Esophageal cancer - French intergroup clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatments and follow-up (TNCD, SNFGE, FFCD, GERCOR, UNICANCER, SFCD, SFED, SFRO, ACHBT, SFP, RENAPE, SNFCP, AFEF, SFR)

INTRODUCTION

This document is a summary of the French intergroup guidelines regarding the management of esophageal cancer (EC) published in July 2022, available on the website of the French Society of Gastroenterology (SNFGE) (www.tncd.org).

METHODS

This collaborative work was conducted under the auspices of several French medical and surgical societies involved in the management of EC. Recommendations were graded in three categories (A, B and C), according to the level of evidence found in the literature until April 2022.

RESULTS

EC diagnosis and staging evaluation are mainly based on patient's general condition assessment, endoscopy plus biopsies, TAP CT-scan and 18F FDG-PET. Surgery alone is recommended for early-stage EC, while locally advanced disease (N+ and/or T3-4) is treated with perioperative chemotherapy (FLOT) or preoperative chemoradiation (CROSS regimen) followed by immunotherapy for adenocarcinoma. Preoperative chemoradiation (CROSS regimen) followed by immunotherapy or definitive chemoradiation with the possibility of organ preservation are the two options for squamous cell carcinoma. Salvage surgery is recommended for incomplete response or recurrence after definitive chemoradiation and should be performed in an expert center. Treatment for metastatic disease is based on systemic therapy including chemotherapy, immunotherapy or combined targeted therapy according to biomarkers testing such as HER2 status, MMR status and PD-L1 expression.

CONCLUSION

These guidelines are intended to provide a personalised therapeutic strategy for daily clinical practice and are subject to ongoing optimization. Each individual case should be discussed by a multidisciplinary team.

RadioTransNet, Radiotherapy Translational and Preclinical Research Network: Results from the dedicated French cancer institute (INCa) call for projects

PURPOSE

The RadioTransNet project is a French initiative structuring preclinical and translational research in radiation therapy for cancer at national level. The network's activities are organized around four chosen priorities, which are: target definition, normal tissue, combined treatments and dose modelling. The subtargets linked to these four major priorities are unlimited. They include all aspects associated with fundamental radiobiology, preclinical studies, imaging, medical physics research and transversal components clearly related to these scientific areas, such as medical oncology, radio-diagnostics, nuclear medicine and cost-effectiveness considerations.

METHOD

During its first phase of activity, four workshops following the consensus conference model and based on scientific and medical state of the art in radiotherapy and radiobiology were organized on the four above-mentioned objectives to identify key points. Then a road map has been defined and served as the basis for the opening in 2022 of a dedicated call, SEQ-RTH22, proposed by the French cancer national institute (INCa).

RESULTS

Four research projects submitted by RadioTransNet partners have been selected to be supported by INCa: the first by Professor Anne Laprie from Oncopole Claudius-Regaud and Inserm ToNic in Toulouse on neurocognition and health after pediatric irradiation, the second submitted by Fabien Milliat from IRSN aims to study decryption and targeting of endothelial cell-immune cells interactions to limit radiation-induced intestinal toxicity, the third project, submitted by Yolanda Prezado from institut Curie-CNRS on proton minibeam radiotherapy as a new approach to reduce toxicity, and the latest project proposed by R. de Crevoisier from centre Eugène-Marquis in Rennes on predictive multiscale models of head and neck radiotoxicity induced for optimized personalized radiation therapy. Topics of each of these projects are presented here.

CONCLUSION

RadioTransNet project has been launched in 2018, supported by INCa, in order to structure and promote preclinical research in oncology radiotherapy and to favor collaboration between the actors of this research. INCa relied on RadioTransNet initiatives and activities, resulting in the opening of dedicated call for projects. Beyond its first main goals, RadioTransNet network is able to help to fund the human and technical resources necessary to conduct optimal translational and preclinical research in radiation oncology.

Long duration of immunotherapy before radiosurgery might improve intracranial control of melanoma brain metastases

PURPOSE

Despite significant advances that have been made in management of metastatic melanoma with immune checkpoint therapy, optimal timing of combination immune checkpoint therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery is unknown. We have reported toxicity and efficiency outcomes of patients treated with concurrent immune checkpoint therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2014 to December 2016, we analyzed 62 consecutive patients presenting 296 melanoma brain metastases, treated with gamma-knife and receiving concurrent immune checkpoint therapy with anti-CTLA4 or anti-PD1 within the 12 weeks of SRS procedure. Median follow-up time was 18 months (mo) (13-22). Minimal median dose delivered was 18 gray (Gy), with a median volume per lesion of 0.219 cm³.

RESULTS

The 1-year control rate per irradiated lesion was 89% (CI 95%: 80.41-98.97). Twenty-seven patients (43.5%) developed distant brain metastases after a median time of 7.6 months (CI 95% 1.8-13.3) after gamma-knife. In multivariate analysis, positive predictive factors for intracranial tumor control were: delay since the initiation of immunotherapy exceeding 2 months before gamma-knife procedure (P=0.003) and use of anti-PD1 (P=0.006). Median overall survival (OS) was 14 months (CI 95%: 11-NR). Total irradiated tumor volume<2.1 cm³ was a positive predictive factor for overall survival (P=0.003). Ten patients (16.13%) had adverse events following irradiation, with four grade≥3. Predictive factors of all grade toxicity were: female gender (P=0.001) and previous treatment with MAPK (P=0.05).

CONCLUSION

A long duration of immune checkpoint therapy before stereotactic radiosurgery might improve intracranial tumor control, but this relationship and its ideal timing need to be assessed in prospective trials.

Hypofractionated postoperative stereotactic radiotherapy for large resected brain metastases

PURPOSE

The aim of the present retrospective study was to report outcomes after hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HSRT) for resected brain metastases (BM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed results of patients with resected BM treated with postoperative HSRT (3×7.7Gy to the prescription isodose 70%) between May 2013 and June 2020. Local control (LC), distant brain control (DBC), overall survival (OS), leptomeningeal disease relapse (LMDR), and radiation necrosis (RN) occurrence were reported.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients with 23 brain cavities were included. Karnofsky Performance status (KPS) was≥70 in 77.3%. Median preoperative diameter was 37mm [21.0-75.0] and median planning target volume (PTV) was 23 cm³ [9.9-61.6]. Median time from surgery to SRT was 69 days [7-101] and 48% of patients had a local relapse on pre-SRT imaging. Median follow-up was 17.5 months [1.6-95.9]. One and two-year LC rates were 60.9 and 52.2% respectively. One and 2-year DBC rates were 45.5 and 40.9%. Median OS was 16.5 months. Four patients (18.2%) presented LMDR during follow-up. RN occurred in 6 patients (27.2%). Three factors were associated with OS: ECOG-PS (P=0.009), KPS (P=0.04), and cystic metastasis before surgery (P=0.037). Several factors were related to RN occurrence: PTV diameter and volume, Normal brain V21, V21 and V24 isodoses volumes.

CONCLUSION

HSRT is the most widely used scheme for larger brain cavities after surgery. The optimal dose and scheme remain to be defined as well as the optimal delay between postoperative SRT and surgery. Dose escalation may be necessary, especially in case of subtotal resection.

Radiotherapy for laryngeal cancers

We present the update of the recommendations of the French society of oncological radiotherapy on radiotherapy of laryngeal cancers. Intensity modulated radiotherapy is the standard of care radiotherapy for the management of laryngeal cancers. Early stage T1 or T2 tumours can be treated either by radiotherapy or conservative surgery. For tumours requiring total laryngectomy (T2 or T3), an organ preservation strategy by either induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin is recommended. For T4 tumours, a total laryngectomy followed by radiotherapy is recommended when feasible. Dose regimens for definitive and postoperative radiotherapy are detailed in this article, as well as the selection and delineation of tumour and lymph node target volumes.

Hepatic tumours and radiotherapy

We present the update of the recommendations of the French society of oncological radiotherapy on hepatic tumours. Recent technological progress led to develop the concept of focused liver radiation therapy. We must distinguish primary and secondary tumours, as the indications are restricted and must be discussed as an alternative to surgical or medical treatments. The tumour volume, its liver location close to the organs at risk determine the irradiation technique (repositioning method, total dose delivered, dose fractionation regimens). Tumour (and liver) breathing related motions should be taken into account. Strict dosimetric criteria must be observed with particular attention to the dose-volume histograms of non-tumoral liver as well as of the hollow organs, particularly in case of hypofractionated high dose radiotherapy "under stereotaxic conditions". Stereotactic body radiotherapy is being evaluated and is often preferred to radiofrequency for primary or secondary tumours (usually less than 5cm). An adaptation can be proposed, with a conformal fractionated irradiation protocol with or without intensity modulation, for hepatocellular carcinomas larger than 5cm.

Radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer

Nasopharyngeal cancers are a rarity in France. Radiotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment, frequently combined with chemotherapy. The technical modality of radiotherapy is complex in this disease, which is located in the vicinity of numerous organs at risk. In this article, we will present the updated guidelines of the French society for radiation oncology (Société française de radiothérapie oncologique, SFRO) on the indications, and technical details of radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal cancers.

Guidelines for external radiotherapy and brachytherapy procedures: 3rd edition

The purpose of the first two editions of the guidelines for external radiotherapy procedures, published in 2007 and 2016 respectively, was to issue recommendations aimed at optimising, harmonising and standardising practices. The purpose of this third edition, which includes brachytherapy, is identical while also taking into account recent technological improvements (intensity modulation radiation therapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, and three-dimension brachytherapy) along with findings from literature. Part one describes the daily use of general principles (quality, security, image-guided radiation therapy); part two describes each treatment step for the main types of cancer.

Management and work-up procedures of patients with head and neck malignancies treated by radiation

Radiotherapy alone or in association with systemic treatment plays a major role in the treatment of head and neck tumours, either as a primary treatment or as a postoperative modality. The management of these tumours is multidisciplinary, requiring particular care at every treatment step. We present the update of the recommendations of the French Society of Radiation Oncology on the radiotherapy of head and neck tumours from the imaging work-up needed for optimal selection of treatment volume, to optimization of the dose distribution and delivery.

RadioTransNet: Preclinical research network coordinated at the SFRO and SFPM

The RadioTransNet programme launched under the auspices of French societies for radiation oncology (SFRO) and medical physics (SFPM) was approved by the French national cancer institute (INCa) in December 2018 and is dedicated to proposing a relevant national and transversal structure for preclinical research including translational research in radiation oncology with well-defined priority areas of research. Its activities, coordinated by a scientific committee that includes radiation oncologists, medical physicists, academic biologists, are structured around several main areas, i.e.: target volume definition, interaction of radiation with normal tissues, combined treatments and modern dose calculation approaches. Four work packages have been created in these areas and are associated with other objectives pertaining to fundamental radiobiology, early implementation of new drugs in a preclinical setting, contribution of imaging in this task, research in medical physics including transversal components such as medical oncology, radiology, nuclear medicine and also cost/efficiency evaluation. All these tasks will be included in a national network that uses the complementary expertise provided by partners involved in the scheme. Calls for proposals will be selected by the scientific council to be submitted to INCa and the various academic associations to obtain funding for the human and technical resources required to conduct under optimal conditions projects in preclinical and translational research in radiation-oncology.

Head and neck proton therapy in France: A missed opportunity or a challenge in front of us?

Following major advances of the best of photon-techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and, to arrive soon, magnetic resonance (MR)-linac radiotherapy, there are still substantial opportunities in the treatment of head and neck cancers to further reduce the toxicity burden. Proton therapy represents another attractive option in this high-quality and highly competitive precision radiotherapy landscape. Proton therapy holds promises to reduce toxicities and to escalate the dose in radioresistant cases or cases where dose distribution is not satisfactory with photons. However, the selection of patients for proton therapy needs to be done using evidence-based medicine to build arguments in favor of personalized precision radiation therapy. Referral to proton therapy versus IMRT or SBRT should be registered (ProtonShare® platform) and envisioned in a formalized clinical research perspective through randomized trials. The use of an enrichment process using a model-based approach should be done to only randomize patients doomed to benefit from proton. To tackle such great opportunities, the French proton therapy challenge is to collaborate at the national and international levels, and to demonstrate that the extra-costs of treatment are worth clinically and economically in the short, mid, and long-term. In parallel to the clinical developments, there are still preclinical issues to be tackled (e.g., proton FLASH, mini-beams, combination with immunotherapy), for which the French Radiotransnet network offers a unique platform. The current article provides a personal view of the challenges and opportunities with a focus on clinical research and randomized trial requirements as well as the needs for strong collaborations at the national and international levels for PT in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck to date.

[Efficacy and tolerance of salvage curative radiotherapy for patients with cervical relapse of differentiated thyroid carcinoma]

PURPOSE

Radiation therapy is often the last resource treatment for cervical relapse in iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. We present locoregional control data in patients with cervical relapse treated with curative intent radiation therapy with or without concomitant carboplatin.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This monocentric retrospective study gathered data on patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma - vesicular or papillary - in relapse after thyroidectomy who received a curative intent cervical radiation therapy. Locoregional progression free survival (LRPFS), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) were gathered as well as acute and chronic adverse events assessed with the CTCAE v4.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients were consecutively included between 2005 and 2019. The median follow-up was 36.6months. Fifteen patients (38%) had a locoregional relapse, locoregional control at 2years was 66.7%. The median LRPFS was 48months [32.9-not reached] and the median overall survival 49months [38.8-not reached]. In multivariate analysis, initial incomplete resection was associated with poorer OS (HR: 24.39 [3.57-166.78], P=0.00113) and LRPFS (HR: 33.91 [4.46-257.61], P=0.00066), extra nodal spread was associated with poorer LRPFS (HR: 13.45 [1.81-99,76], P=0.011). ECOG performance status was associated with OS (HR: 5.11 [1.57-16.66], P=0.00688). Carboplatin association with radiation therapy was not associated with improved survivals (OS: P=0.34, LRPFS: P=0.84). The rate of acute grade 3 toxicities was 14%.

CONCLUSION

Salvage cervical radiation therapy was associated with a locoregional control of 66.7% at 2years with a reasonable toxicity rate. Carboplatin association with radiation therapy did not improve locoregional control nor overall survival in comparison with radiotherapy alone.

Radiotherapy of non-tumoral refractory neurological pathologies

Intracranial radiotherapy has been improved, primarily because of the development of stereotactic approaches. While intracranial stereotactic body radiotherapy is mainly indicated for treatment of benign or malignant tumors, this procedure is also effective in the management of other neurological pathologies; it is delivered using GammaKnife® and linear accelerators. Thus, brain arteriovenous malformations in patients who are likely to experience permanent neurological sequelae can be managed by single session intracranial stereotactic body radiotherapy, or radiosurgery, in specific situations, with an advantageous benefit/risk ratio. Radiosurgery can be recommended for patients with disabling symptoms, which are poorly controlled by medication, such as trigeminal neuralgia, and tremors, whether they are essential or secondary to Parkinson's disease. This literature review aims at defining the place of intracranial stereotactic body radiotherapy in the management of patients suffering from non-tumoral refractory neurological pathologies. It is clear that the multidisciplinary collaboration of experienced teams from Neurosurgery, Neurology, Neuroradiology, Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics is needed for the procedures using high precision radiotherapy techniques, which deliver high doses to locations near functional brain areas.

[For which patients could we consider de-escalation in the management of ductal carcinomas in situ?]

Ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) of the breast account for 85% to 90% of breast cancer in situ. Current recommendations for the management of DCIS in France are based on surgical excision of the lesions, lumpectomy in healthy margins (margins of excision≥2mm) or mastectomy in case of extensive lesions. Radiation therapy is recommended after conservative surgical treatment. However, it seems relevant for some patients to discuss the benefit of a therapeutic de-escalation. Indeed, it has been reported that radiotherapy has no major impact on overall survival and that its interest could be discussed in the low-risk situations of invasive recurrence for which surgery alone could be sufficient, subject to sufficient margins. These questions call for the precise definition of low risk populations and to clarify the importance of taking into account decision support tools and new molecular markers. The place of scores like that of the University of Southern California - Van Nuys, and that of genomic tests such as the Oncotype test© DX DCIS (DCIS score) need to be specified. The expected results of several prospective studies could go in the direction of a significant therapeutic de-escalation for the management of DCIS in the years to come. In the meantime, however, it is advisable to remain cautious and the inclusion of patients in clinical trials should be favored.

[RadioTransNet, the French network for preclinical research in oncological radiotherapy]

The ambition of the RADIOTRANSNET network, launched by the INCa at the end of 2018, is to create a French research consortium dedicated to preclinical radiotherapy to foster scientific and clinical interactions at the interface of radiotherapy and radiobiology, and to identify research priorities dedicated to innovation in radiotherapy. The activities of the network are organized around four major axes that are target definition, normal tissue, combined treatments and dose modelling. Under the supervision of the Scientific Council, headed by a coordinator designated by the SFRO and a co-coordinator designated by the SFPM, three leaders coordinate each axis: a radiation-oncologist, a medical physicist and a biologist, who are responsible for organizing a scientific meeting based on the consensus conference methodology to identify priority issues. The selected themes will be the basis for the establishment of a strategic research agenda and a roadmap to help coordinate national basic and translational research efforts in oncological radiotherapy. This work will be published and will be transmitted to the funding institutions and bodies with the aim of opening dedicated calls to finance the necessary human and technical resources. Structuration of a preclinical research network will allow coordinating the efforts of all the actors in the field and thus promoting innovation in radiotherapy.

RILA blood biomarker as a predictor of radiation-induced sarcoma in a matched cohort study

Purpose

Radiation-induced sarcoma (RIS) is a rare but serious event. Its occurrence has been discussed during the implementation of new radiation techniques and justified appropriate radioprotection requirements. New approaches targeting intrinsic radio-sensitivity have been described, such as radiation-induced CD8 T-lymphocyte apoptosis (RILA) able to predict late radio-induced toxicities. We studied the role of RILA as a predisposing factor for RIS as a late adverse event following radiation therapy (RT).

Patients and methods

In this prospective biological study, a total of 120 patients diagnosed with RIS were matched with 240 control patients with cancer other than sarcoma, for age, sex, primary tumor location and delay after radiation. RILA was prospectively assessed from blood samples using flow cytometry.

Results

Three hundred and forty-seven patients were analyzed (118 RIS patients and 229 matched control patients). A majority (74%) were initially treated by RT for breast cancer. The mean RT dose was comparable with a similar mean (± standard deviation) for RIS (53.7 ± 16.0 Gy) and control patients (57.1 ± 15.1 Gy) (p = .053). Median RILA values were significantly lower in RIS than in control patients with respectively 18.5% [5.5–55.7] and 22.3% [3.8–52.2] (p = .0008). Thus, patients with a RILA >21.3% are less likely to develop RIS (p < .0001, OR: 0.358, 95%CI [0.221–0.599].

Conclusion

RILA is a promising indicator to predict an individual risk of developing RIS. Our results should be followed up and compared with molecular and genomic testing in order to better identify patients at risk. A dedicated strategy could be developed to define and inform high-risk patients who require a specific approach for primary tumor treatment and long term follow-up.

[Chemoradiation for oesophageal cancer: A critical review of the literature]

Locally advanced oesophageal cancer treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach with the combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for preoperative and definitive strategy. Preoperative chemoradiation improves the locoregional control and overall survival after surgery for locally advanced oesophageal cancer. Definitive chemoradiation can also be proposed for non-resectable tumours or medically inoperable patients. Besides, definitive chemoradiation is considered as an alternative option to surgery for locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas. Chemotherapy regimen associated to radiotherapy consists of a combination of platinum derived drugs (cisplatinum or oxaliplatin) and 5-fluorouracil or a weekly scheme combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel according to CROSS protocol in a neoadjuvant strategy. Radiation doses vary from 41.4Gy to 45Gy for a preoperative strategy or 50 to 50.4Gy for a definitive treatment. The high risk of lymphatic spread due to anatomical features could justify the use of an elective nodal irradiation when the estimated risk of microscopic involvement is higher than 15% to 20%. An appropriate delineation of the gross tumour volume requires an exhaustive and up-to-date evaluation of the disease. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy represents a promising approach to spare organs-at-risk. This critical review of the literature underlines the roles of radiotherapy for locally advanced oesophageal cancers and describes doses, volumes of treatment, technical aspects and dose constraints to organs-at-risk.