A risk-adapted strategy of radiotherapy or cisplatin-based chemotherapy in stage II seminoma

Contemporary Role of Radiation Therapy in Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is a rare but curable male malignancy. Seminoma represents the majority of germ cell tumors and is considered radiation sensitive. Radiation treatment plays a role in adjuvant therapy after orchiectomy of stage I, IIA, and IIB seminomas. Radiation dose de-escalation has been effective in preventing tumor recurrences while also limiting acute and long-term toxicities. However, long-term risks, including the prevailing concern of secondary malignancy risk, between adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy play a role in recommendations. Ongoing work continues to be performed to reduce radiation field and dose in combination with chemotherapy while still maintaining excellent outcomes.

The role of primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in the treatment of stage II seminoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Stage II seminoma is responsive to chemo- or radiotherapy with a progression-free survival of 87-95% at 5 years but at the cost of short- and long-term toxicity. After evidence about these long-term morbidities emerged, four surgical cohorts investigating the role of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) as a treatment option for stage II disease were initiated.

RECENT FINDINGS

Currently, two RPLND series have been published as a complete report, while data from other series have only been published as congress abstracts. In series without adjuvant chemotherapy, recurrence rates ranged from 13% to 30% after follow-ups of 21-32 months. In those receiving RPLND and adjuvant chemotherapy, the recurrence rate was 6% after a mean follow-up of 51 months. Across all trials, recurrent disease was treated with systemic chemotherapy (22/25), surgery (2/25), and radiotherapy (1/25). The rate of pN0 disease after RPLND varied between 4% and 19%. Postoperative complications were reported in 2-12%, while antegrade ejaculation was maintained in 88-95% of patients. Median length of stay ranged from 1 to 6 days.

SUMMARY

In men with clinical stage II seminoma, RPLND is a safe and promising treatment option. Further research is needed to determine the risk of relapse and to personalize treatment options based on patient-specific risk factors.

[Multimodal treatment of testicular cancer: chemotherapy, surgery or radiotherapy?]

BACKGROUND

Metastatic testicular germ cell tumors patients require histology- and stage-appropriate therapy to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This work focuses on the interdisciplinary presentation of current recommendations for the treatment of metastatic germ cell tumor patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The interdisciplinary recommendations were formulated based on the German S3 guideline and supplemented by recent literature.

RESULTS

Using a stage-specific and guideline-based treatment approach, interdisciplinary cooperation between urology, oncology, and radiotherapy is mandatory to successfully achieve a high rate of cure and, in the case of complex advanced tumors, also the most effective therapy possible. The question of optimal treatment approaches for seminoma in cSII A/B remains particularly challenging.

CONCLUSION

Since treatment of advanced or multiple relapsed germ cell tumor patients remains complex, patients should be referred for an online second opinion ( https://urologie.ekonsil.org ).

Advances in diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is a curable cancer. The success of physicians in curing the disease is underpinned by multidisciplinary advances. Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy and the refinement of post-chemotherapy surgical procedures and diagnostic strategies have greatly improved long term survival in most patients. Despite such excellent outcomes, several controversial dilemmas exist in the approaches to clinical stage I disease, salvage chemotherapy, post-chemotherapy surgical procedures, and implementing innovative imaging studies. Relapse after salvage chemotherapy has a poor prognosis and the optimal treatment is not apparent. Recent research has provided insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying cisplatin resistance. Phase 2 studies with targeted agents have failed to show adequate efficacy; however, our understanding of cisplatin resistant disease is rapidly expanding. This review summarizes recent advances and discusses relevant issues in the biology and management of testicular cancer.

Therapy of clinical stage IIA and IIB seminoma: a systematic review

PURPOSE

The optimal treatment for clinical stage (CS) IIA/IIB seminomas is still controversial. We evaluated current treatment options.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed. Only randomized clinical trials and comparative studies published from January 2010 until February 2021 were included. Search items included: seminoma, CS IIA, CS IIB and therapy. Outcome parameters were relapse rate (RR), relapse-free (RFS), overall and cancer-specific survival (OS, CSS). Additionally, acute and long-term side effects including secondary malignancies (SMs) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Seven comparative studies (one prospective and six retrospective) were identified with a total of 5049 patients (CS IIA: 2840, CS IIB: 2209). The applied treatment modalities were radiotherapy (RT) (n = 3049; CS IIA: 1888, CSIIB: 1006, unknown: 155) and chemotherapy (CT) or no RT (n = 2000; CS IIA: 797, CS IIB: 1074, unknown: 129). In CS IIA, RRs ranged from 0% to 4.8% for RT and 0% for CT. Concerning CS IIB RRs of 9.5%-21.1% for RT and of 0%-14.2% for CT have been reported. 5-year OS ranged from 90 to 100%. Only two studies reported on treatment-related toxicities.

CONCLUSIONS

RT and CT are the most commonly applied treatments in CS IIA/B seminoma. In CS IIA seminomas, RRs after RT and CT are similar. However, in CS IIB, CT seems to be more effective. Survival rates of CS IIA/B seminomas are excellent. Consequently, long-term toxicities and SMs are important survivorship issues. Alternative treatment approaches, e.g., retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) or dose-reduced sequential CT/RT are currently under prospective investigation.

Clinical stage II seminoma: management options

INTRODUCTION

The management of clinical stage II seminoma has evolved with a recent emphasis on minimizing long-term morbidity while achieving oncologic cure.

METHODS

In this review we discuss the available management options for clinical stage II seminoma with an emphasis on the emerging role of surgery in this patient population.

RESULTS

Historically, treatment options available to clinical stage II seminoma patients were limited to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Survival rates with these options are excellent; however, both are associated with significant long-term morbidities including cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurologic toxicities. Additionally, higher rates of secondary malignancies are witnessed in this young patient population, decades after successful treatment of the primary cancer. Recently, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection has been proposed as a first-line treatment option for patients with low-volume metastatic seminoma.

CONCLUSION

The SEMS and PRIMETEST trials are two studies examining the role of primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in clinical stage II seminoma, and early data show significant promise.

Contemporary management of early stage testicular seminoma

Therapy for early stage testicular seminoma has changed radically over the past several decades. Given high cure rates and clinical trials supporting less active therapy in most cases, close observation after radical orchiectomy is now considered standard of care for clinical stage (CS) IA/IB seminoma, with either radiation therapy (RT) or chemotherapy salvage options possible. For CS IIA/IIB seminoma characterized by non-bulky retroperitoneal lymph node involvement (≤5 cm in greatest dimension), RT or combination chemotherapy are the standard of care. Given high comparable survival rates, preventing treatment-related toxicity and second malignancy, and limiting quality of life deficits associated with intense treatment has gained much greater importance. Clinical trials are currently testing the feasibility of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for low volume CS IIA/IIB metastatic testicular seminoma to this end. Likewise, one cycle of chemotherapy is being evaluated as an adjuvant approach to reduce recurrence rates in CS I disease with unfavorable risk factors. Moreover, recent genomic and molecular studies have recently identified novel signatures and a potential biomarker for testicular seminoma. In this review, we first summarize the evolution of early stage seminoma management and discuss the effectiveness and drawbacks of contemporary treatment strategies. We further outline future perspectives and potential challenges in management of early stage testicular seminoma.

ESMO Consensus Conference on testicular germ cell cancer: diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) consensus conference on testicular cancer was held on 3-5 November 2016 in Paris, France. The conference included a multidisciplinary panel of 36 leading experts in the diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer (34 panel members attended the conference; an additional two panel members [CB and K-PD] participated in all preparatory work and subsequent manuscript development). The aim of the conference was to develop detailed recommendations on topics relating to testicular cancer that are not covered in detail in the current ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and where the available level of evidence is insufficient. The main topics identified for discussion related to: (1) diagnostic work-up and patient assessment; (2) stage I disease; (3) stage II-III disease; (4) post-chemotherapy surgery, salvage chemotherapy, salvage and desperation surgery and special topics; and (5) survivorship and follow-up schemes. The experts addressed questions relating to one of the five topics within five working groups. Relevant scientific literature was reviewed in advance. Recommendations were developed by the working groups and then presented to the entire panel. A consensus vote was obtained following whole-panel discussions, and the consensus recommendations were then further developed in post-meeting discussions in written form. This manuscript presents the results of the expert panel discussions, including the consensus recommendations and a summary of evidence supporting each recommendation. All participants approved the final manuscript.

[Relapse surveillance of patients with testicular germ cell tumor]

Germ-cell tumors are the most common solid tumors in young men. The follow-up of these patients is very important in their management. In stage I testicular cancer, surveillance is the standard for low-risk disease. In addition to the early detection of relapse, follow-up should be directed towards prevention, detection and treatment of late toxicity, and secondary malignancies. Follow up consists in physical examination, laboratory analysis and radiological imaging. Recently, guidelines recommend risk-adapted surveillance strategy, with a reduction of CT scans numbers, due to the recognition of the risk of ionizing radiation exposure. However, efforts to maintain adequate compliance with follow up are required.

[Management of metastatic testicular germ cell tumors]

Metastatic testicular germ cell tumors are rare entities with a high cure rate owing to their major chemosensitivity. Current guidelines should be strictly followed to ensure maximal cure rate. Germ cell tumor treatment requires multidisciplinary skills and is based on cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The current challenge for these patients with favorable prognosis is to limit over- or under-treatment. Centralization of care for patients with these rare cancers is a key point to achieve the best chance of cure.

Leptin Receptor as a Potential Target to Inhibit Human Testicular Seminoma Growth

Although in past decades the adipokine leptin and its own receptor have been considered as significant cancer biomarkers, their potential involvement in human testicular seminoma growth and progression remains unexplored. Here, we showed that the expression of leptin and its receptor was significantly higher in human testicular seminoma compared with normal adult testis. Human seminoma cell line TCam-2 also expressed leptin along with the long and short isoforms of leptin receptor, and in response to leptin treatment showed enhanced activation of its downstream effectors. In line with these results, leptin stimulation significantly increased the proliferation and migration of TCam-2 cells. Treatment of TCam-2 cells with the peptide Leu-Asp-Phe-Ile (LDFI), a full leptin-receptor antagonist, completely reversed the leptin-mediated effects on cell growth and motility as well as reduced the expression of several leptin-induced target genes. More importantly, the in vivo xenograft experiments showed that LDFI treatment markedly decreased seminoma tumor growth. Interestingly, LDFI-treated tumors showed reduced levels of the proliferation marker Ki-67 as well as decreased expression of leptin-regulated genes. Taken together, these data identify, for the first time, leptin as a key factor able to affect testicular seminoma behavior, highlighting leptin receptor as a potential target for novel potential treatments in this type of cancer.

A Qualitative Analysis of the Impact of Carboplatin AUC 10 on Physical, Work Functioning and Bone Marrow Toxicity Among Seminoma Patients - A Single-centre Experience

BACKGROUND

Single-agent carboplatin at area under the curve 10 (AUC10) is an effective treatment for metastatic seminoma. As far as we are aware of, there have been no studies reporting its effects on short-term quality of life. The objective was to study the efficacy, safety and tolerability, using health-related quality of life, of carboplatin AUC10 chemotherapy in patients with metastatic seminoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-four patients with metastatic seminoma treated at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre with carboplatin AUC10 were included in this study. Response to treatment was determined by radiological imaging (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v 1.1) and serum tumour markers. Toxicities were evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0. Quality of life treatment-related toxicities were assessed during treatment at pre-chemotherapy assessments. After treatment, toxicity was assessed using a defined telephone questionnaire consisting of four questions relating to hair loss, hearing impairment, days absent from work, and neuropathy.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 27.5 (range=4-84) months, no patient had experienced relapse. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was seen in 15 (35%) patients, nine (21%) required prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, 13 (30%) patients had grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia. Commonest non-haematological toxicities were fatigue in 28 (65%) and nausea 14 (33%) patients. They were grade 1 in 82% and 92% of cases, respectively. Six out of 44 (14%) had residual tinnitus. One patient had residual grade 1 peripheral neuropathy. Ten patients continued to work throughout treatment and two patients were retired. Of the remaining patients, 16 (37%), took fewer than 5 days off work.

CONCLUSION

Carboplatin AUC10 is a safe and effective treatment for stage II/III seminoma with better health-related quality of life than experienced with combination cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Radiotherapy for Stage IIA seminoma: The Northern Israel Oncology Center Experience, 1971-2010

AIM

To evaluate treatment details, outcome, relapse rate and side-effects in Stage IIA seminoma irradiated and followed for a period of 39 years.

BACKGROUND

Seminoma is a very radiosensitive disease and radiation therapy alone is able to achieve long-term disease-free survival, even in advanced Stage disease. Due to the lack of long-term prospective studies, it is of value to follow patients and try to determine the appropriate volume to be irradiated and the dose which can achieve total cure with minimal acute and chronic side-effects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of 24 Stage IIA seminoma patients irradiated between 1971 and 2010 was performed. All patients underwent orchiectomy and meticulous clinical, biochemical and radiological staging.

RESULTS

Median age at diagnosis was 36 years and median follow-up was 84 months. A majority of patients received the "hockey-stick" irradiation schedule (para-aortic lymph nodes and hemi-pelvis) to a total dose of 2250-2500 cGy and a boost to radiologically involved nodes of 500-1000 cGy. Treatment was well-tolerated. Twenty-one (88%) patients are alive with no evidence of disease. Two patients died due to unknown causes, while one patient died due to head of the pancreas carcinoma, most probably radiation-induced.

CONCLUSIONS

In Stage II seminoma, radiotherapy can provide excellent results with low rates of toxicity. Reduction of total dose and size of fields without affecting the good results should be considered. Due to prolonged survival, awareness of second primary tumor is indicated.

A risk-adapted study of cisplatin and etoposide, with or without ifosfamide, in patients with metastatic seminoma: results of the GETUG S99 multicenter prospective study

BACKGROUND

Whether patients with good prognosis and intermediate/poor prognosis advanced seminoma should be treated differently has not been defined.

OBJECTIVE

To assess a risk-adapted chemotherapy regimen in patients with advanced seminoma.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 132 patients were included in this prospective study. Patients with a good prognosis according to the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaboration Group (IGGCCG) were treated with four cycles of cisplatin-etoposide (EP). Patients with an intermediate prognosis according to the IGCCCG (or a poor prognosis according to the Medical Research Council classification) were treated with four cycles of VIP (EP and ifosfamide) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

The median follow-up was 4.5 yr (range: 0.4-11.6 yr). Among 108 patients (82%) with a good prognosis who received EP, grade 3-4 toxicity included neutropenia (47%) and neutropenic fever (12%). Among the 24 patients (18%) with an intermediate/poor prognosis who received VIP plus G-CSF, toxicity included grade 3-4 neutropenia (36%), neutropenic fever (23%), thrombocytopenia (23%), anemia (23%), and a toxicity-related death (n=1; 4%). The 3-yr progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 93% (range: 85-97%) in the good prognosis group and 83% (range: 63-93%) in the intermediate/poor prognosis group (p=0.03 for PFS). The 3-yr overall survival (OS) rate was 99% (range: 92-100%) and 87% (range: 67-95%), respectively (p<0.005 for OS). Only four patients died of seminoma or its treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

A risk-adapted chemotherapy policy for advanced seminoma yielded an excellent outcome with a 3-yr OS rate of 96%.