Intraoperative radiotherapy: An alternative to whole-breast external beam radiotherapy in the management of highly selective breast cancer: A SEER database analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to verify if intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) can achieve the same survival outcome as whole-breast external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in early breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery (BCS), and to explore the suitable candidates that can safely receive IORT after BCS. METHODS: Eligible post-BCS patients who received IORT or EBRT were included in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database from 2010 to 2018. Risk factors that affected 5-year overall survival (OS) or breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) were identified by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Clinical characteristics, OS, and BCSS were comparatively analyzed between the two treatment modalities. RESULTS: The survival analysis after propensity score matching confirmed that patients who received IORT (n = 2200) had a better 5-year OS than those who received EBRT (n = 2200) (p = 0.015). However, the two groups did not differ significantly in 5-year BCSS (p = 0.381). This feature persisted even after multivariate analyses that took into account numerous clinical characteristics. Although there was no significant difference in BCSS between different subgroups of patients treated with IORT or EBRT, patients over 55 years of age, with T1, N0, non-triple negative breast cancers, hormone receptor-positive, and histologic grade II showed a better OS after receiving IORT. CONCLUSION: In low-risk, early-stage breast cancer, IORT was not inferior to EBRT considering 5-year BCSS and OS. Considering the equivalent clinical outcome but less radiotoxicity, IORT might be a reasonable alternative to EBRT in highly selective patients undergoing BCS.

Investigating and Analyzing Prognostic Factors and Their Impact on Recurrent Cervical Cancers.

The incidence of cervical cancer in India is significantly high, and the average recurrence age is much less. The standard line of treatment consists of concurrent chemoradiotherapy. If a recurrence occurs, the treatment options or set of interventions are limited and suboptimal. Through this review, we have analyzed and classified the possible prognostic factors for cervical cancer into three broad categories, viz., (a) disease-related factors, (b) patient-related factors, and (c) treatment-related factors. Disease-related factors include tumor histology, tumor size, stage, parametrial involvement (PMI), Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and nodal status. Patient-related factors include overall treatment time (OTT), nutritional status, hemoglobin level, comorbidities, and age. Treatment-related factors include addition of chemotherapy, techniques of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), techniques of brachytherapy, and quality assurance for radiation therapy delivery. Out of these, extremely significant prognostic factors were tumor size and stage, nodal status, PMI, nutritional status, and addition of chemotherapy. Impactful factors include younger age, histology, LVSI, associated comorbidities, hemoglobin level, OTT, and patient-specific quality assurance. The factor that is not related or significant is the technique used for EBRT and brachytherapy delivery.

Brachytherapy and external beam radiation in the management of primary penile cancer - Game changer for organ preservation?

OBJECTIVE: In squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (PeCa), treatment options for primary tumors vary by disease stage and may include surgery, radiation, topical chemotherapy, or laser excision. This review aims to highlight the current evidence on the value of radiotherapy as an organ-preserving strategy in primary PeCa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Manuscripts on primary PeCa treatment with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy were evaluated via Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Web of ScienceTM (2013-2023) to assess their efficacy and safety. Animal studies, studies with <5 patients, and case reports were excluded. RESULTS: Radiotherapy offers the potential for organ preservation with tumor control rates comparable to radical surgery, while disease-specific survival rates up to 70 % were experienced with EBRT. Brachytherapy (BT) is the preferred method of irradiation for glans-limited tumors, whereas a higher relapse risk is expected for tumors >4 cm. BT shows 73 % amputation-free survival at 8-10 years and 81 % progression-free survival at 5-10 years. Compared with BT, total amputation significantly improves 5-year disease-free survival rate. BT offers a superior 5-year local control and penile preservation rates compared to EBRT. Common acute toxicities of brachytherapy include radiodermatitis, sterile urethritis, and urethral adhesions. The primary late adverse events of BT are soft tissue necrosis (0-31 %) and meatal stenosis (0-43 %). CONCLUSION: BT is a favorable radiation modality, offering an efficient and conservative approach. HDR BT is favored for its enhanced dose distribution and radiation protection. Collaboration between radiation oncologists and urologists is essential in order to provide an optimal patient selection and manage toxicities thus optimizing patient outcomes.

Does Timing of Radiation Therapy Impact Wound Healing in Patients Undergoing Metastatic Spine Surgery?

INTRODUCTION: The impact of radiation on wound healing after metastatic spine surgery remains an active area of research. In patients undergoing metastatic spine surgery, we sought to (1) assess the relationship between preoperative and/or postoperative radiation on wound complications, and (2) evaluate the relationship between the timing of postoperative radiation and wound complications. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective, cohort study of patients undergoing metastatic spine surgery was conducted from 2010 to 2021. The primary exposure variable was the use/timing of radiation. Radiation included both external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Patients were trichotomized into the following groups: (1) preoperative radiation only, (2) postoperative radiation only, and (3) no radiation. The primary outcome variable was wound complications, which was defined as dehiscence requiring reoperation, infection requiring antibiotics, or infection requiring surgical debridement. Multivariable logistic/linear regression controlled for age, tumor size, primary organ of origin, and the presence of other organ metastases. RESULTS: A total of 207 patients underwent surgery for extradural spinal metastasis. Participants were divided into three groups: preoperative RT only (N = 29), postoperative RT only (N = 91), and no RT (N = 178). Patients who received postoperative RT only and no RT were significantly older than patients who received preoperative RT only (p = 0.009) and were less likely to be white (p < 0.001). No other significant differences were found in basic demographics, tumor characteristics, or intraoperative variables. Wound-related complications occurred in two (6.9%) patients with preoperative RT only, four patients (4.4%) in postoperative RT only, and 11 (6.2%) patients with no RT, with no significant difference among the three groups (p = 0.802). No significant difference was found in wound-related complications, reoperation, and time to wound complications between patients with preoperative RT only and no RT, and between postoperative RT only and no RT (p > 0.05). Among the postoperative-RT-only group, no difference in wound complications was seen between those receiving SBRT (5.6%) and EBRT (4.1%) (p > 0.999). However, patients who received preoperative RT only had a longer time to wound complications in comparison to those who received postoperative RT only (43.5 ± 6.3 vs. 19.7 ± 3.8, p = 0.004). Regarding timing of postoperative RT, the mean (SD) time to RT was 28.7 ± 10.0 days, with a median of 28.7 (21-38) days. No significant difference was found in time to postoperative RT between patients with and without wound complications (32.9 ± 12.3 vs. 29.0 ± 9.7 days, p = 0.391). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing metastatic spine surgery, a history of previous RT or postoperative RT did not significantly affect wound complications. However, those with previous RT prior to surgery had a longer time to wound complications than patients undergoing postoperative RT only. Moreover, timing of RT had no impact on wound complications, indicating that earlier radiation may be safely employed to optimize tumor control without fear of compromising wound healing.

Long-Term Survival of a Patient With Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Treated With Hypofractionated Radiotherapy: A Case Report.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, a rare type of primary thyroid cancer, is one of the most aggressive neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Many cases are in the advanced stage at the time of the initial visit, and curative treatment is impossible. Because of the highly radioresistant nature of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, this condition cannot be properly controlled with conventional radiotherapy. Herein, we report the case of a patient with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma who underwent hypofractionated radiotherapy, attained a complete response, and is still alive more than 10 years after treatment with no evidence of disease. To overcome the high radioresistance of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, we administered 50 Gy in 10 fractions three times a week. Furthermore, we administered paclitaxel and carboplatin sequentially before and after radiotherapy. Consequently, the patient completed treatment and reached a complete response. He is still alive more than 10 years after treatment with no evidence of disease or severe adverse events. Hypofractionated radiation therapy may provide good control of locally advanced anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

Methodological guide for assessing the carbon footprint of external beam radiotherapy: A single-center study with quantified mitigation strategies.

Background and purposes: Data on the carbon footprint of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) are scarce. Reliable and exhaustive data, including a detailed carbon inventory, are needed to determine effective mitigation strategies. Materials and methods: This study proposes a methodology for calculating the carbon footprint of EBRT and applies it to a single center. Mitigation strategies are derived from the carbon inventory, and their potential reductions are quantified whenever possible. Results: The average emission per treatment and fraction delivered was 489 kg CO2eq and 27 kg CO2eq, respectively. Patient transportation (43 %) and the construction and maintenance of linear accelerators (LINACs) and scanners (17 %) represented the most significant components. Electricity, the only energy source used, accounted for only 2 % of emissions.Derived mitigation strategies include a data deletion policy (reducing emissions in 30 years by 12.5 %), geographical appropriateness (-12.2 %), transportation mode appropriateness (-9.3 %), hypofractionation (-5.9 %), decrease in manufacturers' carbon footprint (-5.2 %), and an increase in machine durability (-3.5 %). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of a radiotherapy unit can be achieved without compromising the quality of care.This study provides a methodology and a starting point for comparison and proposes and quantifies mitigation strategies, paving the way for others to follow.

Process failure mode and effects analysis for external beam radiotherapy: Introducing a literature-based template and a novel action priority.

PURPOSE: The first aim of the study was to create a general template for analyzing potential failures in external beam radiotherapy, EBRT, using the process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA). The second aim was to modify the action priority (AP), a novel prioritization method originally introduced by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), to work with different severity, occurrence, and detection rating systems used in radiation oncology. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The AIAG PFMEA approach was employed in combination with an extensive literature survey to develop the EBRT-PFMEA template. Subsets of high-risk failure modes found through the literature survey were added to the template where applicable. Our modified AP for radiation oncology (RO AP) was defined using a weighted sum of severity, occurrence, and detectability. Then, Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to compare the original AIAG AP, the RO AP, and the risk priority number (RPN). The results of the simulations were used to determine the number of additional corrective actions per failure mode and to parametrize the RO AP to our department's rating system. RESULTS: An EBRT-PFMEA template comprising 75 high-risk failure modes could be compiled. The AIAG AP required 1.7 additional corrective actions per failure mode, while the RO AP ranged from 1.3 to 3.5, and the RPN required 3.6. The RO AP could be parametrized so that it suited our rating system and evaluated severity, occurrence, and detection ratings equally to the AIAG AP. CONCLUSIONS: An adjustable EBRT-PFMEA template is provided which can be used as a practical starting point for creating institution-specific templates. Moreover, the RO AP introduces transparent action levels that can be adapted to any rating system.

Clinical characteristics and radiation therapy modality of younger patients with early-stage endometrial cancer, a multicenter study in China's real world.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial cancer is a prevalent gynecologic malignancy found in postmenopausal women. However, in the last two decades, the incidence of early-stage has doubled in women under 40 years old. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics and adjuvant therapeutic modalities of both young and not -young patients with early-stage endometrial cancer in China's real world. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed patients with early-stage endometrial cancer at 13 medical institutions in China from 1999 to 2015. The patients were divided into two groups: young (≤ 45 years old) and non-young (> 45 years old). Statistical comparisons were conducted between the two groups for clinical characteristics, pathological features, and survival. The study also identified factors that affect local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) using Cox proportional risk regression analysis. Propensity score matching (1:1) was used to compare the effects of local control between vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) alone and pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) ± VBT. RESULTS: The study involved 1,280 patients, 150 of whom were 45 years old or younger. The young group exhibited a significantly higher proportion of stage II, low-risk, lower uterine segment infiltration (LUSI), and cervical invasion compared to the non-young group. Additionally, the young patients had significantly larger maximum tumor diameters. The young group also had a significantly higher five-year overall survival (OS) and a five-year LRFS. Age is an independent risk factor for LRFS. There was no significant difference in LRFS between young patients with intermediate- to high-risk early-stage endometrial cancer who received EBRT ± VBT and those who received VBT alone. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, young patients had better characteristics than the non-young group, while they exhibited higher levels of aggressiveness in certain aspects. The LRFS and OS outcomes were better in young patients. Age is an independent risk factor for LRFS. Additionally, VBT alone may be a suitable option for patients under 45 years of age with intermediate- to high-risk early-stage endometrial cancer, as it reduces the risk of toxic reactions and future second cancers while maintaining similar local control as EBRT.

Prediction model of radiotherapy outcome for Ocular Adnexal Lymphoma using informative features selected by chemometric algorithms.

BACKGROUND: Ocular Adnexal Lymphoma (OAL) is a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that most often appears in the tissues near the eye, and radiotherapy is the currently preferred treatment. There has been a controversy regarding the prognostic factors for systemic failure of OAL radiotherapy, the thorough evaluation prior to receiving radiotherapy is highly recommended to better the patient's prognosis and minimize the likelihood of any adverse effects. PURPOSE: To investigate the risk factors that contribute to incomplete remission in OAL radiotherapy and to establish a hybrid model for predicting the radiotherapy outcomes in OAL patients. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for 87 consecutive patients with OAL who received radiotherapy between Feb 2011 and August 2022 in our center. Seven image features, derived from MRI sequences, were integrated with 122 clinical features to form comprehensive patient feature sets. Chemometric algorithms were then employed to distill highly informative features from these sets. Based on these refined features, SVM and XGBoost classifiers were performed to classify the effect of radiotherapy. RESULTS: The clinical records of from 87 OAL patients (median age: 60 months, IQR: 52-68 months; 62.1% male) treated with radiotherapy were reviewed. Analysis of Lasso (AUC = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.72-0.77) and Random Forest (AUC = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.62-0.70) algorithms revealed four potential features, resulting in an intersection AUC of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.75-0.82). Logistic Regression (AUC = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.72-0.77) identified two features. Furthermore, the integration of chemometric methods such as CARS (AUC = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.62-0.72), UVE (AUC = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.66-0.75), and GA (AUC = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.60-0.69) highlighted six features in total, with an intersection AUC of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.78-0.83). These features included enophthalmos, diplopia, tenderness, elevated ALT count, HBsAg positivity, and CD43 positivity in immunohistochemical tests. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest the effectiveness of chemometric algorithms in pinpointing OAL risk factors, and the prediction model we proposed shows promise in helping clinicians identify OAL patients likely to achieve complete remission via radiotherapy. Notably, patients with a history of exophthalmos, diplopia, tenderness, elevated ALT levels, HBsAg positivity, and CD43 positivity are less likely to attain complete remission after radiotherapy. These insights offer more targeted management strategies for OAL patients. The developed model is accessible online at: https://lzz.testop.top/.

Outcomes and complications of intraoperative radiotherapy versus external beam radiotherapy for early breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) is an alternative for external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for early stage breast cancer (BC). Herein, we compared outcomes, postoperative and post-radiation complications of IORT and EBRT. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study to compare complications of IORT and EBRT in patients. A checklist of the complications of IORT and EBRT, was used to assess and post-radiation complications and outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 264 women (121 in IORT and 143 in EBRT group) with a mean (SD) age of 55 ± 8.6 years analyzed in this study. The IORT group (quadrantectomy + SLNB + IORT) had more severe post-operative pain compared to the EBRT group (quadrantectomy + SLNB) (OR = 1.929, 95% CI: 1.116-3.332). Other postoperative complications, including edema, erythema, seroma, hematoma, and wound complications were not significantly different between the IORT and EBRT groups. EBRT was associated with higher rates post-radiation complications, including erythema (95.8% vs. 21.5%), skin dryness (30.8% vs. 12.4%), pruritus (26.6% vs. 17.4%), hyperpigmentation (48.3% vs. 9.9%), and telangiectasia (1.4% vs. 0.8%). Multivariate analysis showed that erythema, skin dryness and pruritus, and hyperpigmentation were more severe in the EBRT group, while breast induration was higher in the IORT group (OR = 4.109, 95% CI: 2.242-7.531). Excellent, good, and fair cosmetic outcome was seen in 11.2%, 72%, and 16.8% of the patients in the EBRT group and 29.8%, 63.6%, and 6.6% in the IORT group, respectively, suggesting that the cosmetic outcome was significantly better in the IORT group (P < .001). There wasn't statistically significant difference in recurrence-free survival and overall survival rates between two groups of patients who received either IORT or EBRT (P = .953, P = .56). CONCLUSION: IORT is considered to have lower post-radiation complications and better cosmetic outcomes in breast cancer patients. Therefore, IORT might be used as the treatment of choice in eligible patients.

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) of early breast cancer with low-energy x-rays in breast-conserving surgery : Prospective identification of pre- and intraoperative factors influencing the feasibility of IORT.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to identify pre- and intraoperative factors indicating the feasibility of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) during breast-conserving surgery (BCS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2018 to December 2019, a total of 128 women undergoing BCS due to early breast cancer were included in this prospective observational study, independent of whether IORT was planned or not. Patient and tumor characteristics as well as surgical parameters that could potentially influence the feasibility of IORT were recorded for the entire collective. In addition, a preoperative senological assessment was performed and analyzed to assess the feasibility of IORT. Logistic regression was then used to identify relevant preoperative parameters and to generate a formula predicting the feasibility of IORT. RESULTS: Of the 128 included women undergoing BCS, 46 were preoperatively rated to be feasible, 20 to be questionably feasible for IORT. Ultimately, IORT was realized in 30 patients. The most frequent reasons for omission of IORT were insufficient tumor-to-skin distance and/or an excessively large tumor cavity. Small clinical tumor size and large tumor-to-skin distance according to preoperative ultrasound were significantly related to accomplishment of IORT. CONCLUSION: We observed that preoperative ultrasound-based tumor-skin distance is a significant factor in addition to already known parameters to predict feasibility of IORT. Based on our findings we developed a formula to optimize IORT planning which might serve as an additional tool to improve patient selection for IORT in early breast cancer.

Adjuvant treatments for locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer: a nationwide survey in Japan.

The role of adjuvant external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is controversial because of the lack of prospective data. To prepare for a clinical trial, this study investigated the current clinical practice of adjuvant treatments for locally advanced DTC. A survey on treatment selection criteria for hypothetical locally advanced DTC was administered to representative thyroid surgeons of facilities participating in the Japan Clinical Oncology Group Radiation Therapy Study Group. Of the 43 invited facilities, surgeons from 39 (91%) completed the survey. For R1 resection or suspected residual disease, 26 (67%) facilities administered high-dose (100-200 mCi) radioactive iodine (RAI), but none performed EBRT. For R2 resection or unresectable primary disease, 26 (67%) facilities administered high-dose RAI and 7 (18%) performed adjuvant treatments, including EBRT. For complete resection with nodal extra-capsular extension, 13 (34%) facilities administered high-dose RAI and 1 (3%) performed EBRT. For unresectable mediastinal lymph node metastasis, 31 (79%) facilities administered high-dose RAI and 5 (13%) performed adjuvant treatments, including EBRT. Adjuvant EBRT was not routinely performed mainly because of the lack of evidence for efficacy (74%). Approximately 15% of the facilities routinely considered adjuvant EBRT for DTC with R2 resection or unresectable primary or lymph node metastasis disease. Future clinical trials will need to optimize EBRT for these patients.

Evaluation of dose perturbations around iodine-125 seed sources in supplemental external beam prostate radiotherapy.

We investigated dose perturbations caused by 125I seeds in patients undergoing supplemental external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer. We examined two types of nonradioactive seed models: model 6711 and model STM1251. All experiments were performed using a water-equivalent phantom. Radiochromic film was used to measure the dose distributions adjacent to the seeds upstream and downstream of the external beam source. Single and clusters of multiple seeds were placed in slots in a solid water (SW) slab to measure dose perturbations with separate versus dense seed placement at beam energies of 6 or 10 MV. Monte Carlo simulations (MCSs) were also performed to include the theoretical basis against film dosimetry. Distinct patterns of dose enhancement (buildup [BU]) were upstream, and dose reduction (builddown [BD]) were downstream of the radiation source. Model 6711 with lower photon beam energies produced larger dose perturbations of BU and BD than the model STM1251. The results showed the same tendency with different seed placements and beam energies. However, these differences were not observed in the rotational irradiation measurement, which replicated a clinical plan. Dose perturbations around seeds result in dose enhancement and dose reduction with varying impact depending on the photon beam energy and seed type. This has the potential to cancel out these perturbations using multiple beam direction fields.

Radiosensitising effect of iron oxide-gold nanocomplex for electron beam therapy of melanoma in vivo by magnetic targeting.

Melanoma is a dangerous type of skin cancer sometimes treated with radiotherapy. However, it induces damage to the surrounding healthy tissue and possibly further away areas. Therefore, it is necessary to give a lower dose to the patient with targeted therapy. In this study, the radio-sensitising effect of gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles on electron beam radiotherapy of a melanoma tumour with magnetic targeting in a mouse model was investigated. Gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared in a steady procedure. The melanoma tumour model was induced in mice. Animals were divided into five groups: (1) normal; (2) melanoma; (3) gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles alone; (4) electron beam radiotherapy; (5) electron beam radiotherapy plus gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. The magnet was placed on the tumour site for 2 h. The tumours were then exposed to 6 MeV electron beam radiotherapy for a dose of 8 Gy. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry test, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay blood test were also performed. Gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles with magnetic targeting before electron beam radiotherapy reduced the growth of the tumour compared to the control group. Blood tests did not show any significant toxicity. Deposition of nanoparticles was more in the tumour and spleen tissue and to a lesser extent in the liver, kidney, and lung tissues. The synergistic effect of nanoparticles administered by the intraperitoneal route and then concentrated into the tumour area by application of an external permanent magnet, before delivery of the electron beam radiotherapy improved the overall cancer treatment outcome and prevented metal distribution side effects.

Improving normal tissue sparing using scripting in endometrial cancer radiation therapy planning.

The aim of this study was to improve the protection of organs at risk (OARs), decrease the total planning time and maintain sufficient target doses using scripting endometrial cancer external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) planning. Computed tomography (CT) data of 14 endometrial cancer patients were included in this study. Manual and automatic planning with scripting were performed for each CT. Scripts were created in the RayStation™ (RaySearch Laboratories AB, Stockholm, Sweden) planning system using a Python code. In scripting, seven additional contours were automatically created to reduce the OAR doses. The scripted and manual plans were compared to each other in terms of planning time, dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters, and total monitor unit (MU) values. While the mean total planning time for manual planning was 368 ± 8 s, it was only 55 ± 2 s for the automatic planning with scripting (p < 0.001). The mean doses of OARs decreased with automatic planning (p < 0.001). In addition, the maximum doses (D2% and D1%) for bilateral femoral heads and the rectum were significantly reduced. It was observed that the total MU value increased from 1146 ± 126 (manual planning) to 1369 ± 95 (scripted planning). It is concluded that scripted planning has significant time and dosimetric advantages over manual planning for endometrial cancer EBRT planning.

Hit and Run: Bilateral Massive Intraocular Lymphomatous Infiltration after CAR-T Therapy.

PURPOSE: We report a case of bilateral intraocular infiltration of DLBCL after CAR-T therapy. METHODS: Retrospective case report. RESULTS: A 62-year-old Caucasian male with medical history of high-grade DLBCL presented with papillitis and vitritis upon completion of CAR-T therapy. Thorough infectious and diagnostic work-ups were performed. Diagnostic vitreous tap revealed intraocular lymphoma. The patient received external beam radiotherapy to both orbits with dramatic improvement in disc edema and vitritis. However, subsequent MRI showed development of intracranial metastatic disease, and the patient died within the same month. CONCLUSION: Atypical intraocular metastasis of DLBCL may occur following CAR-T therapy and may indicate secondary changes in immunosurveillance within immune-privileged sites such as the eye.

Trial Participation is Not Associated with Better Biochemical Recurrence-free Survival in a Large Cohort of External Beam Radiotherapy-Treated Intermediate- and High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients.

AIMS: There is a widespread belief that outcomes of cancer patients treated within clinical trials might not be representative of the outcomes obtained within standard clinical settings. We sought to investigate the effect of trial participation on biochemical recurrence (BCR) in localised, D'Amico intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We relied on a study population treated with EBRT between January 2001 and January 2021 at a single tertiary care centre, stratified according to trial enrolment. Separate Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression models tested BCR-free survival at 60 months within intermediate- and high-risk EBRT patients, after adjustment for covariables. Additionally, the analyses were refitted after inverse probability treatment weighting was performed separately for both risk subgroups. RESULTS: Of 932 eligible patients, 635 (68%) and 297 (32%) had intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer, respectively. Overall, 53% of patients were trial participants. BCR rates were 11 versus 5% (P = 0.27) and 12 versus 14% (P = 0.08) in trial participants versus non-participants for intermediate- and high-risk subgroups, respectively. Differences in patient and clinical characteristics were recorded. Trial participation status failed to reach predictor status in multivariable Cox regression models for BCR in both intermediate-risk (hazard ratio 1.34; 95% confidence interval 0.71-2.49; P = 0.4) and high-risk patients (hazard ratio 1.03; 95% confidence interval 0.45-2.34; P = 0.9). Virtually the same results were recorded in inverse probability treatment weighting cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Relying on a large cohort of EBRT-treated intermediate- and high-risk patients, no BCR differences were recorded between trial participants and non-participants after accounting for confounders.