Effectiveness and tolerability of radiotherapy for patients with indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a monocenter analysis

To analyze the effectiveness and toxicities of radiotherapy in indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (iNHL) patients treated in our institution. Patients with iNHL treated with radiotherapy between 1999 and 2016 were included. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were local control (LC), overall survival (OS) and toxicities. PFS, LC, and OS were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank test was used to investigate the differences between subgroups. Cox proportional hazard model was used for univariate continuous analysis. Seventy-five patients were identified in our institutional database between 1999 and 2016. Fifty-eight (77.3%) had stage I after Ann-Arbor and 17 patients (22.7%) had stage II. The median follow-up was 87 months (95% CI 72-102 months). Median single dose per fraction was 2.0 Gy (range 1.5-2 Gy) and median total dose was 30.6 Gy (range 16-45 Gy). Radiotherapy was performed in 2D (n = 10; 13.3%), 3D (n = 63; 84.0%) and VMAT (n = 2; 2.7%) techniques, respectively. The median PFS was 14.0 years (95% CI 8.3-19.7 years). The estimated PFS after 5 and 10 years were 73.0% and 65.5% in Kaplan-Meier analysis, respectively. The 5- and 10-year LC were 94.9% and 92.3%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year OS were 88.6% and 73.9%. In univariate analyses of PFS, younger patients (≤ 60 years old) had significantly superior PFS to those older than 60 years old (5-year PFS 81.9% vs. 65.1%, p = 0.021). Dose escalation > 36.0 Gy had no prognostic influence in term of PFS (p = 0.425). Extranodal involvement, stage and histology had no prognostic impact on PFS. Depending on the site of lymphomas, the most common acute side effects were: dermatitis CTCAE° I-II (8.0%), xerostomia CTC° I (8.0%), cataract CTC° I (12.0%) and dry eyes CTC° I-II (14.6%). No adverse event CTC° III was reported. Most acute side effects recovered at 3 to 6 months after radiotherapy except for CTC° I cataract and xerostomia. Local Radiotherapy was highly effective for treatment of early stage iNHL with no serious side effects in our cohort. The most acute CTCAE° I-II side effects recovered 3 to 6 months later. Technique advances seem to have further improved effectiveness and tolerability of radiotherapy.Trial registration: Local ethics committee of Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU) Munich approved this retrospective analysis on the May 7th, 2019 (Nr. 19-137).

PET/CT imaging for evaluation of multimodal treatment efficacy and toxicity in advanced NSCLC-current state and future directions

Purpose

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the treatment of advanced NSCLC, leading to a string of approvals in recent years. Herein, a narrative review on the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in the ever-evolving treatment landscape of advanced NSCLC is presented.

Methods

This comprehensive review will begin with an introduction into current treatment paradigms incorporating ICIs; the evolution of CT-based criteria; moving onto novel phenomena observed with ICIs and the current state of hybrid imaging for diagnosis, treatment planning, evaluation of treatment efficacy and toxicity in advanced NSCLC, also taking into consideration its limitations and future directions.

Conclusions

The advent of ICIs marks the dawn of a new era bringing forth new challenges particularly vis-à-vis treatment response assessment and observation of novel phenomena accompanied by novel systemic side effects. While FDG PET/CT is widely adopted for tumor volume delineation in locally advanced disease, response assessment to immunotherapy based on current criteria is of high clinical value but has its inherent limitations. In recent years, modifications of established (PET)/CT criteria have been proposed to provide more refined approaches towards response evaluation. Not only a comprehensive inclusion of PET-based response criteria in prospective randomized controlled trials, but also a general harmonization within the variety of PET-based response criteria is pertinent to strengthen clinical implementation and widespread use of hybrid imaging for response assessment in NSCLC.

Radiation necrosis after a combination of external beam radiotherapy and iodine-125 brachytherapy in gliomas

Purpose

Frequency and risk profile of radiation necrosis (RN) in patients with glioma undergoing either upfront stereotactic brachytherapy (SBT) and additional salvage external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) after tumor recurrence or vice versa remains unknown.

Methods

Patients with glioma treated with low-activity temporary iodine-125 SBT at the University of Munich between 1999 and 2016 who had either additional upfront or salvage EBRT were included. Biologically effective doses (BED) were calculated. RN was diagnosed using stereotactic biopsy and/or metabolic imaging. The rate of RN was estimated with the Kaplan Meier method. Risk factors were obtained from logistic regression models.

Results

Eighty-six patients (49 male, 37 female, median age 47 years) were included. 38 patients suffered from low-grade and 48 from high-grade glioma. Median follow-up was 15 months after second treatment. Fifty-eight patients received upfront EBRT (median total dose: 60 Gy), and 28 upfront SBT (median reference dose: 54 Gy, median dose rate: 10.0 cGy/h). Median time interval between treatments was 19 months. RN was diagnosed in 8/75 patients. The 1- and 2-year risk of RN was 5.1% and 11.7%, respectively. Tumor volume and irradiation time of SBT, number of implanted seeds, and salvage EBRT were risk factors for RN. Neither of the BED values nor the time interval between both treatments gained prognostic influence.

Conclusion

The combination of upfront EBRT and salvage SBT or vice versa is feasible for glioma patients. The risk of RN is mainly determined by the treatment volume but not by the interval between therapies.

Association of Planning Target Volume with Patient Outcome in Inoperable Stage III NSCLC Treated with Chemoradiotherapy: A Comprehensive Single-Center Analysis

Inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a highly heterogeneous patient cohort. Multimodal treatment approaches including radiotherapy have been the new standard of care, with promising outcomes. The planning target volume (PTV), including the primary tumor, involved lymph node stations and safety margins, can vary widely. In order to evaluate the impact of the PTV for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and loco-regional control, we analyzed retrospective and prospective data of 122 consecutive patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC treated with CRT. The majority of patients (93%) received a total dose ≥ 60 Gy and 92% of all patients were treated with concurrent or sequential chemotherapy. Median follow-up for the entire cohort was 41.2 (range: 3.7-108.4) months; median overall survival (OS) reached 20.9 (95% CI: 14.5-27.3) months. PTVs from 500 to 800 ccm were evaluated for their association with survival in a univariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis including age, gender, total radiation dose and histology, PTV ≥ 700 ccm remained a significant prognosticator of OS (HR: 1.705, 95% CI: 1.071-2.714, p = 0.025). After propensity score matching (PSM) analysis with exact matching for Union internationale contre le cancer (UICC) TNM Classification (7th ed.)T- and N-stage, patients with PTV < 700 ccm reached a median PFS and OS of 11.6 (95% CI: 7.3-15.9) and 34.5 (95% CI: 25.6-43.4) months vs. 6.2 (95% CI: 3.1-9.3) (p = 0.057) and 12.7 (95% CI: 8.5-16.9) (p < 0.001) months in patients with PTV ≥ 700 ccm, respectively. Inoperable stage III NSCLC patients with PTV ≥ 700 ccm had significantly detrimental outcomes after conventionally fractionated CRT. PTV should be considered as a stratification factor in multimodal clinical trials for inoperable stage III NSCLC.

Chemoradioimmunotherapy of inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer: immunological rationale and current clinical trials establishing a novel multimodal strategy

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have dramatically changed the landscape of lung cancer treatment. Preclinical studies investigating combination of ICI with radiation show a synergistic improvement of tumor control probability and have resulted in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. For advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), targeting immune checkpoint pathways has proven to be less toxic with more durable treatment response than conventional chemotherapy. In inoperable Stage III NSCLC, consolidation immune checkpoint inhibition with the PD-L1 inhibitor durvalumab after completion of concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy resulted in remarkable improvement of progression-free and overall survival. This new tri-modal therapy has become a new treatment standard. Development of predictive biomarkers and improvement of patient selection and monitoring is the next step in order to identify patients most likely to derive maximal benefit from this new multimodal approach. In this review, we discuss the immunological rationale and current trials investigating chemoradioimmunotherapy for inoperable stage III NSCLC.

Maximum standardized uptake value of primary tumor (SUVmax_PT) and horizontal range between two most distant PET-positive lymph nodes predict patient outcome in inoperable stage III NSCLC patients after chemoradiotherapy

Background

18F-FDG-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is a standard for initial staging in patients with locally advanced stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated a PET/CT staging score to characterize disease extension and patient outcome in this disease.

Methods

Ninety-nine consecutive patients with NSCLC stage IIIA–B (UICC 7th edition), who underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT before the start of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were analyzed. Maximum standardized uptake value of primary tumor (SUVmax_PT) and range between two most distant PET-positive (SUV ≥2.5) lymph nodes in two directions were analyzed for their correlation with patient outcome. The vertical distance was defined as A- and the horizontal as a B-line.

Results

According to the results of univariate analysis, score included the SUVmax_PT and horizontal B-line, patients were divided into three risk subgroups: low, intermediate and high-risk subgroups. Subgroups were defined as SUVmax_PT <8 and B-line <3.7 cm, SUVmax_PT >8 or B-line >3.7 cm and SUVmax_PT >8 plus B-line >3.7 cm, respectively. Twenty-eight (28%), 45 (46%) and 26 (26%) patients were assigned to the low, intermediate and high-risk subgroup, respectively. Median event-free survival (EFS) in low, intermediate and high-risk subgroups was 16 (95% CI: 7–25), 13 (95% CI: 12–15) and 10 (95% CI: 7–13) months (P=0.002, log-rank test). Median OS in the low, intermediate and high-risk subgroups was 40 (95% CI: 11–69), 23 (95% CI: 15–31) and 14 (95% CI: 13–14) months (P=0.0001, log-rank test). In the multivariate analysis, SUV, B-line and PET/CT score were significantly associated with EFS [harard ratio (HR) 2.12 (95% CI: 1.27–3.55) and intermediate risk HR 2.01 (95% CI: 1.13–3.59), P=0.003] and OS [high-risk HR 2.79 (95% CI: 1.16–4.55) and intermediate risk HR 2.30 (95% CI: 1.58–4.94), P=0.001].

Conclusions

A PET/CT score was developed for inoperable stage III NSCLC patients treated with CRT and was an independent predictor of patient outcome in the single-center cohort.

The impact of residual metabolic primary tumor volume after completion of thoracic irradiation in patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC

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Background: The metabolic tumor volume (MTV) is a functional and volumetric PET/CT parameter that has been investigated in recent years with respect to its predictive and prognostic value in different tumor entities. In this study, we investigated the role of residual MTV after completion of thoracic irradiation in inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We analyzed retrospective and prospective data of 56 patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and chemoradioimmunotherapy (CRT-IO). All patients received an 18F-FDG-PET/CT 3 to max. 6 months after completion of thoracic irradiation. The measurement of the residual MTV of the primary tumor was performed by calculating the SUVmean of the liver + 2SD as threshold. The patients were divided into the following groups: residual-MTV < 1ml; residual-MTV 1-25ml and residual-MTV > 26ml. Survival, local recurrence, and distant metastasis rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method from the last day of thoracic irradiation. Results: The median follow-up was 45 months (range 16-74) in the CRT group and 16 months in the CRT-IO group (range13-19). Twenty-two (39%) patients had a residual MTV < 1ml (1st group), 19 (34%) a residual MTV between 1-25ml (2nd group) and 15 (27%) a residual MTV > 25ml (3rd group) after completion of thoracic irradiation. Median overall survival was 61, 20 and 12 months (p = 0.006) in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups, respectively. 12-month survival was 86%, 50% and 33% after CRT vs. 88%, 71% and 50% after CRT-IO in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups, respectively. The median time to in-field recurrence in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups was 51, 20 and 15 months (p = 0.011). The prognostic value of the residual MTV on OS was confirmed exclusively in the CRT patient cohort (p = 0.04), but not in the CRT-IO patient cohort (p = 0.174). Residual MTV demonstrated no influence on the local recurrence rate in the CRT-IO patient cohort, but only in patients treated with CRT (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC in whom the residual MTV was < 1ml after completion of thoracic irradiation showed significantly better survival than patients with a residual MTV of 1-25ml and MTV > 25ml. The subgroup analysis confirmed the prognostic value of residual MTV only in patients who received chemoradiotherapy without consolidation immunotherapy.

Propensity score matching analysis of patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC treated with chemoradio- vs. chemoradioimmunotherapy

e21087

Background: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by consolidation treatment with the PD-L1 Inhibitor durvalumab is the new standard of care for inoperable stage III NSCLC. The present study compares outcome of patients treated with CRT alone to those treated with additional concurrent and/or sequential immune check-point inhibition (CRT-IO) using propensity-score matching analysis (PSM). Methods: PSM was performed with retro- and prospectively collected data of patients treated with CRT or CRT-IO (consolidation with durvalumab/concurrent and consolidation with nivolumab). Overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and time to loco-regional recurrence (defined as progression in the mediastinum and ipsilateral lung) were calculated from last day of thoracic irradiation. Results: Sixty-two (37%) of 166 treated patients were successfully matched; 31 received CRT and 31 CRT-IO. 18F-FDG-PET/CT for treatment planning was performed in 97% and cranial contrast enhanced MRI in 81% of patients. PSM was based on age, gender, PTV volume, histology, T- and N-stage. 36 and 51% vs. 42 and 46% of patients had T4- and N3-disease in the CRT and CRT-IO cohorts, respectively. All patients were irradiated to a total dose of at least 60Gy (EQD2). 90% of patients received two cycles of concomitant platinum-based chemotherapy (CRT: 82%, CRT-IO 96%). The median follow-up for 62 patients was 17.3 (range: 1.7-96.0) months. Median PFS was 7.1 (95%CI 2.2-12.1) months in CRT vs. 13.8 (95%CI 13.1-14.5) in CRT-IO patients (p = 0.004). Twelve-month PFS rates were 30% and 55% in the CRT and the CRT-ICI cohort, respectively. Median time to loco-regional recurrence was 15.3 months for CRT vs. not reached for CRT-IO patients (p = 0.050). 12-month loco-regional recurrence rates were 43% vs. 22%; 6- and 12-month brain metastases rates after completion of radiotherapy in the CRT vs. CRT-ICI cohort were 8% and 26% vs. 0% and 20%, respectively. Median OS was 19.1 (8.4-29.8 95%CI) months for CRT and not reached for CRT-IO patients (p < 0.001). 12-month survival rates were 62% and 93% in the CRT and CRT-IO cohort, respectively. Conclusions: The addition of concurrent and/or sequential IO to CRT led to an impressive improvement of loco-regional control, PFS and OS in the matching cohorts.

Dynamic changes of lymphocyte subsets during multimodal treatment of patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC

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Background: Lymphocytopenia is associated with deterioration of patient survival in solid cancers treated with concurrent chemo/radiotherapy (cCRT). A prospective analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells during cCRT in inoperable stage III NSCLC patients was performed to determine dynamic changes of individual lymphocyte subsets. Methods: Twenty-one patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. Eighteen patients received platinum-based cCRT, seven of them received, additionally, concurrent and/or sequential immune checkpoint-inhibition (ICI). Thoracic irradiation (TRT) was delivered with median total dose of 62Gy (31 daily fractions of 2Gy) in all patients. Peripheral blood was collected 5-10 days before treatment (A1), three weeks after start of cCRT (A3), on the last day of TRT (RTend) and during follow-up. Samples were analyzed using polychromatic flow cytometry. Results are reported for time-points A1, A3 and RTend. Results: Sixteen patients met final analysis criteria, 50% of them received concurrent and/or sequential ICI. All patients developed severe lymphocytopenia; in 81% of them lymphocyte nadir was documented at A3. Lymphocyte subsets, B cells, T cells (CD4, CD8), regulatory T cells, and NK cells, decreased with medians between 99.9% and 59%. Lymphocyte nadir was independent of the absolute numbers of immune cells that a patient had before start of cCRT or whether additional ICI was applied. From A3 to RTend, all lymphocyte subsets started to recover in patients treated with cCRT alone, while they remained low in patients who received additional ICI. The ratios of CD4/CD8 and CD8/Treg cells did not change during treatment (A1 to RTend) and was not different between the patients treated with or without ICI. However, the fraction of PD-1 cells among CD8 T-cells decreased in patients treated with ICI and remained low until RTend (range 0.55%-13.8%). In contrast, in 50% of patients treated with cCRT alone, PD-1 T-cell among CD8 T-cells increased and remained high (range 6.8%-46.3%) until RTend. Conclusions: Delayed recovery of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood was observed in patients treated with cCRT combined with concurrent or sequential ICI. A decrease of PD-1 T-cells among CD8 T-cells was described exclusively in patients treated with additional ICI.

Recent advances of PET imaging in clinical radiation oncology

Radiotherapy and radiation oncology play a key role in the clinical management of patients suffering from oncological diseases. In clinical routine, anatomic imaging such as contrast-enhanced CT and MRI are widely available and are usually used to improve the target volume delineation for subsequent radiotherapy. Moreover, these modalities are also used for treatment monitoring after radiotherapy. However, some diagnostic questions cannot be sufficiently addressed by the mere use standard morphological imaging. Therefore, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging gains increasing clinical significance in the management of oncological patients undergoing radiotherapy, as PET allows the visualization and quantification of tumoral features on a molecular level beyond the mere morphological extent shown by conventional imaging, such as tumor metabolism or receptor expression. The tumor metabolism or receptor expression information derived from PET can be used as tool for visualization of tumor extent, for assessing response during and after therapy, for prediction of patterns of failure and for definition of the volume in need of dose-escalation. This review focuses on recent and current advances of PET imaging within the field of clinical radiotherapy / radiation oncology in several oncological entities (neuro-oncology, head & neck cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal tumors and prostate cancer) with particular emphasis on radiotherapy planning, response assessment after radiotherapy and prognostication.

Blood Parameters Demonstrating a Significant Survival Impact in Patients With Locally Advanced NSCLC Undergoing Definitive Chemoradiotherapy

AIM

We investigated blood parameters in patients with inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to predict individual outcomes after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Blood parameters of consecutive patients undergoing definitive CRT between 2010 and 2016 for inoperable stage III NSCLC before multimodal treatment and at first follow-up were measured and analyzed.

RESULTS

Blood parameters from 99 patients were evaluated. Histologically, about 50% of patients had an adenocarcinoma. All patients received platinum-based sequential or concurrent CRT. The median total dose to the primary tumor was 60 (range=48-70) Gy. On multivariate analysis after adjustment for all co-founders, median overall survival for pre-treatment cutoffs were: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) >250 U/l was 17 vs. 27 months [hazard ratio (HR)=2.05, 95% confidence intervaI (CI)=1.15-3.66; p=0.015], thrombocytosis >400×10⁶/l: 11 vs. 23 months (HR=2.75, 95% CI=1.1-6.88; p=0.03), hypoalbuminemia <3.5 g/dl: 12 vs. 24 months (HR=2.42, 95% CI=1.21-4.84; p=0.013) and post-treatment neutrophilia >7×10⁶/l: 12 vs. 27 months (HR=2.5, 95% CI=1.21-5.17; p=0.013).

CONCLUSION

Pre-treatment elevated LDH, thrombocytosis, hypoalbuminemia and post-treatment neutrophilia were associated with significantly worse overall survival in patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC treated with CRT. Patients with both pre-therapeutic elevated LDH and hypoalbuminemia demonstrated a dismal prognosis despite completion of multimodal treatment.

Implementation of durvalumab maintenance treatment after concurrent chemoradiotherapy in inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-a German radiation oncology survey

Background

Durvalumab as maintenance treatment after platinum-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT) has become the standard of care in inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this nationwide survey, we solicited members of the German Radiation Oncology Society to review the current distribution and clinical settings of durvalumab treatment after cCRT, observed side effects and summarize follow-up management.

Methods

We surveyed radiation oncology institutions in Germany via an anonymous online questionnaire sent by e-mail to all members of the German Radiation Oncology Society which agreed their willingness to participate.

Results

We received a total of 255 responses (response rate: 18%). Of which 203 (80%) were completed and returned and thus eligible for further evaluation. The respondents work in 87 different cities and 44% in a private medical practice, 29% in university and 22% in a general hospital. Durvalumab was implemented in clinical routine by 70% of respondents. Major reasons for failed implementation in clinical practice reported by the respondents were patient’s ineligibility (42%), lack of required PD-L1 status (25%), decision of medical oncologists (7%) or absence of updated German guidelines (7%). Thirty-six percent of all respondents report low (≤30%) PD-L1 testing before cCRT based on IHC assay. No respondent had applied durvalumab in less than 14 days after the completion of CRT. Severe side effects requiring hospital admission in more than 10% of all patients were reported by 12% of all respondents.

Conclusions

Durvalumab maintenance is already implemented in the radiation oncology community and administered by the absolute majority of respondents. Low testing rates of PD-L1 at initial diagnosis were observed and should be considered a major barrier to universal adoption and integration in the clinical work-flow in countries with durvalumab approval restricted to PD-L1 positive patients. No respondent applies durvalumab in less than 14 days after cCRT.

Stereotactic radiosurgery combined with targeted/ immunotherapy in patients with melanoma brain metastasis

BACKGROUND

There is limited data on the use of targeted or immunotherapy (TT/IT) in combination with single fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients with melanoma brain metastasis (MBM). Therefore, we analyzed the outcome and toxicity of SRS alone compared to SRS in combination with TT/IT.

METHODS

Patients with MBM treated with single session SRS at our department between 2014 and 2017 with a minimum follow-up of 3 months after first SRS were included. The primary endpoint of this study was local control (LC). Secondary endpoints were distant intracranial control, radiation necrosis-free survival (RNFS), and overall survival (OS). The local/ distant intracranial control rates, RNFS and OS were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test was used to test differences between groups. Cox proportional hazard model was performed for univariate continuous variables and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients (17 male and 11 female) with 52 SRS-lesions were included. The median follow-up was 19 months (range 14-24 months) after first SRS. Thirty-six lesions (69.2%) were treated with TT/IT simultaneously (4 weeks before and 4 weeks after SRS), while 16 lesions (30.8%) were treated with SRS alone or with sequential TT/IT. The 1-year local control rate was 100 and 83.3% for SRS with TT/IT and SRS alone (p = 0.023), respectively. The estimated 1-year RNFS was 90.0 and 82.1% for SRS in combination with TT/IT and SRS alone (p = 0.935). The distant intracranial control rate after 1 year was 47.7 and 50% for SRS in combination with TT/IT and SRS alone (p = 0.933). On univariate analysis, the diagnosis-specific Graded Prognostic Assessment including the BRAF status (Melanoma-molGPA) was associated with a significantly improved LC. Neither gender nor SRS-PTV margin had a prognostic impact on LC. V10 and V12 were significantly associated with RNFS (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

SRS with simultaneous TT/IT significantly improved LC with no significant difference in radiation necrosis rate. The therapy combination appears to be effective and safe. However, prospective studies on SRS with simultaneous TT/IT are necessary and ongoing.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The institutional review board approved this analysis on 10th of February 2015 and all patients signed informed consent (UE nr. 128-14).

External Validation of a Survival Score for Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Chemoradiotherapy

PURPOSE

In order to personalize multimodal treatment regimens in limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC), a survival score for these patients was proposed. The aim of this study is to validate the score in an independent external patient cohort.

METHODS

We collected data of 78 patients treated with chemoradiotherapy for LS-SCLC between 2004 and 2015. The survival score was calculated by independent prognostic factors: gender, Karnofsky performance status, tumor substage, and hemoglobin level before treatment. Scoring points were derived from 2-year survival rates divided by 10 and the values for each prognostic factor were tallied. Three risk subgroups were defined (high, intermediate, low risk: 9-13, 14-18, 19-26 points). The 2-year survival rate of each subgroup from the original study was compared to its corresponding subgroup from the validation cohort.

RESULTS

Median survival time in the entire validation cohort was 17 months (range: 1-123 months). The 2-year survival rates were 0% in the 9-13, 35% in the 14-18, and 43% in the 19-26 points group, respectively (p = 0.018). The difference in 2-year survival between the 9-13 points and the 14-18 points group was significant in the validation cohort (p = 0.007) as well after stratification of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (p < 0.001), whereas the difference between the 14 and 18 points and the 19-26 points group was not significant (p = 0.602, p = 0.770).

CONCLUSION

The score was reproducible to estimate the 2-year survival rate of patients with LS-SCLC, especially in the high- and intermediate-risk subgroups. In order to improve the differentiation between patients with an intermediate and favorable survival prognosis, the scoring system needs further development.

Prognostic value of PD-L1 expression on tumor cells combined with CD8+ TIL density in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Background/aim

mmune checkpoint inhibition (CPI) has an increasing impact in the multimodal treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). Increasing evidence suggests treatment outcome depending on tumor cell PD-L1 expression. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression on tumor cells in combination with CD8+ tumor stroma-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density in inoperable LA-NSCLC treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Patients and method

We retrospectively assessed clinical characteristics and initial tumor biopsy samples of 31 inoperable LA-NSCLC patients treated with concurrent CRT. Prognostic impact of tumor cell PD-L1 expression (0% versus ≥1%) and CD8+ TIL density (0–40% vs. 41–100%) for local control, progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) as well as correlations with clinicopathological features were evaluated.

Results

Median OS was 14 months (range: 3–167 months). The OS rates at 1- and 2 years were 68 and 20%. Local control of the entire cohort at 1 and 2 years were 74 and 61%. Median PFS, 1-year and 2-year PFS were 13 ± 1.4 months, 58 and 19%. PD-L1 expression < 1% on tumor cells was associated with improved OS, PFS and local control in patients treated with concurrent CRT. Univariate analysis showed a trend towards improved OS and local control in patients with low CD8+ TIL density. Evaluation of Tumor Immunity in the MicroEnvironment (TIME) appears to be an independent prognostic factor for local control, PFS and OS. The longest and shortest OS were achieved in patients with type I (PD-L1^neg/CD8^low) and type IV (PD-L1^pos/CD8^low) tumors (median OS: 57 ± 37 vs. 10 ± 5 months, p = 0.05), respectively.

Conclusion

Assessment of PD-L1 expression on tumor cells in combination with CD8+ TIL density can be a predictive biomarker in patients with inoperable LA-NSCLC treated with concurrent CRT.

Survival score to characterize prognosis in inoperable stage III NSCLC after chemoradiotherapy

Background

Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a heterogeneous disease regarding principal patient- and tumor characteristics. A simple score may aid in personalizing multimodal therapy.

Methods

The data of 99 consecutive patients with performance status ECOG 0-1 treated until the end of 2016 with multimodal approach for inoperable NSCLC (UICC 7^th edition stage IIIA/B) were evaluated. Patient- and tumor-related factors were examined for their impact on overall survival. Factors showing a negative association with prognosis were then included in the score. Three subgroups with low, intermediate and high-risk score were defined. The results were then validated in the prospective cohort, which includes 45 patients.

Results

Most Patients were treated with concurrent (78%) or sequential (11%) chemoradiotherapy. 53% received induction chemotherapy. Median survival for the entire cohort was 20.8 (range: 15.3-26.3) months. Age (P=0.020), gender (P=0.007), pack years (P=0.015), tumor-associated atelectasis (P=0.004) and histology (P=0.004) had a significant impact on overall survival and were scored with one point each. Twelve, 59 and 28 patients were defined to have a low (0-1 points), intermediate (2-3 points) and high-risk (4-5 points) score. Median survival, 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were not reached, 100%, 83% and 67% in the low, 22.9 months, 80%, 47% and 24% intermediate and 13.7 months, 57%, 25% and 18% high-risk patients, respectively (P<0.001). Median survival was not reached in prospective cohort; analysis has revealed a trend for the 1-year survival rates with 100% for the low, 93% intermediate and 69% high-risk patients (P=0.100).

Conclusions

The score demonstrated remarkable survival differences in inoperable stage III NSCLC patients with good performance status receiving multimodal therapy.

Performance Status and Its Changes Predict Outcome for Patients With Inoperable Stage III NSCLC Undergoing Multimodal Treatment

BACKGROUND/AIM

Patient performance scores are used widely in clinical practice to assess a patient's general condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score (ECOG PS) before, after and its changes during chemoradiotherapy in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Records of 99 patients with stage III NSCLC were evaluated. ECOG PS before, during and after chemoradiotherapy was analyzed for prognostic impact on overall (OS) and event-free (EFS) survival.

RESULTS

Median OS considering the entire cohort was 20.8 months (range=15.3-26.2 months). Median OS, and 1- and 2-year survival rates were 26.4 months, 85% and 53% in patients with ECOG PS 0 versus 18.9 months, 69% and 37% in patients with ECOG PS 1 (p=0.1, log-rank test), respectively. After the first follow-up, 35% of patients presented worsening ECOG PS, while in 65% it was stable or improved. Median EFS according to ECOG PS 0, 1, 2 and 3 was 9.6, 9.0, 7.9 and 3.5 months, respectively, at the first follow-up (p=0.018, log-rank test). Deterioration of ECOG PS after chemoradiotherapy resulted in reduced OS in the subgroups with initial ECOG PS 0 and 1 (p=0.005 and p=0.001, log-rank test).

CONCLUSION

ECOG PS and its changes have a strong impact on patient outcome. Deterioration of performance status was a strong negative prognostic factor for EFS and OS.

Initial report on feasibility of PET/CT-based image-guided moderate hypofractionated thoracic irradiation in node-positive non-small cell lung Cancer patients with poor prognostic factors and strongly diminished lung function: a retrospective analysis

Background

To determine the feasibility of PET/CT-based image-guided moderate hypofractionated thoracic irradiation (Hypo-IGRT) in locally advanced node-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients with highly compromised pulmonary function.

Method

Eight highly-selected and closely monitored patients with highly diminished pulmonary function (FEV1 ≤ 1.0 L and/or DLCO-SB ≤ 40% and/or on long-term oxygen therapy) were treated with Hypo-IGRT. Planning was based on 18F-FDG-PET/CT and 4D-CT in the treatment position. Hypo-IGRT was delivered to a total dose of 45 Gy (ICRU) in 15 daily fractions under strict image-guidance. Vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for CO (DLCO-SB) were analyzed prior to, 3 and 6 months after Hypo-IGRT.

Result

Eight patients with stage IIIA-C NSCLC (8th TNM Ed.) completed Hypo-IGRT. The median follow-up was 29.4 months. The median age was 64 years. Four, three and one patient(s) presented with COPD GOLD IV, III and II, respectively and 5 patients (63%) were on long-term oxygen therapy. The median PTV was 226.9 cc (range: 100.17–379.80 cc). Median PFS and OS were 19 and 34.3 months. The 6 months and 1-year OS rates were 100, 87.5%, respectively. The 6- and 12- months PFS rates were 87.5 and 52.5%. Three patients developed local failure. Median initial VC, FEV1 and DLCO-SB was 1.69 L/64.8% predicted (range: 1.36–2.66 L/33–80%), 1 L/39.4% predicted (range:0.78–1.26 L/28–60% predicted) and 33.3% (range: 13.3–54%) predicted, respectively. Median values for VC, FEV1, DLCO-SB 3 and 6 months after Hypo-IGRT were 2.05 L/56.35% predicted (range: 1.34–2.33 L/47–81.5%), 1.08 L/47.5% predicted (range: 0.74–1.60 L/30.8–59.59%), 38.55% (range: 24–68%) and 1.64 L/66% predicted (range: 1.41–2.79/35.5–75.5%), 1.0 L/47% predicted (range: 0.65–1.28 L/24.5–54.10%), 31% (range: 27–43%), respectively. Mean lung dose was 9.4 Gy (range: 5.3–11.6 Gy) and V20 for both lungs was 15% (range: 6–19%). Mean esophageal dose was 12.76 Gy (range: 2.1–26.7 Gy). There was no case of grade 2 or higher radiation pneumonitis. Four patients developed grade 2 radiation esophagitis.

Conclusion

Hypo-IGRT can be considered for individual and closely monitored patients with locally advanced node-positive NSCLC with highly compromised pulmonary function. No severe pulmonary toxicity and significant decline of pulmonary function parameters was observed in our cohort. Currently, this protocol is being assessed in an ongoing single-centre prospective study.

State of clinical research of radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy combinations in solid tumours-a German radiation oncology survey

Combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with radiotherapy and/or chemoradiotherapy are currently under investigation in many cancer types and clinical settings. In this survey, we solicited members of the German Radiation Oncology Society and young DEGRO (working group of DEGRO e.V.) to review the current status of research in this field and underline critical issues such as oncological benefit, treatment toxicity and obstacles in clinical research. The responses represent 14 different departments of radiation oncology at German university hospitals. Respondents of the same department were analysed for congruence. Sixty-one percent of all respondents perform radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy and ICI therapy combination studies at their institutions and participate in multicentre studies. Combinations were investigated mainly in head and neck tumours (95%), lung cancer (57%), malignant melanoma (48%) and tumours of the upper gastrointestinal tract (9%). Combination of chemoradiotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors was only tested in head and neck cancers (52%), non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (8.70%) and malignant melanoma (4%). A combination of radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy with ICIs is assumed to be effective or very effective by >85% of all respondents. The treatment of intracranial metastatic disease by this combination is assumed to be very effective by most respondents (61%). The present survey shows great acceptance of new combined modality treatment paradigm. ICIs with radiotherapy and/or chemoradiotherapy are under investigation at >75% of all participating centres. Head and neck tumours, NSCLC and malignant melanoma are the most frequently tested cancer types.

Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation for Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer in Germany: Pattern of Care Survey

BACKGROUND/AIM

The general pattern of care regarding the application of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients in Germany has not been previously evaluated. This survey was conducted to assess patterns of care.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Radiation oncology institutions in Germany were surveyed via an anonymous online questionnaire sent by e-mail to member institutions of the German Society for Radiation Oncology.

RESULTS

A total of 95 responses were received (29% response rate). Eighty-eight percent of all responders recommended a PCI total dose of 30Gy delivered in 15 daily fractions. Overall, 11 and 38% of the respondents applied PCI simultaneously with chemo- and radiotherapy, respectively. A quarter of respondents offered hippocampal-avoidance PCI and followed their patients with serial brain imaging.

CONCLUSION

PCI with a total dose of 30 Gy in 15 daily fractions, without neuropsychological testing and hippocampus-avoidance, delivered after completion of primary multimodal treatment remains standard in Germany.

Prophylactic cranial irradiation in small-cell lung cancer: update on patient selection, efficacy and outcomes

Over 10% of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients have brain metastases (BM) at initial diagnosis; more than 50% will develop BM within 2 years. BM are detected in up to 80% of all patients at autopsy. After primary treatment, prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) has been established as standard of care in SCLC patients responding to initial therapy. Based on level I evidence, PCI significantly decreases the risk of intracranial relapse and shows a modest survival benefit after 3 years. However, the role of PCI in defined patient subgroups such as resected SCLC, elderly and extensive stage patients with access to magnetic resonance imaging surveillance and stereotactic radiotherapy is yet to be fully clarified. Furthermore, strategies to effective prevention of neurocognitive decline after PCI remain unclear. All these factors significantly impact treatment decision making and should be evaluated in prospective settings. New concepts such as hippocampal avoidance and drug neuroprotection prevent chronic neurocognitive effects reducing treatment-related side effects of PCI. The aim of this review is to present a summary and update of the latest evidence for patient selection, efficacy and outcome of PCI.

Medulloblastoma in adults : A retrospective single institution analysis

PURPOSE

Adult medulloblastoma is a rare disease treated according to the current pediatric treatment guidelines. This retrospective analysis investigated the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of adult medulloblastoma patients, who received multimodal therapy at our institution.

METHODS

Treatment charts of all patients over the age of 15 years of age with de novo medulloblastoma, who had been treated at our institution between 2001 and 2014, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients' demographic parameters, initial symptoms, treatment modalities, toxicities, and survival outcomes were investigated.

RESULTS

In all, 21 patients with a median age of 30.2 years were identified. The most frequent histologies were desmoplastic and classic, and the most common molecular subtype was sonic hedgehog (SHH). After tumor resection, all patients received craniospinal irradiation (median dose 35.2 Gy) and a boost to the posterior fossa (median dose 19.8 Gy). Simultaneous chemotherapy with vincristine was given to 20 patients and sequential chemotherapy to 15 patients. The most common side effects were hematological toxicities. Median overall survival (OS) has not been reached after a median follow-up of 92 months. Estimated 5‑ and 10-year OS was 89 and 80%, respectively. Estimated 5‑ and 10-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 89 and 81%, respectively. In univariate analysis, a shorter interval between tumor resection and end of irradiation was significantly associated with improved OS and PFS, anaplastic histology with worse OS and PFS.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined modality treatment showed a good outcome in adults with medulloblastoma. Treatment time was revealed to be prognostic and should be kept as short as possible.

Analysis of primary tumor metabolic volume during chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

Positron emission tomography with 2‑deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-d-glucose integrated with computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) has an established role in the initial diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. However, a prognostic value of PET/CT during multimodality treatment has not yet been fully clarified. This study evaluated the role of primary tumor metabolic volume (PT-MV) changes on PET/CT before, during, and after chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

METHODS

A total of 65 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) UICC stage IIIA/B (TNM 7th Edition) were treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (sequential or concurrent setting). PET/CT was acquired before the start, at the end of the third week, and 6 weeks following CRT.

RESULTS

Median overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 16 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12-20). In all, 60 (92.3%) patients were eligible for pre-treatment (pre-PT-MV), 28 (43%) for mid-treatment (mid-PT-MV), and 53 (81.5%) for post-treatment (post-PT-MV) volume analysis. Patients with pre-PT-MV >63 cm³ had worse OS (p < 0.0001). A reduction from mid-PT-MV to post-PT-MV of >15% improved OS (p = 0.001). In addition, patients with post-PT-MV > 25 cm³ had significantly worse outcome (p = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, performance status (p = 0.002, hazard ratio [HR] 0.007; 95% CI 0.00-0.158), pre-PT-MV1 < 63 cm³ (p = 0.027, HR 3.98; 95% CI 1.17-13.49), post-PT-MV < 25 cm³ (p = 0.013, HR 11.90; 95% CI 1.70-83.27), and a reduction from mid-PT-MV to post-PT-MV > 15% (p = 0.004, HR 0.25; 95% CI 0.02-0.31) correlated with improved OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrated that pre- and post-treatment PT-MV, as well as an at least 15% reduction in mid- to post-PT-MV, significantly correlates with OS in patients with inoperable locally advanced NSCLC.

Moderate hypofractionated image-guided thoracic radiotherapy for locally advanced node-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients with very limited lung function: a case report

Patients with locally advanced lung cancer and very limited pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] ≤ 1 L) have dismal prognosis and undergo palliative treatment or best supportive care. We describe two cases of locally advanced node-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with very limited lung function treated with induction chemotherapy and moderate hypofractionated image-guided radiotherapy (Hypo-IGRT). Hypo-IGRT was delivered to a total dose of 45 Gy to the primary tumor and involved lymph nodes. Planning was based on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/ CT) and four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT). Internal target volume (ITV) was defined as the overlap of gross tumor volume delineated on 10 phases of 4D-CT. ITV to planning target volume margin was 5 mm in all directions. Both patients showed good clinical and radiological response. No relevant toxicity was documented. Hypo-IGRT is feasible treatment option in locally advanced node-positive NSCLC patients with very limited lung function (FEV1 ≤ 1 L).

Concurrent Afatinib and Whole-Brain Radiotherapy in Exon 19-del-EGFR Mutant Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report and Mini Review of the Literature

Leptomeningeal metastases (LM) are found in approximately 3.8% of non-small cell lung cancer cases with an increased incidence in adenocarcinoma, and approximately one-third of patients will present with concomitant brain metastases. We report the case of a 50-year-old male patient with stage IV exon 19-del-EGFR mutant lung adenocarcinoma who progressed on second-generation TKI therapy with manifestation of symptomatic simultaneous diffuse brain and LM. Whole-brain radiotherapy with concurrent afatinib resulted in an almost complete regression of neurological symptoms as well as good, durable radiological response. Furthermore, treatment was well tolerated with no relevant adverse effects.