Whole Brain Radiation Therapy Plus Focal Radiation Boost May Generate Better Survival Benefit for Brain Metastases From Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Repeated HyperArc radiosurgery for recurrent intracranial metastases and dosimetric analysis of recurrence pattern to account for diffuse dose effect on microscopical disease

Aims

Evaluate effectiveness and safety of multiple HyperArc courses and patterns of progression in patients affected by BMs with intracranial progression.

Methods

56 patients were treated for 702 BMs with 197 (range 2-8) HyperArc courses in case of exclusive intracranial progression. Primary end-point was the overall survival (OS), secondary end-points were intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS), toxicity, local control (LC), neurological death (ND), and whole-brain RT (WBRT)-free survival. Site of progression was evaluated against isodoses levels (0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 20, and 24 Gy.).

Results

The 1-year OS was 70 %, and the median was 20.8 months (17-36). At the univariate analysis (UVA) biological equivalent dose (BED) > 51.3 Gy and non-melanoma histology significantly correlated with OS. The median time to iPFS was 4.9 months, and the 1-year iPFS was 15 %. Globally, 538 new BMs occurred after the first HA cycle in patients with extracranial disease controlled. 96.4 % of them occurred within the isodoses range 0-7 Gy as follows: 26.6 % (0 Gy), 16.5 % (1 Gy), 16.5 % (2 Gy), 20.1 % (3 Gy), 13.1 % (5 Gy), 3.4 % (7 Gy) (p = 0.00). Radionecrosis occurred in 2 metastases (0.28 %). No clinical toxicity of grade 3 or higher occurred during follow-up. One- and 2-year LC was 90 % and 79 %, respectively. At the UVA BED > 70 Gy and non-melanoma histology were significant predictors of higher LC. The 2-year WBRT-free survival was 70 %. After a median follow-up of 17.4 months, 12 patients deceased by ND.

Conclusion

Intracranical relapses can be safely and effectively treated with repeated HyperArc, with the aim to postpone or avoid WBRT. Diffuse dose by volumetric RT might reduce microscopic disease also at relatively low levels, potentially acting as a virtual CTV. Neurological death is not the most common cause of death in this population, which highlights the impact of extracranial disease on overall survival.

Real-world analysis of different intracranial radiation therapies in non-small cell lung cancer patients with 1–4 brain metastases

Purpose

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has become a standard approach for the treatment of patients with few metastatic brain lesions. However, the optimal treatment approach for the use radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases (BMs) remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the survival outcomes and intracranial local control in NSCLC patients with 1–4 BMs who are treated with SRS using linear accelerators (LINAC-SRS), whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT), or WBRT plus radiotherapy boost (WBRT + RTB).

Materials and methods

We retrospectively analyzed 156 NSCLC patients with 1–4 BMs who received LINAC-SRS, WBRT, and WBRT + RTB. The median overall survival (OS), intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS), and distant brain failure-free survival (DBF-FS) and related prognostic factors were analyzed.

Results

The median follow-up period was 31.6 months. The median OS times in the LINAC-SRS, WBRT, and WBRT + RTB groups were not reached, 33.3 months and 27.9 months, respectively. The difference in survival rate was non-significant (P = 0.909). The 2-year iPFS and DBF-FS rates in the LINAC-SRS, WBRT and WBRT + RTB groups were 51.6% and 37.5%; 42.0% and 50.4%; and 51.1% and 56.1%, respectively. There was no significant difference in 2-year iPFS or DBF-FS among the three groups (P = 0.572 for iPFS, P = 0.628 for DBF-FS). Multivariate analysis showed that the independent adverse prognostic factors for OS, iPFS, and DBF-FS were neurological symptoms, recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class, and targeted therapy.

Conclusion

LINAC-SRS did not result in significantly superior survival times or intracranial local control compared to WBRT or WBRT + RTB in the treatment of NSCLC patients with 1–4 BMs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-10083-8.

A systematic literature review of real-world treatment outcomes of small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Robust evidence from real-world studies is needed to aid decision-makers and other stakeholders in choosing the best treatment options for patients. The objective of this work was to assess real-world outcomes of treatment strategies for limited- and extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) prior to the global introduction of immunotherapies for this disease.

METHODS

Searches were conducted in MEDLINE and Embase to identify articles published in English from October 1, 2015, through May 20, 2020. Searches were designed using a combination of Medical Subject Heading (Medline), Emtree (Embase subject headings), and free-text terms such as SCLC. Observational studies reporting data on outcomes of initial treatment strategies in patients with limited- and extensive-stage SCLC were included. Studies with limited sample sizes (<100 patients), enrolled all patients prior to 2010, or did not report outcomes for limited- and extensive-stage SCLC separately were excluded. Data were extracted into a predesigned template by a single researcher. All extractions were validated by a second researcher, with disagreements resolved via consensus.

RESULTS

Forty articles were included in this review. Most enrolled patients from the United States (n = 18 articles) or China (n = 12 articles). Most examined limited-stage (n = 27 articles) SCLC. All studies examined overall survival as the primary outcome. Articles investigating limited-stage SCLC reported outcomes for surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, and adjuvant prophylactic cranial irradiation. In studies examining multiple treatment strategies, chemoradiotherapy was the most commonly utilized therapy (56%-82%), with chemotherapy used in 18% to 44% of patients. Across studies, median overall survival was generally higher for chemoradiotherapy (15-45 months) compared with chemotherapy alone (6.0-15.6 months). Studies of extensive-stage SCLC primarily reported on chemotherapy alone, consolidative thoracic radiotherapy, and radiotherapy for patients presenting with brain metastases. Overall survival was generally lower for patients receiving chemotherapy alone (median: 6.4-16.5 months; 3 years, 5%-14.9%) compared with chemotherapy in combination with consolidative thoracic radiotherapy (median: 12.1-18.0 months; 3 years, 15.0%-18.1%). Studies examining whole-brain radiotherapy for brain metastases reported lower median overall survival (5.6-8.7 months) compared with stereotactic radiosurgery (10.0-14.5 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Under current standard of care, which has remained relatively unchanged over the past few decades, prognosis remains poor for patients with SCLC.

Effect of brain radiotherapy strategies on prognosis of patients with EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma with brain metastasis

Purpose

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant lung cancers have a high risk of developing brain metastases (BM). Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), local radiotherapy, and WBRT + Boost are frequently used for treatment of BM. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the difference in efficacy of these radiotherapy modes in patients with EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma with BMs. Further, we determined the optimal radiotherapy regimen for patients based on Lung-molGPA.

Methods and materials

We retrospectively enrolled 232 patients with EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma with BMs. Patients were divided into three groups based on the different modes of brain radiotherapy: WBRT group, local radiotherapy group, and WBRT + Boost group. Graded prognostic assessment for lung cancer using molecular markers (Lung molGPA), overall survival (OS), and intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS) were calculated. Kaplan–Meier was used to compare iPFS and OS in different groups.

Results

The median OS for the WBRT (n = 84), local radiotherapy (n = 65), and WBRT + Boost (n = 83) cohorts was 32.8, 59.1, and 41.7 months, respectively (P = 0.0002). After stratification according to the Lung-molGPA score, the median OS for the WBRT (n = 56), local radiotherapy (n = 19), and WBRT + Boost (n = 28) cohorts was 32.5, 30.9, and 30.8 months, respectively, in subgroup with score 1–2 (P = 0.5097). In subgroup with score 2.5–4, the median OS for the WBRT (n = 26), local radiotherapy (n = 45), and WBRT + Boost (n = 54) cohorts was 32, 68.4, and 51 months, respectively (P = 0.0041).

Conclusion

The present study showed that in patients with EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma with BM, local radiotherapy and WBRT + Boost perform similarly well both in the subgroups with low and high scores of Lung-molGPA. Considering the side effect caused by whole brain radiotherapy, we recommended local radiotherapy as optimal brain radiation mode for those subtype lung cancer patients.

Survival Outcomes of Local Compared With Systemic First Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Brain Metastases

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study evaluated the survival advantage of local treatment targeted to brain metastases, relative to systemic therapy, as the first option for brain metastases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

First reviewed were 291 cases of NSCLC brain metastases from two centers. All patients were at least 18 years old, with histologically confirmed NSCLC, and required and underwent both local (radiotherapy or brain surgery) and systemic treatment (chemotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitor [TKI] medication). Demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment-related variables were collected.

RESULTS

The final population comprised 160 patients. Overall, the multivariate analysis suggested that the following were associated with better survival: >3 cycles of chemotherapy; stereotactic radiosurgery; and TKI medication (all, P = 0.000). Local treatment that began within 1 week of the diagnosis of brain metastases was associated with poorer survival (P = 0.006). Among the 111 patients with symptomatic brain metastases, the multivariate analysis indicated that better survival was associated with >3 cycles of chemotherapy (P = 0.000), radiation dose >40 Gy (P = 0.001), stereotactic radiosurgery (P = 0.000), and TKI medication (P = 0.000), while local treatment that began within 1 week after the diagnosis of brain metastases was associated with poorer survival (P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with NSCLC brain metastases, regardless of the presence of clinical symptoms associated with brain metastases, systemic treatment before local may be better for survival. Even when used to relieve clinical symptoms, local treatment should be within a setting of sufficient systemic treatment.

Radiation Plus Anti-PD-1 Therapy for NSCLC Brain Metastases: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Radiation therapy (RT) is the mainstay of brain metastases (BMs), and anti-PD-1 blockade has led to intracranial responses in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients with BMs.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding anti-PD-1 blockade to RT in the management of NSCLC patients with BM in terms of survival outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 70 NSCLC patients with BMs who were treated with whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) between January 2016 and January 2021. Of the 70 patients, 29 additionally received anti-PD-1 therapy within 30 days of WBRT initiation. Baseline characteristics of the patients and efficacy outcomes such as progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were statistically compared using SPSS v26. Results were obtained using the Chi-square test/Fisher exact test, t-test, Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression survival analyses.

RESULTS

The median survival for the entire cohort was 24 months (95% CI, 19.5-28.5). The median survival times for WBRT alone and WBRT plus anti-PD-1 therapy cohorts were 20 months (95% CI, 11.6-28.3) and 27 months (95% CI, 19.5-28.5), respectively (p=0.035). There was no statistical difference in PFS for the treatment cohorts (median PFS for WBRT alone: 7 months vs. 12 months for WBRT plus anti-PD-1, p=0.247). In EGFR wild-type subgroup (n=31), both PFS (p=0.037) and OS (p=0.012) were significantly improved. Only the treatment group (WBRT plus anti-PD-1) was a significant predictor of OS on univariate and multivariate analyses (p=0.040). There were no significant differences in adverse events among the treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

NSCLC patients with BM receiving additional anti-PD-1 therapy may derive better OS than WBRT alone without any increase in adverse events. Prospective well-designed studies are warranted to validate and elucidate the additive effects of the two modalities in this group of patients.