Radiomics: the facts and the challenges of image analysis

Radiomics is an emerging translational field of research aiming to extract mineable high-dimensional data from clinical images. The radiomic process can be divided into distinct steps with definable inputs and outputs, such as image acquisition and reconstruction, image segmentation, features extraction and qualification, analysis, and model building. Each step needs careful evaluation for the construction of robust and reliable models to be transferred into clinical practice for the purposes of prognosis, non-invasive disease tracking, and evaluation of disease response to treatment. After the definition of texture parameters (shape features; first-, second-, and higher-order features), we briefly discuss the origin of the term radiomics and the methods for selecting the parameters useful for a radiomic approach, including cluster analysis, principal component analysis, random forest, neural network, linear/logistic regression, and other. Reproducibility and clinical value of parameters should be firstly tested with internal cross-validation and then validated on independent external cohorts. This article summarises the major issues regarding this multi-step process, focussing in particular on challenges of the extraction of radiomic features from data sets provided by computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

The relationship of pathologic tumor regression grade (TRG) and outcomes after preoperative therapy in rectal cancer

PURPOSE

To examine the relationship between tumor regression grade (TRG) and outcomes in patients with rectal cancer treated with preoperative therapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Specimens from 144 patients with cT3,4 rectal cancer who had received preoperative radiation +/- chemotherapy and had a minimum follow-up of 3 years were retrospectively reviewed. TRG, which involves examining the residual neoplastic cells and scoring the degree of both cytological changes, including nuclear pyknosis or necrosis and/or eosinophilia, as well as stromal changes, including fibrosis (either dense or edematous) with or without inflammatory infiltrate and giant-cell granulomatosis around ghost cells and keratin, was quantified in five grades according to the Mandard score (Cancer 1994;73:2680-2686). The greater the response, the lower the TRG score. The median follow-up was 72 months (range, 40-143 months).

RESULTS

Of the 144 patients, 19% were TRG1, 12% were TRG2, 21% were TRG3, 46% were TRG4, and 1% were TRG5. To simplify the analysis, TRG was combined into two groups: TRG1-2 and TRG3-5. By univariate analysis, none of the pretreatment factors examined, including age, circumference, length, distance from the anorectal ring, pretreatment T and N stage, and INDpre (defined as the pretreatment reference index size based on digital rectal examination), had an impact on 5-year outcomes, including local control, metastases-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival. Postoperative parameters, including pathologic T stage (pT), pathologic N stage (pN), and TRG, did significantly influence 5-year outcomes. These included local failure: pT0-2: 5% vs. pT3-4: 19%, p = 0.007; pN0: 7% vs. pN1-3: 26%, p = 0.002; TRG1-2: 2% vs. TRG3-5: 17%, p = 0.013; metastasis-free survival: pT0-2: 86% vs. pT3-4: 62%, p = 0.005; pN-: 86% vs. pN*: 42%, p < 0.001; TRG1-2: 91% vs. TRG3-5: 66%, p = 0.004; disease-free survival: pT0-2: 83% vs. pT3-4: 54%, p = 0.001; pN0: 80% vs. pN1-3: 39%, p < 0.001; TRG1-2: 91% vs. TRG3-5: 58%, p < 0.001; and overall survival: pT0-2: 85% vs. pT3-4: 65%, p = 0.007; pN0: 86% vs. pN1-3: 45%, p < 0.001; TRG1-2: 89% vs. TRG3-5: 68%, p = 0.004. By multivariate analysis combining all pre- and posttreatment parameters, only pN (p < 0.001) and TRG (p = 0.005) significantly predicted disease-free survival. Furthermore, TRG predicted the incidence of pathologic nodal involvement (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

By univariate analysis, TRG is a predictor for local failure, metastases-free survival, and overall survival. By multivariate analysis, it predicts improved disease-free survival. Given the ability of TRG to predict those patients with N* disease, it may be helpful, in combination with other clinicopathologic factors, in selecting patients for a more conservative procedure, such as local excision rather than radical surgery, after preoperative therapy.

Effects of chronic ACE inhibition on sympathetic nerve traffic and baroreflex control of circulation in heart failure

BACKGROUND

In congestive heart failure ACE inhibitors chronically reduce plasma norepinephrine. No information exists, however, on whether and to what extent this reduction reflects a true chronic inhibition of sympathetic outflow and which mechanisms may be responsible.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 24 patients aged 60.3+/-2.0 years (mean+/-SEM) affected by congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class II) and treated with diuretics and digitalis, we measured mean arterial pressure (Finapres), plasma renin activity and angiotensin II levels (radioimmunoassay), plasma norepinephrine (high-performance liquid chromatography), and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (microneurography at a peroneal nerve) at rest and during baroreceptor stimulation and deactivation caused by stepwise intravenous infusions of phenylephrine and nitroprusside, respectively. In 12 patients measurements were repeated after a 2-month addition of the ACE inhibitor benazepril (10 mg/d P.O.), while in the remaining 12 patients they were performed again after 2 months without any treatment modifications. Benazepril did not alter mean arterial pressure, markedly increased plasma renin activity, reduced plasma angiotensin II, and caused a nonsignificant reduction in plasma norepinephrine. In contrast, muscle sympathetic nerve traffic was significantly reduced (-30.5+/-5.3%, P<.01). This reduction was accompanied by no change in the sympathoexcitatory responses to baroreceptor deactivation but by a marked enhancement of the sympathoinhibitory responses to baroreceptor stimulation (103.5+/-3.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide the first direct evidence that in congestive heart failure chronic ACE inhibitor treatment is accompanied by a marked reduction in central sympathetic outflow. This reduction may depend on a persistent restoration of baroreflex restraint on the sympathetic neural drive.

Pharmacokinetics and effects of propranolol in terminal uraemic patients and in patients undergoing regular dialysis treatment

Propranolol blood and plasma levels were measured after a single oral dose of 40 mg in patients with chronic renal failure, in patients undergoing regular dialysis treatment, and in healthy volunteers. Peak levels were observed in all cases within 1.5 to 3 hours. However, peak blood and plasma concentrations of propranolol in the chronic renal failure group were 2- to 3-fold higher (161 +/- 41 ng/ml) than those observed in the dialysis patients (47 +/- 9 ng/ml) and in the healthy volunteers (26 +/- 1 ng/ml). The apparent plasma clearance was also significantly reduced in the patients with chronic renal failure. The data suggest a reduced hepatic extraction in chronic renal failure patients. A significant increase in the fraction of the dose available to the systemic circulation was also found, together with a modification of apparent plasma half-life and volume of distribution in regular dialysis patients during the dialysis day as compared with the after-dialysis day. No extraction of propranolol by the dialyzer was noticed. Marked fluctuations in propranolol blood concentrations were also observed in patients on regular dialysis following continuous propranolol treatment. The suppressive effect of propranolol on plasma renin activity did not fully correlate with the hypotensive effect of the drug. On the basis of the reported data, propranolol should be used with great caution and at low doses in chronic renal failure.

Ten years of preoperative chemoradiation for extraperitoneal T3 rectal cancer: acute toxicity, tumor response, and sphincter preservation in three consecutive studies

PURPOSE

To compare acute toxicity, tumor response, and sphincter preservation in three schedules of concurrent chemoradiation in resectable transmural and/or node-positive extraperitoneal rectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1990 and 1999, 163 consecutive patients were treated according to the following combined modalities: FUMIR: between 1990 and 1995, 83 patients were treated with bolus i.v. mitomycin C (MMC), 10 mg/m(2) day 1, plus 24-h continuous infusion i.v. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 1,000 mg/m(2) days 1-4, and concurrent external beam radiotherapy (37.8 Gy). PLAFUR-4: between 1995 and 1998, 40 patients were treated with cisplatin (c-DDP) 60 mg/m(2) given as slow infusion (1-4 h) on days 1 and 29, plus 24-h continuous infusion i.v. 5-FU 1,000 mg/m(2), days 1-4 and 29-32 with concurrent external-beam radiotherapy (50.4 Gy). PLAFUR-5: between 1998 and 1999, 40 patients were treated with c-DDP 60 mg/m(2) given as slow infusion (during 1-4 h) on days 1 and 29, plus 24-h continuous infusion i.v. 5-FU 1,000 mg/m(2), days 1-5 and 29-33 with concurrent external-beam radiotherapy (50.4 Gy).

RESULTS

Grade > or = 3 acute toxicity occurred in 14%, 5%, and 17% of patients treated in the FUMIR, PLAFUR-4, and PLAFUR-5 studies, respectively (p = 0.201). In the FUMIR, PLAFUR-4, and PLAFUR-5 studies, clinical response rate was 77%, 70%, and 83%, respectively. Tumor downstaging occurred in 57%, 68%, and 58% of patients, respectively. Pathologic complete response was recorded in 9% (FUMIR), 23% (PLAFUR-4), and 20% (PLAFUR-5) of patients. Sphincter-preserving surgery was feasible in 44% (FUMIR), 40% (PLAFUR-4), and 61% (PLAFUR-5) of patients having a distance between the anal-rectal ring and the lower pole of the tumor of 0-30 mm, and in 95%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, in those having a distance of 31-50 mm. Comparing FUMIR vs. PLAFUR, the clinical response rate was similar in the two series: a partial response was observed in 62/81 (77%) patients with FUMIR treatment, and in 61/80 (76%) patients with PLAFUR treatment. Tumor downstaging was observed in 46/81 (57%) patients and in 50/80 (68%) patients, respectively. The pathologic complete response rate was statistically higher in the PLAFUR series: 7/81 (9%) patients with FUMIR treatment and 17/80 (21%) patients with PLAFUR treatment (p = 0.04). Major downstaging (pT0+ pTmic+ pT1) in the FUMIR group was reported in 12/81 (15%) patients versus 31/80 (39%) patients in the PLAFUR group (p = 0.0006). The anal sphincter was preserved in 63/81 (78%) patients with FUMIR treatment and in 69/80 (86%) patients with PLAFUR treatment. The perioperative morbidity was statistically lower with PLAFUR: a perioperative morbidity was experienced by 20/81 (25%) patients with FUMIR treatment and by 9/80 (11%) patients with PLAFUR treatment (p = 0.042).

CONCLUSION

In our experience, higher radiation dose (50.4 Gy vs. 37.8 Gy), a second course of concurrent 5-FU, and the use of c-DDP instead of MMC improved the pathologic response rate without increasing acute toxicity and perioperative morbidity. The use of 5-FU 5-day infusion (PLAFUR-5) resulted in higher toxicity with a similar response rate compared to 4-day infusion (PLAFUR-4).

Long-term effects of bosentan on quality of life, survival, safety and tolerability in pulmonary arterial hypertension related to connective tissue diseases

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the long-term effects of bosentan, an oral endothelin ET(A)/ET(B) receptor antagonist, in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) exclusively related to connective tissue diseases (CTD).

METHODS

A total of 53 patients with PAH related to connective tissue diseases (PAH-CTD) in World Health Organization (WHO) functional class III received bosentan 62.5 mg twice a day for 4 weeks and then 125 mg twice a day for 44 weeks in this open non-comparative study. Assessments at weeks 16 and 48 included WHO class, clinical worsening, quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) modified for scleroderma), and survival (week 48 only). Safety and tolerability were monitored throughout the study.

RESULTS

At week 48, WHO class improved in 27% of patients (95% CI 16-42%) and worsened in 16% (95% CI 7-29%). Kaplan-Meier estimates were 68% (95% CI 55-82%) for absence of clinical worsening and 92% (95% CI 85-100%) for survival. Overall changes in quality of life were minimal. There were no unexpected side effects observed during the study.

CONCLUSIONS

In most patients, bosentan was associated with improvement or stability of clinical status. The 92% estimate for survival at 48 weeks is a significant achievement in this patient population.

Studies of the absorption and removal of propranolol in hypertensive patients during therapy

The variability of plasma propranolol concentrations has been determined in a large group of patients being treated with the drug. Although the average patient achieved a therapeutic plasma level with 160 mg/day, there was marked interpatient variation. This was found to be primarily the result of differences in effective absorption of the drug, which averaged 46% of the oral dose but ranged from 20 to 80%. Propranolol disappeared from plasma with a half-life of 4.7 hours and its removal appeared to follow dose independent kinetics with no evidence of saturation of hepatic metabolism. The derived pharmacokinetic values of volume of distribution and clearance rate have been used to provide guidelines for initiating propranolol therapy intravenously, and the schedule of 8 mg as a loading dose and 0.02 mg/min as a sustaining dose has been suggested.

Long-term analysis of clinical outcome and complications in locally advanced cervical cancer patients administered concomitant chemoradiation followed by radical surgery

OBJECTIVE

Preoperative chemoradiation (CT/RT) has been shown to achieve encouraging results in terms of clinical outcome in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). The study aims at analyzing the long-term results of this multimodal approach in a single institution series of 184 cases.

METHODS

Patients underwent whole pelvic irradiation combined with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. After evaluation of clinical response, patients were triaged to surgery. Surgical morbidity was classified according to Chassagne grading system. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the prognostic and predictive role of clinicopathological parameters.

RESULTS

Clinical response was observed in 96.1% of cases. A total of 174 cases were submitted to radical surgery: 124 patients (71.3%) showed complete/microscopic pathological response. In multivariate analysis, clinical response, stage of disease, and histotype predicted response to CT/RT. With a median follow-up of 58 months, recurrence and death of disease were observed in 42 and 40 patients, respectively. The 5-year DFS was 75.5%, while the 5-year OS was 77.4%. Patients with no residual disease showed a significant longer DFS than patients with microscopic (p value = 0.0128), and macroscopic (p value = 0.0001) residual tumor after treatment. In multivariate analysis, residual tumor and stage of disease were the two most relevant prognostic factors for DFS and OS. As far as long-term toxicity is concerned, 8 out of 22 complications were grade 3/4.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative CT/RT is worth further investigation in LACC patients, providing encouraging survival outcomes and a favourable long-term toxicity profile.

Preoperative concomitant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer: safety, outcome, and prognostic measures

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the morbidity, and the therapeutic value of surgery after chemoradiation in a large series of locally advanced cervical cancers (LACC). The prognostic role of different clinico-pathological factors has been also evaluated.

METHODS

Between October 1997 and October 2006, 161 LACC patients were treated at both the Gynecologic Oncology Units of the Catholic University of Rome and Campobasso. Radiotherapy was administered to the whole pelvic region in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Radical surgery was performed 5-6 weeks after the end of the treatment.

RESULTS

A clinical complete/partial response was observed in 153 patients and radical surgery was performed in 152 cases. The overall rate of surgical complications was 33% with 15 (10%) patients experiencing severe toxicities. At pathological examination 111 of 152 patients (73%) showed absent/microscopic residual disease. With a median follow-up of 28 months, the 5-year disease free-survival (DFS) was 83% and the 5-year overall survival (OS) 90%. Advanced FIGO (Federation Internationale de Gynecolgie et d'Obstetrique) stage, pathological response and lymph node involvement were found significantly associated with clinical outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirmed in a larger series the safety and efficacy of this multimodal approach in the treatment of LACC. The pathological assessment of response can allow not only a tailored surgery in selected patients, but also the identification of patients with higher risk of recurrence to be submitted to adjuvant therapies.

Chemoradiation with or without intraoperative radiation therapy in patients with locally recurrent rectal carcinoma: prognostic factors and long term outcome

BACKGROUND

Rectal carcinoma patients with local recurrence are reported to have a dismal prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined modality therapy on clinical outcome and to determine the prognostic impact of a "presurgical" staging system.

METHODS

Between September 1989 and June 1997, 47 patients (with a median follow-up of 80 months) with locally recurrent, nonmetastatic rectal carcinoma were classified according to the extent of pelvic sidewall involvement as determined by pretreatment computed tomography (CT) scan. They received preoperative external beam radiation (45-47 grays [Gy] in 34 patients; 23.4 Gy in 13 preirradiated patients) plus concomitant 5-fluorouracil (1000 mg/m(2)/day as a 96-hour continuous infusion on Days 1-4 + 29-32) and mitomycin C (10 mg/m(2) as a bolus intravenously on Day 1 + 29). After 4-6 weeks, the patients were evaluated for surgical resection and intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) procedure (10-15 Gy) or, in unresectable patients, a boost dose was planned by chemoradiation (23.4 Gy) or brachytherapy. Thereafter, adjuvant chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and leucovorin for a total of six to nine courses) was prescribed.

RESULTS

During chemoradiation, 2 patients (4.3%) developed Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Grade 3-4 acute toxicity. Twenty-five patients (53. 2%) had an objective response after chemoradiation. Twenty-one patients (45%) underwent radical surgical resection. The overall 5-year survival and local control rates were 22% and 32%, respectively. The classification system significantly predicted survival (P = 0.008). Radically resected patients had better local control and survival (P < 0.0001); in patients treated with IORT, the 5-year local control and survival rates were 79% and 41%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The data from the current study suggest that combined modality therapy was well tolerated and improved resectability, local control, and survival. The classification system appears to be a reliable tool with which to predict clinical outcome in patients with locally recurrent rectal carcinoma.

(11)C-Choline PET/CT for restaging prostate cancer. Results from 4,426 scans in a single-centre patient series

PURPOSE

To evaluate (11)C-choline PET/CT as a diagnostic tool for restaging prostate cancer (PCa), in a large, homogeneous and clinically relevant population of patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) of PCa after primary therapy. The secondary aim was to assess the best timing for performing (11)C-choline PET/CT during BCR.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 9,632 (11)C-choline PET/CT scans performed in our institution for restaging PCa from January 2007 to June 2015. The inclusion criteria were: (1) proven PCa radically treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) or with primary external beam radiotherapy (EBRT); (2) PSA serum values available; (3) proven BCR (PSA >0.2 ng/mL after RP or PSA >2 ng/mL above the nadir after primary EBRT with rising PSA levels). Finally, 3,203 patients with recurrent PCa matching all the inclusion criteria were retrospectively enrolled and 4,426 scans were analysed.

RESULTS

Overall, 52.8 % of the (11)C-choline PET/CT scans (2,337/4,426) and 54.8 % of the patients (1,755/3,203) were positive. In 29.4 % of the scans, at least one distant finding was observed. The mean and median PSA values were, respectively, 4.9 and 2.1 ng/mL at the time of the scan (range 0.2 - 50 ng/mL). In our series, 995 scans were performed in patients with PSA levels between 1 and 2 ng/mL. In this subpopulation the positivity rate in the 995 scans was 44.7 %, with an incidence of distant findings of 19.2 % and an incidence of oligometastatic disease (one to three lesions) of 37.7 %. The absolute PSA value at the time of the scan and ongoing androgen deprivation therapy were associated with an increased probability of a positive (11)C-choline PET/CT scan (p < 0.0001). In the ROC analysis, a PSA value of 1.16 ng/mL was the optimal cut-off value. In patients with a PSA value <1.16 ng/mL, 26.8 % of 1,426 (11)C-choline PET/CT scans were positive, with oligometastatic disease in 84.7 % of positive scans.

CONCLUSION

In a large cohort of patients, the feasibility of (11)C-choline PET/CT for detecting the sites of metastatic disease in PCa patients with BCR was confirmed. The PSA level was the main predictor of a positive scan with 1.16 ng/mL as the optimal cut-off value. In the majority of positive scans oligometastatic disease, potentially treatable with salvage therapies, was observed.

A Large, Multicenter, Retrospective Study on Efficacy and Safety of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) in Oligometastatic Ovarian Cancer (MITO RT1 Study): A Collaboration of MITO, AIRO GYN, and MaNGO Groups

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have reported improvement of outcomes (progression-free survival, overall survival, and prolongation of androgen deprivation treatment-free survival) with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in non-small cell lung cancer and prostate cancer. The aim of this retrospective, multicenter study (MITO RT-01) was to define activity and safety of SBRT in a very large, real-world data set of patients with metastatic, persistent, and recurrent ovarian cancer (MPR-OC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The endpoints of the study were the rate of complete response (CR) to SBRT and the 24-month actuarial local control (LC) rate on "per-lesion" basis. The secondary endpoints were acute and late toxicities and the 24-month actuarial late toxicity-free survival. Objective response rate (ORR) included CR and partial response (PR). Clinical benefit (CB) included ORR and stable disease (SD). Toxicity was evaluated by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) scales, according to center policy. Logistic and Cox regression were used for the uni- and multivariate analysis of factors predicting clinical CR and actuarial outcomes.

RESULTS

CR, PR, and SD were observed in 291 (65.2%), 106 (23.8%), and 33 (7.4%) lesions, giving a rate of CB of 96.4%. Patient aged ≤60 years, planning target volume (PTV) ≤18 cm³ , lymph node disease, and biologically effective dose α/β10 > 70 Gy were associated with higher chance of CR in the multivariate analysis. With a median follow-up of 22 months (range, 3-120), the 24-month actuarial LC rate was 81.9%. Achievement of CR and total dose >25 Gy were associated with better LC rate in the multivariate analysis. Mild toxicity was experienced in 54 (20.7%) patients; of 63 side effects, 48 were grade 1, and 15 were grade 2. The 24-month late toxicity-free survival rate was 95.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the activity and safety of SBRT in patients with MPR-OC and identifies clinical and treatment parameters able to predict CR and LC rate.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This study aimed to define activity and safety of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in a very large, real life data set of patients with metastatic, persistent, recurrent ovarian cancer (MPR-OC). Patient age <60 years, PTV <18 cm³ , lymph node disease, and biologically effective dose α/β10 >70 Gy were associated with higher chance of complete response (CR). Achievement of CR and total dose >25 Gy were associated with better local control (LC) rate. Mild toxicity was experienced in 20.7% of patients. In conclusion, this study confirms the activity and safety of SBRT in MPR-OC patients and identifies clinical and treatment parameters able to predict CR and LC rate.

ACE inhibition attenuates sympathetic coronary vasoconstriction in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

In humans, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition attenuates the vasoconstriction induced by sympathetic stimulation in a number of peripheral districts. Whether this is also the case in the coronary circulation is unknown, however.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In nine normotensive patients with angiographically assessed coronary atherosclerosis, we measured the changes in mean arterial pressure (intra-arterial catheter), heart rate, rate-pressure product (RPP), coronary sinus blood flow (CBF, thermodilution method), and coronary vascular resistance (CVR, ratio between mean arterial pressure and CBF) induced by the cold pressor test (CPT, 2 minutes) and diving (30 seconds), i.e., two stimuli eliciting a sympathetic coronary vasoconstriction. The measurements were performed in the control condition and 30 minutes after captopril 25 mg p.o. In the control condition, CPT caused an increase in mean arterial pressure and heart rate. Despite the increase in RPP (+20.7 +/- 3.2%, p less than 0.01), CBF did not change and CVR increased (+12.2 +/- 4.0%, p less than 0.05). diving caused an increase in mean arterial pressure and a reduction in heart rate. RPP increased (+14.3 +/- 3.5%, p less than 0.01), but despite this increase, there was a reduction in CBF and a marked increase in CVR (+37.3 +/- 7.4%, p less than 0.01). Captopril did not modify the blood pressure and heart rate responses to both stimuli except for a slight accentuation of the bradycardia to diving. Despite the unchanged or only slightly reduced RPP response, the increase in CVR was markedly and significantly attenuated (p less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

ACE inhibition attenuates sympathetic coronary vasoconstriction in patients with coronary artery disease. This is probably due to removal of the facilitating influence of angiotensin II on sympathetic modulation of coronary vasomotor tone.

Immunotherapy and radiotherapy in melanoma: a multidisciplinary comprehensive review

Melanoma is an extremely aggressive tumor and is considered to be an extremely immunogenic tumor because compared to other cancers it usually presents a well-expressed lymphoid infiltration. The aim of this paper is to perform a multidisciplinary comprehensive review of the evidence available about the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy for melanoma. Radiation, in fact, can increase tumor antigens visibility and promote priming of T cells but can also exert immunosuppressive action on tumor microenvironment. Combining radiotherapy with immunotherapy provides an opportunity to increase immunostimulatory potential of radiation. We therefore provide the latest clinical evidence about radiobiological rationale, radiotherapy techniques, timing, and role both in advanced and systemic disease (with a special focus on ocular melanoma and brain, liver, and bone metastases) with a particular attention also in geriatric patients. The combination of immunotherapy and radiotherapy seems to be a safe therapeutic option, supported by a clear biological rationale, even though the available data confirm that radiotherapy is employed more for metastatic than for non-metastatic disease. Such a combination shows promising results in terms of survival outcomes; however, further studies, hopefully prospective, are needed to confirm such evidence.

Combined modality treatment in unresectable extrahepatic biliary carcinoma

PURPOSE

Cancers of the extrahepatic biliary tract are rare. Surgical resection is considered the standard treatment, but is rarely feasible. Several reports of combined modality therapy, including external beam radiation, often combined with chemotherapy and intraluminal brachytherapy, have been published. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemoradiation plus intraluminal brachytherapy on response, local control, survival, and symptom relief in patients with unresectable or residual extrahepatic biliary carcinoma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From February 1991 to December 1997, 20 patients (14 male, 6 female; mean age 61 +/- 12 years; median follow-up 71 months) with unresectable (16 patients) or residual (4 patients), nonmetastatic extrahepatic bile tumors (common bile duct, 8; gallbladder, 1; Klatskin, 11) received external beam radiation (39.6-50.4 Gy); in 19 patients, 5-fluorouracil (96-h continuous infusion, days 1-4 at 1,000 mg/m(2)/day) was also administered. Twelve patients received a boost by intraluminal brachytherapy using (192)Ir wires of 30-50 Gy, prescribed 1 cm from the source axis.

RESULTS

During external beam radiotherapy, 8 patients (40%) developed grade 1-2 gastrointestinal toxicity. Four patients treated with external-beam plus intraluminal brachytherapy had a clinical response (2 partial, 2 complete) after treatment. For the total patient group, the median survival and time to local progression was 21.2 and 33.1 months, respectively. Distant metastasis occurred in 10 (50%) patients. Two patients who received external beam radiation plus intraluminal brachytherapy developed late duodenal ulceration. Two patients with unresectable disease survived more than 5 years.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that chemoradiation plus intraluminal brachytherapy was relatively well-tolerated, and resulted in reasonable local control and median survival. Further follow-up and additional research is needed to determine the ultimate efficacy of this regimen. New chemoradiation combinations and/or new treatment strategies (neoadjuvant chemoradiation) may contribute, in the future, to improve these results.

Control of renin release: a review of experimental evidence and clinical implications

Present knowledge of the mechanisms regulating release of renin is reviewed with particular emphasis on neural factors. Evidence is given for a direct effect of renal innervation on beta adrenergic receptors in juxtaglomerular cells, and for the involvement of reflex release of renin in conditions such as tilting and acute salt depletion. Participation of neural and nonneural mechanisms of control is also shown to occur in other conditions, such as aortic constriction and hemorrhage. The view is held that neural sympathetic factors might explain some of the renin disturbances found in essential hypertension. First, in patients with high renin hypertension part of the hypertension is renin-dependent, and these pressor levels of renin seem to be neurally induced since they can commonly be suppressed by beta adrenoreceptor blocking agents. Second, the hypothesis is presented that patients with low renin hypertension, at least those who have no volume disturbance, have a blunted sympathetic control of renin release. Therefore a sufficiently precise test of sympathetic activity, and possibly of body fluid volumes, should be associated with renin profiles for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of arterial hypertension and as a better guide to therapeutic management. Indeed, most of the available antihypertensive drugs act on sympathetic activity, body fluid volume or renin, and this multifaceted profile would provide more rational guidelines for treatment.

Phase I-II trial of preoperative chemoradiation in locally advanced cervical carcinoma

BACKGROUND

5-Fluorouracil and cisplatin are characterized by in vitro synergism as well as radiosensitization. A phase I-II study was carried out on patients with invasive cervical carcinoma (FIGO IIB-IIIA) undergoing concomitant chemoradiation with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin followed by radical surgery.

METHODS

Twenty-six patients of 53 years median age, 24 with IIB tumor and 2 with IIIA tumor, all with squamous carcinoma, entered the study. The chemoradiation protocol included external radiotherapy to the pelvis: 39.6 Gy (180 cGy/daily); 5-fluorouracil: 1 g/m(2)/daily, in continuous intravenous infusion days 1-4 and 27-30; cisplatin: 20 mg/m(2)/daily days 1-4 and 27-30. Four weeks after the end of chemoradiotherapy, patients underwent restaging and then radical surgery with pelvic and lumboaortic lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients are evaluable for acute toxicity and 24 are evaluable for objective and pathologic response. Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia or leukopenia was observed in 6 patients and grade 3 acute gastrointestinal toxicity in 3. After chemoradiation CR and PR were observed in 64 and 36% of cases, respectively (CR + PR = 100%). Two patients were excluded from surgery for other diseases. The remaining 24 patients were operated on; 23/24 patients showed negative section margins. The histology of the surgical specimen showed the absence of disease in 13 patients (54.2%), microscopic residual tumor in 4 patients (16.6%), residual disease </=1 cm in 5 patients, and residual disease >1 cm in 2 patients. Median follow up was 33 months. Two-year actuarial local control was 91.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed a particularly high rate of pathologic responses (complete + Tmic: 70.8%) and local control (2 years = 91.7%) in patients with advanced cervical cancer undergoing moderate doses of radiotherapy with concomitant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery.

Atrial natriuretic peptide and hemodynamic changes during normal human pregnancy

We compared plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and cGMP levels during normal pregnancy--a condition characterized by hypervolemia, high cardiac output, and decreased vascular resistance--with postpartum levels and assessed their relation to pregnancy-induced hemodynamic changes. Humoral and hemodynamic variables were measured in healthy women subjects in the supine and upright postures at each trimester of pregnancy and postpartum. Supine plasma ANP was increased throughout pregnancy (32 +/- 5, 21 +/- 3, and 19 +/- 2 versus 15 +/- 1 pmol.L-1, respectively, at each trimester versus postpartum), as was cGMP (8.6 +/- 1, 7.1 +/- 1, and 6.6 +/- 1 versus 5.6 +/- 1 nmol.L-1), and their increments were directly related (r = .68, P < .01). Both ANP and cGMP levels did not differ from postpartum levels after subjects stood. Supine stroke volume was initially increased but declined below postpartum levels in late pregnancy (69 +/- 4, 60 +/- 3, and 44 +/- 3 versus 58 +/- 4 mL.m-2), whereas after subjects stood it was always higher (56 +/- 3, 58 +/- 3, and 49 +/- 2 versus 44 +/- 2 mL.m-2); thus, stroke volume tended to increase in response to standing in late pregnancy. Supine cardiac index had a similar trend, which was opposite to that of total peripheral resistance (1213 +/- 62, 1265 +/- 79, and 1729 +/- 89 versus 1654 +/- 92 dyne.s-1.cm-5.m-2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Improved survival and local control after intraoperative radiation therapy and postoperative radiotherapy: a multivariate analysis of 46 patients undergoing surgery for pancreatic head cancer

HYPOTHESIS

Despite aggressive approaches, locoregional tumor control and survival rates for patients with cancer of the pancreatic head remain disappointing. In the present study, we address whether intraoperative and adjuvant radiotherapy may improve the prognosis for these patients.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

From February 1985 to December 1995, 46 patients with an adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head underwent pancreatic resection. The last 26 patients also received intraoperative radiotherapy (except 5 patients) and adjuvant external beam radiation therapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Demographic data, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, 5-year survival, and local control of disease were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The morbidity rate was not increased by adjuvant radiation therapy; it was 43% in patients treated with surgery alone and 57% in patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy (P =.1); operative mortality was 8% (n = 2) and 9% (n = 2), respectively (P =.8). Overall 5-year survival and local control were 13% and 48.6%, respectively. The mean +/- SD 5-year survival was 5.5% +/- 5.3% (median, 10.8 months) in the surgery-alone group and 15.7% +/- 8.6% (median, 14.3 months) in the surgery plus radiotherapy group (P =.06); local control at 5 years was 29.8% +/- 16.9% and 58.4% +/- 19.9%, respectively (P<.01). Median metastasis-free survival was 8 and 9 months, respectively (P =.52). Multivariate analysis showed that adjuvant radiotherapy was an independent prognostic factor for survival (P<.01) and local control of the disease (P =.03).

CONCLUSION

The present study supports the role of radiotherapy combined with pancreatoduodenectomy for treatment of cancer of the pancreatic head because even if the improvement in overall survival is moderate, it is effective in improving the local control of the tumor.

Chemoradiation with raltitrexed and oxaliplatin in preoperative treatment of stage II-III resectable rectal cancer: Phase I and II studies

PURPOSE

Two separate studies were conducted, the first to evaluate the maximal tolerated dose and the second the efficacy of raltitrexed plus oxaliplatin in conjunction with preoperative chemoradiation in patients with resectable T3 rectal carcinoma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 48 patients received radiotherapy (50 Gy) administered to the posterior pelvis 5 d/wk for 5 weeks. Combination raltitrexed (3 mg/m(2)) and oxaliplatin (60 to 130 mg/m(2)) was administered on Days 1, 19, and 38.

RESULTS

The recommended dose of oxaliplatin is 130 mg/m(2) (maximal tolerated dose not reached). No patients developed Grade 4 acute toxicity. Grade 3 acute toxicity occurred in 9 patients (18.7%). It was hematologic in 1 patient and GI in 1 patient; 7 patients had an asymptomatic increase of transaminase. Surgery was performed in 47 (98%) of 48 patients. Of the 47 patients, 42 underwent sphincter-saving surgery; in 19, the tumor at diagnosis was located <30 mm from the anorectal ring. Chemoradiation in combination with raltitrexed and oxaliplatin produced high rates of tumor response. The overall tumor downstaging rate was 73% for T and N stages. A complete pathologic tumor response (pT0) or microscopic tumor foci (pTmic) was observed in 28 patients. The tumor regression grade (TRG), using the Mandard scoring system, was TRG1 in 16 patients (43.2%), TRG2 in 12 (32.4%), TRG3 in 12 (32.4%), TRG4 in 6 (16.2%), and TRG5 in 1 patient (2.7%).

CONCLUSION

Raltitrexed plus oxaliplatin combined with pelvic radiotherapy was effective and well tolerated in patients with resectable T3 rectal carcinoma.

The INTERACT Trial: Long-term results of a randomised trial on preoperative capecitabine-based radiochemotherapy intensified by concomitant boost or oxaliplatin, for cT2 (distal)-cT3 rectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Capecitabine-based radiochemotherapy (cbRCT) is standard for preoperative long-course radiochemotherapy of locally advanced rectal cancer. This prospective, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial investigated two intensification regimens. cT4 lesions were excluded.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

pathological outcome (TRG 1-2) among arms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Low-located cT2N0-2M0, cT3N0-2M0 (up to 12 cm from anal verge) presentations were treated with cbRCT randomly intensified by either radiotherapy boost (Xelac arm) or multidrug concomitant chemotherapy (Xelox arm). Xelac: concomitant boost to bulky site (45 Gy/1.8 Gy/die, 5 sessions/week to the pelvis, +10 Gy at 1 Gy twice/week to the bulky) plus concurrent capecitabine (1650 mg/mq/die). Xelox: 45 Gy to the pelvis + 5.4 Gy/1.8 Gy/die, 5 sessions/week to the bulky site + concurrent capecitabine (1300 mg/mq/die) and oxaliplatin (130 mg/mq on days 1,19,38). Surgery was planned 7-9 weeks after radiochemotherapy.

RESULTS

From June 2005 to September 2013, 534 patients were analysed: 280 in Xelac, 254 in Xelox arm. Xelox arm presented higher G ≥ 3 haematologic (p = 0.01) and neurologic toxicity (p < 0.001). Overall, 98.5% patients received curative surgery. The tumour regression grade distribution did not differ between arms (p = 0.102). TRG 1+2 rate significantly differed: Xelac arm 61.7% vs. Xelox 52.3% (p = 0.039). Pathological complete response (ypT0N0) rates were 24.4 and 23.8%, respectively (p non-significant). Median follow-up:5.62 years. Five-year disease-free survival rate were 74.7% (Xelac) and 73.8% (Xelox), respectively (p = 0.444). Five-year overall survival rate were 80.4% (Xelac) and 85.5% (Xelox), respectively (p = 0.155).

CONCLUSION

Xelac arm significantly obtained higher TRG1-2 rates. No differences were found about clinical outcome. Because of efficacy on TRG, inferior toxicity and good compliance, Xelac schedules or similar radiotherapy dose intensification schemes could be considered as reference treatments for cT3 lesions.

Intraluminal brachytherapy in the treatment of pancreas and bile duct carcinoma

PURPOSE

A new method of palliation of malignant obstructive jaundice is presented.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Twelve patients with carcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts (EHBD-five patients) or pancreatic head (PH-seven patients) received radiation therapy between 1988 and 1991. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was performed in four EHBD patients and an endoprosthesis was placed during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the other eight patients. All 12 received intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT): 20-50 Gy calculated at 1 cm from the Iridium-192 (192Ir) wire. In four PH patients the source was placed in the duct of Wirsung; in the other eight patients ILBT was performed via the common bile duct. Five of the seven PH patients and one of the five EHBD patients received External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): 26-50 Gy, alone or with concomitant 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU).

RESULTS

Cholangitis occurred in six patients. Three PH patients treated with EBRT+ILBT developed gastrointestinal toxicities. With a minimum follow-up of 18 months, median survival times were 14 months (EHBD) and 11.5 months (PH); one of the seven PH patients is alive (29 months) and two of the EHBD patients are alive (18 and 43 months). All patients had satisfactory control of jaundice.

CONCLUSIONS

The results in the EHBD patients suggest that the addition of ILBT after biliary drainage prolongs survival. Further experience is necessary to determine whether ILBT in the common bile duct and/or in the duct of Wirsung may be, in PH patients, an alternative boost technique to Interstitial Brachy-therapy (IBT) or Intraoperative Electron Beam Radiation Therapy (IOEBRT).

Brachytherapy for the palliation of dysphagia owing to esophageal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies

BACKGROUND

The management of dysphagia owing to esophageal cancer is challenging. Brachytherapy has been proposed as an alternative option to stent placement. We performed a systematic review to examine its efficacy and safety in the resolution of dysphagia.

METHODS

Prospective studies recruiting at least 20 patients with malignant dysphagia and published up to April 2016 were eligible. The dysphagia-free survival (DFS) and adverse event rates were pooled by means of a random effect model.

RESULTS

Six studies for a total of 9 treatment arms (623 patients) were eligible for inclusion. After 1month since treatment, the DFS rate was 86.9% [95%CI: 76.0-93.3%]; after 3months, it was 67.2% [95%CI: 56.1-76.7%]; after 6months, it was 47.4% [95%CI: 38.5-56.5%]; after 9months, it was 37.6% [95%CI:30.0-45.9%]; and, finally, after 12months, it was 29.4% [95%CI: 21.6-38.7%]. The heterogeneity between studies was high at 1-, 3- and 6-month assessment; the values of I² were 86.3%, 80.0% and 57.8%, respectively. The meta-regression analysis showed total radiation dose and number of fractions as the only positively influencing factors. Severe adverse event rate was 22.6% (95%CI 19.4-26.3). The main reported adverse events were brachytherapy-related stenosis (12.2%) and fistula development (8.3%). Two cases (0.3%) of deaths were reported due to esophageal perforation.

CONCLUSION

Brachytherapy is a highly effective and relatively safe treatment option therefore its underuse is no longer justified. Further studies should investigate the optimal radiation dose and number of fractions able to achieve the highest DFS rates.

Role of intraluminal brachytherapy in extrahepatic bile duct and pancreatic cancers: is it just for palliation?

PURPOSE

To evaluate intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT) in patients with extrahepatic bile duct or pancreatic cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-one patients (aged 33-87 years) with unresectable extrahepatic bile duct (n = 18) or pancreatic (n = 13) cancer received ILBT exclusively or as part of a definitive treatment regimen. ILBT was performed with transhepatic percutaneous drainage in four patients and with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 27. Fourteen patients with no metastases, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score of < or = 2, and good hematologic parameters received combined modality treatment: 30-Gy ILBT and 45-Gy external-beam radiation therapy with continuous infusion of fluorouracil. Seventeen patients underwent 50-Gy ILBT alone for palliation.

RESULTS

No direct treatment-related acute toxic reactions were seen. Three patients had cholangitis early in the study. Three patients had late gastrointestinal bleeding. Jaundice was palliated in all patients (n = 29); pain, in 11 of 13 patients. The survival rate in patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer was 62% (five of eight) at 2 years for combined modality treatment. No patient with pancreatic cancer lived for longer than 2 years.

CONCLUSION

ILBT is an effective palliative treatment of unresectable extrahepatic bile duct and pancreatic cancers. Results suggest a possible "curative" role in specific clinical settings when properly integrated with other treatments.