GOECP/SEOR radiotherapy guidelines for small-cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer(SCLC)accounts for approximately 20%of all lung cancers.The main treatment is chemotherapy(Ch).However,the addition of radiotherapy significantly improves overall survival(OS)in patients with non-metastatic SCLC and in those with metastatic SCLC who respond to Ch.Prophylactic cranial irradiation reduces the risk of brain metastases and improves OS in both metastatic and non-metastatic patients.The 5-year OS rate in patients with limited-stage disease(non-metastatic)is slightly higher than 30%,but less than 5%in patients with extensive-stage disease(metastatic).The present clinical guidelines were developed by Spanish radiation oncologists on behalf of the Oncologic Group for the Study of Lung Cancer/Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology to provide a current review of the diagnosis,planning,and treatment of SCLC.These guidelines emphasise treatment fields,radiation techniques,fractionation,concomitant treatment,and the optimal timing of Ch and radiotherapy.Finally,we discuss the main indications for reirradiation in local recurrence.

Deep diving in the PACIFIC:Practical issues in stage III non-small cell lung cancer to avoid shipwreck

After publication of the PACIFIC trial results,immune checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy was included in the treatment algorithm of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).The PACIFIC trial demonstrated that 12 mo of durvalumab consolidation therapy after radical-intent platinum doublet chemotherapy with concomitant radiotherapy improved both progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC.This is the first treatment in decades to successfully improve survival in this clinical setting,with manageable toxicity and without deterioration in quality of life.The integration of durvalumab in the management of locally advanced NSCLC accentuates the need for multidisciplinary,coordinated decision-making among lung cancer specialists,bringing new challenges and controversies as well as important changes in clinical work routines.The aim of the present article is to review—from a practical,multidisciplinary perspective—the findings and implications of the PACIFIC trial.We evaluate the immunobiological basis of durvalumab as well as practical aspects related to programmed cell death ligand 1 determination.In addition,we comprehensively assess the efficacy and toxicity data from the PACIFIC trial and discuss the controversies and practical aspects of incorporating durvalumab into routine clinical practice.Finally,we discuss unresolved questions and future challenges.In short,the present document aims to provide clinicians with a practical guide for the application of the PACIFIC regimen in routine clinical practice.

GOECP/SEOR clinical recommendations for lung cancer radiotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 crisis has had a major and highly complex impact on the clinical practice of radiation oncology worldwide.Spain is one of the countries hardest hit by the virus,with devastating consequences.There is an urgent need to share experiences and offer guidance on decision-making with regard to the indications and standards for radiation therapy in the treatment of lung cancer.In the present article,the Oncological Group for the Study of Lung Cancer of the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology reviews the literature and establishes a series of consensus-based recommendations for the treatment of patients with lung cancer in different clinical scenarios during the present pandemic.

Pathological response to neoadjuvant therapy with chemotherapy vs chemoradiotherapy in stage III NSCLC-contribution of IASLC recommendations

BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant treatment(NT)with chemotherapy(Ch)is a standard option for resectable stage III(N2)NSCLC.Several studies have suggested benefits with the addition of radiotherapy(RT)to NT Ch.The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer(IASLC)published recommendations for the pathological response(PHR)of NSCLC resection specimens after NT.AIM To contribute to the IASLC recommendations showing our results of PHR to NT Ch vs NT chemoradiotherapy(ChRT).METHODS We analyzed 67 consecutive patients with resectable stage III NSCLC with positive mediastinal nodes treated with surgery after NT Ch or NT ChRT between 2013 and 2020.After NT,all patients were evaluated for radiological response(RR)according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours criteria and evaluated for surgery by a specialized group of thoracic surgeons.All histological samples were examined by the same two pathologists.PHR was evaluated by the percentage of viable cells in the tumor and the resected lymph nodes.RESULTS Forty patients underwent NT ChRT and 27 NT Ch.Fifty-six(83.6%)patients underwent surgery(35 ChRT and 21 Ch).The median time from ChRT to surgery was 6 wk(3-19)and 8 wk(3-21)for Ch patients.We observed significant differences in RR,with disease progression in 2.5%and 14.8%of patients with ChRT and Ch,respectively,and partial response in 62.5%ChRT vs 29.6%Ch(P=0.025).In PHR we observed≤10%viable cells in the tumor in 19(54.4%)and 2 cases(9.5%),and in the resected lymph nodes(RLN)30(85.7%)and 7(33.3%)in ChRT and Ch,respectively(P=0.001).Downstaging was greater in the ChRT compared to the Ch group(80%vs 33.3%;P=0.002).In the univariate analysis,NT ChRT had a significant impact on partial RR[odds ratio(OR)12.5;95%confidence interval(CI):1.21-128.61;P=0.034],a decreased risk of persistence of cancer cells in the tumor and RLN and an 87.5%increased probability for achieving downstaging(OR 8;95%CI:2.34-27.32;P=0.001).CONCLUSION We found significant benefits in RR and PHR by adding RT to Ch as NT.A longer follow-up is necessary to assess the impact on clinical outcomes.