Sustained Clinical Response to Immunotherapy Followed by BET Inhibitor in a Patient with Unresectable Sinonasal NUT Carcinoma.

NUT carcinomas (NCs) are a group of rare tumors that can occur anywhere in the body and are defined by the fusion of the nuclear protein in testis (NUTM1) resulting in increased transcription of proto-oncogenes. NCs have a poor prognosis that varies according to the site of origin with an urgent need to develop new treatment strategies. Case reports on immunotherapy in pulmonary NC have been published, and bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) inhibitors have shown activity in NC in phase I/II trials. We present the case of a 27-year-old woman with an unresectable sinonasal NC who had a sustained clinical response to both immunotherapy and BET inhibitor therapy. This is the first reported case of immunotherapy in sinonasal NC, and it highlights the different responses to a range of treatments including BET inhibitor therapy. This case supports the theory that NCs arising from different primary sites have differing prognoses.

Oesophageal IGRT considerations for SBRT of LA-NSCLC: barium-enhanced CBCT and interfraction motion.

BACKGROUND: To determine the optimal volume of barium for oesophageal localisation on cone-beam CT (CBCT) for locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) and quantify the interfraction oesophageal movement relative to tumour. METHODS: Twenty NSCLC patients with mediastinal and/or hilar disease receiving radical radiotherapy were recruited. The first five patients received 25 ml of barium prior to their planning CT and alternate CBCTs during treatment. Subsequent five patient cohorts, received 15 ml, 10 ml and 5 ml. Six observers contoured the oesophagus on each of the 107 datasets and consensus contours were created. Overall 642 observer contours were generated and interobserver contouring reproducibility was assessed. The kappa statistic, dice coefficient and Hausdorff Distance (HD) were used to compare barium-enhanced CBCTs and non-enhanced CBCTs. Oesophageal displacement was assessed using the HD between consensus contours of barium-enhanced CBCTs and planning CTs. RESULTS: Interobserver contouring reproducibility was significantly improved in barium-enhanced CBCTs compared to non-contrast CBCTs with minimal difference between barium dose levels. Only 10 mL produced a significantly higher kappa (0.814, p = 0.008) and dice (0.895, p = 0.001). The poorer the reproducibility without barium, the greater the improvement barium provided. The median interfraction HD between consensus contours was 4 mm, with 95% of the oesophageal displacement within 15 mm. CONCLUSIONS: 10 mL of barium significantly improves oesophageal localisation on CBCT with minimal image artifact. The oesophagus moves substantially and unpredictably over a course of treatment, requiring close daily monitoring in the context of hypofractionation.

Complete Genome Sequence of Bdellovibrio sp. Strain KM01, a Predatory Bacterium Isolated from Soil.

We report the complete genome sequence of the predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio sp. strain KM01, isolated from soil collected near a pond. The genome is 3,961,288 bp long with 45.5% GC content. Comparative genomics among Bdellovibrio strains will help us understand how genotypic differences affect differences in predatory phenotypes.

A Prospective, Multicenter Study of Involved-Field Radiation Therapy With Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients With Hodgkin Lymphoma and Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (ALLG HDNHL04/TROG 03.03).

PURPOSE: The role of involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for lymphomas remains uncertain. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this prospective, multicenter study, patients undergoing ASCT for relapsed/refractory lymphoma received peritransplant IFRT to disease sites identified at study registration (SR) (before salvage chemotherapy [SC]). Radiation dose was adapted to SC response. Survival, relapse rates/pattern, toxicity, and prognostic factors were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were enrolled (23 with Hodgkin lymphoma, 22 with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma). Three-year overall survival and cumulative incidence of posttransplant progression rates were 72% (95% confidence interval [CI], 59%-87%) and 42% (95% CI, 27%-57%), respectively. Stage (P = .03) and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (P = .05) were significant risk factors for disease progression on multivariable analysis. Three-year actuarial in-field, marginal, and distant progression rates were 7% (95% CI, 0%-15%), 9% (95% CI, 0%-18%), and 36% (95% CI, 21%-51%), respectively. Progression occurred in 8 of 30 patients with all sites irradiated and in 13 of 15 patients without all sites irradiated. There were 117 disease sites at SR and 64 post-ASCT progression sites, of which 15 were involved at SR and 12 only at initial diagnosis. Posttransplant relapse occurred in 3 of 83 irradiated and 12 of 34 unirradiated involved sites. Of 28 sites in complete response to SC on computed tomography, there was no relapse in any of the 21 irradiated sites and in 1 of 7 unirradiated sites. Of 72 sites in complete response on positron emission tomography, relapse occurred in 1 of 50 irradiated and 10 of 22 unirradiated sites. No grade 4 nonhematologic radiation therapy toxicities were observed. CONCLUSIONS: IFRT was well tolerated and associated with a low rate of in-field progression. Progression rates were lower for patients with all disease sites irradiated. Response to SC on both computed tomography and positron emission tomography warrants further study to select sites for IFRT.

Contrast enhanced oesophageal avoidance for stereotactic body radiotherapy: Barium vs. Gastrografin.

INTRODUCTION: SABR may facilitate treatment in a greater proportion of locally-advanced NSCLC patients, just as it has for early-stage disease. The oesophagus is one of the key dose-limiting organs and visualization during IGRT would better ensure toxicity is avoided. As the oesophagus is poorly seen on CBCT, we assessed the extent to which this is improved using two oral contrast agents. MATERIALS & METHODS: Six patients receiving radiotherapy for Stage I-III NSCLC were assigned to receive 50 mL Gastrografin or 50 mL barium sulphate prior to simulation and pre-treatment CBCTs. Three additional patients who did not receive contrast were included as a control group. Oesophageal visibility was determined by assessing concordance between six experienced observers in contouring the organ. 36 datasets and 216 contours were analysed. A STAPLE contour was created and compared to each individual contour. Descriptive statistics were used and a Kappa statistic, Dice Coefficient and Hausdorff distance were calculated and compared using a t-test. Contrast-induced artefact was assessed by observer scoring. RESULTS: Both contrast agents significantly improved the consistency of oesophagus localisation on CBCT across all comparison metrics compared to CBCTs without contrast. Barium performed significantly better than Gastrografin with improved kappa statistics (p = 0.007), dice coefficients (p < 0.001) and Hausdorff distances (p = 0.002), although at a cost of increased image artefact. DISCUSSION: Barium produced lower delineation uncertainties but more image artefact, compared to Gastrografin and no contrast. It is feasible to use oral contrast as a tool in IGRT to help guide clinicians and therapists with online matching and monitoring of the oesophageal position.

Randomized Trial of Systemic Therapy After Involved-Field Radiotherapy in Patients With Early-Stage Follicular Lymphoma: TROG 99.03.

PURPOSE: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is curable by involved-field radiotherapy (IFRT) in < 50% of patients with stage I to II disease. We hypothesized that adding systemic therapy to IFRT would improve long-term progression-free survival (PFS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter randomized controlled trial enrolled patients with stage I to II low-grade FL after staging computed tomography scans and bone marrow biopsies. 18F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) was not mandatory. Patients were randomly assigned to either arm A (30 Gy IFRT alone) or arm B (IFRT plus six cycles of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone [CVP]). From 2006, rituximab was added to arm B (R-CVP). RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2012, 150 patients were enrolled, 75 per arm. In arm B, 44 patients were allocated to receive CVP and 31 were allocated to receive R-CVP. At randomization, 75% had stage I, the median age was 57 years, 52% were male, and 48% were PET staged. With a median follow-up of 9.6 years (range, 3.1 to 15.8 years), PFS was superior in arm B (hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.95; P = .033). Ten-year PFS rates were 59% (95% CI, 46% to 74%) and 41% (95% CI, 30% to 57%) for arms B and A, respectively. Patients in arm B who received R-CVP had markedly superior PFS compared with contemporaneous patients in arm A (hazard ratio, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.97; P = .045). Fewer involved regions ( P = .047) and PET staging ( P = .056) were associated with better PFS. Histologic transformation occurred in four and 10 patients in arms B and A, respectively ( P = .1). Ten deaths occurred in arm A versus five in arm B, but overall survival was not significantly different ( P = .40; 87% and 95% at 10 years, respectively). CONCLUSION: Systemic therapy with R-CVP after IFRT reduced relapse outside radiation fields and significantly improved PFS. IFRT followed by immunochemotherapy is more effective than IFRT in early-stage FL.

High neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts poor prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.

AIM: To evaluate the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic marker in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients presenting to our service between 2001 and 2014. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimates. The association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and survival was analyzed by both univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Across all patients, OS and PFS at 5 years was 59% and 54%, respectively. Increasing T stage correlated with a statistically significant decrease in OS (P  =  0.004) and PFS (P  =  0.005). Both overall (P  =  0.003) and PFS (P  =  0.002) were highest in lifetime nonsmokers and lowest in current smokers. Patients who commenced treatment in 2010 or later had a significantly greater overall (P  =  0.014) and PFS (P  =  0.009) compared to those treated prior. Patients with p16 negative tumors had a significantly lower overall (P < 0.001) and PFS (P < 0.001) compared to those with p16 positive tumors. Patients treated with cisplatin had an overall and PFS of 66.8% and 59.9% respectively at 5 years. Patients with a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio of less than 4 at treatment initiation had a significantly greater overall (P  =  0.015) and PFS (P  =  0.017). The trend for OS remained significant in multivariate analysis (P  =  0.05). CONCLUSION: A high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at treatment initiation is a negative predictive marker for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Radiotherapy in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: An Australian experience.

INTRODUCTION: Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare and fatal malignancy, associated with significant local tumour and often treatment related morbidity. We report our experience in treating this cancer over a 20-year period. METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from a single Australian Institution (Alfred Health Radiation Oncology) was carried out on patients referred with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma between 1992 and 2013. RESULTS: Thirty patients (17 females and 13 males) were identified with a median age at presentation of 72 years. At presentation, six (20%), 14 (47%) and 10 (33%) patients had stage IVA, IVB and IVC disease respectively. Thirteen patients underwent radical surgical resection with five having microscopic residual (R1) and eight having macroscopic residual (R2) disease. Twenty-eight patients were offered radiotherapy with 27 proceeding with treatment. Of those who received radiotherapy, three, six and 18 were treated with adjuvant, definitive and palliative intent respectively. Six patients had concomitant chemotherapy of which three received trimodality therapy. Only one patient experienced a grade 3 toxicity (oesophagitis). Median survival was 5.3 months and at last follow-up or time of death, 19 of 27 (70.4%) maintained loco-regional control. All patients who had R1 surgical resections and radiotherapy had loco-regional control. Seven of nine (77.8%) and 12 of 18 (66.7%) achieved loco-regional control after receiving definitive or palliative radiotherapy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that radiotherapy with or without surgery or chemotherapy is well-tolerated and results in durable loco-regional control in a high proportion of patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

Pathologic response to neoadjuvant treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer and impact on outcome.

BACKGROUND: Downstaging and pathologic complete response (pCR) after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) may improve progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) after curative therapy of locally advanced adenocarcinoma of rectum. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pathologic response subsequent to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma and any impact of response on oncological outcome [disease-free survival (DFS), OS]. METHODS: A total of 127 patients with histologically-proven rectal adenocarcinoma, locally advanced, were treated with preoperative radiotherapy and concurrent 5-fluorouracil (5 FU), and followed by curative surgery. Pathologic response to neoadjuvant treatment was evaluated by comparing pathologic TN (tumour and nodal) staging (yp) with pre-treatment clinical staging. DFS and OS were compared in patients with: pCR, partial pathologic response and no response to neoadjuvant therapy. RESULTS: 14.96% (19 patients) had a pCR, 58.27% [74] showed downstaging and 26.77% [34] had no change in staging. At follow-up (range, 4-9 years, median 6 years 2 months or 74 months), 17.32% [22] showed recurrence: 15.74% [20] distant metastasis, 1.57% [2] pelvic failure. 10.5% [2] of the patients with pCR showed distant metastasis, none showed local recurrence. In the downstaged group, nine developed distant failure and two had local recurrence (14.86%). Distant failure was seen in 26.47% [9] of those with no response to neoadjuvant treatment. DFS and OS rates for all groups were 82.67% and 88.97% respectively. Patients with pCR showed 89.47% DFS and 94.7% OS. In partial responders, DFS was 85.1% and OS was 90.5%. In non-responders, DFS and OS were 73.5% and 82.3% respectively. Patients with pCR had a significantly greater probability of DFS and OS than non-responders. Rectal cancer-related death was 11.02% [14]: one patient (5.26%) with pCR, 9.47% [7] in the downstaged group and 17.64% [6] of non-responders. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients showed some response to neoadjuvant treatment. Findings of this study indicate tumour response to neoadjuvant CRT improves the long-term outcome, with a better result in patients with pCR.

Radiotherapy in well-differentiated thyroid cancer: is it underutilized?

BACKGROUND: The usual management of thyroid cancer is surgery and radioactive iodine. The role of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma remains controversial. Indications for the use of EBRT, contained within both the American and British Thyroid Association published guidelines, include unresectable or non-iodine avid disease, extra-thyroidal extension or distant metastatic disease. METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from a single Australian institution was conducted, analysing patients referred and treated with EBRT for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma between November 1992 and July 2013. RESULTS: Of 36 patients referred, 32 were treated with EBRT. Sixteen patients in total received locoregional treatment (six radical, 10 palliative), of whom 81% (13/16) had gross disease and 88% (14/16) had recurrent disease (eight with multiple recurrences). Additionally, 63% (10/16) had multiple surgical resections and 50% (8/16) had previously received multiple courses of radioactive iodine. Overall, 67% (4/6) of patients treated with radical intent had no locoregional recurrence or progression. Thirteen of the 16 patients who received locoregional EBRT remained asymptomatic from their locoregional disease at the time of last follow-up or death. The most commonly treated distant metastatic disease site was bone, with a total of 45 sites irradiated. Of these patients, 93% and 78% were symptom-free at two and four years, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that in a select group of patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, EBRT treatment appears to provide durable tumour and symptom control.

Risk and response adapted therapy for early stage Hodgkin lymphoma: a prospective multicenter study of the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group/Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group.

In this prospective, multicenter, non-randomized study for patients with stage I-II Hodgkin lymphoma, group 1 (without risk-factors [RF]) had three cycles of ABVD chemotherapy (adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) and group 2 (any of bulk, extranodal site, >3 regions, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) and group 3 (B-symptoms) received four cycles. Involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) 30 Gy was given after adequate chemotherapy response. Five-year overall survival and freedom from progression (FFP) were 96% (95% confidence interval [CI] 91-98%) and 90% (84-94%), respectively. Five-year FFP was 97% (90-99%), 89% (75-95%), and 73% (52-86%) for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In patients with RF, chemotherapy responses of complete response unconfirmed (CRu), partial response (PR), and stable disease (SD) were associated with FFP of 90%, 86%, and 62% (p=0.17), and CR/no CR on functional imaging with FFP of 90%/67%, respectively (p=0.05). The 97% FFP in group 1 compares favorably with previously reported results from cooperative trial groups. Intensification of therapy warrants study in patients with RF and a poor chemotherapy response.

The effect of intensity-modulated radiotherapy on radiation-induced second malignancies.

PURPOSE: To compare intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in terms of carcinogenic risk for actual clinical scenarios. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Clinically equivalent IMRT plans were generated for prostate, breast, and head-and-neck cases treated with 3D-CRT. Two possible dose-response models for radiocarcinogenesis were generated based on A-bomb survivor data corrected for fractionation. Dose-volume histogram analysis was used to determine dose and its distribution to nontargeted tissues within the planning CT scan volume and thermoluminescent dosimetry for the rest of the body. Carcinogenic estimates were calculated with and without a correction factor accounting for cancer patients' advanced age and reduced longevity. RESULTS: For the model assuming a plateau in risk above 2-Gy single-fraction-equivalent (SFE), IMRT and 3D-CRT produced risks of 1.7% and 2.1%, respectively, for prostate; 1.9% and 1.8%, respectively, for nasopharynx; 1% each for tonsil; and 1.4-2.2% and 1.5-1.6%, respectively, depending on technique, for breast. Assuming a reduction in risk above 2-Gy SFE, risks for IMRT and 3D-CRT were 1.1% and 1.5%, respectively, for prostate; 1.4% and 1.2%, respectively, for nasopharynx; 1% each for tonsil; and 1.3-1.8% vs. 1.3-1.6%, respectively, for breast. Applying a correction factor of 0.5 for cancer patients halved these risks and their relative differences. CONCLUSIONS: Carcinogenic risks were comparable in absolute terms between modalities. Risks are dependant on technique used. Risks with IMRT are influenced by monitor unit demand and are therefore software/hardware dependant. The dose-response model accounting for cell killing at higher doses fitted best with actual observed risks.

A prospective phase II study of adjuvant postoperative radiation therapy following nodal surgery in malignant melanoma-Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) Study 96.06.

BACKGROUND: The role of adjuvant postoperative therapy after resection of localised malignant melanoma involving regional lymph nodes remains controversial. There are no randomised trials that confirm that postoperative radiation conveys a benefit in terms of regional control or survival. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-four patients with melanoma involving lymph nodes were registered on a prospective study to evaluate the effect of postoperative radiation therapy. The regimen consisted of 48Gy in 20 fractions to the nodal basin using recommended treatment guidelines for each of the major node sites. The primary endpoints were regional in-field relapse and late toxicity. Secondary endpoints were adjacent relapse, distant relapse, overall survival, progression-free survival and time to in-field progression. RESULTS: Adjuvant radiation therapy was well tolerated by all of the patients. As the first site of relapse, regional in-field relapses occurred in 16/234 patients (6.8%). The overall survival was 36% at 5 years. The progression-free survival and regional control rates were 27% and 91%, respectively, at 5 years. Patients with more than 2 nodes involved had a significantly worse outcome in terms of distant relapse, overall and progression-free survival. CONCLUSION: We believe that adjuvant radiation therapy following nodal surgery could offer a possible benefit in terms of regional control. These results require confirmation in a randomised trial.

Optimism and survival in lung carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: It is popular belief that the psychologic response to a diagnosis of cancer influences survival in patients with cancer; however, research has produced contradictory results. In this prospective study, the authors investigated the relation between pretreatment levels of optimism and survival in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). METHODS: Two hundred four patients who were participating in a randomized trial that compared accelerated and conventional radiotherapy with and without carboplatin chemotherapy were asked to complete two questionnaires assessing optimism. The first assessment was just prior to commencing treatment and the second assessment took place after completing treatment. Survival was measured from the date of randomization to the date of death. Surviving patients were followed until February 8, 2001. RESULTS: The pretreatment questionnaire was completed by 179 patients, and 148 of those patients completed the posttreatment questionnaire. There was a small but significant reduction in optimism scores after treatment (P = 0.005). There was no association noted between pretreatment optimism and progression-free survival (P = 0.52, unadjusted; P = 0.22, adjusted for Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and patient age), nor was there an association noted between pretreatment optimism and overall survival (P = 0.36, unadjusted; P = 0.19, adjusted for disease stage). CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence that a high level of optimism prior to treatment enhanced survival in patients with NSCLC. Encouraging patients to "be positive" only may add to the burden of having cancer while providing little benefit, at least in patients with NSCLC.

Quality assurance experience with the randomized neuropathic bone pain trial (Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group, 96.05).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group 96.05 is a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing a single 8 Gy with 20 Gy in five fractions of radiotherapy (RT) for neuropathic pain due to bone metastases. This paper summarizes the quality assurance (QA) activities for the first 234 patients (accrual target 270). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Independent audits to assess compliance with eligibility/exclusion criteria and appropriateness of treatment of the index site were conducted after each cohort of approximately 45 consecutive patients. Reported serious adverse events (SAEs) in the form of cord/cauda equina compression or pathological fracture developing at the index site were investigated and presented in batches to the Independent Data Monitoring Committee. Finally, source data verification of the RT prescription page and treatment records was undertaken for each of the first 234 patients to assess compliance with the protocol. RESULTS: Only one patient was found conclusively not to have genuine neuropathic pain, and there were no detected 'geographical misses' with RT fields. The overall rate of detected infringements for other eligibility criteria over five audits (225 patients) was 8% with a dramatic improvement after the first audit. There has at no stage been a statistically significant difference in SAEs by randomization arm. There was a 22% rate of RT protocol variations involving ten of the 14 contributing centres, although the rate of major dose violations (more than +/-10% from protocol dose) was only 6% with no statistically significant difference by randomization arm (P=0.44). CONCLUSIONS: QA auditing is an essential but time-consuming component of RT trials, including those assessing palliative endpoints. Our experience confirms that all aspects should commence soon after study activation.