Dynomics: A Novel and Promising Approach for Improved Breast Cancer Prognosis Prediction

Traditional imaging techniques for breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and prediction, such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), demonstrate varying sensitivity and specificity due to clinical and technological factors. Consequently, positron emission tomography (PET), capable of detecting abnormal metabolic activity, has emerged as a more effective tool, providing critical quantitative and qualitative tumor-related metabolic information. This study leverages a public clinical dataset of dynamic ¹⁸F-Fluorothymidine (FLT) PET scans from BC patients, extending conventional static radiomics methods to the time domain-termed as 'Dynomics'. Radiomic features were extracted from both static and dynamic PET images on lesion and reference tissue masks. The extracted features were used to train an XGBoost model for classifying tumor versus reference tissue and complete versus partial responders to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The results underscored the superiority of dynamic and static radiomics over standard PET imaging, achieving accuracy of 94% in tumor tissue classification. Notably, in predicting BC prognosis, dynomics delivered the highest performance, achieving accuracy of 86%, thereby outperforming both static radiomics and standard PET data. This study illustrates the enhanced clinical utility of dynomics in yielding more precise and reliable information for BC diagnosis and prognosis, paving the way for improved treatment strategies.

Total neoadjuvant therapy for the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer: a systematic minireview

Colorectal carcinoma is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and indeed, rectal cancer accounting for approximately one third of newly diagnosed patients. Gold standard in the treatment of rectal cancer is a multimodality approach, aiming at a good control of the local disease. Distant recurrences are the major cause of mortality. Currently, Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer (LARC) patients undergo a combined treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, followed by surgery. Eventually, more chemotherapy, namely adjuvant chemotherapy (aCT), may be necessary. Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT) is an emerging approach aimed to reduce distant metastases and improve local control. Several ongoing studies are analyzing whether this new approach could improve oncological outcomes. Published results were encouraging, but the heterogeneity of protocols in use, makes the comparison and interpretation of data rather complex. One of the major concerns regarding TNT administration is related to its effect on larger and more advanced cancers that might not undergo similar down-staging as smaller, early-stage tumors. This minireview, based on a systematic literature search of randomized clinical trials and meta-analysis, summarizes current knowledge on TNT. The aim was to confirm or refute whether or not current practice of TNT is based on relevant evidence, to establish the quality of that evidence, and to address any uncertainty or variation in practice that may be occurring. A tentative grouping of general study characteristics, clinical features and treatments characteristics has been undertaken to evaluate if the reported studies are sufficiently homogeneous in terms of subjects involved, interventions, and outcomes to provide a meaningful idea of which patients are more likely to gain from this treatment.

Consolidative active scanning proton therapy for mediastinal lymphoma: selection criteria, treatment implementation and clinical feasibility

AIMS

Proton therapy (PT) represents an advanced form of radiotherapy with unique physical properties which could be of great advantage in reducing long-term radiation morbidity for cancer survivors. Here, we aim to describe the whole process leading to the clinical implementation of consolidative active scanning proton therapy treatment (PT) for mediastinal lymphoma.

METHODS

The process included administrative, technical and clinical issues. Authorization of PT is required in all cases as mediastinal lymphoma is currently not on the list of diseases reimbursable by the Italian National Health Service. Technically, active scanning PT treatment for mediastinal lymphoma is complex, due to the interaction between actively scanned protons and the usually irregular and large volumes to be irradiated, the nearby healthy tissues and the target motion caused by breathing. A road map to implement the technical procedures was prepared. The clinical selection of patients was of utmost importance and took into account both patient and tumor characteristics.

RESULTS

The first mediastinal lymphoma was treated at our PT center in 2018, four years after the start of the clinical activities. The treatment technique implementation included mechanical deep inspiration breath-hold simulation computed tomography (CT), clinical target volume (CTV)-based multifield optimization planning and plan robustness analysis. The ultimate authorization rate was 93%. In 4 cases a proton-photon plan comparison was required. Between May 2018 and February, 2021, 14 patients were treated with consolidative PT. The main clinical reasons for choosing PT over photons was a bulky disease in 8 patients (57%), patient's age in 11 patients (78%) and the proximity of the lymphoma to cardiac structures in 10 patients (71%). With a median follow-up of 15 months (range, 1-33 months) all patients but one (out-of-field relapse) are without evidence of disease, all are alive and no late toxicities were observed during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical implementation of consolidative active scanning PT for mediastinal lymphoma required specific technical procedures and a prolonged experience with PT treatments. An accurate selection of patients for which PT could be of advantage in comparison with photons is mandatory.

Pattern of Recurrence After Stereotactic Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer Patients With Nodal Pelvic Relapse. A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Analysis

AIMS

Currently, when nodal pelvic oligorecurrent disease is detected, no standard treatment option is recommended. One possible salvage option is nodal stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Here we analysed recurrence patterns after nodal SBRT in patients affected by pelvic oligometastatic relapse after radical prostatectomy, and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)-free survival in this population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data on 93 patients consecutively treated in five different institutions for pelvic oligorecurrent disease were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy and imaging showing three or fewer metachronous lymphoadenopathies under aortic bifurcation. Patients underwent SBRT on all sites of disease. Concomitant ADT was allowed.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 20 months (interquartile range 11-41), 57 patients had post-SBRT radiological evidence of relapse, for a median disease-free survival (DFS) of 15 months (95% confidence interval 9-24). Concomitant ADT was administered in 20 patients (21.5%). Overall, eight (8.6%), 21 (22.6%) and 28 (30.1%) patients had prostate bed only, pelvic nodal or distant relapse, respectively. The median ADT-free survival was not reached. Concomitant ADT, International Society for Urologic Pathology pattern at diagnosis < or ≥3, time to relapse ≤ or >12 months, prostate-specific antigen at recurrence < or ≥1.10 ng/ml and prostate-specific membrane antigen staging were not significantly associated with DFS. After relapse, 42 patients (45.2%) received a second SBRT course.

CONCLUSION

Nodal SBRT yielded encouraging DFS and ADT-free survival in this population. Only a minority of patients developed prostate bed recurrence, suggesting that local treatment may be safely avoided. A consistent percentage of patients could be managed with a second SBRT course.

Resilience in Radiotherapy Services During the COVID-19 Emergency: Collaboration Between the Regional Radiation Oncology Departments of Lazio, Abruzzo and Molise

AIM

Radiation therapy is a cornerstone of oncological treatment and oncological patients show greater risk of developing complications related to COVID-19 infection. Stringent social restrictions have ensured a significant reduction in the spread of the virus, but also gave rise to a number of critical issues for radiation oncology wards. For this reason, the Directors of the Radiation Oncology Departments (RODs) of Lazio, Abruzzo and Molise regions shared their experience and ideas in order to create a common document that may assist in facing the negative impacts of the pandemic on radiation oncology wards and patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study was conducted according to the Estimate-Talk-Estimate method. Five issues were proposed and rated. Among approved issues, statements were proposed anonymously, then harmonized and finally voted on according to a Likert scale from 1 to 9. Those for which an agreement of 7-9 was observed were finally approved.

RESULTS

The document was developed with 42 statements dealing about safety measures for patients and staff, organization of clinical and work activities, usage of Information Technology systems for meetings/smart working. An agreement was recorded for 34 statements.

CONCLUSION

This document sets out some recommendations for RODs and can provide valuable management information for Oncological Radiotherapy wards.

The Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Oncology Recommendation for Breast Tumor Recurrence: Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation Criteria

Salvage mastectomy is currently considered the standard of care for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Alternative treatment options for these patients, such as a second BCS followed by repeated RT, have been suggested. The panel of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology developed clinical recommendations for second BCS followed by re-irradiation over mastectomy alone for women with IBTR using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology and the evidence to decision framework. The following outcomes were identified by the panel: locoregional control, metastasis-free survival, overall survival, and cancer-specific survival; acute and late toxicity, specific late toxicity, second locoregional tumor, and death related to treatment. An Embase and PubMed literature search was performed by two independent authors. Five retrospective observational studies were eligible for inclusion in the present analysis. According to the reports in the literature and our analysis, the advantages of second quadrantectomy and re-irradiation (re-QUART) outweigh its side effects, with overall good rates of survival and adequate toxicity without increasing costs. Given the very low level of evidence, the panel stated that a second BCS plus re-irradiation can be considered as an alternative to salvage mastectomy for selected patients with IBTR.

Adjuvant radiotherapy and radioiodine treatment for locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Treatment for locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer is surgery followed by radioiodine while the role of adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is debated.

METHODS

The panel of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology developed a clinical recommendation on the addition of EBRT to radioiodine after surgery for locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer by using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology and the Evidence to Decision framework. A systematic review with meta-analysis about this topic was conducted with a focus on outcome of benefits and toxicity.

RESULTS

Locoregional control was improved by EBRT while no considerable toxicity impact was reported.

CONCLUSION

The panel judged uncertain the benefit/harms balance; final recommendation was conditional both for EBRT + radioiodine and radioiodine alone in the adjuvant setting.

Long-Term Results of a Prospective Phase 2 Study on Volume De-Escalation in Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy of Rectal Cancer

PURPOSE

In the current study, we evaluated whether neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with reduced treatment volumes due to the exclusion of elective pelvic nodal irradiation is a feasible strategy for selected patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients with T2 low-lying/T3, N0-N1 rectal lesions without evidence of disease in the lateral lymph nodes were prospectively recruited. All patients underwent pretreatment testing, including computed tomography imaging of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis with intravenous contrast, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging with intravenous contrast, and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission/computed tomography. The clinical target volume included the primary tumor and the mesorectum with vascular supply containing the perirectal and presacral nodes, with the upper border at the S2/S3 interspace. The total radiation dose was 50.4 Gy, and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy was associated concomitantly. The primary endpoint of the study was the reduction of gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, and the secondary endpoints were pathologic complete response, local control, overall survival, and disease-free survival.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients (30 men, 22 women) with a median age of 67 years (range, 45-85 years) were enrolled in the study. Acute grade 3 GI toxicity was 7.6%, and there were no cases of grade 4 toxicity. Three patients (5.7%) developed a local recurrence. No relapse occurred in the lateral lymph nodes. The local control rate at 5 years was 96.1%. With a median follow-up time of 72.9 months (range, 2.5-127.6 months), the 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 89.4% and 87%, respectively. The 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 82.4% and 82.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

De-escalation of radiation therapy target volume reduces GI side effects without compromising efficacy in patients with rectal cancer. These results cannot be clearly extended to high-risk disease and need further evaluation in future randomized trials.

Treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer in patients without comorbidities and fit for surgery: Trimodality therapy vs radical cystectomy. Development of GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) recommendation by the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO)

AIM

To compare trimodality therapy (TMT) versus radical cystectomy (RC) and develop GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) Recommendation by the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) for treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective and retrospective studies comparing TMT and RC for MIBC patients were included. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of evidence was made.

RESULTS

Ten studies were included in the analysis. Pooled analysis showed salvage cystectomy and pathological complete response rates after TMT of 12 % and 72-77.5 %, respectively. Pooled rates of G3-G4 GU toxicity and serious toxicity rate were 18 vs 3% and 45 vs 29 % for patients undergoing TMT vs RC, respectively. The panel assessed a substantial equivalence in terms of OS and CSS at 5 years between TMT and RC.

CONCLUSIONS

TMT could be suggested as an alternative treatment to RC in non-metastatic MIBC patients, deemed fit for surgery.

Loco-regional adjuvant radiation therapy in breast cancer patients with positive axillary lymph-nodes at diagnosis (CN2) undergoing preoperative chemotherapy and with complete pathological lymph-nodes response. Development of GRADE (Grades of recommendation, assessment, Development and Evaluation) recommendation by the Italian Association of radiation therapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO)

Objective

To perform a meta-analysis to determine the effect of loco-regional radiation therapy (RT) compared to no loco-regional RT for operated patients in clinical stage cN2 breast cancer at diagnosis and ypN0 after preoperative chemotherapy (PST).

Material and Methods

Eligible studies were identified through a systematic search of the medical literature performed independently by two researchers using a validated search strategy. An electronic search of Medline via PubMed and Embase (Breast cancer AND preoperative chemotherapy AND radiation therapy) was conducted with no language or publication status restrictions. The effect of loco-regional RT on overall (OS), disease free (DFS), loco-regional recurrence-free (LRRFS) survival and local recurrence was evaluated. An electronic search of Medline via PubMed and Embase (Toxicity AND radiation therapy breast cancer AND preoperative therapy; toxicity AND breast surgery AND preoperative chemotherapy) was conducted for outcomes of harm: major acute and late skin toxicity, lymphedema and cardiac events.

Results

Of 333 studies identified, 4 retrospective studies reporting on a total of 1107 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Six and 3 reported data of acute and late skin toxicity, while 2 studies provided information on cardiac events. Pooled results showed no difference in terms of hazard ratio for loco-regional RT versus no loco-regional RT [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63–1.68]. Loco-regional RT was associated with an OS benefit in the subgroup analysis: IIIB-C (loco-regional RT 79.3% vs no loco-regional RT 71.2%, p = 0.027) and T3-T4 (loco-regional RT 82.6% vs no loco-regional RT 76.6%, p = 0.025). No difference was shown in terms of 5-year DFS (loco-regional RT 91.2% vs no loco-regional RT 83%, p = 0.441) and LRRFS (loco-regional RT 98.1% vs no loco-regional RT 92.3%, p = 0.148). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of acute and late skin toxicities, lymphedema and cardiac events.

Conclusions

Because of the limitations due to the small number of studies and heterogeneity in the analysis, the present study does not allow to draw any definitive conclusion, highlighting the need for well-controlled trials to determine the effect of loco-regional RT in patients with cN2 having a pathological complete response in the axillary nodes after preoperative chemotherapy.

•

The prognostic impact of pCR after primary systemic therapy on DFS and OS has been shown in meta-analyses of randomized phase III trials.

•

The association of treatment response with loco-regional recurrence has been studied only in retrospective reports.

•

RNI should be strongly considered in patients with clinically involved lymph nodes regardless of the response to primary systemic therapy, especially in the presence of further risk factors.

•

In patients with cN2 at diagnosis and ypN0 at surgery after PST, loco-regional RT should be evaluated for each patient in the multidisciplinary team.

Effects of abiraterone acetate plus prednisone on bone turnover markers in chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC patients after ADT failure: A prospective analysis of the italian real-world study ABITUDE

•

Bone remodeling is disrupted in metastatic disease, affecting > 70% of mCRPC men.

•

In metastatic disease, abnormal levels of specific BTMs are released.

•

We prospectively measured four BTMs markers in chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC men on AAP therapy.

•

AAP seems to act on the microenvironment of metastatic but not of normal bone.

•

This action likely contributes to the antitumoral activity of AAP.

Background

Bone remodeling is disrupted in metastatic disease, which affects > 70% of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. As a result, abnormal levels of specific bone turnover biomarkers (BTMs) are released. In this prospective ancillary analysis of the Italian real-world study ABITUDE, four markers were measured during abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AAP) treatment in chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC men failing androgen-deprivation therapy.

Methods

Patients were enrolled if a blood sample was obtained before the first administration of abiraterone (baseline); ad-hoc blood samples were withdrawn during routine tests after 3, 6, and 12 months. A centralized lab measured bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP, osteoblast activity marker), type-I collagen-C-telopeptide (CTX-1, bone resorption marker), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D (vitD). At each time point, intra-patient variations vs baseline were compared by the signed-rank test (statistical significance: P-value < 0.05).

Results

Of 481 patients enrolled in ABITUDE, 186 (median age: 76 [range: 53–93] years) met the substudy criteria: 74.7% had bone metastases, 11.8% were on bone-targeted therapies (BTT) and 14.0% on vitD supplementation. BALP decreased significantly at month 6 (P = 0.0010) and 12 (P < 0.0001) and CTX-1 at month 6 (P = 0.0028); PTH increased at month 3 (P < 0.0001); no significant difference in vitD levels was observed. Similar findings were observed in BTT-untreated patients. The reduction in BALP and CTX-1 levels was more pronounced in patients with than without bone metastases; in the latter group, no significant variation in BALP and CTX-1 levels was observed.

Conclusions

AAP seems to exert an effect on the microenvironment of metastatic but not of normal bone, which likely contributes to its antitumoral activity.

Histologic transformation to small-cell lung cancer following gefitinib and radiotherapy in a patient with pulmonary adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Targeted therapies against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have revolutionized the treatment of a subset of lung adenocarcinomas that have EGFR-activating mutations; however, all patients treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) ultimately develop resistance. Histologic transformation of EGFR-mutant adenocarcinoma to small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a resistance mechanism rarely reported in the literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe the case of a woman with metastatic lung cancer adenocarcinoma with mutated EGFR with an initial response to gefitinib and radiation therapy, who progressed after 18 months due to the development of a resistance mechanism. The new biopsy performed after progression highlighted histologic transformation to SCLC, while maintaining the original EGFR mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

To better identify patients who progress after TKIs and radiation therapy, it is important to perform tumor rebiopsy and collect data to study mechanisms of acquired EGFR TKI resistance.

The Role of Mammography after Breast-Conserving Surgery and Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Aims and background

To investigate the impact of postchemotherapy mammography on radiotherapy timing and detection of early locoregional recurrences in breast cancer patients treated with breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

Bilateral mammography was performed before radiotherapy. Mammogram assessments were collected using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) scale. Differences in waiting times for radiotherapy between patients who needed further evaluation after mammograms and who did not were tested by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

A total of 277 patients who underwent locoregional restaging after conservative surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy were evaluated. All patients had surgical margins greater than 2 mm. No locoregional recurrences were detected. Only in 2 patients (0.7%) did preradiotherapy mammograms reveal a contralateral breast cancer, which was histologically confirmed. After chemotherapy, the waiting times for radiotherapy were not different between patients who needed further imaging evaluation and patients who did not (34 days, 95% CI: 29–65 vs 38 days, 95% CI: 32–39; P = NS).

Conclusion

According to these data, postchemotherapy mammography detected a contralateral breast cancer in very few cases (0.7%); thus, even if performing these exams did not delay the start of radiotherapy, we believe that preradiotherapy mammograms are not necessary for patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy after breast-conserving surgery.

Combining Abiraterone and Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer Patients Who Progressed During Abiraterone Therapy

BACKGROUND/AIM

This multicenter, retrospective, 'field-practice' study investigated treatment outcomes of ongoing abiraterone therapy with the addition of radiotherapy (RT) - initiated for oligoprogression or with a palliative intent.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients affected by metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with abiraterone acetate were considered if they had received RT after the initiation of abiraterone treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 32 patients were enrolled in the study. Median duration of abiraterone treatment was 13.0 months (range=3.8-40.9 months). Median duration of abiraterone treatment before RT was 5.9 months (range=0.4-40.0 months), and 7.2 months after RT (range=0.1-29.7 months). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 12.6 months (95%CI=10.5-14.7) from the initiation of abiraterone treatment. From RT administration, PFS was 9.6 months (95%CI=6.4-12.9). Median overall survival (OS) since abiraterone initiation was 18.9 months (95%CI=4.7-33.0).

CONCLUSION

RT prolongs abiraterone treatment in mCRPC patients leading to better clinical outcomes with this molecule.

Once Daily Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation: Preliminary Results with Helical Tomotherapy®

BACKGROUND

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is becoming an option for patients with low-risk breast cancer. The current practice is 38.5 Gy in 10 fractions b.i.d. over 5 days. This fractionation has a higher bioequivalent dose compared to the standard schedule. We report on preliminary results of once-daily APBI in patients treated with TomoTherapy®.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with unifocal-breast disease who underwent breast-conserving surgery were enrolled in the study. Treatment was administered with TomoTherapy, by contouring in accordance with the NSABP B-39/RTOG 0413 APBI protocol. Treatment schedule was 38.5 Gy in 10 once-daily fractions. EORTC Cosmetic Rating System was adopted for cosmetic outcome.

RESULTS

From 2010 to 2013, 111 patients were treated. With a median follow-up of 34 months, no ipsilateral breast recurrence was observed. Very few patients (1-4%) assessed their cosmetic outcome as fair or poor during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Once-daily APBI with TomoTherapy yielded good cosmetic results without compromising local control efficacy.

Estimation of patient setup uncertainty using BrainLAB Exatrac X-Ray 6D system in image-guided radiotherapy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate setup uncertainties for brain sites with ExacTrac X‐Ray 6D system and to provide optimal margin guidelines. Fifteen patients with brain tumor were included in this study. Two X‐ray images with ExacTrac X‐Ray 6D system were used to verify patient position and tumor target localization before each treatment. The 6D fusion software first generates various sets of DRRs with position variations in both three translational and three rotational directions (six degrees of freedom) for the CT images. Setup variations (translation and rotation) after correction were recorded and corrected before treatment. The 3D deviations are expressed as mean±standard deviation. The random error (Σ(σi)), systematic error (μi), and group systematic error (M(μi)) for the different X‐ray were calculated using the definitions of van Herk.⁽¹⁾ Mean setup errors were calculated from X‐ray images acquired after all fractions. There is moderate patient‐to‐patient variation in the vertical direction and small variations in systematic errors and magnitudes of random errors are smaller. The global systematic errors were measured to be less than 2.0 mm in each direction. Random component of all patients are smaller ranging from 0.1–0.3 mm small. The safety margin (SM) to the lateral, is 0.5 mm and 2.6 mm for van Herk⁽¹⁾ and Stroom et al.,⁽²⁾ respectively, craniocaudal axis is 1.5 mm and 3.4 mm, respectively, and with respect to the antero–posterior axis, 2.3 mm and 3.9 mm. Daily X‐ray imaging is essential to compare and assess the accuracy of treatment delivery to different anatomical locations.

PACS number: 87.55.D

Fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with brain metastases

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) delivered in 2-5 fractions (multi-fraction SRS) has been employed in patients with brain metastases as an alternative to single-fraction SRS with the aim to reduce late radiation-induced toxicity while maintaining high local control rate. In the present study we have evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of multi-fraction SRS in patients with 1-3 brain metastases. Between March 2006 and October 2012, 135 patients (63 men and 72 women) with 171 brain metastases have been treated with multi-fraction SRS (3 × 9 Gy or 3 × 12 Gy). At a median follow-up of 11.4 months, 16 lesions recurred locally. The 1- and 2-year local control rates were 88 and 72 %, respectively. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 57 and 25 %, and respective distant failure rates were 52 and 73 %. Seventy-eight percent of patients succumbed to their extracranial disease and 22 % died of progressive intracranial disease. Multivariate analysis showed that melanoma histology was predictive of local failure (p = 0.02; HR 6.1, 95 % CI 1.5-24). Specifically, the 1-year local control rates were 68 % for melanoma, 92 % for breast carcinoma, and 88 % for NSCLC, respectively. Stable extracranial disease (p = 0.004) and Karnofsky performance status (p = 0.01) were predictive of longer survival. Radiologic changes suggestive of radionecrosis occurred in 12 (7 %) out of 171 lesions, with an actuarial risk of 9 % at 1 year and 17 % at 2 years, respectively. In conclusion, multi-fraction SRS appears to be an effective and safe treatment modality for brain metastases. It may represent an alternative to single-dose SRS for patients with large lesions or lesions located near critical structures.

The role of mammography after breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy

AIMS AND BACKGROUND

To investigate the impact of postchemotherapy mammography on radiotherapy timing and detection of early locoregional recurrences in breast cancer patients treated with breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODS

Bilateral mammography was performed before radiotherapy. Mammogram assessments were collected using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) scale. Differences in waiting times for radiotherapy between patients who needed further evaluation after mammograms and who did not were tested by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

A total of 277 patients who underwent locoregional restaging after conservative surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy were evaluated. All patients had surgical margins greater than 2 mm. No locoregional recurrences were detected. Only in 2 patients (0.7%) did preradiotherapy mammograms reveal a contralateral breast cancer, which was histologically confirmed. After chemotherapy, the waiting times for radiotherapy were not different between patients who needed further imaging evaluation and patients who did not (34 days, 95% CI: 29-65 vs 38 days, 95% CI: 32-39; P = NS).

CONCLUSION

According to these data, postchemotherapy mammography detected a contralateral breast cancer in very few cases (0.7%); thus, even if performing these exams did not delay the start of radiotherapy, we believe that preradiotherapy mammograms are not necessary for patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy after breast-conserving surgery.

Adding ipsilateral V20 and V30 to conventional dosimetric constraints predicts radiation pneumonitis in stage IIIA-B NSCLC treated with combined-modality therapy

PURPOSE

To determine lung dosimetric constraints that correlate with radiation pneumonitis in non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with three-dimensional radiation therapy and concurrent chemotherapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between June 2002 and December 2006, 97 patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer were treated with concomitant radiochemotherapy. All patients underwent complete three-dimensional treatment planning (including dose-volume histograms), and patients were treated only if the percentage of total lung volume exceeding 20 Gy (V(20)) and 30 Gy (V(30)), and mean lung dose (MLD) had not exceeded the constraints of 31%, 18%, and 20 Gy, respectively. The total and ipsilateral lung dose-volume histogram parameters, planning target volume, and total dose delivered were analyzed and correlated with pneumonitis incidence.

RESULTS

If dose constraints to the total lung were respected, the most statistically significant factors predicting pneumonitis were the percentage of ipsilateral lung volume exceeding 20 Gy (V(20)ipsi), percentage of ipsilateral lung volume exceeding 30 Gy (V(30)ipsi), and planning target volume. These parameters divided the patients into low- and high-risk groups: if V(20)ipsi was 52% or lower, the risk of pneumonitis was 9%, and if V(20)ipsi was greater than 52%, the risk of pneumonitis was 46%; if V(30)ipsi was 39% or lower, the risk of pneumonitis was 8%, and if V(30)ipsi was greater than 39%, the risk of pneumonitis was 38%. Actuarial curves of the development of pneumonitis of Grade 2 or higher stratified by V(20)ipsi and V(30)ipsi were created.

CONCLUSIONS

The correlation between pneumonitis and dosimetric constraints has been validated. Adding V(20)ipsi and V(30)ipsi to the classical total lung constraints could reduce pulmonary toxicity in concurrent chemoradiation treatment. V(20)ipsi and V(30)ipsi are important if the V(20) to the total lung, V(30) to the total lung, and mean lung dose have not exceeded the constraints of 31%, 18%, and 20 Gy, respectively.

Novel prognostic groups in thymic epithelial tumors: assessment of risk and therapeutic strategy selection

PURPOSE

To assess the role of multimodality treatment on patients with thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) (i.e., thymomas and thymic squamous cell carcinoma) and to define the prognostic classes according to the Masaoka and World Health Organization histologic classification systems.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Primary surgery was the mainstay of therapy. Extended thymectomy was performed in all cases. The cases were primarily staged according to the Masaoka system. Adjuvant radiotherapy was given to patients diagnosed with Masaoka Stage II, III, and IVA TET. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in selected cases.

RESULTS

We reviewed the records of 120 patients with TETs, with a mean follow-up of 13.8 years. Of the 120 patients, 98 (81.6%) received adjuvant radiotherapy. Of these 98 patients, Grade 1-2 pulmonary or esophageal toxicity was acute in 12 (12.2%) and late in 8 (8.2%). The median overall survival was 21.6 years. Of the 120 patients, 106 were rediagnosed and reclassified according to the World Health Organization system, and the survival rate was correlated with it. Three different prognostic classes were defined: favorable, Masaoka Stage I and histologic grade A, AB, B1, B2 or Masaoka Stage II and histologic grade A, AB, B1; unfavorable, Stage IV disease or histologic grade C or Stage III and histologic grade B3; intermediate, all other combinations. The 10- and 20-year survival rate was 95% and 81% for the favorable group, 90% and 65% for the intermediate group, and 50% and 0% for the unfavorable group, respectively. Local recurrence, distant recurrence, and tumor-related deaths were also evaluated.

CONCLUSION

The analysis of our experience singled out three novel prognostic classes and the assessment of risk identified treatment selection criteria.

Induction cisplatin-gemcitabine-paclitaxel plus concurrent radiotherapy and gemcitabine in the multimodality treatment of unresectable stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

To evaluate feasibility and safety of induction three-drugs combination chemotherapy and concurrent radio-chemotherapy in stage IIIB NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with stage IIIB NSCLC were treated with three courses of induction chemotherapy, cisplatin 50 mg/m(2), paclitaxel 125 mg/m(2) and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) on days 1,8 of every 21 day cycle. Patients without distant progressive disease were then treated with radiotherapy and concurrent weekly gemcitabine (250 mg/m(2)). Toxicity and response of radio-chemotherapy treatment have been assessed.

RESULTS

Between Jan 01 and Nov 02, 46 patients were enrolled. Grade 3+ hematological and non-hematological toxicity during the induction phase were 41.3% and 13.1%, respectively. In 38 patients a Clinical Response or Stable Disease was recorded and these patients underwent to concurrent radio-chemotherapy. Grade 3+ hematological and non-hematological toxicities were 8.2% in this group. Further response was observed in 66% of patients. Overall median survival time was 17.8 months, with a 3-year survival rates of 23%.

CONCLUSION

Three-drugs induction chemotherapy and concurrent radio-chemotherapy with weekly gemcitabine in locally advanced stage IIIB NSCLC is feasible and safe.

Chemo-radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: the role of gemcitabine

Gemcitabine (2'-2'-difluorodeoxycytidine) is a well-known cytotoxic drug and a potent radio-enhancer. We herein report the in vitro evidence of its activity, and the clinical experiences when this drug is administered concurrently with radiation. The phase I-II trials are analyzed, focusing on the recent ability to deliver irradiation with low incidence of side effects.

Multimodality treatment of unresectable stage III non–small cell lung cancer: Interim analysis of a phase II trial with preoperative gemcitabine and concurrent radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

We report the preliminary results of a phase II trial undertaken to determine the feasibility and efficacy of gemcitabine and concurrent radiotherapy in patients with inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Between February 2001 and June 2003, a total of 46 patients (37 male and 9 female, median age 64 years) with clinical stage III non-small cell lung cancer (41 cIIIA and 5 cIIIB) were enrolled in a combined chemoradiation protocol with gemcitabine as the chemotherapeutic agent. Gemcitabine (350 mg/m2) was administered weekly for 5 consecutive weeks as a 30-minute intravenous infusion before radiotherapy (total dose 50.4 Gy, 1.8 Gy/d). Toxicity was routinely assessed. Those patients with disease judged to be resectable at restaging underwent surgery.

RESULTS

Toxicity was moderate, with the exception of 1 grade 3 thrombocytopenia. All but 5 patients were available for restaging. No complete responses were observed. Thirty-four patients (82.9%) had partial responses, 5 (12.2%) had stable disease, and 2 (4.9%) had progressive disease. Twenty-nine of 46 patients (63%, 27 cIIIA and 2 cIIIB) underwent surgery. Radical resection was possible in all cases. Surgery included 17 lobectomies, 4 bilobectomies, and 8 pneumonectomies. There were no deaths. Morbidity was 13.8% (4/29). Pathologic downstaging to stage 0 or I was observed in 18 patients (39%, 18/46). After a median follow-up of 13 months (range 2-28 months), 24 of the patients who had undergone operation (86.2%) were alive, with a median disease-free survival of 16 months. Overall 2-year survival was 66.1%, with a significant difference between resected and unresected disease (82% vs 36%, P = .0002).

CONCLUSION

The results of this induction trial confirm the feasibility and the efficacy of gemcitabine with concurrent radiotherapy.

Dose and volume as predictive factors of pulmonary toxicity

Dose and volume and their correlation with the development of pulmonary toxicity are among the most widely studied and validated factors in radiotherapy. Most common treatment planning systems allow prompt assessment of Vdose and Mean Lung Dose (MLD). The former represents the percentage of normal lung parenchyma receiving a dose equal to or higher than the established threshold dose; the latter corresponds to the mean dose delivered to the normal lung parenchyma. Most important studies reported on the subject and threhold values recommended for Vdose and MLD are analyzed. The monitoring system of late toxicity used by the authors is presented.

Neoadjuvant concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract. Radiotherapy was the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer until the mid 1990s. Chemotherapy was added in order to improve outcome, and during the last decade sequential, concurrent or mixed modalities have been extensively explored and discussed. Goals of neoadjuvant chemoradiation are resecability and downstaging. Recent published experiences evidenced that neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is feasible if delivered with low total dose and limited volume; pathological downstaging to stage 0-I could be a reasonable surrogate end-point for overall and disease free survival and for distant metastasis.

Dose fractionation and biological optimization in lung cancer

The treatment of choice of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer is radiotherapy combined or not with chemotherapy. Only 30% of lung cancer patients are operable for cure at diagnosis. Consequently the knowledge of the radiobiological basis and of clinical outcomes achieved with radiation therapy is of the utmost importance. Total dose, fractionation, concomitant chemotherapy are the main factors to be examined. In order to improve local control several attempts are reported in the literature. They concern: changes in fractionation and total dose; the use of radiosensitizers and radioprotectors; combined chemoradiation and molecular therapies.

Neoadjuvant concurrent radiochemotherapy in locally advanced (IIIA–IIIB) non-small-cell lung cancer: long-term results according to downstaging

BACKGROUND

To report the efficacy of induction treatment (IT) protocol with concurrent radiochemotherapy in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to analyze downstaging as a surrogate end point.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with histo- or cytologically confirmed stage IIIA or IIIB NSCLC were treated according to an IT protocol followed by surgery. Downstaging was assessed for all resected patients.

RESULTS

In the period between February 1992 and July 2000, 92 patients were enrolled in the study (57 IIIA, 35 IIIB). Response was observed in 63 patients; 56 patients underwent radical resection. Patients downstaged to stage 0-I (DS 0-I) showed a statistically significant improved disease-free survival (26.2 months pStage 0-I versus 11.2 months pStage II-III; P=0.0116) and overall survival (median 32.5 months pStage 0-I versus 18.3 months pStage II-III; P=0.025). Patients with DS 0-I had a significantly lower probability (P=0.0353) of developing distant metastases estimated in 0.2963 odds ratio.

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy is feasible with good pathological DS results. Pathological downstaging was confirmed to have high predictive value. Its use is suggested in the short-term evaluation of induction protocols efficacy in locally advanced NSCLC.

Enduring challenge in the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer with clinical stage IIIB: results of a trimodality approach

BACKGROUND

Stage IIIb (T4/N3) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is considered an inoperable disease and treatment is an enduring challenge. Surgery after induction therapy seems to improve locoregional control. We report the results of a phase II prospective trimodality trial (chemotherapy and concomitant radiotherapy plus surgery) in patients with stage IIIb NSCLC.

METHODS

From November 1992 to June 2000, 39 patients (37 men and 2 women, mean age 65 years) with clinical stage IIIb (34 T4N0 to 2, 4 T2 to 3N3, 1 T4N3, excluding T4 for malignant pleural effusion) entered the study. They received intravenous infusions of cisplatin 20 mg/m(2) and 5-fluorouracil 1,000 mg/m(2) (days 1 to 4 and 25 to 28) combined with a total dose of 50.4 Gy radiotherapy delivered over 4 weeks (1.8 Gy daily). Upon clinical restaging responders underwent surgery.

RESULTS

All patients were available for clinical restaging. No complete response was observed. Twenty-one patients had partial response (53.8%), 16 had stable disease (41%), and 2 had progressive disease (5.2%). Hematologic toxicity was moderate. Twenty-two patients (56.4%), 21 with partial response and 1 with stable disease, underwent surgery with no perioperative death. A radical resection was possible in 21 cases. Nine lobectomies, 3 bilobectomies, and 9 pneumonectomies were performed. Complications occurred in 5 patients (23.6%). Fourteen of the patients who underwent surgery (66.6%) showed a pathologic downstaging. A complete pathologic response was obtained in 9 cases (49%). Overall 5-year survival (Kaplan-Meier) was 23%. Resected versus non-resected patients showed a significant difference: 38% versus 5.6% (p = 0.028, log rank).

CONCLUSIONS

This trimodal approach for stage IIIb NSCLC appears safe and effective. It provides good therapeutic results with acceptable morbidity in surgical cases.

Combined treatments in gastric cancer: radiotherapy

In the past decades radiation oncologists have not had a major interest in the treatment of gastric cancer. The concern on major toxicity related to an extended irradiation of the upper abdomen limited the experience in the treatment of this disease; therefore few data were available to evaluate any advantage of the use of radiation therapy. The results of the Gastrointestinal Intergroup Study promoted a new interest in the irradiation of gastric cancer. The analysis of the outcomes of the Intergroup Study supported the role of locoregional control in promoting better survival for patients treated with adjuvant chemoradiation vs resected patients (81% vs 71%). The studies reported in the last years on the use of radiotherapy in gastric carcinoma are reviewed.

The antineoplastic treatment in the elderly

More than 550,000 American people died for cancer only in 1998 and more than third of them were over 65 years of age. According to recent data in next decade more than 70% of all the deaths for tumour will be verified in the population over 65 years. The cancers mostly frequently associated with the deaths in the elderly population are the tumour of the lung, colon, prostate and breast. Therefore the geriatrics oncology is progressively assuming a central and essential role within the medical oncology. One of the aspects of great interest in the treatment of the cancers of the elderly patient (> 65 years) is the study about some pharmacokinetic modifications of the antitumour medicines in such band of age, and the study about some pattern of toxicity characteristics in the elderly patients. In this ambit there are a few studies in literature devoted specifically to such aspect. This study represents an attempt of revision of the literature finalized to analyse the toxicological and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the principal chemotherapeutic agents used in the therapy of elderly patients affected with cancer. In the last part of the review we have tried to synthesize the state of the art of the achieved results about the medicines that have shown a better therapeutic index and a better impact on the clinical benefit in such population of patients.

Prevention of delayed emesis induced by moderately emetogenic chemotherapy in patients with acute emesis: a pilot study with ACTH-Depot plus tropisetron

The rates of delayed nausea and vomiting by moderately emetogenic chemotherapy in patients with previous experience of acute emesis are usually quite high. This is a pilot study aiming to evaluate the safety of a new antiemetic schedule to prevent delayed emesis in this subset of patients. During 5 consecutive cycles of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, we evaluated 50 patients (15 males) who experienced acute emesis in the first cycle of treatment. The regimen for prevention of delayed emesis consisted of daily tropisetron (5 mg orally from d 2 to d 6 of each chemotherapeutic cycle) associated to ACTH-Depot (1 mg intramuscularly 24 and 68 h after the initiation of chemotherapy). In 77% of chemotherapy cycles, there was a total elimination of nausea and vomiting, whereas in the remaining 23% of cycles, there was a major response defined as < or = 2 vomiting episodes per cycle or nausea grade 1 according to the WHO. The efficacy of the antiemetic regimen persisted during the entire treatment program without the appearance of toxic effects. The proposed antiemetic regimen is highly active in preventing delayed nausea and vomiting episodes in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Moreover, no toxic effects were observed. These promising results require confirmation by a randomized trial.

Phase I trial of weekly gemcitabine and concurrent radiotherapy in patients with inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

To report the evidence of a phase I trial planned to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and related toxicity of weekly gemcitabine (GEM) and concurrent radiotherapy in patients with non--small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In addition, the response to treatment was evaluated and reported.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-six patients with histologically confirmed NSCLC deemed unresectable because of advanced stage were observed and treated according to a combined chemoradiation protocol with GEM as chemotherapeutic agent. GEM was given weekly for 5 consecutive weeks as a 30-minute intravenous infusion concurrent with radiotherapy (1.8 Gy/d; total dose, 50.4 Gy). The initial dose was 100 mg/m(2). Pulmonary, esophageal, cardiac, hematologic, and skin toxicities were assessed. The dose of GEM was increased by 50 mg/m(2) up to a dose of 250 mg/m(2); an additional increase by 25 mg/m(2) up to the MTD was planned and realized. Three patients were enrolled for each dose level.

RESULTS

Dose-limiting toxicity was identified for the 375-mg/m(2) level with two episodes of grade 2 esophagitis and two of grade 3 pulmonary actinic interstitial disease. The weekly dose of GEM 350 mg/m(2) was well tolerated.

CONCLUSION

A weekly GEM dose of 350 mg/m(2) concurrent with radiotherapy was well tolerated. Promising results regarding response to treatment were observed and reported.

Adjuvant radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer with pathological stage I: definitive results of a phase III randomized trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To evaluate the benefits and the drawbacks of post-operative radiotherapy in completely resected Stage I (a and b) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with pathological Stages Ia and Ib NSCLC have been randomized into two groups: Group 1 (G1) received adjuvant radiotherapy, Group 0 (G0) the control group did not receive any adjuvant therapy. Local control, toxicity and survival have been evaluated.

RESULTS

Between July 1989 and June 1997, 104 patients with pathological stage I NSCLC have been enrolled in this study. Fifty-one patients were randomized to G1 and 53 to G0. Six patients have been excluded from the study due to incomplete follow-up data. Regarding local control, one patient in the G1 group had a local recurrence (2.2%) while in the G0 12 local recurrences have been observed (23%). Seventy-one percent of patients are disease-free at 5 years in G1 and 60% in G0 (P=0.039). Overall 5-year survival (Kaplan-Meier) showed a positive trend in the treated group: 67 versus 58% (P=0.048). Regarding toxicity in G1, six patients experienced a grade 1 acute toxicity. Radiological evidence of long-term lung toxicity, with no significant impairment of the respiratory function, has been detected in 18 of the 19 patients who have been diagnosed as having a post-radiation lung fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant radiotherapy gave good results in terms of local control in patients with completely resected NSCLC with pathological Stage I. Overall 5-year survival and disease-free survival showed a promising trend. Treatment-related toxicity is acceptable.