashes that were a "moderate to big problem" and that proportion peaked at the start of SBRT (45%) before returning to baseline (2%) nine months post-SBRT with a cumulative incidence of 52.4%. The median baseline EPIC-26 hot flash score of 94 declined to 50 at the start of SBRT but this returned to baseline (92) by six months post SBRT. These changes were both statistically and clinically significant (MID = 9.5083, p<0.01). Testosterone recovery (> 230 ng/dL) occurred in approximately 70% of patients by 12 months post SBRT. Resolution of hot flashes correlated with testosterone recovery.

CONCLUSION

Bothersome hot flashes occur in greater than 50% of men treated with neoadjuvant ADT. Resolution of hot flashes occurs in the majority of patients within one year after treatment. Reassurance of the temporary nature of hot flashes may assist in reducing patient anxiety. Measuring testosterone levels at follow-up visits may allow for anticipatory counseling that may limit the associated bother.

Radiation technique and outcomes following moderately hypofractionated treatment of low risk prostate cancer: a secondary analysis of RTOG 0415

BACKGROUND

While moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy (MHRT) for prostate cancer (PC) is commonly delivered by intensity modulated radiation therapy, IMRT has not been prospectively compared to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in this context. We conducted a secondary analysis of the phase III RTOG 0415 trial comparing survival and toxicity outcomes for low-risk PC following MHRT with IMRT versus 3D-CRT.

METHODS

RTOG 0415 was a phase III, non-inferiority trial randomizing low-risk PC patients to either MHRT or conventionally fractionated radiation with stratification by RT technique. A secondary analysis for differences in overall survival (OS), biochemical recurrence free survival (BRFS), or toxicity by EPIC scores and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) was performed.

RESULTS

1079 patients received the allocated intervention with a median follow up of 5.8 years. 79.1% of patients were treated with IMRT and radiation technique was balanced between arms. Across all patients, RT technique was not associated with significant differences in BRFS, OS, or rates of acute and late toxicities. For patients completing MHRT, there was a difference in the late GU toxicity distribution between 3D-CRT and IMRT but no difference in late grade 2 or greater GU or GI toxicity. Stratifying patients by RT technique and fractionation, no significant differences were observed in the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in EPIC urinary and bowel scores following RT.

CONCLUSIONS

RT technique did not impact clinical outcomes following MHRT for low-risk PC. Despite different late GU toxicity distributions in patients treated with MHRT by IMRT or 3D-CRT, there was no difference in late Grade 2 or greater GU or GI toxicity or patient reported toxicity. Increases in late GU and GI toxicity following MHRT compared to CFRT, as demonstrated in the initial publication of RTOG 0415, do not appear related to a 3D-CRT treatment technique.

Radiation therapy margin reduction for patients with localized prostate cancer: A prospective study of the dosimetric impact and quality of life

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact of reducing Clinical Target Volume (CTV) to Planning Target Volume (PTV) margins on delivered radiation therapy (RT) dose and patient reported quality-of-life (QOL) for patients with localized prostate cancer.

METHODS

Twenty patients were included in a single institution IRB-approved prospective study. Nine were planned with reduced margins (4 mm at prostate/rectum interface, 5 mm elsewhere), and 11 with standard margins (6/10 mm). Cumulative delivered dose was calculated using deformable dose accumulation. Each daily CBCT dataset was deformed to the planning CT (pCT), dose was computed, and accumulated on the resampled pCT using a parameter-optimized, B-spline algorithm (Elastix, ITK/VTK). EPIC-26 patient reported QOL was prospectively collected pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 2-, 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-, 36-, 48-, and 60-month follow-ups. Post -RT QOL scores were baseline corrected and standardized to a [0-100] scale using EPIC-26 methodology. Correlations between QOL scores and dosimetric parameters were investigated, and the overall QOL differences between the two groups (QOLMargin-reduced -QOLcontrol ) were calculated.

RESULTS

The median QOL follow-up length for the 20 patients was 48 months. Difference between delivered dose and planned dose did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.1) for both targets and organs at risk between the two groups. At 4 years post-RT, standardized mean QOLMargin-reduced -QOLcontrol were improved for Urinary Incontinence, Urinary Irritative/Obstructive, Bowel, and Sexual EPIC domains by 3.5, 14.8, 10.2, and 16.1, respectively (higher values better). The control group showed larger PTV/rectum and PTV/bladder intersection volumes (7.2 ± 5.8, 18.2 ± 8.1 cc) than the margin-reduced group (2.6 ± 1.8, 12.5 ± 8.3 cc), though the dose to these intersection volumes did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.1) between the groups. PTV/rectum intersection volume showed a moderate correlation (r = -0.56, p < 0.05) to Bowel EPIC domain.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this prospective study showed that margin-reduced group exhibited clinically meaningful improvement of QOL without compromising the target dose coverage.

Low Social Well-Being in Advanced and Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Effects of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management

BACKGROUND

Social well-being impacts cancer patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and coping style. This secondary analysis was conducted to examine whether advanced prostate cancer survivors who had experienced low social well-being would benefit from a web-based cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention.

METHOD

APC survivors (N = 192) who had received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were randomized to a 10-week CBSM or a health promotion (HP) control condition. A subsample of participants (n = 61) with low pre-intervention SWB (measured by social support from and relationship satisfaction with family and friends) was included in the study. Multilevel models compared participants' PC-specific quality of life (sexual, hormonal, urinary), affect-based psychosocial burden (cancer-related anxiety and distress), and coping strategies at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Covariates were included in all models as appropriate.

RESULTS

Participants randomized to the CBSM condition showed significantly greater improvements in fear of cancer recurrence and cancer-related intrusive thoughts than those in the HP control condition. A significant condition by time interaction was also found, indicating that CBSM improved participants' PC-related fear in both short- (6 months) and long-term (12 months). However, the CBSM intervention did not significantly impact APC-related symptom burden. Only for the urinary domain, clinically meaningful changes (CBSM vs HP) were observed. In addition, all participants, regardless of condition, reported less coping (e.g., emotion-, problem- and avoidance-focused) over time.

CONCLUSION

As predicted, the CBSM intervention improved several affect-based psychosocial outcomes for APC survivors with low baseline SWB.

The association between age and long-term quality of life after curative treatment for prostate cancer: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the associations between age at radical prostate cancer treatment and long-term global quality of life (QoL), physical function (PF), and treatment-related side effects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This single-center, cross-sectional study included men treated for localized prostate cancer with robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) or external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in 2014-2018. Global QoL and PF were assessed by the European Organisation of Research and Treatment in Cancer Quality of life Questionnaire-C30 (QLQ-C30), side effects by the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-26). Adjusted linear regression models were estimated to assess associations between age (continuous variable) at treatment and outcomes. QLQ-C30 scores were compared to normative data after dividing the cohort in two groups, <70 years and ≥70 years at treatment.

RESULTS

Of 654 men included, 516 (79%) had undergone RARP, and 138 (21%) had undergone EBRT combined with androgen deprivation therapy for 93%. Mean time since treatment was 57 months. Median age at treatment was 68 (min-max 44-84) years. We found no statistically significant independent association between age at treatment and global QoL, PF or side effects, except for sexual function (regression coefficient [RC] -0.77; p < 0.001) and hormonal/vitality (RC 0.30; p = 0.006) function. Mean QLQ-C30 scores were slightly poorer than age-adjusted normative scores, for men <70 years (n = 411) as well as for men ≥70 years (n = 243) at treatment, but the differences were not beyond clinical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of prostate cancer survivors, age at treatment had little impact on long-term QoL and function. Due to the cross-sectional design, short term impact or variation over time cannot be ruled out.

Functional Outcomes After Localized Prostate Cancer Treatment

Importance

Adverse outcomes associated with treatments for localized prostate cancer remain unclear.

Objective

To compare rates of adverse functional outcomes between specific treatments for localized prostate cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

An observational cohort study using data from 5 US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program registries. Participants were treated for localized prostate cancer between 2011 and 2012. At baseline, 1877 had favorable-prognosis prostate cancer (defined as cT1-cT2bN0M0, prostate-specific antigen level <20 ng/mL, and grade group 1-2) and 568 had unfavorable-prognosis prostate cancer (defined as cT2cN0M0, prostate-specific antigen level of 20-50 ng/mL, or grade group 3-5). Follow-up data were collected by questionnaire through February 1, 2022.

Exposures

Radical prostatectomy (n = 1043), external beam radiotherapy (n = 359), brachytherapy (n = 96), or active surveillance (n = 379) for favorable-prognosis disease and radical prostatectomy (n = 362) or external beam radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy (n = 206) for unfavorable-prognosis disease.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Outcomes were patient-reported sexual, urinary, bowel, and hormone function measured using the 26-item Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (range, 0-100; 100 = best). Associations of specific therapies with each outcome were estimated and compared at 10 years after treatment, adjusting for corresponding baseline scores, and patient and tumor characteristics. Minimum clinically important differences were 10 to 12 for sexual function, 6 to 9 for urinary incontinence, 5 to 7 for urinary irritation, and 4 to 6 for bowel and hormone function.

Results

A total of 2445 patients with localized prostate cancer (median age, 64 years; 14% Black, 8% Hispanic) were included and followed up for a median of 9.5 years. Among 1877 patients with favorable prognosis, radical prostatectomy was associated with worse urinary incontinence (adjusted mean difference, -12.1 [95% CI, -16.2 to -8.0]), but not worse sexual function (adjusted mean difference, -7.2 [95% CI, -12.3 to -2.0]), compared with active surveillance. Among 568 patients with unfavorable prognosis, radical prostatectomy was associated with worse urinary incontinence (adjusted mean difference, -26.6 [95% CI, -35.0 to -18.2]), but not worse sexual function (adjusted mean difference, -1.4 [95% CI, -11.1 to 8.3), compared with external beam radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy. Among patients with unfavorable prognosis, external beam radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy was associated with worse bowel (adjusted mean difference, -4.9 [95% CI, -9.2 to -0.7]) and hormone (adjusted mean difference, -4.9 [95% CI, -9.5 to -0.3]) function compared with radical prostatectomy.

Conclusions and Relevance

Among patients treated for localized prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy was associated with worse urinary incontinence but not worse sexual function at 10-year follow-up compared with radiotherapy or surveillance among people with more favorable prognosis and compared with radiotherapy for those with unfavorable prognosis. Among men with unfavorable-prognosis disease, external beam radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy was associated with worse bowel and hormone function at 10-year follow-up compared with radical prostatectomy.

External validation of predictive models of sexual, urinary, bowel and hormonal function after surgery in prostate cancer subjects

BACKGROUND

In 2020, a research group published five linear longitudinal models, predict Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-26 (EPIC-26) scores post-treatment for radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy and active surveillance collectively in US patients with localized prostate cancer.

METHODS

Our study externally validates the five prediction models for patient reported outcomes post-surgery for localised prostate cancer. The models' calibration, fit, variance explained and discrimination (concordance-indices) were assessed. Two Australian validation cohorts 1 and 2 years post-prostatectomy were constructed, consisting of 669 and 439 subjects, respectively (750 in total). Patient reported function in five domains post-prostatectomy: sexual, bowel, hormonal, urinary incontinence and other urinary dysfunction (irritation/obstruction). Domain function was assessed using the EPIC-26 questionnaire.

RESULTS

1 year post-surgery, R2 was highest for the sexual domain (35%, SD = 0.02), lower for the bowel (21%, SD = 0.03) and hormone (15%, SD = 0.03) domains, and close to zero for urinary incontinence (1%, SD = 0.01) and irritation/obstruction (- 5%, SD = 0.04). Calibration slopes for these five models were 1.04 (SD = 0.04), 0.84 (SD = 0.06), 0.85 (SD = 0.06), 1.16 (SD = 0.13) and 0.45 (SD = 0.04), respectively. Calibration-in-the-large values were - 2.2 (SD = 0.6), 2.1 (SD = 0.01), 5.1 (SD = 0.1), 9.6 (SD = 0.9) and 4.0 (SD = 0.2), respectively. Concordance-indices were 0.73, 0.70, 0.70, 0.58 and 0.62, respectively (all had SD = 0.01). Mean absolute error and root mean square error were similar across the validation and development cohorts. The validation measures were largely similar at 2 years post-surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The sexual, bowel and hormone domain models validated well and show promise for accurately predicting patient reported outcomes in a non-US surgical population. The urinary domain models validated poorly and may require recalibration or revision.

Toxicity profile and Patient-Reported outcomes following salvage Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy to the prostate Bed: The POPART multicentric prospective study

Background

While SBRT to the prostate has become a valuable option as a radical treatment, limited data support its use in the postoperative setting. Here, we report the updated results of the multicentric Post-Prostatectomy Ablative Radiation Therapy (POPART) trial, investigating possible predictors of toxicities and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods

Patients with PSA levels between 0.1-2.0 ng/mL after radical prostatectomy received Linac-based SBRT to the prostate bed in five fractions every other day for a total dose of 32.5 Gy (EQD21.5 = 74.3 Gy). Late toxicity was assessed using CTCAE v.5 scale, while EPIC-CP, ICIQ-SF, IIEF 5 questionnaires and PSA levels measured quality of life and biochemical control. Pre- and post-treatment scores were compared using a paired t-test, with MID established at > 0.5 pooled SD from the baseline. A logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate potential associations between specific patient/tumor/treatment factors and outcome deterioration.

Results

From April 2021 to April 2023 a total of 50 pts were enrolled and treated. Median follow-up was 12.2 (3-27) months. No late ≥ G2 GI or GU toxicity was registered. Late G1 urinary and rectal toxicities occurred in 46 % and 4 % of patients, respectively. Among 47 patients completing all EPIC-CP domains, four (9 %) showed worsened QoL, and eleven (26 %) developed erectile dysfunction correlating with PTV D2% (P = 0.032). At Multivariate analysis bladder wall D10cc independently correlated with late G1 GU toxicity (P = 0.034). Median post-treatment PSA nadir was 0.04 ng/mL (0.00 - 0.84). At the last follow-up, six patients presented with biochemical failure, including two nodal relapses.

Conclusions

Our findings show that post-prostatectomy SBRT did not result in increased toxicity nor a significant decline in QoL measures, thus showing that it can be safely extended to the postoperative setting. Long-term follow-up and randomized comparisons with different RT schedules are needed to validate this approach.

Redefining bladder neck dose in low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy-Can we improve urinary toxicity without impacting disease control?

BACKGROUND

We sought to assess the impact of bladder neck dose (BND) on patient reported urinary toxicity, and feasibility of relative urethral sparing technique in prostate brachytherapy (PB).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We retrospectively identified bladder neck as a point dose on post-implant CT scans in patients treated with 131Cs PB. Urinary symptoms were assessed through EPIC questionnaires. Patient cohorts were identified based on mean BND as a percentage of prescription dose with toxicity assessment at each time point.

RESULTS

In our cohort of 542 patients, BND was associated with clinically significant acute urinary symptoms and chronic symptoms, as patients receiving >70% of the prescription dose had significantly worse overall EPIC scores than patients receiving ≤70% of prescription dose. There was no difference in bDFS between patients receiving BND ≤70% (96% bDFS) and >70% (94% bDFS) at a median follow up of 57 months.

CONCLUSIONS

BND has a significant impact on both acute and chronic urinary symptoms, with reduced symptoms reported with BND <70% of prescription dose. With a median follow up of 4.7 years, excellent bDFS has thus far been achieved with relative urethral and bladder neck sparing. Utilizing this constraint should improve urinary symptoms without impacting disease control.

Clinical and functional outcomes for risk-appropriate treatments for prostate cancer

Objectives

To describe real-world clinical and functional outcomes in an Australian cohort of men with localised prostate cancer according to treatment type and risk category.

Subjects and methods

Men diagnosed from 2008 to 2018 who were enrolled in South Australian Prostate Cancer Clinical Outcomes Collaborative registry-a multi-institutional prospective clinical registry-were studied. The main outcome measures were overall survival, cancer-specific survival, decline in functional outcomes, biochemical recurrence and transition to active treatment following active surveillance. Multivariable adjusted models were applied to estimate outcomes.

Results

Of the 8513 eligible men, majority of men (46%) underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) followed by external beam radiation therapy with or without androgen deprivation therapy (EBRT +/- ADT) in 22% of the cohort. Five-year overall survival was above 91%, and 5-year prostate cancer-specific survival was above 97% in the low- and intermediate-risk categories across all treatments. Five-year prostate cancer-specific survival in the active surveillance group was 100%. About 37% of men with high-risk disease treated with RP and 17% of men treated with EBRT +/- ADT experienced biochemical recurrence within 5 years of treatment. Of men on active surveillance, 15% of those with low risk and 20% with intermediate risk converted to active treatment within 2 years. The decline in urinary continence and sexual function 12 months after treatment was greatest among men who underwent RP while the decline in bowel function was greatest for men who received EBRT +/- ADT.

Conclusion

This contemporary real-world evidence on risk-appropriate treatment outcomes helps inform treatment decision-making for clinicians and patients.

Prostate volume, baseline urinary function, and their association with treatment choice and post-treatment urinary function in men treated for localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms, and prostate cancer often co-occur. Their effect on urinary function is an important consideration regarding prostate cancer treatment choices. While prostate volume (PV) and urinary symptoms are commonly used in treatment choice decision making, their association with post-treatment urinary function is unknown. We evaluated the associations between PV and baseline urinary function with treatment choice and post-treatment urinary function among men with localized prostate cancer.

METHODS

We identified 1647 patients from CEASAR, a multicenter population-based, prospective cohort study of men with localized prostate cancer, for analysis. Primary outcomes were treatment choice and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessed by the 26-item Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC-26) at pre-specified intervals up to 5 years. Multivariable analysis was performed, controlling for demographic and clinicopathologic features.

RESULTS

Median baseline PV was 36 mL (IQR 27-48), and baseline urinary irritative/obstructive domain score was 87 (IQR 75-100). There was no observed clinically meaningful association between PV and treatment choice or post-treatment urinary function. Among patients with poor baseline urinary function, treatment with radiation or surgery was associated with statistically and clinically significant improvement in urinary function at 6 months which was durable through 5 years (improvement from baseline at 5 years: radiation 20.4 points, surgery 24.5 points).

CONCLUSIONS

PV was not found to be associated with treatment modality or post-treatment urinary irritative/obstructive function among men treated for localized prostate cancer. Men with poor baseline urinary irritative/obstructive function improve after treatment with surgery or radiation therapy.

A Randomized Feasibility Trial of Stereotactic Prostate Radiation Therapy With or Without Elective Nodal Irradiation in High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer (SPORT Trial)

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility of a randomized clinical trial comparing SABR with prostate-only (P-SABR) or with prostate plus pelvic lymph nodes (PPN-SABR) in patients with unfavorable intermediate- or high-risk localized prostate cancer and to explore potential toxicity biomarkers.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Thirty adult men with at least 1 of the following features were randomized 1:1 to P-SABR or PPN-SABR: clinical magnetic resonance imaging stage T3a N0 M0, Gleason score ≥7 (4+3), and prostate-specific antigen >20 ng/mL. P-SABR patients received 36.25 Gy/5 fractions/29 days, and PPN-SABR patients received 25 Gy/5 fractions to pelvic nodes, with the final cohort receiving a boost to the dominant intraprostatic lesion of 45 to 50 Gy. Phosphorylated gamma-H2AX (γH2AX) foci numbers, citrulline levels, and circulating lymphocyte counts were quantified. Acute toxicity information (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.03) was collected weekly at each treatment and at 6 weeks and 3 months. Physician-reported late Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) toxicity was recorded from 90 days to 36 months postcompletion of SABR. Patient-reported quality of life (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite and International Prostate Symptom Score) scores were recorded with each toxicity time point.

RESULTS

The target recruitment was achieved, and treatment was successfully delivered in all patients. A total of 0% and 6.7% (P-SABR) and 6.7% and 20.0% (PPN-SABR) experienced acute grade ≥2 gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity, respectively. At 3 years, 6.7% and 6.7% (P-SABR) and 13.3% and 33.3% (PPN-SABR) had experienced late grade ≥2 GI and GU toxicity, respectively. One patient (PPN-SABR) had late grade 3 GU toxicity (cystitis and hematuria). No other grade ≥3 toxicity was observed. In addition, 33.3% and 60% (P-SABR) and 64.3% and 92.9% (PPN-SABR) experienced a minimally clinically important change in late Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite bowel and urinary summary scores, respectively. γH2AX foci numbers at 1 hour after the first fraction were significantly higher in the PPN-SABR arm compared with the P-SABR arm (P = .04). Patients with late grade ≥1 GI toxicity had significantly greater falls in circulating lymphocytes (12 weeks post-radiation therapy, P = .01) and a trend toward higher γH2AX foci numbers (P = .09) than patients with no late toxicity. Patients with late grade ≥1 bowel toxicity and late diarrhea experienced greater falls in citrulline levels (P = .05).

CONCLUSIONS

A randomized trial comparing P-SABR with PPN-SABR is feasible with acceptable toxicity. Correlations of γH2AX foci, lymphocyte counts, and citrulline levels with irradiated volume and toxicity suggest potential as predictive biomarkers. This study has informed a multicenter, randomized, phase 3 clinical trial in the United Kingdom.

Comparing Patient-reported Functional Outcomes After Radical Prostatectomy in Historical and Contemporary Practice

PURPOSE

Modifications to surgical technique, particularly the widespread adoption of robotic surgery, have been proposed to improve functional recovery after prostate cancer surgery. However, rigorous comparison of men in historical vs contemporary practice to evaluate the cumulative effect of these changes on urinary and sexual function after radical prostatectomy is lacking.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We compared prospectively collected patient-reported urinary and sexual function from historical (PROSTQA [Prostate Cancer Outcomes and Satisfaction With Treatment Quality Assessment study], n=235) and contemporary (MUSIC-PRO [Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative Patient Reported Outcome] registry, n=1,215) cohorts at the University of Michigan to understand whether modern techniques have resulted in functional improvements for men undergoing prostate cancer surgery.

RESULTS

We found significant differences in baseline function, with better urinary (median [IQR]; 100 [93.8-100] vs 93.8 [85.5-100], P < .001) and sexual scores (median [IQR]; 83.3 [66.7-100] vs 74.4 [44.2-87.5], P < .001) prior to treatment in PROSTQA compared to MUSIC-PRO patients, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the pattern of urinary incontinence recovery after surgery from 6-24 months between groups (P = .14). However, men in the contemporary MUSIC-PRO group did have significantly better recovery of sexual function compared to men in the historical PROSTQA group (P < .0001). Further, we found that contemporary practice consists of men with more unfavorable demographic and clinical characteristics compared to historical practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that the widespread alterations in prostate cancer surgery over the past 2 decades have yielded improvements in sexual, but not urinary, function recovery.

The Europa Uomo Patient Reported Outcome Study 2.0-Prostate Cancer Patient-reported Outcomes to Support Treatment Decision-making

BACKGROUND

To further strengthen the voice of patients, Europa Uomo initiated the Europa Uomo Patient Reported Outcome Study 2.0 (EUPROMS 2.0) in October 2021.

OBJECTIVE

To collect the self-reported perspective of prostate cancer (PCa) patients on physical and mental well-being after PCa treatment outside a clinical trial setting to inform future fellow patients about the impact of PCa treatment.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Europa Uomo invited PCa patients to complete a cross-sectional survey including the validated EQ-5D-5L, EORTC-QLQ-C30, and the EPIC-26 questionnaires. Furthermore, the nine-item Shared Decision Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) and diagnostic clinical scenarios were included.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Descriptive statistics was used to assess the demographic and clinical characteristics and to analyze the patient-reported outcome data.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Between October 25, 2021 and January 17, 2022, 3571 men from 30 countries completed the EUPROMS 2.0 survey. The median age of respondents was 70 yr (interquartile range 65-75 yr). Half of the respondents underwent one treatment, most often radical prostatectomy. Men who are treated actively experience lower health-related quality of life than men on active surveillance, mainly regarding sexual function, fatigue, and insomnia. Lower urinary incontinence levels were seen for men who underwent radical prostatectomy (single treatment or in combination with other treatments). Of the respondents, 42% indicated that the determination of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value was part of a routine blood test; 25% wanted to undergo screening/early detection for PCa, and 20% indicated that the determination of the PSA value had a clinical reason.

CONCLUSIONS

A large sample of 3571 international patients has contributed patient experience after PCa treatment in the EUPROMS 2.0 study, confirming that treatment for PCa mainly affects urinary incontinence, sexual function, fatigue, and insomnia. Such information can be used to direct toward a better patient-doctor relationship, to offer patients ready access to responsible information and a better understanding of their disease and treatment.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Through the EUPROMS 2.0 survey, Europa Uomo has strengthened the voice of the patient. Such information can be used to inform future prostate cancer (PCa) patients about the impact of PCa treatment and to engage them in informed and shared decision-making.

Cs-131 prostate brachytherapy boost and effect of hydrogel rectal spacer on long-term patient-reported rectal bleeding and bowel quality of life

PURPOSE

This study evaluates long-term patient-reported bowel quality of life (QOL), rectal bleeding, and bleeding bother in patients with prostate cancer treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and Cesium-131 LDR brachytherapy (LDR-BT) boost with and without hydrogel rectal spacer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This is a retrospective analysis of prostate cancer patients treated between 2007 and 2022 with 45 Gy EBRT followed by 85 Gy Cs-131 LDR-BT boost with or without hydrogel rectal spacer. Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) QOL questionnaires pre-treatment and at each follow-up were collected. Patient-reported rectal bleeding occurring more than "rarely" and bother from rectal bleeding occurring more than a "very small problem" were deemed clinically significant. Fisher's exact test was used to test the association of rectal spacer use and the incidence of clinically significant rectal bleeding and bleeding bother. Paired samples t-test was used to analyze mean bowel scores at each time point.

RESULTS

Three hundred and forty-one patients were included in the analysis. The rectal spacer was used in 108 patients. Overall median follow-up was 48 months (IQR, 24-72), with a median follow-up of 24 months (IQR, 12-37.5) for the hydrogel group and 60 months (IQR, 36-84) for the non-hydrogel group. EPIC questionnaire response rates at median follow-up were 33% and 37% for the hydrogel and non-hydrogel groups, respectively. A clinically significant decrease in mean bowel domain scores was seen in the bowel bother domain at 6 and 12 months for patients who did not receive a rectal spacer. At the last follow-up of 60 months, the prevalence of clinically significant rectal bleeding and bleeding bother were 2.2% and 2.2%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of clinically significant long-term rectal bleeding was 2.8% and 18.9% in the hydrogel group and non-hydrogel group, respectively (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.0001). The cumulative incidence of clinically significant long-term bowel bother was 4.6% and 19.7% in the hydrogel group and non-hydrogel group, respectively (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of hydrogel rectal spacer with EBRT and Cs-131 LDR-BT boost was significantly associated with a lower incidence of patient-reported rectal bleeding and bother from rectal bleeding, and better long-term bowel QOL. Cumulative incidence was 2.8% (hydrogel group) versus 18.9% (non-hydrogel group) and 4.6% (hydrogel group) versus 19.7% (non-hydrogel group) for clinically significant long-term rectal bleeding and long-term bleeding bother, respectively.

Plan robustness evaluation strategies in whole-pelvic proton therapy for high-risk prostate cancer patients within a randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Inter-fractional anatomical changes challenge robust delivery of whole-pelvic proton therapy for high-risk prostate cancer. Pre-treatment robust evaluation (PRE) takes uncertainties in isocenter shifts and distal beam edge in treatment plans into account. Using weekly control computed tomography scans (cCTs), the aim of this study was to evaluate the PRE strategy by comparing to an off-line during-treatment robust evaluation (DRE) while also assessing plan robustness with respect to protocol planning constraints.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Treatment plans and cCTs from ten patients included in the pilot phase of the PROstate PROTON Trial 1 were analysed. Treatment planning followed protocol guidelines with 78 Gy to the primary clinical target volume (CTVp) and 56 Gy to the elective target (CTVe) in 39 fractions. Recalculations of the treatment plans were performed for a total of 64 cCTs and dose/volume measures corresponding to clinical constraints were evaluated for this DRE against the simulated scenario interval from the PRE.

RESULTS

Of the 64 cCTs, 59 showed DRE CTVp measures within the robustness range from the PRE; this was also the case for 39 of the cCTs for the CTVe measures. However, DRE CTVe coverage was still within constraints for 57 of the 64 cCTs. DRE dose/volume measures for CTVp fulfilled target coverage constraints in 59 of 64 cCTs. All DRE measures for the rectum, bladder, and bowel were inside the PRE range in 63, 39, and 31 cCTs, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The PRE strategy predicted the DRE scenarios for CTVp and rectum. CTVe, bladder, and bowel showed more complex anatomical variations than simulated by the PRE isocenter shift. Both original and recalculated nominal treatment plans showed robust treatment delivery in terms of target coverage.

A pooled long-term follow-up after radiotherapy for prostate cancer with and without a rectal hydrogel spacer: impact of hydrogel on decline in sexual quality of life

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of prostate rectal spacers on sexual quality of life (QOL) following external beam radiation therapy (RT).

Methods and materials

Patient- reported QOL was evaluated using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC). Patients were pooled from two sources: a randomized controlled trial and a non-randomized cohort of patients from a single institution. Both cohorts used the same spacing product and QOL instrument. Analysis was limited to those with good baseline pre-treatment sexual QOL (EPIC >/= 60). Differences in QOL summary score and individual items were assessed compared with baseline and between treatment arms.

Results

A total of 128 men had good baseline sexual function and were evaluated (64% with spacer and 36% without) with QOL data available for median 33 months (range: 2.5-69.4 months). Men without spacer were more likely to have declines in sexual function (p < 0.0001), bother (p = 0.0002), and sexual summary score (p < 0.0001). A minimally important difference of 10 points (1xMID) and 20 point (2xMID) was more likely without rectal spacer [10 points: odds ratio 3.53, (95% confidence interval 1.11-11.2), p = 0.032; 20 points: odds ratio 3.29, (95% confidence interval 1.16-9.33), p = 0.025]. Seven of 13 QOL items were statistically superior with hydrogel (six of nine functional and one of four bother), while no items were statistically superior for control. At baseline, more men treated with hydrogel had erections sufficient for intercourse; however, when analyzed only by the men with best baseline erectile potential and excluding those with worse function, the benefit of rectal spacing was maintained with a higher likelihood of preservation of erections sufficient for intercourse in those treated with hydrogel.

Conclusion

In this pooled analysis of QOL after prostate RT, the utilization of a hydrogel spacer was associated with better sexual QOL, less men with measurable declines in sexual QOL, and higher rates of adequate erectile function.

An Actionable Expert-System Algorithm to Support Nurse-Led Cancer Survivorship Care: Algorithm Development Study

BACKGROUND

Comprehensive models of survivorship care are necessary to improve access to and coordination of care. New models of care provide the opportunity to address the complexity of physical and psychosocial problems and long-term health needs experienced by patients following cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This paper presents our expert-informed, rules-based survivorship algorithm to build a nurse-led model of survivorship care to support men living with prostate cancer (PCa). The algorithm is called No Evidence of Disease (Ned) and supports timelier decision-making, enhanced safety, and continuity of care.

METHODS

An initial rule set was developed and refined through working groups with clinical experts across Canada (eg, nurse experts, physician experts, and scientists; n=20), and patient partners (n=3). Algorithm priorities were defined through a multidisciplinary consensus meeting with clinical nurse specialists, nurse scientists, nurse practitioners, urologic oncologists, urologists, and radiation oncologists (n=17). The system was refined and validated using the nominal group technique.

RESULTS

Four levels of alert classification were established, initiated by responses on the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for Clinical Practice survey, and mediated by changes in minimal clinically important different alert thresholds, alert history, and clinical urgency with patient autonomy influencing clinical acuity. Patient autonomy was supported through tailored education as a first line of response, and alert escalation depending on a patient-initiated request for a nurse consultation.

CONCLUSIONS

The Ned algorithm is positioned to facilitate PCa nurse-led care models with a high nurse-to-patient ratio. This novel expert-informed PCa survivorship care algorithm contains a defined escalation pathway for clinically urgent symptoms while honoring patient preference. Though further validation is required through a pragmatic trial, we anticipate the Ned algorithm will support timelier decision-making and enhance continuity of care through the automation of more frequent automated checkpoints, while empowering patients to self-manage their symptoms more effectively than standard care.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045806.

Population-based patient-reported quality of life outcomes following low-dose-rate versus high-dose-rate brachytherapy monotherapy for low-intermediate risk prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate patient reported quality of life outcomes (QoL) following low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) and high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) monotherapy for prostate cancer at a population-based setting.

METHODS

The study comprised men with low-intermediate risk prostate cancer in the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry Victoria (PCOR-Vic), who were treated with LDR-BT or HDR-BT monotherapy between 2015 and 2020 and completed the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-26) questionnaire 12-month post-treatment. Men who had ADT were excluded (n = 12). Differences in substantial symptoms (i.e. 'moderate' or 'big' problem on a 5-point Likert scale) between LDR-BT and HDR-BT arms were evaluated using Pearson's chi-squared test. Multivariable linear regressions were used to estimate differences in EPIC-26 urinary, bowel and sexual functional domain scores between LDR-BT and HDR-BT arms.

RESULTS

Overall, 198 men were included in this study, of which 167 (84%) had LDR-BT and 31 (16%) had HDR-BT. 9 (4.6%), 10 (5.1%) and 56 (28%) reported substantial symptoms for overall urinary, bowel and sexual function at 12-month post-treatment, with no significant difference between LDR-BT and HDR-BT arms. The adjusted mean differences in urinary incontinence, urinary obstructive, bowel and sexual function domain scores between LDR-BT and HDT-BT were: -3.53 (-8.21 to 1.14), -1.27 (-6.88 to 4.35), -0.01 (-5.63 to 5.63) and -8.68 (-21.44 to 4.07) respectively - these were not statistically significant and did not meet the minimal clinically important difference.

CONCLUSION

This is the first Australian population-based study comparing QoL in men who had LDR-BT and HDR-BT, with no statistically or clinically significant differences in QoL observed at 12-month post-treatment.

A randomized phase II trial of MR-guided prostate stereotactic body radiotherapy administered in 5 or 2 fractions for localized prostate cancer (FORT)

BACKGROUND

Ultra-hypofractionated regimens for definitive prostate cancer (PCa) radiotherapy are increasingly utilized due in part to promising safety and efficacy data complemented by greater patient convenience from a treatment course requiring fewer sessions. As such, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is rapidly emerging as a standard definitive treatment option for patients with localized PCa. The commercially available magnetic resonance linear accelerator (MR-LINAC) integrates MR imaging with radiation delivery, providing several theoretical advantages compared to computed tomography (CT)-guided radiotherapy. MR-LINAC technology facilitates improved visualization of the prostate, real-time intrafraction tracking of prostate and organs-at-risk (OAR), and online adaptive planning to account for target movement and anatomical changes. These features enable reduced treatment volume margins and improved sparing of surrounding OAR. The theoretical advantages of MR-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) have recently been shown to significantly reduce rates of acute grade ≥ 2 GU toxicities as reported in the prospective randomized phase III MIRAGE trial, which compared MR-LINAC vs CT-based 5 fraction SBRT in patients with localized PCa (Kishan et al. JAMA Oncol 9:365-373, 2023). Thus, MR-LINAC SBRT-utilizing potentially fewer treatments-is warranted and clinically relevant for men with low or intermediate risk PCa electing for radiotherapy as definitive treatment.

METHODS/DESIGN

A total of 136 men with treatment naïve low or intermediate risk PCa will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to 5 or 2 fractions of MR-guided SBRT using permuted block randomization. Randomization is stratified by baseline Expanded PCa Index Composite (EPIC) bowel and urinary domain scores. Patients undergoing 5 fractions will receive 37.5 Gy to the prostate over 10-14 days and patients undergoing 2 fractions will receive 25 Gy to the prostate over 7-10 days. The co-primary endpoints are GI and GU toxicities as measured by change scores in the bowel and urinary EPIC domains, respectively. The change scores will be calculated as pre-treatment (baseline) score subtracted from the 2-year score.

DISCUSSION

FORT is an international, multi-institutional prospective randomized phase II trial evaluating whether MR-guided SBRT delivered in 2 fractions versus 5 fractions is non-inferior from a gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity standpoint at 2 years post-treatment in men with low or intermediate risk PCa.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04984343 . Date of registration: July 30, 2021.

PROTOCOL VERSION

4.0, Nov 8, 2022.

Effects of Web-Based and Mobile Self-Care Support in Addition to Standard Care in Patients After Radical Prostatectomy: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is a common form of cancer that is often treated with radical prostatectomy, which can leave patients with urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Self-care (pelvic floor muscle exercises and physical activity) is recommended to reduce the side effects. As more and more men are living in the aftermath of treatment, effective rehabilitation support is warranted. Digital self-care support has the potential to improve patient outcomes, but it has rarely been evaluated longitudinally in randomized controlled trials. Therefore, we developed and evaluated the effects of digital self-care support (electronic Patient Activation in Treatment at Home [ePATH]) on prostate-specific symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of web-based and mobile self-care support on urinary continence, sexual function, and self-care, compared with standard care, at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

A multicenter randomized controlled trial with 2 study arms was conducted, with the longitudinal effects of additional digital self-care support (ePATH) compared with those of standard care alone. ePATH was designed based on the self-determination theory to strengthen patients' activation in self-care through nurse-assisted individualized modules. Men planned for radical prostatectomy at 3 county hospitals in southern Sweden were included offline and randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The effects of ePATH were evaluated for 1 year after surgery using self-assessed questionnaires. Linear mixed models and ordinal regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

This study included 170 men (85 in each group) from January 2018 to December 2019. The participants in the intervention and control groups did not differ in their demographic characteristics. In the intervention group, 64% (53/83) of the participants used ePATH, but the use declined over time. The linear mixed model showed no substantial differences between the groups in urinary continence (β=-5.60; P=.09; 95% CI -12.15 to -0.96) or sexual function (β=-.12; P=.97; 95% CI -7.05 to -6.81). Participants in the intervention and control groups did not differ in physical activity (odds ratio 1.16, 95% CI 0.71-1.89; P=.57) or pelvic floor muscle exercises (odds ratio 1.51, 95% CI 0.86-2.66; P=.15).

CONCLUSIONS

ePATH did not affect postoperative side effects or self-care but reflected how this support may work in typical clinical conditions. To complement standard rehabilitation, digital self-care support must be adapted to the context and individual preferences for use and effect.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN18055968; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN18055968.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/11625.

Prostate Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy With a Focal Simultaneous Integrated Boost: 5-Year Toxicity and Biochemical Recurrence Results From a Prospective Trial

PURPOSE

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is increasingly used as a definitive treatment option for patients with prostate adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the late toxicity, patient-reported quality of life outcomes, and biochemical recurrence rates after prostate SBRT with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) targeting lesions defined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients were eligible if they had biopsy-proven low- or intermediate-risk prostate adenocarcinoma, one or more focal lesions on MRI, and an MRI-defined total prostate volume of <120 mL. All patients received SBRT delivered to the entire prostate to a dose of 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions with an SIB to the lesions seen on MRI to 40 Gy in 5 fractions. Late toxicity was defined as any possible treatment-related adverse event occurring after 3 months from the completion of SBRT. Patient-reported quality of life was ascertained using standardized patient surveys.

RESULTS

A total of 26 patients were enrolled. Six patients (23.1%) had low-risk disease and 20 patients had intermediate-risk disease (76.9%). Seven patients (26.9%) received androgen deprivation therapy. Median follow-up was 59.5 months. No biochemical failures were observed. Three patients (11.5%) experienced late grade 2 genitourinary (GU) toxicity requiring cystoscopy, and 7 patients (26.9%) had late grade 2 GU toxicity requiring oral medications. Three patients (11.5%) had late grade 2 gastrointestinal toxicity characterized by hematochezia requiring colonoscopy and steroids per rectum. There were no grade 3 or higher toxicity events observed. The patient-reported quality-of-life metrics at the time of last follow-up were not significantly different than the pre-treatment baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study support that SBRT to the entire prostate to a dose of 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions with focal SIB to 40 Gy in 5 fractions has excellent biochemical control and is not associated with undue late gastrointestinal or GU toxicity or long-term quality of life decrement. Focal dose escalation with an SIB planning approach may be an opportunity to improve biochemical control while limiting dose to nearby organs at risk.