Simultaneous integrated dose reduction intensity-modulated radiotherapy effectively reduces cardiac toxicity in limited-stage small cell lung cancer

Objective:To assess the clinical outcomes and toxicities of once daily(QD)simultaneous dose reduction intensity-modulated radiotherapy(SDR-IMRT-QD;SDR-QD)versus conventional QD IMRT(C-QD)and twice daily(BID)IMRT in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer(LS-SCLC).Methods:After propensity score matching(PSM),a retrospective analysis involving 300 patients with LS-SCLC treated using SDR-QD,C-QD,or BID was performed from January 1,2014 to December 31,2019.The prescribed irradiation dose in the SDR-QD cohort was 60 Gy/PGTV and 54 Gy/PTV QD.The radiation dose was 60 Gy for both PGTV and PTV QD in the C-QD cohort.The radiation dose was 45 Gy for both PGTV and PTV in the BID cohort.Toxicities,short-term effects,and survival outcomes were recorded.A meta-analysis on the protective effects of pharmaceuticals for cardiac toxicities induced by anti-tumor therapy was performed.Results:The median overall survival time(MST)in the 3 cohorts were 32.7 months(SDR-QD),26.3 months(C-QD),and 33.6 months(BID);the differences between groups were statistically significant.Lower toxicities and doses to organs-at-risk(OARs)occurred in the SDR-QD and BID cohorts.Further,the cardiac dose dosimetric parameter Vheart40 was negatively associated with survival(r=-0.35,P=0.007).A Vheart40 value of 16.5%was recommended as a cut-off point,which yielded 54.7%sensitivity and 85.7%specificity for predicting negative survival outcomes.The meta-analysis indicated that pharmaceuticals significantly reduced the cardiac toxicities induced by chemotherapy,but not radiotherapy.Conclusions:SDR-QD was shown to have similar toxicities and survival compared with BID,but fewer toxicities and better survival than C-QD.In addition,cardiac dose exposure was negatively associated with survival.Thus,16.5%of the cardiac dosimetric parameter Vheart40 is recommended as the cut-off point,and a Vheart40>16.5%predicts poor survival.

Prognostic factors and failure patterns in non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma after intensity-modulated radiotherapy

Background: The prognostic values of staging parameters require continual re?assessment amid changes in diag?nostic and therapeutic methods. This study aimed to identify the prognostic factors and failure patterns of non?meta?static nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) in the intensity?modulated radiotherapy(IMRT) era.Methods: We reviewed the data from 749 patients with newly diagnosed, biopsy?proven, non?metastatic NPC in our cancer center(South China, an NPC endemic area) between January 2003 and December 2007. All patients under?went magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) before receiving IMRT. The actuarial survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and survival curves were compared using the log?rank test. Multivariate analyses with the Cox proportional hazards model were used to test for the independent prognostic factors by backward eliminating insigniicant explanatory variables.Results: The 5?year occurrence rates of local failure, regional failure, locoregional failure, and distant failure were 5.4, 3.0, 7.4, and 17.4%, respectively. The 5?year survival rates were as follows: local relapse?free survival, 94.6%; nodal relapse?free survival, 97.0%; distant metastasis?free survival, 82.6%; disease?free survival, 75.1%; and overall survival, 82.0%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that orbit involvement was the only signiicant prognostic fac?tor for local failure(P = 0.011). Parapharyngeal tumor extension, retropharyngeal lymph node involvement, and the laterality, longest diameter, and Ho's location of the cervical lymph nodes were signiicant prognostic factors for both distant failure and disease failure(all P < 0.05). Intracranial extension had signiicant prognostic value for distant failure(P = 0.040).Conclusions: The key failure pattern for NPC was distant metastasis in the IMRT era. With changes in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as treatment modalities, the signiicant prognostic parameters for local control have also been altered substantially.

Significant value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in diagnosing small cervical lymph node metastases in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy

Background: Little is known about the nature of metaistasis to small cervical lymph nodes(SCLNS) in the patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)examined by using 18-fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose(^(18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT).The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic values of PET/CT in identifying metastasis in SCLNs in NPC patients.Methods: Magnetic resonance images(MRI) and PET/CT scans for 470 patients with newly diagnosed, non-distant metastatic NPC were analyzed. Metastatic rates of SCLNs were defined by the positive number of SCLNs on PET/CT scans and total number of SCLNs on MRI scans. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to compare PET/CT-determined stage with MRI-determined stage.Results: In total, 2082 SCLNs were identified, with 808(38.8%) ≥ 5 and < 6 mm in diameter(group A), 526(25.3%)≥ 6 and < 7 mm in diameter(group B),374(18.0%)≥ 7 and < 8 mm in diameter(group C), 237(11.4%) ≥8 and<9 mm in diameter(group D),and 137(6.5%) ≥ 9 and <10 mm in diameter(group E).The overall metastatic rates examined by using PET/CT for groups A, B,C,D, and E were 3.5%, 8.0%, 31.3%, 60.0%, and 83.9%, respectively(P< 0.001). In level IV/Vb, the metastatic rate for nodes ≥ 8 mm was 84.6%. PET/CT examination resulted in modification of N category and overall stage for 135(28.7%) and 46(9.8%) patients, respectively. The areas under curve of MRIdetermined and PET/CT-determined overall stage were 0.659 and 0.704 for predicting overall survival, 0.661 and 0.711 for predicting distant metastasis-free survival, and 0.636 and 0.663 for predicting disease-free survival.Conclusions: PET/CT was more effective than MRI in identifying metastatic SCLNs, and the radiologic diagnostic criteria for metastatic lymph nodes in level IV/Vb should be re-defined.

Prognostic value and predictive threshold of tumor volume for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy

Background: Gross target volume of primary tumor(GTV?P) is very important for the prognosis prediction of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC), but it is unknown whether the same is true for locally advanced NPC patients treated with intensity?modulated radiotherapy(IMRT). This study aimed to clarify the prognostic value of tumor volume for patient with locally advanced NPC receiving IMRT and to ind a suitable cut?of value of GTV?P for prognosis prediction.Methods: Clinical data of 358 patients with locally advanced NPC who received IMRT were reviewed. Receiver oper?ating characteristic(ROC) curves were used to identify the cut?of values of GTV?P for the prediction of diferent end?points [overall survival(OS), local relapse?free survival(LRFS), distant metastasis?free survival(DMFS), and disease?free survival(DFS)] and to test the prognostic value of GTV?P when compared with that of the American Joint Committee on Cancer T staging system.Results: The 358 patients with locally advanced NPC were divided into two groups by the cut?of value of GTV?P as determined using ROC curves: 219(61.2%) patients with GTV?P ≤46.4 mL and 139(38.8%) with GTV?P >46.4 mL. The 3?year OS, LRFS, DMFS, and DFS rates were all higher in patients with GTV?P ≤46.4 mL than in those with GTV?P > 46.4 mL(all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that GTV?P >46.4 mL was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for patient survival. The ROC curve veriied that the predictive ability of GTV?P was superior to that of T category(P < 0.001). The cut?of values of GTV?P for the prediction of OS, LRFS, DMFS, and DFS were 46.4, 57.9, 75.4 and 46.4 mL, respectively.Conclusion: In patients with locally advanced NPC, GTV?P >46.4 mL is an independent unfavorable prognostic indi?cator for survival after IMRT, with a prognostic value superior to that of T category.

A model to predict the risk of lethal nasopharyngeal necrosis after re-irradiation with intensity-modulated radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

Background:For patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) who undergo re-irradiation with intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT),lethal nasopharyngeal necrosis(LNN) is a severe late adverse event.The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for LNN and develop a model to predict LNN after radical re-irradiation with IMRT in patients with recurrent NPC.Methods:Patients who underwent radical re-irradiation with IMRT for locally recurrent NPC between March 2001 and December 2011 and who had no evidence of distant metastasis were included in this study.Clinical characteristics,including recurrent carcinoma conditions and dosimetric features,were evaluated as candidate risk factors for LNN.Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors and construct the predictive scoring model.Results:Among 228 patients enrolled in this study,204 were at risk of developing LNN based on risk analysis.Of the 204 patients treated,31(15.2%) developed LNN.Logistic regression analysis showed that female sex(P = 0.008),necrosis before re-irradiation(P = 0.008),accumulated total prescription dose to the gross tumor volume(GTV) ≥ 145.5 Gy(P = 0.043),and recurrent tumor volume >25.38 cm3(P = 0.009) were independent risk factors for LNN.A model to predict LNN was then constructed that included these four independent risk factors.Conclusions:A model that includes sex,necrosis before re-irradiation,accumulated total prescription dose to GTV,and recurrent tumor volume can effectively predict the risk of developing LNN in NPC patients who undergo radical re-irradiation with IMRT.

Clinical treatment considerationsin the intensity-modulated radiotherapy era for patients with NO-category nasopharyngeal carcinoma and enlarged neck lymph nodes

Background:Nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) shows a high proportion of lymph node metastasis,and treatment guidelines have been developed for positive nodes.However,no irradiation guidelines have been proposed for patients with enlarged neck lymph nodes(ENLNs) that do not meet the radiological criteria of 10 mm in diameter for positive lymph nodes.This study aimed to determine the prognostic value and radiation dose for ENLNs in NO-category NPC patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT).Methods:We reviewed the medical data of 251 patients with non-metastatic,NO-category NPC treated with IMRT.Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to calculate the cut-off value of the ENLN diameter for the prediction of disease failure.The biological equivalent dose(BED) for ENLNs was calculated.Patient survival was compared between the small and large ENLN groups.Independent prognostic factors were identified using the Cox proportional hazards model.Results:The estimated 4-year regional relapse-free survival rate was higher in patients with ENLNs ≥5.5 mm than in those with ENLNs <5.5 mm(100%vs.98.8%,P=0.049),whereas disease-free,overall,and distant metastasis-free survival rates were similar between the two groups.After adjusting for various factors,ENLN diameter was not identified as an independent prognostic factor(P > 0.05 for all survival rates).In the subgroup analysis,patients receiving BED ≥72 Gy had a similar prognosis as patients receiving BED <72 Gy in both the small and large ENLN groups.The multivariate analysis also confirmed that BED≥72 Gy was not associated with significantly improved prognosis in patients with NO-category NPC.Conclusions:A BED of 72 Gy to ENLNs is considerably sufficient to provide a clinical benefit to patients with NO-category NPC.Prospective studies are warranted to validate the findings in the present study.

Intensified intensity-modulated radiotherapy in anal cancer with prevalent HPV p16 positivity

AIM: To investigate the toxicity and response of intensity-modulated radiotherapy schedule intensified with a simultaneous integrated boost in anal canal cancer.METHODS: From March 2009 to March 2014, we retrospectively analyzed 41 consecutive patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy for anal canal squamous cell carcinoma at our center. Radiotherapy was delivered via simultaneous integrated boost(SIB) technique by helical tomotherapy, and doses were adapted to two clinical target volumes according to the tumor-nodemetastasis(TNM) stage: 50.6 Gy and 41.4 Gy in 23 fractions in T1N0, 52.8 Gy and 43.2 Gy in 24 fractionsin T2N0, and 55 Gy and 45 Gy in 25 fractions in all patients with N positive and/or ≥ T3, respectively, to planning target volumes 1 and 2. The most common chemotherapy regimen was 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin-based. Human papilloma virus(HPV) p16 expression was performed by immunohistochemistry and evaluated in the majority of patients. Acute and late toxicity was scored according to CTCAe v 3.0 and RTOG scales.RESULTS: The median follow-up was 30 mo(range:12-71). Median age was 63 years(range 32-84). The stage of disease was: stage Ⅰ in 2 patients, stage Ⅱin 13 patients, stage ⅢA in 12 patients, and stage ⅢB in 14 patients, respectively. Two patients were known to be HIV positive(4.9%). HPV p16 expression status was positive in 29/34(85.3%) patients. The 4-year progression-free survival and overall survival in HPVpositive patients were 78% and 92%, respectively.Acute grade 3 skin and gastrointestinal toxicities were reported in 5% and 7.3% of patients, respectively;patients' compliance to the treatment was good due to a low occurrence of severe acute toxicity, although treatment interruptions due to toxicity were required in 7.3% of patients. At 6 mo from end of treatment,36/40(90%) patients obtained complete response;during follow-up, 5(13.8%) patients presented with disease progression(local or systemic).CONCLUSION: In our experience, intensified SIBIMRT with chemotherapy is very feasible in clinical practice, with excellent results in terms of overall survival and local control.

Long-term outcomes of a phase Ⅱ randomized controlled trial comparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy with or without weekly cisplatin for the treatment of locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background:Salvage treatment for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) is complicated and relatively limited.Radiotherapy,combined with effective concomitant chemotherapy,may improve clinical treatment outcomes.We conducted a phase Ⅱ randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concomitant weekly cisplatin on locally recurrent NPC.Methods:Between April 2002 and January 2008,69 patients diagnosed with non-metastatic locally recurrent NPC were randomly assigned to either concomitant chemoradiotherapy group(n = 34) or radiotherapy alone group(n = 35).All patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy.The radiotherapy dose for both groups was 60 Gy in 27 fractions for 37 days(range 23-53 days).The concomitant chemotherapy schedule was cisplatin 30 mg/m^2 by intravenous infusion weekly during radiotherapy.Results:The median follow-up period of all patients was 35 months(range 2-112 months).Between concomitant chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy groups,there was only significant difference in the 3-year and 5-year overall survival(OS) rates(68.7%vs.42.2%,P = 0.016 and 41.8%vs.27.5%,P = 0.049,respectively).Subgroup analysis showed that concomitant chemoradiotherapy significantly improved the 5-year OS rate especially for patients in stage rT3-4(33.0%vs.13.2%,P = 0.009),stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ(34.3%vs.13.2%,P = 0.006),recurrence interval >30 months(49.0%vs.20.6%,P = 0.017),and tumor volume >26 cm^3(37.6%vs.0%,P = 0.006).Conclusion:Compared with radiotherapy alone,concomitant chemoradiotherapy can improve OS of the patients with locally recurrent NPC,especially those with advanced T category(rT3-4) and stage(lll-IV) diseases,recurrence intervals >30 months,and tumor volume >26 cm^3.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Background:Stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT)in pancreatic cancer allows high delivery of radiation doses on tumors without affecting surrounding tissue.This review aimed at the SBRT application in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.Data sources:We retrieved articles published in MEDLINE/PubMed from January 2017 to December 2022.Keywords used in the search included:“pancreatic adenocarcinoma”OR“pancreatic cancer”AND“stereotactic ablative radiotherapy(SABR)”OR“stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT)”OR“chemoradiotherapy(CRT)”.English language articles with information on technical characteristics,doses and fractionation,indications,recurrence patterns,local control and toxicities of SBRT in pancreatic tumors were included.All articles were assessed for validity and relevant content.Results:Optimal doses and fractionation have not yet been defined.However,SBRT could be the standard treatment in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in addition to CRT.Furthermore,the combination of SBRT with chemotherapy may have additive or synergic effect on pancreatic adenocarcinoma.Conclusions:SBRT is an effective modality for patients with pancreatic cancer,supported by clinical practice guidelines as it has demonstrated good tolerance and good disease control.SBRT opens a possibility of improving outcomes for these patients,both in neoadjuvant treatment and with radical intent.

Comparison of Dosiology between Three Dimensional Conformal and Intensity-modulated Radiotherapies (5 and 7 fields) in Gastric Cancer Post-surgery

The purpose of this study was to compare the dose distribution of intensity-modulated ra- diotherapy （IMRT） in 7 and 5 fields as well as 3-D conformal radiotherapy （3D-CRT） plans for gastric cancer using dosimetric analysis. In 15 patients with gastric cancer after D1 resection, dosimetric pa- rameters for IMRT （7 and 5 fields） and 3D-CRT were calculated with a total dose of 45 Gy （1.8 Gy/day） These parameters included the conformal index （CI）, homogeneity index （HI）, maximum dose spot for the planned target volume （PTV）, dose-volume histogram （DVH） and dose distribution in the organs at risk （OAR）, mean dose （Dmean）, maximal dose （Dmax） in the spinal cord, percentage of the normal liver volume receiving more than 30 Gy （V30） and percentage of the normal kidney volume receiving more than 20 Gy （V20）. IMRT （7 and 5 fields） and 3D-CRT achieved the PTV coverage. However, IMRT presented significantly higher CI and HI values and lower maximum dose spot distribution than 3D-CRT （P=0.001）. For dose distribution of OAR, IMRT had a significantly lower Dmean and Dmax in spinal cord than 3D-CRT （P=-0.009）. There was no obvious difference in V30 of liver and V20 of kidney between IMRT and 3D-CRT, but 5-field IMRT showed lower Dmean in the normal liver than other two plans （P=0.001）. IMRT revealed favorable tumor coverage as compared to 3D-CRT and IMRT plans. Specifically, 5-field IMRT plan was superior to 3D-CRT in protecting the spinal cord and liver, but this superiority was not observed in the kidney. Further studies are needed to compare differences among the three approaches.

Dosimetric Comparative Analysis of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy in Cervical Cancer

Objective:To carry out dosimetric comparison between volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)and intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT)in cervical cancer.Methods:50 postoperative cervical cancer patients were included in this study.The patients were admitted for treatment from January 2021 to January 2022.VMAT and IMRT plans were designed for each patient to analyze the dose distribution in the target area of the two treatment techniques.Results:Comparing the monitor unit for single treatment(638.21±116.21 MU)and time of single treatment(143.21±23.14 s)in the observation group and the monitor unit for single treatment(932.14±74.11 MU)and time of single treatment(223.14±17.26 s)in the control group,there was significant difference(P<0.05);there was also significant difference(P<0.05)between the normal tissue(bladder and rectum)of the observation group and that(bladder and rectum)of the control group.Conclusion:VMAT is more effective in cervical cancer,and it has a certain protective effect on normal tissues in patients and can reduce the radiation dose.

Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy for Sinonasal Teratocarcinosarcoma

Surgical excision and postoperative radiotherapy are widely accepted therapeutic modalities for sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma （SNTCS）. Previous studies have shown that intensity-modulated radiation therapy （IMRT） is safe and effective for the treatment of some sinonasal malignancies. We hypothesize that use of IMRT for SNTCS may result in clinical benefits. We report here two cases of SNTCS that were treated by IMRT. One patient was given extensive IMRT involving elective neck irradiation. Follow-up examinations revealed no recurrence and metastasis 3.5 years after IMRT. Another patient simultaneously suffered from multiple systematical diseases and was administered involved-field radiotherapy. He was found to have a marginal recurrence during the follow up and eventually died 8 months after disease diagnosis. It was suggested in this study that appropriate use of IMRT for the treatment of SNTCS may achieve excellent local control.

Hemostatic radiotherapy for bleeding gastrointestinal

Hemostatic radiotherapy is a non-invasive treatment for bleeding gastrointestinal(GI)tumors,promoting tumor shrinkage,blood supply reduction,and fibrotic tissue formation.It is effective in cases where traditional interventions are insufficient or contraindicated and can prevent recurrent bleeding in patients with GI bleeding histories.Hypofractionation schedules are also effective for tumor control and patient compliance.

Signal intensity changes of dentate nucleus on plain MR T1WI innasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy andmultiple injections of gadolinium-base contrast agent

Objective To observe changes of plain MR T1WI signal intensity of dentate nucleus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy and multiple times of intravenous injection of gadolinium-based contrast agent(GBCA).Methods Fifty patients with pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma and received intensity-modulated radiotherapy were retrospectively enrolled as the nasopharyngeal carcinoma group,and 50 patients with other malignant tumors and without history of brain radiotherapy were retrospectively enrolled as the control group.All patients received yearly GBCA enhanced MR examinations for the nasopharynx or the head.T1WI signal intensities of the dentate nucleus and the pons on same plane were measured based on images in the year of confirmed diagnosis(recorded as the first year)and in the second to the fifth years.T1WI signal intensity ratio of year i(ranging from 1 to 5)was calculated with values of dentate nucleus divided by values of the pons(ΔSI i),while the percentage of relative changes of year j(ranging from 2 to 5)was calculated withΔSI j compared toΔSI 1(Rchange j).The values of these two parameters were compared,and the correlation ofΔSI and GBCA injection year-time was evaluated within each group.Results No significant difference of gender,age norΔSI 1 was found between groups(all P>0.05).The second to the fifth yearΔSI and Rchange in nasopharyngeal carcinoma group were all higher than those in control group(all P<0.05).Within both groups,ΔSI was positively correlated with GBCA injection year-time(both P<0.05).Conclusion Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent radiotherapy and multiple times of intravenous injection of GBCA tended to be found with gradually worsening GBCA deposition in dentate nucleus,for which radiotherapy might be a risk factor.

Present situation and prospect of immunotherapy for unresectable locally advanced esophageal cancer during peri-radiotherapy

Four major studies(Checkmate577,Keynote-590,Checkmate649 and Attraction-4)of locally advanced esophageal cancer published in 2020 have established the importance of immunotherapy,represented by anti-programmed death protein(PD)-1 in postoperative adjuvant treatment and advanced first-line treatment of locally advanced or advanced esophageal cancer and esophagogastric junction cancer,from the aspects of proof of concept,long-term survival,overall survival rate and progression-free survival.For unresectable or inoperable nonmetastatic esophageal cancer,concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the standard treatment recommended by various guidelines.Because its curative effect is still not ideal,it is necessary to explore radical radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the future,and it is considered to be promising to combine them with immunotherapeutic drugs such as anti-PD-1.This paper mainly discusses how to combine radical concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy with immunotherapy for unresectable local advanced esophageal cancer.

Targeting the organelle for radiosensitization in cancer radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a well-established cytotoxic therapy for local solid cancers, utilizing high-energy ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells. However, this method has several limitations, including low radiation energy deposition, severe damage to surrounding normal cells, and high tumor resistance to radiation. Among various radiotherapy methods, boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has emerged as a principal approach to improve the therapeutic ratio of malignancies and reduce lethality to surrounding normal tissue, but it remains deficient in terms of insufficient boron accumulation as well as short retention time, which limits the curative effect. Recently, a series of radiosensitizers that can selectively accumulate in specific organelles of cancer cells have been developed to precisely target radiotherapy, thereby reducing side effects of normal tissue damage, overcoming radioresistance, and improving radiosensitivity. In this review, we mainly focus on the field of nanomedicine-based cancer radiotherapy and discuss the organelle-targeted radiosensitizers, specifically including nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes. Furthermore, the organelle-targeted boron carriers used in BNCT are particularly presented. Through demonstrating recent developments in organelle-targeted radiosensitization, we hope to provide insight into the design of organelle-targeted radiosensitizers for clinical cancer treatment.

Prognostic scoring system for locoregional control among the patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy

The prognostic value of T category for locoregional control in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)has decreased with the extensive use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT).We aimed to develop a prognostic scoring system(PSS)that incorporated tumor extension and clinical characteristics for locoregional control in NPC patients treated with IMRT.The magnetic resonance imaging scans and medical records of 717 patients with nonmetastatic NPC treated with IMRT at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2003 and January 2008 were reviewed.Age,pathologic classification,primary tumor extension,primary gross tumor volume(GTV-p),T and N categories,and baseline lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)level were analyzed.Hierarchical cluster analysis as well as univariate and multivariate analyses were used to develop the PSS.Independent prognostic factors for locoregional relapse included N2–3 stage,GTV-p≥26.8 mL,and involvement of one or more structures within cluster3.We calculated a risk score derived from the regression coefficient of each factor and classified patients into four groups:low risk(score 0),intermediate risk(score>0 and≤1),high risk(score>1 and≤2),and extremely high risk(score>2).The 5-year locoregional control rates for these groups were 97.4%,93.6%,85.2%,and 78.6%,respectively(P<0.001).We have developed a PSS that can help identify NPC patients who are at high risk for locoregional relapse and can guide individualized treatments for NPC patients.

Long-term Therapeutic Outcome and Prognostic Factors of Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Receiving Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy: An Analysis of 608 Patients from Low-endemic Regions of China

Objective To evaluate the long-term outcome and prognostic factors of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)from low-endemic regions of China who received definitive intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT).Methods The clinical data from 608 patients with newly-diagnosed non-metastatic NPC who have received initial treatment at our cancer center from January,2008 to December,2013 were retrospectively reviewed.All patients received definitive IMRT,and 87.7%received platinum-based chemotherapy.Results The median follow-up duration was 51 months(follow-up rate,98.5%;range,10–106 months)for the entire cohort.The 5-year overall survival rate was 79.7%.The 5-year local relapse-free survival rate,regional relapse-free survival rate,distant metastasis-free survival rate and progression-free survival rate were 92.4%,93.3%,79.2%and 74.3%,respectively.A total of 153 patients had experienced treatment failure,with distant metastasis as the primary cause in 77.1%(118/153).Patients with T4 or N3 diseases had a significantly poorer prognosis than other subcategories.Stage T4 and N3 were closely associated with distant metastasis,with the metastatic rate of 29.3%and 45.5%,respectively.Conclusion IMRT provides patients with non-metastatic NPC with satisfactory long-term survival.Both T stage and N stage are important prognostic factors for NPC patients.Patients with T4 or N3 diseases have significantly increased distant metastatic rates and poor survival time.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus intensity-modulated radiotherapy versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus adjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma:a retrospective controlled study

Background:In the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT),the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)is under-evaluated.The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of NAC plus IMRT and concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT)plus adjuvant chemotherapy(AC)on locoregionally advanced NPC.Methods:Between January 2004 and December 2008,240 cases of locoregionally advanced NPC confirmed by pathologic assessment in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were reviewed.Of the 240 patients,117 received NAC followed by IMRT,and 123 were treated with CCRT plus AC.The NAC+IMRT group received a regimen that included cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil(5-FU).The CCRT+AC group received cisplatin concurrently with radiotherapy,and subsequently received adjuvant cisplatin and 5-FU.The survival rates were assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis,and the survival curves were compared using a log-rank test.Multivariate analysis was conducted using the Cox proportional hazard regression model.Results:The 5-year overall survival(OS),locoregional relapse-free survival(LRRFS),distant metastasis-free survival(DMFS),and disease-free survival(DFS)were 78.0,87.9,79.0,and 69.8%,respectively,for the NAC+IMRT group and78.7,84.8,76.2,and 65.6%,respectively,for the CCRT+AC group.There were no significant differences in survival between the two groups.In multivariate analysis,age(<50 years vs.>50 years)and overall stage(Ⅲvs.Ⅳ)were found to be independent predictors for OS and DFS;furthermore,the overall stage was a significant prognostic factor for DMFS.Compared with the CCRT+AC protocol,the NAC+IMRT protocol significantly reduced the occurrence rates of grade 3-4 nausea-vomiting(6.5 vs.1.5%,P=0.023)and leukopenia(9.7 vs.0.8%,P=0.006).Conclusions:The treatment outcomes of the NAC+IMRT and CCRT+AC groups were similar.Distant metastasis remained the predominant mode of treatment failure.

The Effect of Treatment Position on Rectal and Bladder Dose-Volume Histograms for Prostate Radiotherapy Planned with 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy

Purpose: To compare target coverage and organ at risk (OAR) sparing in the supine and prone positions with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in low- and high-risk prostate radiotherapy cases. Materials and Methods: Using magnetic resonance images of five healthy volunteers, six treatment plans (supine 3DCRT, prone 3DCRT, supine IMRT, prone IMRT, supine VMAT and prone VMAT) were generated. Planning target volume 1 (PTV1) was defined as the prostate gland plus the seminal vesicles with adequate margins in a high-risk setting, while PTV2 was defined as prostate only with margins in a low-risk setting. The mean dose for both PTV1 and PTV2 was set at 78 Gy. Plans generated by each of the 3 techniques were compared between the supine and prone positions using dose-volume histograms (DVHs). Results: For PTV1, prone 3DCRT provided a significantly higher D98% than did supine 3DCRT, and its homogeneity index (HI) was significantly better. IMRT and VMAT values did not differ significantly between the prone and supine positions. For PTV2, no values differed significantly between the supine and prone positions under any treatment plan. With respect to OAR, the rectal D mean, D2%, V50, and V60 values of PTV1 were statistically higher in supine 3DCRT than in prone 3DCRT, while there were no significant differences in rectal values between the supine and prone positions with IMRT or VMAT. The rectal Dmean, V50, V60, V70, and V75 values of prone 3DCRT were significantly higher than those of supine IMRT or supine VMAT. There were no significant differences in any values for the rectum and bladder for PTV2. Conclusion: Although prone 3DCRT was found to be superior to supine 3DCRT in terms of rectal sparing in high-risk prostate cancer, IMRT and VMAT techniques could possibly cover this disadvantage.