Radiotherapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas

Cancer radioresistance is characterized by a differential lipid droplet content along the cell cycle

BACKGROUND

Cancer radiation treatments have seen substantial advancements, yet the biomolecular mechanisms underlying cancer cell radioresistance continue to elude full understanding. The effectiveness of radiation on cancer is hindered by various factors, such as oxygen concentrations within tumors, cells' ability to repair DNA damage and metabolic changes. Moreover, the initial and radiation-induced cell cycle profiles can significantly influence radiotherapy responses as radiation sensitivity fluctuates across different cell cycle stages. Given this evidence and our prior studies establishing a correlation between cancer radiation resistance and an increased number of cytoplasmic Lipid Droplets (LDs), we investigated if LD accumulation was modulated along the cell cycle and if this correlated with differential radioresistance in lung and bladder cell lines.

RESULTS

Our findings identified the S phase as the most radioresistant cell cycle phase being characterized by an increase in LDs. Analysis of the expression of perilipin genes (a family of proteins involved in the LD structure and functions) throughout the cell cycle also uncovered a unique gene cell cycle pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, although these results require further molecular studies about the mechanisms of radioresistance, the findings presented here are the first evidence that LD accumulation could participate in cancer cells' ability to better survive X-Ray radiation when cells are in the S phase. LDs can represent new players in the radioresistance processes associated with cancer metabolism. This could open new therapeutic avenues in which the use of LD-interfering drugs might enhance cancer sensitivity to radiation.

The Gut Connection: Exploring the Possibility of Implementing Gut Microbial Metabolites in Lymphoma Treatment

Recent research has implicated the gut microbiota in the development of lymphoma. Dysbiosis of the gut microbial community can disrupt the production of gut microbial metabolites, thereby impacting host physiology and potentially contributing to lymphoma. Dysbiosis-driven release of gut microbial metabolites such as lipopolysaccharides can promote chronic inflammation, potentially elevating the risk of lymphoma. In contrast, gut microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, have shown promise in preclinical studies by promoting regulatory T-cell function, suppressing inflammation, and potentially preventing lymphoma. Another metabolite, urolithin A, exhibited immunomodulatory and antiproliferative properties against lymphoma cell lines in vitro. While research on the role of gut microbial metabolites in lymphoma is limited, this article emphasizes the need to comprehend their significance, including therapeutic applications, molecular mechanisms of action, and interactions with standard chemotherapies. The article also suggests promising directions for future research in this emerging field of connection between lymphoma and gut microbiome.

Combinatorial Approaches for Chemotherapies and Targeted Therapies With Radiation: United Efforts to Innovate in Patient Care

Combinatorial therapies consisting of radiation therapy (RT) with systemic therapies, particularly chemotherapy and targeted therapies, have moved the needle to augment disease control across nearly all disease sites for locally advanced disease. Evaluating these important combinations to incorporate more potent therapies with RT will aid our understanding of toxicity and efficacy for patients. This article discusses multiple disease sites and includes a compilation of contributions from expert Red Journal editors from each disease site. Leveraging improved systemic control with novel agents, we must continue efforts to study novel treatment combinations with RT.

Long-Term Results of IFRT vs. ISRT in Infradiaphragmal Fields in Aggressive Non-Hodgkins's Lymphoma Patients-A Single Centre Experience

(1) Background: This study aimed to examine the difference in efficacy and toxicity of involved-field (IFRT) and involved-site radiotherapy (ISRT) fields in infradiaphragmal aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients. (2) Methods: In total, 140 patients with infradiaphragmal lymphoma treated between 2003 and 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. There were 69 patients (49%) treated with IFRT, and 71 (51%) patients treated with ISRT. The median dose in the IFRT group was 36 Gy, (range 4-50.4 Gy), and in the ISRT group, it was 30 Gy (range 4-48 Gy). (3) Results: The median follow-up in the IFRT group was 133 months (95% CI 109-158), and in the ISRT group, it was 48 months (95% CI 39-57). In the IFRT group, locoregional control was 67%, and in the ISRT group, 73%. The 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS) in the IFRT and ISRT groups were 79% and 69% vs. 80% and 70%, respectively (p = 0.711). The 2- and 5-year event-free survival (EFS) in the IFRT and ISRT groups were 73% and 68% vs. 77% and 70%, respectively (p = 0.575). Acute side effects occurred in 43 (31%) patients, which is more frequent in the IFRT group, 34 (39%) patients, than in the ISRT group, 9 (13%) patients, p > 0.01. Late toxicities occurred more often in the IFRT group of patients, (10/53) 19%, than in the ISRT group of patients, (2/37) 5%, (p = 0.026). (4) Conclusions: By reducing the radiotherapy volume and the doses in the treatment of infradiaphragmatic fields, treatment with significantly fewer acute and long-term side effects is possible. At the same time, efficiency and local disease control are not compromised.

Long-term remission and survival in dogs with high-grade, B cell lymphoma treated with chemotherapy with or without sequential low-dose rate half-body irradiation

BACKGROUND

Standard of care for dogs with high-grade lymphoma, multiagent chemotherapy, achieves good initial responses but long-term remissions are infrequent; previous studies using half-body irradiation suggest improved long-term outcomes.

HYPOTHESIS

The addition of low-dose rate half-body irradiation would improve outcomes in dogs with B-cell lymphoma.

ANIMALS

Client-owned dogs with stage III or higher, substage a, B-cell lymphoma that achieved complete remission after 4 doses of multiagent chemotherapy.

METHODS

A case-controlled design comparing 2-year remission and survival rates between dogs treated with CHOP-based chemotherapy and those treated with chemotherapy and sequential low-dose rate half-body irradiation.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight dogs were enrolled with 18 included in final analysis, 9 prospectively-enrolled dogs and 9 case-matched historical controls. The irradiation cohort's 2-year disease-free rate was 56% whereas median duration exceeded the 730-day study period compared with 0% and 261 days in the chemotherapy only group. Remission duration significantly differed between cohorts (P < .01), hazard ratio 0.218 (95% CI: 0.06-0.77). The irradiation cohort's 2-year survival rate was 78% with median overall survival duration exceeding the 730 day study period compared with 11% and 286 days in the chemotherapy only group. Overall survival time significantly differed between cohorts (P < .02), hazard ratio 0.173 (95% CI: 0.03-0.839).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

The improved long-term outcome achieved by dogs administered sequential low-dose rate half-body irradiation in this study is similar to previous observational studies. Where long-term remission is sought in dogs with B-cell lymphoma low-dose rate half-body irradiation could be considered in addition to standard chemotherapy.

Safety of Concurrent Radiation Therapy With Brentuximab Vedotin in the Treatment of Lymphoma

Purpose

Purpose: Radiation therapy (RT) and the antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin (BV) are standard-of-care treatment options for patients with certain B and T-cell lymphomas; however, there are limited data exploring the safety of concurrent BV and RT (BVRT).

Methods and Materials

We performed a single institutional retrospective review of 44 patients who received BVRT.

Results

Twenty percent of patients (9/44) developed new grade 2 or higher (G2+) hematologic toxicity (HT) after BVRT, which was associated with radiation dose (median dose of 35 Gy in those with new G2+ HT compared with 15 Gy in those without; P < .001). Acute G2+ elevation in aspartate transaminase or alanine transaminase level was associated with administration of concurrent chemotherapy with BVRT (57% vs 21%; P = .047) but was not associated with any RT factors. Local control (LC) was achieved in 24 of 42 patients (57%) with available follow-up. Ten patients (23%) proceeded to stem cell transplant or cellular therapy after BVRT at a median of 48 days (interquartile range, 27-188 days). At last follow-up, 10 patients (23%) remained without evidence of disease.

Conclusions

Our analysis demonstrates that the combination of BV and RT is well tolerated, though care should be taken during RT planning to reduce the risk of HT. This combination can be considered for patients in need of both local and systemic disease control.

Design Characteristics and Recruitment Rates for Randomized Trials of Peri-Prosthetic Joint Infection Management: A Systematic Review

Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) present a major management challenge for practicing orthopedic surgeons and infectious disease physicians. There are few high-quality data to inform treatment guidelines. The aim of this systematic review was to report the design characteristics and recruitment rates for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PJI management. Trials were considered eligible for inclusion if human participants were randomized to any management intervention for PJI. We searched Medline, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Database, ANZ Clinical Trials Registry, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the EU Clinical Trials Register until the end of May 2023. The systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018112646). We identified 15 published RCTs with a total of 1743 participants with PJI. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) number of successfully recruited participants was 63 (38-140), with 0.28 (0.13-0.96) enrolments per site per month. Only four trials (36.4%) achieved the target recruitment. All RCTs applied different primary endpoints and varying definitions of a 'good' outcome. Despite recent improvements, PJI RCTs are characterized by slow recruitment and heterogeneous endpoint assessments, which preclude synthesis in a standard meta-analytic framework. To inform international guidelines, future PJI trials should be run as multi-country trials at high-recruiting sites.

Efficacy and toxicity of infradiaphragmal radiotherapy fields in lymphoma patients: a single-centre experience

PURPOSE

Data on efficacy and toxicity of infradiaphragmal radiotherapy fields in lymphoma patients are scarce. We therefore performed this retrospective study to analyse our experience with radiotherapy exclusively to infradiaphragmal fields.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

we retrospectively evaluated 101 patients treated between 2003 and 2014. Median dose was 36 Gy, range 4 to 54 Gy. Medium dose per fraction was 2 Gy, range 1.5 to 7 Gy.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 66 months (range 1-211 months), we observed lymphoma recurrence in 38 patients (38%), five in the RT field and 33 out-of-field. Recurrences were significantly more frequent in the salvage group (17 out-of-field and 4 in-field in 31 patients) than in adjuvant group (16 out-of-field and 1 in-field in 70 patients; p < 0.001). The 2-, 5- and 10-year event-free survival (EFS) rates were 62%, 56% and 54%. The 2-, 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates for the entire group of patients are 73%, 60% and 54%, respectively. Acute side effects occurred in 43 (43%) patients, most frequent gastrointestinal in 26 (26%) patients. Late side effects occurred in 12 (12%) of all patients, 6 of 23 (26%) followed up for more than 10 years. Six patients developed secondary cancers, four gastrointestinal disturbances, two diabetes mellitus and three renal failure.

CONCLUSION

Radiotherapy is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with infradiaphragmatic lymphoma providing excellent local disease control with minimal late toxicity. Infradiaphragmatic lymphoma localization should not be regarded as a contraindication for use of radiotherapy. However, patients should be monitored for a secondary malignancy.

Salvage radiotherapy for primary refractory and relapsed diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, accounting for 30-40% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases and presenting later in life, most often in the sixth decade. Although DLBCL is curable, long-term remission rates are only 60-80%. The most recent major advance in upfront therapy for DLBCL was the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab, which was approved in the late 1990s; now, 25 years later, up to 40% of patients will experience primary refractory or relapsed disease, thereby underscoring the importance of salvage therapy. Radiation therapy can be highly effective in DLBCL, both initially as consolidation therapy and later as salvage therapy and is currently being explored in the context of immune and cellular therapies. The aim of this review is to examine the therapeutic approaches for relapsed or refractory DLBCL, with a focus on whether using radiation therapy as salvage therapy can improve the likelihood of cure.