Short course radiotherapy versus radiochemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancers in the elderly (UNICANCER PRODIGE 42/GERICO 12 study): Quality of life and comprehensive geriatric assessment

BACKGROUND

The results of the PRODIGE 42/GERICO 12 study showed that short course radiotherapy had a better tolerance profile than radiochemotherapy, with comparable oncological results. We have included Quality of Life analyses and oncogeriatric evaluations in this study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 101 patients ≥75 years of age with resectable T3-T4 rectal adenocarcinoma less than 12 cm from the anal margin received short course radiotherapy (5X5 Gy in one week) or radiochemotherapy (50 Gy, 2 y/f and capecitabine 800 mg/m2, 5 days/week) with delayed surgery (7 weeks ± 1) in both groups. The Quality of Life analyses (EORTC QLQ C-30 et ELD14) were conducted upon inclusion, pre-operatively, at 3, 6 and 12 months post-op, together with the oncogeriatric evaluations, including an evaluation of the IADL and ADL scores, walking speed, GDS15, MMSE, MNA.

RESULTS

We did not highlight any statistical difference for the global EORTC QLQ-C30 score; several factors are statistically in favor of the short course radiotherapy group at 3 months post-op (cognitive functions, fatigue, appetite). In the case of the ELD14 score, the disease burden is perceived as more negative at 3, 6 and 12 months postop in the radiochemotherapy group. The IADL score deteriorated in 44.8 % of the radiochemotherapy group and 14.8 % of the radiotherapy group (p = 0.032); similarly, the GDS15 depression score was better preserved in the short course radiotherapy group (p = 0.05). An analysis of the other scores: ADL, walking speed, MNA, MMSE did not highlight any statistical difference.

CONCLUSION

Short course radiotherapy achieves better results in terms of Quality of Life and preservation of autonomy in patients aged ≥75 treated for locally advanced rectal cancer.

Comparison of short course radiotherapy with chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancers in the elderly: A multicentre, randomised, non-blinded, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

There is no specific guideline for the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancers in the elderly. Here we compared R0 resection rate and degradation of autonomy based on the instrumental activities of daily living score between neoadjuvant, short course radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy in this specific population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients ≥75 years with resectable T3-T4 rectal adenocarcinoma within 12 cm of the anal verge or T2 of the very low rectum were randomised between short course radiotherapy (5 × 5 Gy in one week) and chemoradiotherapy (50 Gy, 2 Gy/f, 5 weeks with capecitabine: 800 mg/m² twice daily, 5 days per week), with delayed surgery 7 ± 1 weeks for the two arms.

RESULTS

One hundred and three eligible patients were enrolled between January 2016 and December 2019 when the trial was closed due to poor accrual. The R0 resection rate (first co-primary objective) was 84.3%; confidence interval 95% [73.26-94.18] in the short course group and 88%; confidence interval 95% [77.77-96.60] in the chemoradiotherapy group (non-inferiority p = 0.28). The deterioration of the instrumental activities of daily living score was not different during the pre-operative phase, it was significantly more deteriorated in the chemoradiotherapy group at 3 months post-operative (44.8% versus 14.8%; p = 0.032) but was not different at 12 months post-operative (second co-primary objective). During pre-operative phase, 9.8% of patients in short course group and 22% of patients in chemoradiotherapy group presented a serious adverse event, but we observed no difference during the post-operative phase between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Although the main objectives of the study were not achieved, the short course radiotherapy followed by delayed surgery could represent a preferred treatment option in patients ≥75 years with locally advanced rectal cancer; a new study must be performed to confirm the improvement in overall and specific survival results.

Endovascular treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations: clinical outcomes of patients included in the registry of a pragmatic randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

The role of endovascular treatment in the management of patients with brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remains uncertain. AVM embolization can be offered as stand-alone curative therapy or prior to surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) (pre-embolization). The Treatment of Brain AVMs Study (TOBAS) is an all-inclusive pragmatic study that comprises two randomized trials and multiple registries.

METHODS

Results from the TOBAS curative and pre-embolization registries are reported. The primary outcome for this report is death or dependency (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score > 2) at last follow-up. Secondary outcomes include angiographic results, perioperative serious adverse events (SAEs), and permanent treatment-related complications leading to an mRS score > 2.

RESULTS

From June 2014 to May 2021, 1010 patients were recruited in TOBAS. Embolization was chosen as the primary curative treatment for 116 patients and pre-embolization prior to surgery or SRS for 92 patients. Clinical and angiographic outcomes were available in 106 (91%) of 116 and 77 (84%) of 92 patients, respectively. In the curative embolization registry, 70% of AVMs were ruptured, and 62% were low-grade AVMs (Spetzler-Martin grade I or II), while the pre-embolization registry had 70% ruptured AVMs and 58% low-grade AVMs. The primary outcome of death or disability (mRS score > 2) occurred in 15 (14%, 95% CI 8%–22%) of the 106 patients in the curative embolization registry (4 [12%, 95% CI 5%–28%] of 32 unruptured AVMs and 11 [15%, 95% CI 8%–25%] of 74 ruptured AVMs) and 9 (12%, 95% CI 6%–21%) of the 77 patients in the pre-embolization registry (4 [17%, 95% CI 7%–37%] of 23 unruptured AVMs and 5 [9%, 95% CI 4%–20%] of 54 ruptured AVMs) at 2 years. Embolization alone was confirmed to occlude the AVM in 32 (30%, 95% CI 21%–40%) of the 106 curative attempts and in 9 (12%, 95% CI 6%–21%) of 77 patients in the pre-embolization registry. SAEs occurred in 28 of the 106 attempted curative patients (26%, 95% CI 18%–35%, including 21 new symptomatic hemorrhages [20%, 95% CI 13%–29%]). Five of the new hemorrhages were in previously unruptured AVMs (n = 32; 16%, 95% CI 5%–33%). Of the 77 pre-embolization patients, 18 had SAEs (23%, 95% CI 15%–34%), including 12 new symptomatic hemorrhages [16%, 95% CI 9%–26%]). Three of the hemorrhages were in previously unruptured AVMs (3/23; 13%, 95% CI 3%–34%).

CONCLUSIONS

Embolization as a curative treatment for brain AVMs was often incomplete. Hemorrhagic complications were frequent, even when the specified intent was pre-embolization before surgery or SRS. Because the role of endovascular treatment remains uncertain, it should preferably, when possible, be offered in the context of a randomized trial.

NACRE: A randomized study comparing short course radiotherapy with radiochemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancers in the elderly—Preliminary results

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Background: Neoadjuvant therapy followed by total mesorectal surgery is the standard of care for locally advanced rectal carcinoma (RC). In the elderly, often underrepresented in clinical trials, but who represent a very large number of patients, therapeutic proposals are not based on high levels of evidence. The NACRE study investigated the role of short course radiotherapy with delayed surgery in this population. Methods: The PRODIGE 42-GERICO 12 NACRE is a multicenter randomized clinical trial aimed at comparing Arm A preop radiochemotherapy (RCT) (50 Gy, 2Gy/fraction [fr]; 25 fr + capecitabine) and delayed surgery and Arm B short course radiotherapy (25 gy, 5Gy/fr, 5fr) and delayed surgery. Eligible patients (pts) had cT3 or cT4 (or cT2 of the very low rectum), M0 rectal adenocarcinomas <12 cm from the anal verge, age ≥75years, and WHO PS ≤2. Randomization was stratified by center, T (T2/T3-T4) stage and Age (≤80 or >80 years). Two primary end-points will be analyzed according to the hierarchical sequential procedure: firstly R0 resection rate (non-inferiority test with a 8% non-inferiority margin), secondly preservation of autonomy using IADL score (superiority test with 15% absolute difference margin); secondary end-point will be survival and toxicity. We present here the results for R0 resection, survival and toxicities. Results: 29 sites randomized 101 patients from 01/2016 to 08/2019, 59 were males (58.4%), median age was 80 years (range 75-91). Pts characteristics were well balanced. 14% of pts in arm A did not receive all of the planned neoadjuvant treatment compared to 0% in arm B. The R0 resection rate in arm B (86.0% [IC95% 73-94%]) was not-inferior to the R0 resection rate in arm A (89.8% [ic95% 77-97%]), p=0.04 (non inferiority test). With a median follow-up of 15.8 months (CI95%: 14.8-26.0), the 6 months death rate was 10.0% (CI95%: 3.0-22.0) in arm A and 3.92% (CI95%: 0 -13.0) in arm B. There is a significant difference in overall survival between the two arm in favor of arm B (p=0.04, LogRank test), and there is a trend in favor of arm B for specific survival (p=0.06 LogRank test). Disease free survival is not statistically different (p=0.9). 13 serious adverse events were observed in arm A during preoperative phase, 7 in arm B, 16 and 10 respectively during the post-operative phase. Conclusions: These preliminary results show that short course radiotherapy with delayed surgery is associated with better compliance than radiochemotherapy in elderly patients and could give an advantage in overall survival. This regimen may be preferred in elderly patients. Clinical trial information: NCT02551237.

Stereotactic Body radiation therapy for liver tumors with or without rotational intensity modulated radiation therapy

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for primary liver lesions and liver metastases treated with linear accelerators with or without rotational Intensity Modulated RadioTherapy (IMRT).

METHODS

Patients with either hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma or metastatic liver lesions who had one to three lesions treated with SBRT in a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor response was evaluated according to EASL criteria 3 months after SBRT completion using MRI and/or abdominal CT scan. Responses were categorised as: Stable Disease (SD), Partial Response (PR), Complete Response (CR), Local Progression or Distant Progression in cases of new intra-hepatic lesions out-of-field or extra-hepatic metastases. Local Control (LC), Progression Free Survival (PFS), Overall Survival (OS) and treatment-related toxicities are reported.

RESULTS

Between 2007 and 2012, 20 patients with a total of 24 lesions were treated with SBRT. Fourteen patients presented hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the others had either metastatic lesions from colorectal cancer (CRC) or cholangiocarcinoma. The median diameter of the lesions was 23 mm (5-98).The dose per fraction ranged from 6 to 20 Gy with a median total dose of 60 Gy (range: 36-60 Gy). The dose was prescribed to the 80% isodose line covering the PTV.The median follow-up was 24 months (15.7-29.7).The actuarial LC rate was 78% for patients with HCC and 83% for those with adenocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Median OS was 37 months and OS rates were 83% at 12 and 24 months for HCC and 100% for adenocarcinoma. PFS was 54% for HCC and 50% for other types of tumors at 24 months.Acute grade 3-4 toxicities occurred in 2 patients; a small proportion of the other patients experienced grade 1 or 2 toxicities.

CONCLUSIONS

SBRT provides excellent local control with minimal side effects in selected patients.