Treatment of melanoma brain metastases with radiation and immunotherapy or targeted therapy: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with melanoma brain metastases are now frequently treated with immunotherapy (IMT) or targeted therapy (TT). The aim of this systematic review was to determine relative survival outcomes after combining radiotherapy (RT) with IMT or TT. METHODS: 126 studies were identified by searching Medline, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL (to 7Aug 2023). RESULTS: Multivariable analyses showed that the risk of death was reduced by 30 % for combined stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)+IMT compared to IMT alone, by 65 % for patients treated with SRS+anti-PD1 and by 59 % for patients treated with SRS+anti-CTLA4 and/or anti-PD1 (HR 0.41, 95 %CI 0.31-0.54) compared to SRS alone. Four studies compared SRS+anti-CTLA4 with SRS+anti-PD1, showing a 42 % reduction in risk of death with SRS+anti-PD1 treatment. Combined treatment with SRS+TT showed a 59 % reduction in risk compared to SRS alone. CONCLUSION: The systematic review suggests a substantial survival benefit for combining SRS with IMT or TT for patients with melanoma brain metastases.

Effectiveness and Patient Experiences of Rhenium Skin Cancer Therapy for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: Interim Results from the EPIC-Skin Study.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer and its treatment represent a significant global cancer burden for health care systems and patients. Rhenium skin cancer therapy (Rhenium SCT) is a novel noninvasive radionuclide nonmelanoma skin cancer treatment, which can be provided in a single outpatient session. The aim of this prospective, multicenter, single-arm, international, phase IV study (EPIC-Skin) is to assess clinic- and patient-reported outcomes of Rhenium SCT as a treatment for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Methods: Eligible patients had biopsy-proven stage I or stage II BCC or SCC lesions no more than 3 mm deep and no larger than 8 cm2 in area. Rhenium SCT resin was applied to an adhesive foil affixed to the target lesion in a single session. Interim efficacy and safety analysis were planned once 50% of target patients had recorded a 6-mo follow-up visit. Primary outcome is the proportion of lesions achieving complete response using modified RECIST. Secondary and other outcome measures include patient-reported quality of life (QoL), treatment comfort, and cosmesis. Results: A total of 182 patients was enrolled and administered Rhenium SCT (50 Gy dose to deepest point of target) to at least 1 BCC or SCC. Of 81 patients who reached the 6-mo posttreatment follow-up, it was found that 97.2% (103/106) of lesions showed complete responses and 2.8% (3/106) had partial responses. Improvements in QoL were also reported, whereas no patients reported any pain or discomfort during treatment. Adverse events were reported in 15.9% (29/182) of patients and were rated grade 1 (n = 19), grade 2 (n = 9), or grade 3 (n = 1). Conclusion: This preliminary analysis of the EPIC-Skin study indicates that Rhenium SCT is safe and effective for the treatment of BCC and SCC and is associated with significant QoL improvements. It will be particularly beneficial for lesions that are difficult to treat surgically because of size and location. It is also beneficial for patients with comorbidities or those unable to receive conventional fractionated radiotherapy.

SPARC - A multi-disciplinary team program for retroperitoneal sarcoma: the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Chris O'Brien Lifehouse Collaboration.

BACKGROUND: The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) and Chris O'Brien Lifehouse (COBLH) established a formal Sarcoma of the Pelvic and Abdominal Retroperitoneum Collaboration (SPARC) in November 2020. An established multidisciplinary team (MDT) with the aims to centralise patient referrals and treatment, establish database and research, coordinate surgical resections is critical in improving patient outcomes and quality of life. METHODS: A prospective database was established in October 2021. Clinical, pathological and radiological data points were recorded for all patients since the inception of SPARC. Quality of Life questionnaires were included and follow-up planned regularly for 5 years. RESULTS: From November 2020 to Feb 2024, 294 new referrals were discussed at the MDT meeting. Majority were from the metropolitan area (182) followed by regional NSW (87), interstate (20) and five internationals. 141 operations were performed during this period compared to 119 operations from 2010 to November 2020 in RPAH. The inception of the SPARC program has resulted in exponential growth in operations, improving from the previous rate of 15 cases annually to 35. Liposarcomas followed by leiomyosarcomas are the most common types of sarcomas resected. The majority were extended resections (81.6%) and 22% were pelvic exenterations. Overall R0 rate is 54.6%, R1 38.3% and R2 1.4% (131 (92.9%) had R0/R1 resections. Overall complication rate is 35.5% with one in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Success and expansion of a robust retroperitoneal sarcoma program requires a collaborative surgical approach, an MDT meeting, centralized referral process, and a research team in specialized tertiary institutions.

What is the association of preoperative biopsy with recurrence and survival in retroperitoneal sarcoma? A systematic review by the Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association clinical practice guidelines working party.

Preoperative biopsy for retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) enables appropriate multidisciplinary treatment planning. A systematic review of literature from 1990 to June 2022 was conducted using the population, intervention, comparison and outcome model to evaluate the local recurrence and overall survival of preoperative biopsy compared to those that had not. Of 3192 studies screened, five retrospective cohort studies were identified. Three reported on biopsy needle tract seeding, with only one study reporting biopsy site recurrence of 2 %. Two found no significant difference in local recurrence and one found higher 5-year local recurrence rates in those who had not been biopsied. Three studies reported overall survival, including one with propensity matching, did not show a difference in overall survival. In conclusion, preoperative core needle biopsy of RPS is not associated with increased local recurrence or adverse survival outcomes.

First Phase Development of a Patient-reported Outcome Measure for Midface Oncology.

Background: Facial cancer surgery involving the midface (comprising the lower eyelids, nose, cheeks, and upper lip) can have debilitating life-changing functional, social, and psychological impacts on the patient. Midface symptoms are inadequately captured by existing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). PROMs are increasingly used for individual patient care, quality improvement, and standardized reporting of treatment outcomes. This study aimed to present our findings from the first phase of the development of a midface, specifically periocular and nasal, PROM. Methods: After international guidance for PROM development, the first phase comprised identification of salient issues and item generation. Fifteen patients who had midface surgery and 10 clinicians from various specialties with more than 5 years' experience treating these patients were recruited. Semi-structured interviews explored aesthetic, functional, social, and psychological outcomes, with specific attention to deficiencies in current PROMs. Thematic analysis was used to develop an item pool, and group interviews with clinicians were carried out to create and refine PROM scales. Results: Qualitative data from patient interviews were grouped into aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial domains for the eyelids and nose. Ninety-nine draft items were generated across these domains. Following focus group discussions, the final version of the midface-specific PROM contained 31 items (13 eye-specific, 10-nose-specific, eight general midface items). Conclusions: This midface-specific PROM is valuable in assessing and comparing patient-reported outcomes in those who have undergone complex resection and reconstruction of the midface. This PROM is currently undergoing field testing.

High-dose chemotherapy for Ewing sarcoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma: A systematic review by the Australia and New Zealand sarcoma association clinical practice guidelines working party.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with high-risk or metastatic Ewing sarcoma (ES) and rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) have a guarded prognosis. High-dose chemotherapy (HDT) with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) has been evaluated as a treatment option to improve outcomes. However, survival benefits remain unclear, and treatment is associated with severe toxicities. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted, using the population, intervention, comparison outcome (PICO) model, to evaluate whether utilization of HDT/ASCT impacts the outcome of patients with ES and RMS compared to standard chemotherapy alone, as part of first line treatment or in the relapse setting. Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central were queried for publications from 1990 to October 2022 that evaluated event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicities. Each study was screened by two independent reviewers for suitability. A qualitative synthesis of the results was performed. RESULTS: Of 1,172 unique studies screened, 41 studies were eligible for inclusion with 29 studies considering ES, 10 studies considering RMS and 2 studies considering both. In ES patients with high-risk localised disease who received HDT/ASCT after VIDE chemotherapy, consolidation with melphalan-based HDT/ASCT as first line therapy conveyed an EFS and OS benefit over standard chemotherapy consolidation. Efficacy of HDT/ASCT using a VDC/IE backbone, which is now standard care, has not been established. Survival benefits are not confirmed for ES patients with metastatic disease at initial diagnosis. For relapsed/refractory ES, four retrospective studies report improvement in outcomes with HDT/ASCT with the greatest evidence in patients who demonstrate a treatment response before HDT, and in patients under the age of 14. In RMS, there is no proven survival benefit of HDT/ASCT in primary localised, metastatic or relapsed disease. CONCLUSION: Prospective randomised trials are required to determine the utility of HDT/ASCT in ES and RMS. Selected patients with relapsed ES could be considered for HDT/ASCT.

A systematic review of the role of chemotherapy in retroperitoneal sarcoma by the Australia and New Zealand sarcoma association clinical practice guidelines working party.

BACKGROUND: In primary localised resectable retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS), loco-regional and distant relapse occur frequently despite optimal surgical management. The role of chemotherapy in improving outcomes is unclear. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted, using the population, intervention, comparison outcome (PICO) model, to evaluate whether neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy improve outcomes in adults with primary localised resectable RPS. Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central were queried for publications from 1946 to June 2022 that evaluated recurrence free survival, overall survival, and post operative complications. Each study was screened by two independent reviewers for suitability. A qualitative synthesis of the results was performed. RESULTS: Twenty three studies were identified; one meta-analysis of retrospective studies and 22 retrospective studies including three with propensity matched cohorts. Most studies did not analyse outcomes by histology, detail treatment regimens, provide baseline characteristics or selection criteria for those receiving chemotherapy. Evidence of selection bias was illustrated in several studies. Newcastle-Ottawa quality of retrospective cohort studies was good for 12 studies and poor for 10 studies. All studies were assessed as Level III-2 evidence by the Australian NHMRC hierarchy. Overall, the addition of neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy to surgery was not associated with improvement in local recurrence, metastasis free survival, disease free survival or overall survival in primary localised resectable RPS. There is some evidence of an association of chemotherapy with worse overall survival. One single centre study showed that neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with increased post operative complications compared to surgery alone in primary localised resectable RPS. CONCLUSIONS: There is currently no evidence that demonstrates the addition of chemotherapy to surgery improves outcomes in adult patients with primary localised resectable RPS. Available evidence is limited by its retrospective nature and high likelihood of selection bias with chemotherapy generally administered to patients at higher risk of recurrence and many patients not receiving care in high volume sarcoma centres. Randomised trials are required to conclusively determine the role of chemotherapy in primary localised resectable RPS.

Zoledronic Acid Add-on Therapy for Standard-Risk Ewing Sarcoma Patients in the Ewing 2008R1 Trial.

PURPOSE: The phase III, open-label, prospective, multicenter, randomized Ewing 2008R1 trial (EudraCT2008-003658-13) was conducted in 12 countries to evaluate the effect of zoledronic acid (ZOL) maintenance therapy compared with no add-on regarding event-free survival (EFS, primary endpoint) and overall survival (OS) in standard-risk Ewing sarcoma (EWS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had localized EWS with either good histologic response to induction chemotherapy and/or small tumors (<200 mL). Patients received six cycles of VIDE induction and eight cycles of VAI (male) or eight cycles of VAC (female) consolidation. ZOL treatment started parallel to the sixth consolidation cycle. Randomization was stratified by tumor site (pelvis/other). The two-sided adaptive inverse-normal four-stage design (planned sample size 448 patients, significance level 5%, power 80%) was changed after the first interim analysis using the Müller-Schäfer method. RESULTS: Between April 2010 and November 2018, 284 patients were randomized (142 ZOL/142 no add-on). With a median follow-up of 3.9 years, EFS was not significantly different between ZOL and no add-on group in the adaptive design (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.43-1.28, P = 0.27, intention-to-treat). Three-year EFS rates were 84.0% (95% CI, 77.7%-90.8%) for ZOL vs. 81.7% (95% CI, 75.2%-88.8%) for no add-on. Results were similar in the per-protocol collective. OS was not different between groups. The 3-year OS was 92.8% (95% CI, 88.4%-97.5%) for ZOL and 94.6% (95% CI, 90.9%-98.6%) for no add-on. Noticeable more renal, neurologic, and gastrointestinal toxicities were observed for ZOL (P < 0.05). Severe renal toxicities occurred more often in the ZOL arm (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with standard-risk localized EWS, there is no additional benefit from maintenance treatment with ZOL.

The role of radiation therapy in the management of primary retroperitoneal sarcoma: A systematic review and clinical practice guidelines from the Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association.

While surgery is the mainstay of treatment for localised retroperitoneal sarcoma, the use of radiotherapy (RT) remains controversial. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the role of RT for retroperitoneal sarcoma. A systematic review using the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome model from 1990 to 2022 identified 66 studies (a mixture of preoperative and postoperative RT); one randomised controlled trial (RCT) with two publications, 18 registry studies, and 46 retrospective studies. In the RCT of preoperative RT, there was no difference in local/abdominal recurrence. The pooled analysis of this RCT and a retrospective study showed a significant abdominal recurrence free survival benefit with preoperative RT in low grade liposarcoma. The RCT and the majority of retrospective series found RT did not improve recurrence free survival (11 of 16 no difference in combined local and distant RFS, 11 of 13 no difference in distant metastasis free survival), disease specific survival (9 of 12 studies) or overall survival (33 of 49 studies). The majority of studies found no association between RT and perioperative morbidity. In summary, preoperative RT may improve local control for low grade (well-differentiated or grades 1-2 dedifferentiated) liposarcoma, but not other histological subtypes. There is no strong evidence that perioperative RT provides an overall survival benefit. Patients with low grade retroperitoneal liposarcoma can be considered for preoperative RT to improve abdominal recurrence free survival. The rationale and level of evidence in this scenario should be carefully discussed by the multidisciplinary team with patients. RT should not be routinely recommended for other histological subtypes.

Definitive treatment with PD-1 blockade and radiation therapy of unresected primary desmoplastic melanoma of the nose.

Two patients with primary desmoplastic melanoma of the nose were treated with definitive anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor (anti-PD1) and radiation therapy. Both patients were technically resectable with partial rhinectomy but both declined for cosmetic reasons. The melanoma multidisciplinary team recommended that the patients receive PD1 blockade. The initial response to PD-1 blockade was temporary in the first case and partial in the second one. With the addition of high-dose radiotherapy, complete responses were obtained in both patients, with recurrence-free and good functional and cosmetic outcomes at a six-year and 22-month follow-up. Despite surgery being the gold standard, both cases illustrated that PD-1 blockade and radiation therapy can be a safe alternative option for desmoplastic melanoma where surgery is morbidly disfiguring.

Longitudinal trajectory of quality of life for patients with melanoma brain metastases: A secondary analysis from a whole brain radiotherapy randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Brain metastases are common in patients with advanced melanoma. This study describes 12-month quality of life (QoL) trajectories following local management of 1-3 melanoma brain metastases. Methods: This study assessed QoL data collected during a multi-center, prospective, open-label, phase III randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of adjuvant whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with observation after local treatment of 1-3 melanoma brain metastases. Patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core (QLQ-C30) and Brain Tumour (BN-20) questionnaires at baseline and every 2 months, for 12 months.Using growth mixture modelling, QoL trajectories were identified for global health status, QLQ-C30 and BN-20 subscales for patients with baseline and at least one follow-up assessment. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between trajectories, demographic, and clinical factors. Results: After combining QoL data from observation and WBRT arms, QLQ-C30 and BN-20 trajectories were calculated for 139 and 137 patients respectively. Depending on the QoL domain, 9-54 % of patients reported a deterioration in QoL. Older age (≥65 years) was significantly associated with deterioration in global health status (OR = 2.88, 95 %CI = 1.27-6.54), physical (OR = 3.49, 95 %CI = 1.29-9.41), role (OR = 4.15, 95 %CI = 1.77-9.71), social (OR = 4.42, 95 % CI = 1.57-12.46), cognitive (OR = 6.70, 95 % CI = 1.93-23.29) and motor functioning (OR = 4.95, 95 %CI = 1.95-12.61) and increased future uncertainty (OR = 0.20, 95 %CI = 0.07-0.53). Female sex (OR = 0.10, 95 %CI = 0.02-0.41), not having neurosurgery at baseline (OR = 0.09, 95 %CI = 0.02-0.52), 2-3 brain metastases (OR = 5.75, 95 %CI = 1.76-18.85) or receiving adjuvant WBRT (OR = 6.77, 95 %CI = 2.00-22.99) were associated with poorer physical, emotional, cognitive and social outcomes respectively. Conclusions: Poorer QoL outcomes in the first 12 months after diagnosis of melanoma brain metastases were observed in patients aged ≥ 65 years, females, having 2-3 brain metastases, non-surgical treatment of metastases or adjuvant WBRT.Clinical Trial Registration Number:Whole Brain Radiotherapy Trial (WBRTMel) was registered with the Australian Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12607000512426) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01503827).Study Support:This project was funded by Cancer Australia PdCCRS (Grants No. 512358, 1009485, and 1084046) and the National Helath and Medical Research Coucil of Australia (NHMRC; Grant No. 1135285).ADT was supported by a Cancer Australia Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme. Project #1046923. RLM was supported by an NHMRC Fellowship #1194703 and a University of Sydney, Robinson Fellowship. JFT was supported by an NHMRC Program Grant #1093017.

Uptake of Hydrogen Peroxide from the Gas Phase to Grain Boundaries: A Source in Snow and Ice.

Hydrogen peroxide is a primary atmospheric oxidant significant in terminating gas-phase chemistry and sulfate formation in the condensed phase. Laboratory experiments have shown an unexpected oxidation acceleration by hydrogen peroxide in grain boundaries. While grain boundaries are frequent in natural snow and ice and are known to host impurities, it remains unclear how and to which extent hydrogen peroxide enters this reservoir. We present the first experimental evidence for the diffusive uptake of hydrogen peroxide into grain boundaries directly from the gas phase. We have machined a novel flow reactor system featuring a drilled ice flow tube that allows us to discern the effect of the ice grain boundary content on the uptake. Further, adsorption to the ice surface for temperatures from 235 to 258 K was quantified. Disentangling the contribution of these two uptake processes shows that the transfer of hydrogen peroxide from the atmosphere to snow at temperatures relevant to polar environments is considerably more pronounced than previously thought. Further, diffusive uptake to grain boundaries appears to be a novel mechanism for non-acidic trace gases to fill the highly reactive impurity reservoirs in snow's grain boundaries.

Surgery at specialised sarcoma centres improves patient outcomes - A systematic review by the Australia and New Zealand sarcoma association clinical practice guidelines working party.

BACKGROUND: Optimal management of sarcoma requires multidisciplinary team input throughout the process of diagnosis, treatment and follow up. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the impact of surgery performed at specialised sarcoma centres on outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using the population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) model. Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central databases were queried for publications that evaluated the local control, limb salvage rate, 30-day and 90-day surgical mortality, and overall survival in patients undergoing surgery in a specialist sarcoma centre compared with non-specialist centre. Each study was screened by two independent reviewers for suitability. A qualitative synthesis of the results was performed. RESULTS: Sixty-six studies were identified. The majority of studies were Level III-3 as assessed by the NHMRC Evidence Hierarchy, whilst just over half of the studies were of good quality. Definitive surgery performed at specialised sarcoma centres was associated with improved local control as defined by lower rate of local relapse, higher rate of negative surgical margins, improved local recurrence free survival and higher limb conservation rate. Available evidences show a favourable pattern of lower 30-day and 90-day mortality rates, and greater overall survival when surgery was performed in specialist sarcoma centres compared with non-specialised centres. CONCLUSIONS: Evidences support better oncological outcomes when surgery is performed at specialised sarcoma centre. Patients with suspected sarcoma should be referred early to a specialised sarcoma centre for multidisciplinary management, which includes planned biopsy and definitive surgery.

MR-Linac guided adaptive stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for recurrent cardiac sarcoma with mitral valve bioprosthesis - a case report.

We present the first case in the literature of a 78-year-old woman with recurrent cardiac sarcoma adjacent to a bioprosthetic mitral valve treated with magnetic resonance linear accelerator (MR-Linac) guided adaptive stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR). The patient was treated using a 1.5 T Unity MR-Linac system (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden). The mean gross tumour volume (GTV) size was 17.9 cm3 (range 16.6-18.9 cm3 ) based on daily contours and the mean dose received by the GTV was 41.4 Gy (range 40.9-41.6 Gy) in five fractions. All fractions were completed as planned and the patient tolerated the treatment well with no acute toxicity reported. Follow-up appointments at 2 and 5 months after the last treatment showed stable disease and good symptomatic relief. Results of transthoracic echocardiogram after radiotherapy showed that the mitral valve prosthesis was normally seated with regular functionality. This study provides evidence that MR-Linac guided adaptive SABR is a safe and viable option for the treatment of recurrent cardiac sarcoma with mitral valve bioprosthesis.

Efficacy and toxicity of adjuvant radiotherapy in recurrent melanoma after adjuvant immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: In patients with stage III melanoma, despite surgical resection and adjuvant systemic therapy, locoregional recurrences still occur. The randomized, phase III Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) 02.01 trial demonstrated that adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) after complete lymphadenectomy (CLND) halves the incidence of melanoma recurrence within local nodal basins without improving overall survival or quality of life. However, the study was conducted prior to the current era of adjuvant systemic therapies and when CLND was the standard approach for microscopic nodal disease. As such, there is currently no data on the role of adjuvant RT in patients with melanoma who recur during or after adjuvant immunotherapy, including those that may or may not have undergone prior CLND. In this study, we aimed to answer this question. METHODS: Patients with resected stage III melanoma who received adjuvant anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) (±ipilimumab) immunotherapy with a subsequent locoregional (lymph node and/or in-transit metastases) recurrence were retrospectively identified. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses were conducted. Primary outcome was rate of subsequent locoregional recurrence; secondary outcomes were locoregional recurrence-free survival (lr-RFS2) and overall RFS (RFS2) to second recurrence. RESULTS: In total, 71 patients were identified: 42 (59%) men, 30 (42%) BRAF V600E mutant, 43 (61%) stage IIIC at diagnosis. Median time to first recurrence was 7 months (1-44), 24 (34%) received adjuvant RT and 47 (66%) did not. Thirty-three patients (46%) developed a second recurrence at a median of 5 months (1-22). The rate of locoregional relapse at second recurrence was lower in those who received adjuvant RT (8%, 2/24) compared with those who did not (36%, 17/47, p=0.01). Adjuvant RT at first recurrence was associated with an improved lr-RFS2 (HR 0.16, p=0.015), with a trend towards an improved RFS2 (HR 0.54, p=0.072) and no effect on risk of distant recurrence or overall survival. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to investigate the role of adjuvant RT in patients with melanoma with locoregional disease recurrence during or after adjuvant anti-PD-1-based immunotherapy. Adjuvant RT was associated with improved lr-RFS2, but not risk of distant recurrence, demonstrating a likely benefit in locoregional disease control in the modern era. Further prospective studies are required to validate these results.

Adjuvant radiotherapy after salvage surgery for melanoma recurrence in a node field following a previous lymph node dissection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) can be given to melanoma patients following salvage surgery for node field recurrence after a previous regional node dissection, but the value of this treatment strategy is poorly documented. This study evaluated long-term node field control and survival of patients treated in this way in an era before effective adjuvant systemic therapy became available. METHODS: Data for 76 patients treated between 1990 and 2011 were extracted from an institutional database. Baseline patient characteristics, treatment details and oncological outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: Adjuvant RT with conventional fractionation (median dose 48 Gy in 20 fractions) was given to 43 patients (57%) and hypofractionated RT (median dose 33 Gy in 6 fractions) to 33 patients (43%). The 5-year node field control rate was 70%, 5-year recurrence-free survival 17%, 5-year melanoma-specific survival 26% and 5-year overall survival 25%. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage surgery with adjuvant RT achieved node field control in 70% of melanoma patients with node field recurrence following a prior node dissection. However, disease progression at distant sites was common and survival outcomes were poor. Prospective data will be required to assess outcomes for contemporary combinations of surgery, adjuvant RT and systemic therapy.

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma: An Australian multi-centre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS) is an ultra-rare sarcoma that follows a more aggressive course than conventional chondrosarcoma. This study evaluates prognostic factors, treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation), and outcomes in an Australian setting. METHODS: We collected demographics, clinicopathological variables, treatment characteristics, and survival status from patients with MCS registered on the national ACCORD sarcoma database. Outcomes include overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: We identified 22 patients with MCS between 2001-2022. Median age was 28 (range 10-59) years, 19 (86%) had localised disease at diagnosis of whom 16 had surgery (84%), 11 received radiation (58%), and 10 chemotherapy (53%). Ten (52%) developed recurrence and/or metastases on follow-up and three patients with initial metastatic disease received surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. At a median follow-up of 50.9  (range 0.4-210) months nine patients had died. The median OS was 104.1 months (95% CI 25.8-182.3). There was improved OS for patients with localised disease who had surgical resection of the primary (p = 0.003) and those with ECOG 0-1 compared to 2-3 (p = 0.023) on univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates contemporary Australian treatment patterns of MCS. The role of chemotherapy for localised disease remains uncertain. Understanding treatment patterns and outcomes help support treatment decisions and design of trials for novel therapeutic strategies.

The benefit for radiotherapy at specialised sarcoma centres: A systematic review and clinical practice guidelines from the Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association.

Patients with sarcoma are best managed at specialised sarcoma centres as supported by published literature. Optimal management requires multidisciplinary team input to formulate the diagnosis and treatment sequencing taking into consideration multiple clinical and pathologic factors. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the impact on outcomes of radiotherapy at specialised sarcoma centres. A systematic review was conducted using the population, intervention, comparison and outcome model. A literature search was performed using Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central databases for publications from 1990 to February 2022 that evaluated the local control, survival and toxicity of radiotherapy at specialised sarcoma centres. A total of 21 studies were included (17 cancer registry studies, four retrospective comparative studies). Four studies reported the local recurrence endpoint when radiotherapy was part of limb conservation treatment and showed better conformity to clinical practice guidelines and an improved local recurrence free rate when radiotherapy treatment is supported through, but may not be necessarily delivered at a specialised sarcoma centres. Only one retrospective study analysed toxicity specifically and demonstrated that patients who received preoperative radiotherapy at community centres compared to radiotherapy at a specialised sarcoma centre were more likely to develop a major wound complication. Fourteen studies reported overall survival, and 12 of these showed significantly better 5-year overall survival for patients managed at specialised sarcoma centres, however the specific impact of radiotherapy delivered at sarcoma centres could not be determined. In conclusion, patients with sarcoma should be managed through specialised sarcoma centres for better oncological outcomes. Radiotherapy in specialised sarcoma centre is associated with a lower rate of wound complications and may contribute to improved oncological outcomes as part of the limb conservation treatment at a specialised sarcoma centre.

Michigan Marijuana Legalization: Correlations Among Cannabis Use, Mental Health, and Other Factors.

INTRODUCTION: There are health implications with the statewide legalization of recreational marijuana that are still not fully understood and require further examination. This study evaluates the prevalence of marijuana use in patients being treated for a variety of conditions and whether correlations exist between marijuana use, mental health conditions, and concomitant use of psychotropic medications. METHODS:  Data were collected from an electronic medical record (EMR) as part of a retrospective chart audit. A total of 500 charts were reviewed during a six-month timeframe from December 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019 with the start date approximating the timing of when marijuana became recreationally legalized in the State of Michigan. RESULTS:  This study demonstrated a point prevalence of 15.8% since 79 of the 500 charts reviewed had marijuana use documented. Additionally, marijuana users were more likely to have a history of cocaine use, schizophrenia, antipsychotic use, and tobacco use. CONCLUSION:  Trends identified in this study provide a comparison point for the local prevalence of marijuana use immediately post state-wide legalization, with a projected increasing trend due to the removal of legal barriers.

Radiation therapy for melanoma brain metastases: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Radiation therapy (RT) for melanoma brain metastases, delivered either as whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) or as stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), is an established component of treatment for this condition. However, evidence allowing comparison of the outcomes, advantages and disadvantages of the two RT modalities is scant, with very few randomised controlled trials having been conducted. This has led to considerable uncertainty and inconsistent guideline recommendations. The present systematic review identified 112 studies reporting outcomes for patients with melanoma brain metastases treated with RT. Three were randomised controlled trials but only one was of sufficient size to be considered informative. Most of the evidence was from non-randomised studies, either specific treatment series or disease cohorts. Criteria for determining treatment choice were reported in only 32 studies and the quality of these studies was variable. From the time of diagnosis of brain metastasis, the median survival after WBRT alone was 3.5 months (IQR 2.4-4.0 months) and for SRS alone it was 7.5 months (IQR 6.7-9.0 months). Overall patient survival increased over time (pre-1989 to 2015) but this was not apparent within specific treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: These survival estimates provide a baseline for determining the incremental benefits of recently introduced systemic treatments using targeted therapy or immunotherapy for melanoma brain metastases.