Simultaneous boost radiotherapy versus conventional dose radiotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma: a multi-institutional analysis.

We compared survival outcomes of high-dose concomitant boost radiotherapy (HDCBRT) and conventional dose radiotherapy (CRT) for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GB). Patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy for newly diagnosed GB were included. In HDCBRT, specific targets received 69, 60, and 51 Gy in 30 fractions, while 60 Gy in 30 fractions was administered with a standard radiotherapy method in CRT. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared using the Log-rank test, followed by multivariate Cox analysis. The inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method was also applied to each analysis. Among 102 eligible patients, 45 received HDCBRT and 57 received CRT. With a median follow-up of 16 months, the median survival times of OS and PFS were 21 and 9 months, respectively. No significant differences were observed in OS or PFS in the Kaplan-Meier analyses. In the multivariate analysis, HDCBRT correlated with improved OS (hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-0.90; P = 0.021), and this result remained consistent after IPTW adjustments (P = 0.028). Conversely, dose suppression due to the proximity of normal tissues and IMRT field correlated with worse OS and PFS (P = 0.008 and 0.049, respectively). A prospective study with a stricter protocol is warranted to validate the efficacy of HDCBRT for GB.

Biological effects of prostaglandin E2-EP4 antagonist (AAT-008) in murine colon cancer in vivo: enhancement of immune response to radiotherapy and potential as a radiosensitizer.

Background: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) promotes tumor growth and metastasis by acting on a family of four receptors (EP1-4). We investigated the radiosensitizing effects of a newly developed antagonist of PGE2-EP4 (AAT-008) in mouse colon cancer cells in vivo and explored the mechanism using flow cytometry (FCM). Methods: CT26WT cells grown in Balb/c mice were used. AAT-008 at doses of 0, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day was orally administered once or twice daily for up to 19 days. On day 3, the tumors were irradiated at 9 Gy in the radiotherapy (RT) group. Tumor sizes were measured every other day. For the first FCM series, AAT-008 (10 mg/kg/day) was administered from day 0 to 18 and RT (9 Gy) was given on day 3. The population of effector T cells (Teff), defined as CD45+CD8+CD69+, in the tumors was investigated on day 19. For the second FCM series, AAT-008 (30 mg/kg/day) was administered from day 0 to 12. The populations of Teff and regulatory T cells (Treg), and the ratio of Teff/Treg were investigated on day 13. Results: The growth delay effect of AAT-008 administered alone (3-30 mg/kg/day) appeared minimal. In the first growth delay experiment where AAT-008 was administered once daily, the combined effect of AAT-008 (30 mg/kg/day) and RT appeared additive. In the second growth delay experiment where AAT-008 was administered twice daily, the combined effect appeared additive at 3 and 10 mg/kg/day and supra-additive at 30 mg/kg/day. In the first FCM series, the mean Teff proportions in the tumors were 43% and 31% in the 10 mg + RT and 0 mg + RT groups, respectively. Notably, 67% Teff was observed in responsive mice in the 10 mg + RT group. In the second FCM series, the mean Treg proportion and Teff/Treg ratio in the 0 mg + RT and 30 mg + RT groups were 4.0% and 1.5%, respectively (P=0.04) and 10 and 22, respectively (P=0.04). Conclusions: AAT-008 potentially enhances the radiosensitivity of colon cancer cells, apparently by stimulating the immune system against the cancer cells.

Daily irradiation versus irradiation at two- to three-day intervals in stereotactic radiotherapy for patients with 1-5 brain metastases: study protocol for a multicenter open-label randomized phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: Radiobiological daily changes within tumors are considered to be quite different between stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) (e.g., 50 Gy in 4 fractions) and conventional radiotherapy (e.g., 60 Gy in 30 fractions). We aim to assess the optimal interval of irradiation in SRT and compare outcomes of daily irradiation with irradiation at two- to three-day intervals in SRT for patients with one to five brain metastases (BM). METHODS: This study is conducted as a multicenter open-label randomized phase II trial. Patients aged 20 or older with one to five BM, less than 3.0 cm diameter, and Karnofsky Performance Status ≥70 are eligible. A total of 70 eligible patients will be enrolled. After stratifying by the number of BMs (1, 2 vs. 3-5) and diameter of the largest tumor (< 2 cm vs. ≥ 2 cm), we randomly assigned patients (1:1) to receive daily irradiation (Arm 1), or irradiation at two- to three-day intervals (Arm 2). Both arms are performed with total dose of 27-30 Gy in 3 fractions. The primary endpoint is an intracranial local control rate, defined as intracranial local control at initially treated sites. We use a randomized phase II screening design with a two-sided α of 0∙20. The phase II trial is positive with p < 0.20. All analyses are intention to treat. This study is registered with the UMIN-clinical trials registry, number UMIN000048728. DISCUSSION: This study will provide an assessment of the impact of SRT interval on local control, survival, and toxicity for patients with 1-5 BM. The trial is ongoing and is recruiting now. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000048728. Date of registration: August 23, 2022. https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-bin/ctr/ctr_view_reg.cgi?recptno=R000055515 .

Comparison of intensity-modulated radiotherapy with the 5-field technique, helical tomotherapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy for localized prostate cancer.

The outcomes of three methods of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for localized prostate cancer were evaluated. Between 2010 and 2018, 308 D'Amico intermediate- or high-risk patients were treated with 2.2 Gy daily fractions to a total dose of 74.8 Gy in combination with hormonal therapy. Overall, 165 patients were treated with 5-field IMRT using a sliding window technique, 66 were then treated with helical tomotherapy and 77 were treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The median age of patients was 71 years. The median follow-up period was 75 months. Five-year overall survival (OS) and biochemical or clinical failure-free survival (FFS) rates were 95.5 and 91.6% in the 5-field IMRT group, 95.1 and 90.3% in the tomotherapy group and 93.0 and 88.6% in the VMAT group, respectively, with no significant differences among the three groups. The 5-year cumulative incidence of late grade ≥2 genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicities were 7.3 and 6.2%, respectively, for all patients. Late grade ≥2 gastrointestinal toxicities were less frequent in patients undergoing VMAT (0%) than in patients undergoing 5-field IMRT (7.3%) and those undergoing tomotherapy (11%) (P = 0.025), and this finding appeared to be correlated with the better rectal DVH parameters in patients undergoing VMAT. Other toxicities did not differ significantly among the three groups, although bladder dose-volume parameters were slightly worse in the tomotherapy group than in the other groups. Despite differences in the IMRT delivery methods, X-ray energies and daily registration methods, all modalities may be used as IMRT for localized prostate cancer.

Helical tomotherapy for asymptomatic chemotherapy-refractory or -unfit multiple (3 or more) metastases.

Background: Despite chemotherapy innovations, prognosis of patients with chemotherapy-refractory or -unfit multiple metastases (CRMM/CUMM) remains poor. In this prospective study, the efficacy and toxicity of helical tomotherapy for CRMM/CUMM were evaluated. Materials and methods: Between 2014 and 2020, asymptomatic patients with CRMM/CUMM with ≥ 3 lesions and no prior radiotherapy of the targets were enrolled. Patients who had intolerable toxicities to chemotherapy and those who refused chemotherapy were included in the CRMM and CUMM groups, respectively. Prostate cancer patients and patients with metastases mainly localized in the liver, lung, or brain were excluded. By helical tomotherapy, up to 10 lesions per patient were irradiated in order of volume. The standard dose was 50-60 Gy in 25-30 fractions. Results: Forty-five patients (median age, 63 years; 35 CRMM/10 CUMM) were enrolled. Primary tumors included lung, gynecological, and gastrointestinal cancers. The most frequently treated targets were lymph node metastases, followed by peritoneal/pleural disseminations and bone tumors. The 1-year survival rate was 51% (median, 12.5 months). In the 35 patients with CRMM, the median survival time was 12.5 months, and the median pre-radiation chemotherapy period was 8.8 months (p > 0.05). The 6-month target control rate was 78%. Acute adverse events (grade ≥ 2) occurred in 33 patients: hematologic toxicities in 23, dermatitis in 6, and others in 8. Late grade ≥ 2 toxicities occurred in 6 patients: pneumonitis in 4 and gastric hemorrhage in 2. Conclusion: Tomotherapy for CRMM/CUMM resulted in median survival times > 1 year. This treatment should be investigated further in larger prospective studies.

Radiotherapy for a rare phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor in the middle ear presenting with oncogenic osteomalacia: A case report.

RATIONALE: Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor (PMT) is a rare neoplasm causing oncogenic osteomalacia. Surgery remains the definitive treatment for PMT, and radiotherapy is seldom employed. However, surgery for PMT involving the head and neck is often difficult due to the local invasion and complicated anatomy. We report the first case of PMT, which was successfully treated with the combination of radiotherapy and supplementation of activated vitamin D. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 55-year-old woman suffered from pain in the hip and bilateral femur. Serum phosphate and calcium decreased to abnormal levels. Serum alkaline phosphatase and fibroblast growth factor 23 increased to abnormal levels. The hearing loss of the right ear had continued and a middle ear tumor was revealed. DIAGNOSES: Subsequent biopsy provided the diagnosis of PMT that caused oncogenic osteomalacia. These clinical and pathological characteristics were consistent with and provided the final diagnosis of benign PMT. INTERVENTIONS: Surgery of the PMT was difficult and the patient underwent radiotherapy. The prescribed dose was 36 Gy in 10 fractions. Simultaneously, the patient started supplementation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1-2 µg/day) and continued for 2 years. OUTCOMES: Near-complete resolution of the symptoms was achieved and abnormal laboratory values recovered. At 5 years of follow-up, the irradiated tumor showed no regrowth. Severe hearing loss of the right ear was not observed. LESSONS: Radiotherapy was effective for the PMT and could be an important treatment option for inoperable cases.

Changes in pulmonary function and their correlation with dose-volume parameters in patients undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung cancer.

It is desirable to estimate the degree of the decrease in pulmonary function before lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) especially for patients with poor pulmonary function. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether decreases in pulmonary function after SBRT may be predicted from radiation dose-volume parameters. A total of 70 patients undergoing SBRT were evaluated for changes in pulmonary function. Of these, 67 had primary lung cancer and 3 had lung metastasis. Twenty-six (37%) patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed shortly before and at 18-24 months after SBRT. Radiation pneumonitis was Grade 2 in 10 patients and Grade 3 in 1. Mean forced vital capacity (FVC) decreased from 2.67 to 2.51 L (P < 0.01) and mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) decreased from 1.80 to 1.72 L (P < 0.01). Planning target volume (PTV) was correlated with changes in FVC. Changes in percent predicted FVC were correlated with %V5Gy (% of lung volume receiving > 5 Gy) and %V40Gy. Although the correlation was not significant, the %V20Gy value was the closest to the percent reduction in predicted FVC; %V20Gy of 10% tended to be associated with ~10% reduction in predicted FVC. Patients with poor pulmonary function did not necessarily show greater decreases in each PFT parameter. Decreases in FVC and FEV1 were within previously reported ranges. PTV was associated with decreases in FVC. The %V20Gy value was closest to the percentage decrease in predicted FVC.

Effects of a combined treatment regimen consisting of Hsp90 inhibitor DS-2248 and radiation in vitro and in a tumor mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone that is responsible for the conformational maintenance of several client proteins that play important roles in DNA damage repair, apoptosis following radiation, and resistance to radiation therapy. DS-2248 (tricyclic pyrazolopyrimidine derivative) is a newly-developed, orally available inhibitor of HSP90 with low adverse effects. We investigated the combined effects of radiation and DS-2248 in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: SCCVII squamous cell carcinoma cells and tumors transplanted in C3H/HeN mice were used. In vitro combined effects of X-ray radiation and DS-2248 were investigated using a colony assay. Phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX) was quantified after 2-Gy irradiation with or without 24-hour pretreatment with DS-2248. The mice bearing SCCVII tumors received oral DS-2248 10 times over 2 weeks and received local irradiation with doses of 1, 2, 3, and 4 Gy delivered 6 times over 2 weeks. Then, tumor volumes were measured. RESULTS: Radiation plus pretreatment with 50 nM DS-2248 for 24 hours produced synergistic effects on SCCVII cells. γH2AX foci persisted after radiation for longer periods (6 and 24 hours) in DS-2248-treated cells than in control cells. In vivo, the combined effects appeared to be additive when 5 or 10 mg/kg DS-2248 was combined with total radiation doses of 6-18 Gy, but the effect was considered supra-additive when 15 mg/kg of DS-2248 was combined with a total dose of 24 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: The combined effects of DS-2248 and radiation were additive at low drug and radiation doses, but may have been supra-additive at higher doses. Inhibition of slow repair of DNA double strand breaks (i.e., homologous recombination) was considered to contribute to this combined effect.

Combined effects of cisplatin and photon or proton irradiation in cultured cells: radiosensitization, patterns of cell death and cell cycle distribution.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the biological effects of protons and photons in combination with cisplatin in cultured cells and elucidate the mechanisms responsible for their combined effects. To evaluate the sensitizing effects of cisplatin against X-rays and proton beams in HSG, EMT6 and V79 cells, the combination index, a simple measure for quantifying synergism, was estimated from cell survival curves using software capable of performing the Monte Carlo calculation. Cell death and apoptosis were assessed using live cell fluorescence imaging. HeLa and HSG cells expressing the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator system (Fucci) were irradiated with X-rays and protons with cisplatin. Red and green fluorescence in the G1 and S/G2/M phases, respectively, were evaluated and changes in the cell cycle were assessed. The sensitizing effects of ≥1.5 µM cisplatin were observed for both X-ray and proton irradiation (P < 0.05). In the three cell lines, the average combination index was 0.82-1.00 for X-rays and 0.73-0.89 for protons, indicating stronger effects for protons. In time-lapse imaging, apoptosis markedly increased in the groups receiving ≥1.5 µM cisplatin + protons. The percentage of green S/G2/M phase cells at that time was higher when cisplatin was combined with proton beams than with X-rays (P < 0.05), suggesting more significant G2 arrest. Proton therapy plus ≥1.5 µM cisplatin is considered to be very effective. When combined with cisplatin, proton therapy appeared to induce greater apoptotic cell death and G2 arrest, which may partly account for the difference observed in the combined effects.

Early salvage radiotherapy in patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy: Its impact and optimal candidate.

AIM: We aimed to identify the optimal candidates for early salvage radiotherapy (SRT) among patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: This multi-institutional retrospective study included 371 patients treated using SRT after RP. The median (range) PSA level at BCR was 0.36 (0.10-2.00) ng/mL. The association between early SRT (ie, starting PSA level < 0.50) and BCR after SRT was tested in each subgroup according to our own risk stratification. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 51 months. By multivariate analysis, pT3b, Gleason score ≥ 8, negative surgical margins, PSA doubling time < 6 months, and non-early SRT were associated with BCR after SRT. Patients were stratified by four risk factors other than non-early SRT: (1) low risk (0 risk factor), (2) intermediate risk (1 risk factor), and (3) high risk (≥2 risk factors). The BCR-free survival was higher in the early SRT group than the nonearly SRT group in the high-risk subgroup (P = 0.020), whereas that was similar between two groups in the low-risk and intermediate-risk subgroups (P = .79 and .18, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that early SRT was beneficial for the high-risk subgroup (P = .032), whereas early SRT was not associated with improved outcomes in the low-risk and intermediate-risk subgroups (P = .92 and 1.0, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that early SRT seemed to contribute to better biochemical control for patients with more adverse features, whereas no benefit was observed in men with no adverse features.

Definitive chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: outcomes for borderline-resectable disease.

Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) is the standard treatment for unresectable esophageal cancer. Induction chemotherapy has been actively investigated for borderline-resectable and unresectable disease, but the superiority over dCRT has yet to be confirmed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of dCRT with special interest in borderline-resectable disease. Patients with esophageal cancer treated with dCRT between January 2004 and November 2016 were included in this retrospective analysis. Chemotherapy consisted of two cycles of cisplatin (70-75 mg/m2) on day 1 and 5-fluorouracil (700-1000 mg/m2 per day) on days 1-4 or low-dose cisplatin (10 mg/m2 per day) and 5-fluorouracil (175 mg/m2 per day) for 20 days. Radiotherapy was given with a daily fraction of 1.8-2 Gy to a total dose of 50-70 Gy. A total of 104 patients were included: 34 were resectable, 35 were borderline-resectable and 35 were unresectable. Complete response was achieved in 44 patients (42%). Eighteen patients (17%) suffered Grade 2 or greater cardiopulmonary toxicity and seven patients (7%) suffered Grade 3 cardiopulmonary toxicity. At the time of this analysis, 59 patients were dead and 45 were censored. The 3-year overall survival proportions for resectable, borderline-resectable and unresectable patients were 64%, 46% and 21%, respectively. The overall survival for borderline-resectable patients with complete response and noncomplete response was significantly different (P < 0.001), with 3-year survival of 70% and 8%, respectively. The overall survival for complete response patients with borderline-resectable disease was encouraging. Further investigation to find a subgroup fit for esophagus-preserving treatment is warranted.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for multiple targets with tomotherapy using multiple sets of static ports from different angles.

BACKGROUND: To treat multiple targets separated in the craniocaudal direction within a short time, we invented a new technique using multiple static-port tomotherapy with the dynamic-jaw mode and named it the pseudo-DJDC (pDJDC) technique. We compared the pDJDC plans and helical tomotherapy plans using the dynamic-jaw mode (HDJ) for multiple targets. In the pDJDC plans, we used a beam set with 2-7 ports to the targets at the same level in the craniocaudal direction, and employed another beam set for other targets using different port angles (9-12 angles in total). METHODS: In seven patients, two plans using the pDJDC and HDJ techniques were compared. For multiple targets (n = 2-6), 20-60 Gy in 2- to 7.5-Gy fractions were prescribed for the planning target volumes at D50%. The conformity index, uniformity index (D5%/D95%), dose distribution in the lung, and treatment time were evaluated. RESULTS: The median conformity index of all seven patients was 3.0 for the pDJDC plans and 2.4 for the HDJ plans (P = 0.031). The median uniformity indices of the planning target volume (n = 25) for the two plans were 1.048 and 1.057, respectively (P = 0.10). For five patients with thoracic targets, the median mean lung doses were 2.6 Gy and 2.4 Gy, respectively (P = 0.63). The median V5Gy and V20Gy of the lungs in the five patients were 11.8% and 8.5% (P = 0.63), and 1.6% and 2.1% (P = 0.31), respectively. The pDJDC plans reduced the treatment time by 48% compared to the HDJ plans (median: 462 and 884 sec, respectively, P = 0.031). CONCLUSION: The pDJDC technique allows treatment of multiple targets in almost half the time of the HDJ technique. The pDJDC plans were comparable to the HDJ plans in dose distribution, although the conformity index deteriorated.

Impact of advanced radiotherapy techniques and dose intensification on toxicity of salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy.

The safety and efficacy of dose-escalated radiotherapy with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) remain unclear in salvage radiotherapy (SRT) after radical prostatectomy. We examined the impact of these advanced radiotherapy techniques and dose intensification on the toxicity of SRT. This multi-institutional retrospective study included 421 patients who underwent SRT at the median dose of 66 Gy in 2-Gy fractions. IMRT and IGRT were used for 225 (53%) and 321 (76%) patients, respectively. At the median follow-up of 50 months, the cumulative incidence of late grade 2 or higher gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities was 4.8% and 24%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the non-use of either IMRT or IGRT, or both (hazard ratio [HR] 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-5.4, p < 0.001) and use of whole-pelvic radiotherapy (HR 7.6, CI 1.0-56, p = 0.048) were associated with late GI toxicity, whereas a higher dose ≥68 Gy was the only factor associated with GU toxicities (HR 3.1, CI 1.3-7.4, p = 0.012). This study suggested that the incidence of GI toxicities can be reduced by IMRT and IGRT in SRT, whereas dose intensification may increase GU toxicity even with these advanced techniques.

Helical tomotherapy for chemo-refractory multiple liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in chemotherapy, curing multiple liver metastases is quite rare. Even when response is obtained, regrowth of the tumors is almost inevitable. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of helical tomotherapy for chemo-refractory multiple liver metastases. METHODS: Forty-five patients with chemo-refractory multiple (3-10) liver metastases after standard systemic chemotherapy entered the single-institutional prospective study. Liver metastases were the major disease; however, 31 also had uncontrolled primary lesions and/or other metastases. The prescribed dose was 55 Gy in 25 fractions. The median planning target volume (PTV) and normal liver volume (NLV) of first treatment were 128 cm3 and 1175 cm3 , respectively. The median of V15Gy , V30Gy , and mean dose to NLV were 45%, 23%, and 19.4 Gy, respectively. RESULTS: Forty-two patients (93%) completed the planned treatment. Median survival time (MST) for all patients was 8 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 29%. The median local control (LC) period was 5 months and the 6-month control rate of irradiated tumors was 33%. A ≥30% decrease in tumor markers was observed in 31%. The most common grade 3 toxicity was lymphocytopenia (40%), followed by fatigue (6%). Radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) was not observed. Pancreatic cancer as the primary tumor, distant metastases outside the liver, low pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and low pretreatment monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) were associated with poorer prognoses. CONCLUSIONS: Helical tomotherapy for chemo-refractory multiple liver metastases is a feasible and potentially effective treatment. Incorporating tomotherapy into the first-line treatment in combination with systemic chemotherapy should be considered. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CROG 12005.

Changes in the Proliferation Rate, Clonogenicity, and Radiosensitivity of Cultured Cells During and After Continuous Low-Dose-Rate Irradiation.

We investigated the effects of continuous low-dose radiation on proliferation, clonogenicity, radiosensitivity, and repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in human salivary gland (HSG) tumor cells. Human salivary gland cells were cultured on acrylic boards above very-low-dose (4.3 µSv/h) or low-dose (27 µSv/h) radiation-emitting sheets or without sheets. Total cell numbers and plating efficiencies were compared among the 3 groups every 1 or 2 weeks until 6 weeks after starting culture. At 2, 4, and 6 weeks, surviving fractions of HSG cells after irradiation at 2 to 8 Gy cultured on the very-low-dose or low-dose sheets were compared to those of the control. At 4 weeks, HSG cells irradiated at 2 Gy were assessed for phosphorylated histone (γH2AX) foci formation, and DSBs were evaluated. No significant differences were observed in total cell number or plating efficiencies with or without low-dose-emitting sheets. The surviving fractions after irradiation of the very-low-dose group at 2 to 6 weeks and those of the low-dose group at 2 to 4 weeks were higher than those of the control (P < .01). Thus, a radioadaptive response was clearly demonstrated. From the γH2AX foci quantification, the adaptive responses were considered to be associated with the efficient repair of DSB, especially slow repair, in this cell line.

Factors associated with a preference for disclosure of life expectancy information from physicians: a cross-sectional survey of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate experiences and preferences for disclosure of life expectancy, agreement between them, and the factors associated with preferences for disclosure of life expectancy with physicians among cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. METHODS: Cancer patients aged 20 years or older were consecutively sampled when they started radiation therapy at two university hospitals. Patients completed self-administered questionnaires concerning their experiences of and preferences for disclosure of life expectancy, treatment decision-making, psychological distress, physical symptoms, sociodemographic and medical factors, physician's communication style, and provision of psychological, physical, and practical support. RESULTS: Among the 226 respondents (response rate: 58%) who responded, 54% experienced disclosure of life expectancy, and 45% preferred it. The agreement is 65%. Eighty-five percent recognized their aim of radiation therapy as curative. A univariate analysis indicated that having a full/part-time job and wishing to leave treatment decisions to doctors were significantly associated with preference for disclosure of life expectancy, but psychological distress was not. A multiple regression analysis revealed that having a full-time/part-time job was significantly associated with preference of communication about life expectancy. CONCLUSIONS: Fifty-four percent of the patients experienced and 45% of the patients preferred disclosure of life expectancy. The agreement is moderate. Our results show that there was a significant association between employment status and patient's preference for disclosure of life expectancy with physicians. Communication of prognosis is difficult but whether a patient continues to work or not may be an indicator of preference.

Long-term results of intensity-modulated radiotherapy with three dose-fractionation regimens for localized prostate cancer.

We evaluated long-term outcomes of three protocols of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for localized prostate cancer. Between 2005 and 2014, 348 patients were treated with 5-field IMRT. The first 74 patients were treated with a daily fraction of 2.0 Gy to 74 Gy (low-risk prostate cancer) or 78 Gy (intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer); then 101 patients were treated with 2.1-Gy daily fractions to 73.5 or 77.7 Gy. More recently, 173 patients were treated with 2.2-Gy fractions to 72.6 or 74.8 Gy. The median age of all patients was 70 years and the median follow-up period was 82 months. The median follow-up periods were 124 months in the 2.0-Gy group, 98 months in the 2.1-Gy group, and 69 months in the 2.2-Gy group. The overall and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure-free survival (PSA-FFS) rates were, respectively, 89 and 68% at 10 years for the 2.0-Gy group, 91 and 84% at 8 years for the 2.1-Gy group, and 93 and 92% at 6 years for the 2.2-Gy group. The PSA-FFS rate for high-risk patients in all groups was 80% at 7 years. The cumulative incidences of Grade ≥2 late genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity were, respectively, 7.2 and 12.4% at 10 years for the 2.0-Gy group, 7.4 and 14.1% at 8 years for the 2.1-Gy group, and 7.1 and 7.9% at 6 years for the 2.2-Gy group. All three fractionation schedules yielded good tumor control with acceptable toxicities.

Biological Effects of Continuous Low-Dose-Rate Irradiation in Silkworms and Mice: Growth Promotion and Tumor Transplantability.

A previous study showed that continuous low-dose-rate irradiation promoted the growth of silkworm larvae. This study aimed to confirm that finding, determine the optimal dose rate for growth promotion, and compare low- and high-dose-rate irradiation in silkworms, while also investigating the effects of the radiation-emitting sheet on growth and tumor transplantability in mice. Silkworm eggs were placed on low-dose-emitting sheets with 4 different dose rates (γ-ray rate: 1.7 -22.4 µSv/hour) or on control sheets. The other groups of silkworm larvae received single whole-body X-irradiation (0.1-50 Gy), and subsequent body weight changes were monitored. Starting at 3 weeks old, Balb/c mice were bred on the same sheets, and body weight change was measured. Seven weeks later, the mice were used to investigate the transplantability of EMT6 tumor cells cultured in vitro. The silkworms bred on the 13.4- and 22.4-µSv/hour sheets became larger than the control. Single 50-Gy irradiation suppressed the growth of silkworms. An increase in the time to EMT6 tumor development was observed in low-dose-rate-irradiated mice. This study confirmed growth promotion of silkworms by continuous low-dose radiation and demonstrated growth suppression at a high dose rate. Growth promotion was not observed in mice; further studies using higher dose-rate sheets may be warranted.

Recovery from sublethal damage and potentially lethal damage : Proton beam irradiation vs. X­ray irradiation.

PURPOSE: In order to clarify the biological response of tumor cells to proton beam irradiation, sublethal damage recovery (SLDR) and potentially lethal damage recovery (PLDR) induced after proton beam irradiation at the center of a 10 cm spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) were compared with those seen after X­ray irradiation. METHODS: Cell survival was determined by a colony assay using EMT6 and human salivary gland tumor (HSG) cells. First, two doses of 4 Gy/GyE (Gray equivalents, GyE) were given at an interfraction interval of 0-6 h. Second, five fractions of 1.6 Gy/GyE were administered at interfraction intervals of 0-5 min. Third, a delayed-plating assay involving cells in plateau-phase cultures was conducted. The cells were plated in plastic dishes immediately or 2-24 h after being irradiated with 8 Gy/GyE of X­rays or proton beams. Furthermore, we investigated the degree of protection from the effects of X­rays or proton beams afforded by the radical scavenger dimethyl sulfoxide to estimate the contribution of the indirect effect of radiation. RESULTS: In both the first and second experiments, SLDR was more suppressed after proton beam irradiation than after X­ray irradiation. In the third experiment, there was no difference in PLDR between the proton beam and X­ray irradiation conditions. The degree of protection tended to be higher after X­ray irradiation than after proton beam irradiation. CONCLUSION: Compared with that seen after X­ray irradiation, SLDR might take place to a lesser extent after proton beam irradiation at the center of a 10 cm SOBP, while the extent of PLDR does not differ significantly between these two conditions.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer using higher doses for larger tumors: results of the second study.

BACKGROUND: Efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has almost been established. In Japan, the protocol of 48 Gy in 4 fractions over 4 days has been most often employed, but higher doses may be necessary to control large tumors. Previously, we conducted a clinical study using SBRT for stage I NSCLC employing different doses depending on tumor diameter, which was closed in 2008. Thereafter, a new study employing higher doses has been conducted, which is reported here. The purpose of this study was to review the safety and effectiveness of the higher doses. METHODS: We escalated the total dose for the improvement of local control for large tumors. In this study, 71 patients underwent SBRT between December 2008 and April 2014. Isocenter doses of 48, 50, and 52 Gy were administered for tumors with a longest diameter of < 1.5 cm, 1.5-3 cm, and > 3 cm, respectively. It was recommended to cover 95% of the PTV with at least 90% of the isocenter dose, and in all but one cases, 95% of the PTV received at least 80% of the prescribed dose. Treatments were delivered in 4 fractions, giving 2 fractions per week. SBRT was performed with 6-MV photons using 4 non-coplanar and 3 coplanar beams. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 44 months for all patients and 61 months for living patients. Overall survival (OS) was 65%, progression-free survival (PFS) was 55%, and cumulative incidence of local recurrence (LR) was 15% at 5 years. The 5-year OS was 69% for 57 stage IA patients and 53% for 14 stage IB patients (p = 0.44). The 5-year PFS was 55 and 54%, respectively (p = 0.98). The 5-year cumulative incidence of LR was 11 and 31%, respectively (p = 0.09). The cumulative incidence of Grade ≥ 2 radiation pneumonitis was 25%. CONCLUSIONS: Our newer SBRT study yielded reasonable local control and overall survival and acceptable toxicity, but escalating the total dose did not lead to improved outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000027231 , registered on 3 May 2017. Retrospectively registered.