DEGRO guideline for personalized radiotherapy of brain metastases and leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in patients with breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this review was to evaluate the existing evidence for radiotherapy for brain metastases in breast cancer patients and provide recommendations for the use of radiotherapy for brain metastases and leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the current review, a PubMed search was conducted including articles from 01/1985 to 05/2023. The search was performed using the following terms: (brain metastases OR leptomeningeal carcinomatosis) AND (breast cancer OR breast) AND (radiotherapy OR ablative radiotherapy OR radiosurgery OR stereotactic OR radiation). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Despite the fact that the biological subtype of breast cancer influences both the occurrence and relapse patterns of breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM), for most scenarios, no specific recommendations regarding radiotherapy can be made based on the existing evidence. For a limited number of BCBM (1-4), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is generally recommended irrespective of molecular subtype and concurrent/planned systemic therapy. In patients with 5-10 oligo-brain metastases, these techniques can also be conditionally recommended. For multiple, especially symptomatic BCBM, whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT), if possible with hippocampal sparing, is recommended. In cases of multiple asymptomatic BCBM (≥ 5), if SRS/SRT is not feasible or in disseminated brain metastases (> 10), postponing WBRT with early reassessment and reevaluation of local treatment options (8-12 weeks) may be discussed if a HER2/Neu-targeting systemic therapy with significant response rates in the central nervous system (CNS) is being used. In symptomatic leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, local radiotherapy (WBRT or local spinal irradiation) should be performed in addition to systemic therapy. In patients with disseminated leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in good clinical condition and with only limited or stable extra-CNS disease, craniospinal irradiation (CSI) may be considered. Data regarding the toxicity of combining systemic therapies with cranial and spinal radiotherapy are sparse. Therefore, no clear recommendations can be given, and each case should be discussed individually in an interdisciplinary setting.

Analysis of safety and efficacy of proton radiotherapy for IDH-mutated glioma WHO grade 2 and 3.

PURPOSE: Proton beam radiotherapy (PRT) has been demonstrated to improve neurocognitive sequelae particularly. Nevertheless, following PRT, increased rates of radiation-induced contrast enhancements (RICE) are feared. How safe and effective is PRT for IDH-mutated glioma WHO grade 2 and 3? METHODS: We analyzed 194 patients diagnosed with IDH-mutated WHO grade 2 (n = 128) and WHO grade 3 (n = 66) glioma who were treated with PRT from 2010 to 2020. Serial clinical and imaging follow-up was performed for a median of 5.1 years. RESULTS: For WHO grade 2, 61% were astrocytoma and 39% oligodendroglioma while for WHO grade 3, 55% were astrocytoma and 45% oligodendroglioma. Median dose for IDH-mutated glioma was 54 Gy(RBE) [range 50.4-60 Gy(RBE)] for WHO grade 2 and 60 Gy(RBE) [range 54-60 Gy(RBE)] for WHO grade 3. Five year overall survival was 85% in patients with WHO grade 2 and 67% in patients with WHO grade 3 tumors. Overall RICE risk was 25%, being higher in patients with WHO grade 2 (29%) versus in patients with WHO grade 3 (17%, p = 0.13). RICE risk increased independent of tumor characteristics with older age (p = 0.017). Overall RICE was symptomatic in 31% of patients with corresponding CTCAE grades as follows: 80% grade 1, 7% grade 2, 13% grade 3, and 0% grade 3 + . Overall need for RICE-directed therapy was 35%. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate the effectiveness of PRT for IDH-mutated glioma WHO grade 2 and 3. The RICE risk differs with WHO grading and is higher in older patients with IDH-mutated Glioma WHO grade 2 and 3.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy of adrenal metastases-A dose-finding study.

Optimal doses for the treatment of adrenal metastases with stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) are unknown. We aimed to identify dose-volume cut-points associated with decreased local recurrence rates (LRR). A multicenter database of patients with adrenal metastases of any histology treated with SBRT (biologically effective dose, BED10 ≥50 Gy, ≤12 fractions) was analyzed. Details on dose-volume parameters were required (planning target volume: PTV-D98%, PTV-D50%, PTV-D2%; gross tumor volume: GTV-D50%, GTV-mean). Cut-points for LRR were optimized using the R maxstat package. One hundred and ninety-six patients with 218 lesions were included, the largest histopathological subgroup was adenocarcinoma (n = 101). Cut-point optimization resulted in significant cut-points for PTV-D50% (BED10: 73.2 Gy; P = .003), GTV-D50% (BED10: 74.2 Gy; P = .006), GTV-mean (BED10: 73.0 Gy; P = .007), and PTV-D2% (BED10: 78.0 Gy; P = .02) but not for the PTV-D98% (P = .06). Differences in LRR were clinically relevant (LRR ≥ doubled for cut-points that were not achieved). Further dose-escalation was not associated with further improved LRR. PTV-D50%, GTV-D50%, and GTV-mean cut-points were also associated with significantly improved LRR in the adenocarcinoma subgroup. Separate dose optimizations indicated a lower cut-point for the PTV-D50% (BED10: 69.1 Gy) in adenocarcinoma lesions, other values were similar (<2% difference). Associations of cut-points with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival were not significant but durable freedom from local recurrence was associated with OS in a landmark model (P < .001). To achieve a significant improvement of LRR for adrenal SBRT, a moderate escalation of PTV-D50% BED10 >73.2 Gy (adenocarcinoma: 69.1 Gy) should be considered.

DNA-methylome-assisted classification of patients with poor prognostic subventricular zone associated IDH-wildtype glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) derived from the "stem cell" rich subventricular zone (SVZ) may constitute a therapy-refractory subgroup of tumors associated with poor prognosis. Risk stratification for these cases is necessary but is curtailed by error prone imaging-based evaluation. Therefore, we aimed to establish a robust DNA methylome-based classification of SVZ GBM and subsequently decipher underlying molecular characteristics. MRI assessment of SVZ association was performed in a retrospective training set of IDH-wildtype GBM patients (n = 54) uniformly treated with postoperative chemoradiotherapy. DNA isolated from FFPE samples was subject to methylome and copy number variation (CNV) analysis using Illumina Platform and cnAnalysis450k package. Deep next-generation sequencing (NGS) of a panel of 130 GBM-related genes was conducted (Agilent SureSelect/Illumina). Methylome, transcriptome, CNV, MRI, and mutational profiles of SVZ GBM were further evaluated in a confirmatory cohort of 132 patients (TCGA/TCIA). A 15 CpG SVZ methylation signature (SVZM) was discovered based on clustering and random forest analysis. One third of CpG in the SVZM were associated with MAB21L2/LRBA. There was a 14.8% (n = 8) discordance between SVZM vs. MRI classification. Re-analysis of these patients favored SVZM classification with a hazard ratio (HR) for OS of 2.48 [95% CI 1.35-4.58], p = 0.004 vs. 1.83 [1.0-3.35], p = 0.049 for MRI classification. In the validation cohort, consensus MRI based assignment was achieved in 62% of patients with an intraclass correlation (ICC) of 0.51 and non-significant HR for OS (2.03 [0.81-5.09], p = 0.133). In contrast, SVZM identified two prognostically distinct subgroups (HR 3.08 [1.24-7.66], p = 0.016). CNV alterations revealed loss of chromosome 10 in SVZM- and gains on chromosome 19 in SVZM- tumors. SVZM- tumors were also enriched for differentially mutated genes (p < 0.001). In summary, SVZM classification provides a novel means for stratifying GBM patients with poor prognosis and deciphering molecular mechanisms governing aggressive tumor phenotypes.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy of lymph node metastases under MR-guidance: First clinical results and patient-reported outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a noninvasive treatment option for lymph node metastases (LNM). Magnetic resonance (MR)-guidance offers superior tissue contrast and enables treatment of targets in close vicinity to radiosensitive organs at risk (OAR). However, literature on MR-guided SBRT of LNM is scarce with no report on outcome parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report a subgroup analysis of a prospective observational study comprising patients with LNM. Patients received MR-guided SBRT at our MRIdian Linac (ViewRay Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA) between January 2019 and February 2020. Local control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) analysis were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method with log rank test to test for significance (p < 0.05). Our patient-reported outcome questionnaire was utilized to evaluate patients' perspective. The CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) v. 5.0 was used to describe toxicity. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (72.4% with prostate cancer; 51.7% with no distant metastases) received MR-guided SBRT for in total 39 LNM. Median dose was 27 Gy in three fractions, prescribed to the 80% isodose. At 1­year, estimated LC, PFS and OS were 92.6, 67.4 and 100.0%. Compared to baseline, six patients (20.7%) developed new grade I toxicities (mainly fatigue). One grade II toxicity occurred (fatigue), with no adverse event grade ≥III. Overall treatment experience was rated particularly positive, while the technically required low room temperature still represents the greatest obstacle in the pursuit of the ideal patient acceptance. CONCLUSION: MR-guided SBRT of LNM was demonstrated to be a well-accepted treatment modality with excellent preliminary results. Future studies should evaluate the clinical superiority to conventional SBRT.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases from pelvic gynecological malignancies: oncologic outcomes, validation of prognostic scores, and dosimetric evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Stereotactic radiosurgery is a well-established treatment option in the management of brain metastases. Multiple prognostic scores for prediction of survival following radiotherapy exist, but are not disease-specific or validated for radiosurgery in women with primary pelvic gynecologic malignancies metastatic to the brain. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, outcomes, and impact of established prognostic scores. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 52 patients treated with radiotherapy for brain metastases between 2008 and 2021. Stereotactic radiosurgery was utilized in 31 patients for an overall number of 75 lesions; the remaining 21 patients received whole-brain radiotherapy. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test were used to calculate and compare survival curves and univariate and multivariate Cox regression to assess the influence of cofactors on recurrence, local control, and prognosis. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 10.7 months, overall survival rates post radiosurgery were 65.3%, 51.3%, and 27.7% for 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively, which were significantly higher than post whole-brain radiotherapy (p=0.049). Five local failures (6.7%) were detected, resulting in 1 and 2 year local cerebral control rates of 97.4% and 94.0%, respectively. Univariate factors for prediction of superior overall survival were high performance status (p=0.030) and application of three prognostic scores, especially the Recursive Partitioning Analysis score (p=0.028). Uni- and multivariate analysis revealed that extracranial progression prior to radiosurgery was significant for inferior overall survival (p<0.0001). Radionecrosis was diagnosed in five women (16%); long-term neurotoxicity was significantly worse after whole-brain radiotherapy compared with radiosurgery (p=0.023). CONCLUSION: Stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases from pelvic gynecologic malignancies appears to be safe and well tolerated, achieving promising local cerebral control. Prognostic scores were shown to be transferable and radiosurgery should be recommended as primary intracranial treatment, especially in women with no prior extracranial progression and Recursive Partitioning Analysis class I.

Quality assurance for on-table adaptive magnetic resonance guided radiation therapy: A software tool to complement secondary dose calculation and failure modes discovered in clinical routine.

Online adaption of treatment plans on a magnetic resonance (MR)-Linac enables the daily creation of new (adapted) treatment plans using current anatomical information of the patient as seen on MR images. Plan quality assurance (QA) relies on a secondary dose calculation (SDC) that is required because a pretreatment measurement is impossible during the adaptive workflow. However, failure mode and effect analysis of the adaptive planning process shows a large number of error sources, and not all of them are covered by SDC. As the complex multidisciplinary adaption process takes place under time pressure, additional software solutions for pretreatment per-fraction QA need to be used. It is essential to double-check SDC input to ensure a safe treatment delivery. Here, we present an automated treatment plan check tool for adaptive radiotherapy (APART) at a 0.35 T MR-Linac. It is designed to complement the manufacturer-provided adaptive QA tool comprising SDC. Checks performed by APART include contour analysis, electron density map examinations, and fluence modulation complexity controls. For nine of 362 adapted fractions (2.5%), irregularities regarding missing slices in target volumes and organs at risks as well as in margin expansion of target volumes have been found. This demonstrates that mistakes occur and can be detected by additional QA measures, especially contour analysis. Therefore, it is recommended to implement further QA tools additional to what the manufacturer provides to facilitate an informed decision about the quality of the treatment plan.

Stereotactic or conformal radiotherapy for adrenal metastases: Patient characteristics and outcomes in a multicenter analysis.

To report outcome (freedom from local progression [FFLP], overall survival [OS] and toxicity) after stereotactic, palliative or highly conformal fractionated (>12) radiotherapy (SBRT, Pall-RT, 3DCRT/IMRT) for adrenal metastases in a retrospective multicenter cohort within the framework of the German Society for Radiation Oncology (DEGRO). Adrenal metastases treated with SBRT (≤12 fractions, biologically effective dose [BED10] ≥ 50 Gy), 3DCRT/IMRT (>12 fractions, BED10 ≥ 50 Gy) or Pall-RT (BED10 < 50 Gy) were eligible for this analysis. In addition to unadjusted FFLP (Kaplan-Meier/log-rank), we calculated the competing-risk-adjusted local recurrence rate (CRA-LRR). Three hundred twenty-six patients with 366 metastases were included by 21 centers (median follow-up: 11.7 months). Treatment was SBRT, 3DCRT/IMRT and Pall-RT in 260, 27 and 79 cases, respectively. Most frequent primary tumors were non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC; 52.5%), SCLC (16.3%) and melanoma (6.7%). Unadjusted FFLP was higher after SBRT vs Pall-RT (P = .026) while numerical differences in CRA-LRR between groups did not reach statistical significance (1-year CRA-LRR: 13.8%, 17.4% and 27.7%). OS was longer after SBRT vs other groups (P < .05) and increased in patients with locally controlled metastases in a landmark analysis (P < .0001). Toxicity was mostly mild; notably, four cases of adrenal insufficiency occurred, two of which were likely caused by immunotherapy or tumor progression. Radiotherapy for adrenal metastases was associated with a mild toxicity profile in all groups and a favorable 1-year CRA-LRR after SBRT or 3DCRT/IMRT. One-year FFLP was associated with longer OS. Dose-response analyses for the dataset are underway.

Severe skin toxicity during whole-brain radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and additional drug intake including St. John's wort skin oil.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often requires a multimodal treatment including chemotherapy, targeted therapy and radiotherapy. In addition to this, many patients take supportive drugs. Since only scarce data on possible interactions between radiotherapy and pharmaceutical or herbal drugs exist, description of clinical cases is of special interest. CASE REPORT: A patient with stage IV NSCLC was treated with docetaxel/ramucirumab followed by radiotherapy for brain and bone metastases while taking several other over-the-counter drugs (OTCs) including topical St. John's wort skin oil. RESULTS: A 63-year-old female patient with stage IV NSCLC presented with 11 asymptomatic brain metastases and a painful osteolytic bone metastasis in the 12th thoracic vertebral body (T12). Four weeks before the start of palliative whole-brain radiotherapy and bone irradiation of T12, she was administered a combination of docetaxel and ramucirumab. At an administered dose of 24 Gy, the patient presented with severe folliculitis capitis, while skin examination over the thoracolumbar spine was unremarkable although skin dose was similar. After thorough questioning, the patient reported using a herbal skin oil that contained St. John's wort for scalp care only, but not for skin care of her back during radiotherapy. After stopping the topical application of the skin oil, folliculitis improved with a course of systemic and topical antibiotics within 10 days, though the healing process was prolonged and included desquamation and hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSION: St. John's wort seems to be a significant radiosensitizer for photon radiotherapy and can cause severe skin toxicity even though the literature lacks data on this interaction. As an OTC, it is easily accessible and often used by oncological patients due to antidepressant and local antimicrobial and pain-relieving effects.

Impact of guideline changes on adoption of hypofractionation and breast cancer patient characteristics in the randomized controlled HYPOSIB trial.

PURPOSE: Hypofractionated radiotherapy is the standard of care for adjuvant whole breast radiotherapy (RT). However, adoption has been slow. The indication for regional nodal irradiation has been expanded to include patients with 0-3 involved lymph nodes. We investigated the impact of the publication of the updated German S3 guidelines in 2017 on adoption of hypofractionation and enrollment of patients with lymph node involvement within a randomized controlled phase III trial. METHODS: In the experimental arm of the HYPOSIB trial (NCT02474641), hypofractionated RT with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) was used. In the standard arm, RT could be given as hypofractionated RT with sequential boost (HFseq), normofractionated RT with sequential boost (NFseq), or normofractionated RT with SIB (NFSIB). The cutoff date for the updated German S3 guidelines was December 17, 2017. Temporal trends were analyzed by generalized linear regression models. Multiple logistic regression models were used to investigate the influence of time (prior to/after guideline) and setting (university hospital/other institutions) on the fractionation patterns. RESULTS: Enrollment of patients with involved lymph nodes was low throughout the trial. Adoption of HFseq increased over time and when using the guideline publication date as cutoff. Results of the multiple logistic regressions showed an interaction between time and setting. Furthermore, the use of HFseq was significantly more common in university hospitals. CONCLUSION: The use of HFseq in the standard arm increased over the course of the HYPOSIB trial and after publication of the S3 guideline update. This was primarily driven by patients treated in university hospitals. Enrolment of patients with lymph node involvement was low throughout the trial.

Innovative radiation oncology Together - Precise, Personalized, Human : Vision 2030 for radiotherapy & radiation oncology in Germany.

PURPOSE: Scientific and clinical achievements in radiation, medical, and surgical oncology are changing the landscape of interdisciplinary oncology. The German Society for Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) working group of young clinicians and scientists (yDEGRO) and the DEGRO representation of associate and full professors (AKRO) are aware of the essential role of radiation oncology in multidisciplinary treatment approaches. Together, yDEGRO and AKRO endorsed developing a German radiotherapy & radiation oncology vision 2030 to address future challenges in patient care, research, and education. The vision 2030 aims to identify priorities and goals for the next decade in the field of radiation oncology. METHODS: The vision development comprised three phases. During the first phase, areas of interest, objectives, and the process of vision development were defined jointly by the yDEGRO, AKRO, and the DEGRO board. In the second phase, a one-day strategy retreat was held to develop AKRO and yDEGRO representatives' final vision from medicine, biology, and physics. The third phase was dedicated to vision interpretation and program development by yDEGRO representatives. RESULTS: The strategy retreat's development process resulted in conception of the final vision "Innovative radiation oncology Together - Precise, Personalized, Human." The first term "Innovative radiation oncology" comprises the promotion of preclinical research and clinical trials and highlights the development of a national committee for strategic development in radiation oncology research. The term "together" underpins collaborations within radiation oncology departments as well as with other partners in the clinical and scientific setting. "Precise" mainly covers technological precision in radiotherapy as well as targeted oncologic therapeutics. "Personalized" emphasizes biology-directed individualization of radiation treatment. Finally, "Human" underlines the patient-centered approach and points towards the need for individual longer-term career curricula for clinicians and researchers in the field. CONCLUSION: The vision 2030 balances the ambition of physical, technological, and biological innovation as well as a comprehensive, patient-centered, and collaborative approach towards radiotherapy & radiation oncology in Germany.

MR-guided radiotherapy of moving targets.

INTRODUCTION: Hybrid magnetic resonance (MR) linear accelerators (MR-Linacs) for radiotherapy allow for the visualization and tracking of moving target volumes during the entire treatment. This makes gated treatments possible, decreasing the irradiated volumes and thus sparing healthy tissue from unnecessary radiation dose. Conventionally, tumors that are subject to respiration motion are treated by irradiating the entire area of potential target presence (internal target volume, ITV). This study presents three patient cases (lung, adrenal gland, and liver tumors) treated with gated MR-guided radiotherapy and compares the treatment plans retrospectively with conventional ITV plans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The gross tumor volume was delineated on MR and computed tomography (CT) images of the patients, and MR-Linac treatment plans were generated using additional clinical and planning target volume margins. The motion of the gross tumor volume was evaluated on two-dimensional cine-MRI images during the entire MR-Linac treatment. Based on the motion analysis, standard ITV-based plans were retrospectively created and compared by means of irradiated target volumes and dose-volume parameters. RESULTS: For the MR-Linac plans, the irradiated treatment volumes were reduced by an average of 62% across the three cases, and for one case the ITV-based target volume would have overlapped with a critical organ. Target volume coverage was much better and the lung and adrenal MR-Linac plans revealed superior sparing of the organs at risks thanks to gated treatments. CONCLUSION: Dosimetrically beneficial treatment plans with promising clinical outcomes can be applied when using gated MR-guided radiotherapy. Future studies will reveal which patients will benefit most from this technique. To utilize the full potential of online adaptive, individualized MR-guided therapy, the close collaboration of radio-oncology and radiology is needed.

Oncological outcome and recurrence pattern analysis after involved-field irradiation in combination with rituximab for early-stage nodal and extranodal follicular lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Combined radioimmunotherapy (RIT) in follicular lymphomas (FL) has shown promising treatment efficacy in the Mabthera® and Involved field Radiation (MIR) study. Aim of this study was to analyze treatment efficacy and recurrence patterns after RIT in early-stage nodal and extranodal FL. METHODS: We reviewed 107 patients who were treated with combined RIT in two centers. Treatment consisted of 4â€¯× rituximab followed by RIT with 4â€¯× rituximab and involved field (IF) radiotherapy with 30/40 Gy. Median follow-up period was 71 months. In contrast to the MIR study, extranodal involvement and grade 3A histology were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Extranodal involvement and grade 3A histology were present in 21.8% and 13.1%, respectively. Overall response rate (ORR) after 4â€¯× rituximab, after completion of RIT, and after 6 months was 78.1%, 98.8%, and 98.8%, respectively, with increasing rates of complete remissions (CR). Predictive factors associated with superior PFS were tumor size, completely excised lymphomas, and response to first 4â€¯× rituximab. 5­year PFS rate was 87.3%, with mostly outfield recurrences (94.1%). Second-line treatment was effective, with 53.3% CR and 46.7% partial remissions (PR). 5­year OS was 98.1%. RIT was tolerated well, with mainly grade 1-2 acute side effects. CONCLUSION: The real-world efficacy of RIT is comparable with the results of the MIR study. Additionally, this analysis shows that extranodal involvement and grade 3A histology are not associated with inferior PFS.

First prospective clinical evaluation of feasibility and patient acceptance of magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy in Germany.

PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) has recently been introduced in our institution. As MRgRT requires high patient compliance compared to conventional techniques and can be associated with prolonged treatment times, feasibility and patient tolerance were prospectively assessed using patient-reported outcome questionnaires (PRO-Q). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients were enrolled in a prospective observational study and treated with MRgRT on a low-field hybrid Magnetic Resonance Linear Accelerator system (MR-Linac) between April 2018 and April 2019. For assistance in gated breath-hold delivery using cine-MRI, a video feedback system was installed. PRO-Qs consisted of questions on MR-related complaints and also assessed aspects of active patient participation. RESULTS: The most commonly treated anatomic sites were nodal metastases and liver lesions. The mean treatment time was 34 min with a mean beam-on time of 2:17 min. Gated stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) was applied in 47% of all patients. Overall, patients scored MRgRT as positive or at least tolerable in the PRO­Q. Almost two thirds of patients (65%) complained about at least one item of the PRO­Q (score ≥4), mainly concerning coldness, paresthesia, and uncomfortable positioning. All patients reported high levels of satisfaction with their active role using the video feedback system in breath-hold delivery. CONCLUSION: MRgRT was successfully implemented in our clinic and well tolerated by all patients, despite MR-related complaints and complaints about uncomfortable immobilization. Prospective clinical studies are in development for further evaluation of MRgRT and for quantification of the benefit of MR-guided on-table adaptive radiotherapy.

Consolidative mediastinal irradiation of malignant lymphoma using active scanning proton beams: clinical outcome and dosimetric comparison.

PURPOSE: Current research approaches in lymphoma focus on reduction of therapy-associated long-term side effects. Especially in mediastinal lymphoma, proton beam radiotherapy (PT) may be a promising approach for reducing the dose to organs at risk (OAR). PATIENTS: In total, 20 patients were irradiated with active scanning PT at Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center (HIT) between September 2014 and February 2017. For comparative analysis, additional photon irradiation plans with helical intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were calculated and quantitative and qualitative dose evaluations were made for both treatment modalities. Toxicity and survival outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Clinical target volume coverage was comparable in both treatment modalities and did not significantly differ between IMRT and PT. Nevertheless, PT showed superiority regarding the homogeneity index (HIPT = 1.041 vs. HIIMRT = 1.075, p < 0.001). For all OAR, PT showed significantly higher dose reductions compared with IMRT. In particular, the dose to the heart was reduced in PT (absolute dose reduction of Dmean of 3.3 Gy [all patients] and 4.2 Gy [patients with pericardial involvement]). Likewise, the subgroup analysis of female patients, who were expected to receive higher doses to the breast, showed a higher dose reduction in Dmean of 1.2 Gy (right side) and 2.2 Gy (left side). After a median follow-up of 32 months (range 21-48 months), local and distant progression free survival (LPFS and DPFS) were 95.5% and 95.0%, respectively. Radiotherapy was tolerated well with only mild (grade 1-2) radiation-induced acute and chronic side effects. CONCLUSION: A significant reduction in the dose to the surrounding OAR was achieved with PT compared with photon irradiation, without compromising target volume coverage. Dosimetric advantages may have the potential to translate into a reduction of long-term radiation-induced toxicity in young patients with malignant lymphoma of the mediastinum.

Response rates and recurrence patterns after low-dose radiotherapy with 4 Gy in patients with low-grade lymphomas.

PURPOSE: Retrospective study of effectiveness, toxicity, and relapse patterns after low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) in patients with low-grade lymphomas. METHODS: 47 patients (median age 64 years) with 50 lesions were treated with LDRT (2â€¯× 2 Gy). In 60%, LDRT was the primary and curative treatment, in 40% offered as second-line therapy in recurrent disease. Histology included follicular (57%) and marginal zone lymphomas (43%). Patients were followed-up regularly clinically (skin) and with CT or MRI scans. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 21 months. 84% of the lesions were extranodal disease (32% orbit, 14% salivary glands, 30% skin, and 8% others). Most lesions were ≤5 cm (90%) with a singular affection (74%). 26% of the patients received rituximab simultaneously. Overall response rate (ORR) was 90% (all lesions), 93.3% (primary treatment), and 85% (recurrence treatment); p = 0.341. 2­year Local progression-free survival (LPFS) for all, curative, and palliative patients was 91.1%, 96.7%, and 83.8%, respectively; p = 0.522. Five relapses were detected: three infield only, and were therefore treated with LDRT or subsequent local RT of 30 Gy. Two patients showed an in- and outfield progression and were consequently treated with chemotherapy. Predictive factors for higher LPFS were tumor size ≤5 cm (p = 0.003), ≤2 previous treatments (p = 0.027), no skin involvement (p = 0.05), singular affection (p = 0.075), and simultaneous rituximab application (p = 0.148). LDRT was tolerated well, without detectable acute or long-term side effects. CONCLUSION: Primary LDRT is an effective treatment with high ORR and long-lasting remissions in a subset of patients with low-grade lymphoma, and may therefore be a curative treatment option for patients with low tumor burden. LDRT with the CD20 antibody obinutuzumab will soon be tested in a prospective multicenter trial.

Outcome and prognostic factors in single brain metastases from small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is historically the standard of care for patients with brain metastases (BM) from small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), although locally ablative treatments are the standard of care for patients with 1-4 BM from other solid tumors. The objective of this analysis was to find prognostic factors influencing overall survival (OS) and intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS) in SCLC patients with single BM (SBM) treated with WBRT. METHODS: A total of 52 patients were identified in the authors' cancer center database with histologically confirmed SCLC and contrast-enhanced magnet resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT), which confirmed SBM between 2006 and 2015 and were therefore treated with WBRT. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed for OS analyses. The log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test was used to compare survival curves. Univariate Cox proportional-hazards ratios (HRs) were used to assess the influence of cofactors on OS and iPFS. RESULTS: The median OS after WBRT was 5 months and the median iPFS after WBRT 16 months. Patients that received surgery prior to WBRT had a significantly longer median OS of 19 months compared to 5 months in the group receiving only WBRT (p = 0.03; HR 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-4.73). Patients with synchronous disease had a significantly longer OS compared to patients with metachronous BM (6 months vs. 3 months, p = 0.005; HR 0.27; 95% CI 0.11-0.68). Univariate analysis for OS revealed a statistically significant effect for metachronous disease (HR 2.25; 95% CI 1.14-4.46; p = 0.019), initial response to first-line chemotherapy (HR 0.58; 95% CI 0.35-0.97; p = 0.04), and surgical resection (HR 0.36; 95% CI 0.15-0.88; p = 0.026). OS was significantly affected by metachronous disease in multivariate analysis (HR 2.20; 95% CI 1.09-4.45; p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Univariate analysis revealed that surgery followed by WBRT can improve OS in patients with SBM in SCLC. Furthermore, synchronous disease and response to initial chemotherapy appeared to be major prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis revealed metachronous disease as a significantly negative prognostic factor on OS. The value of WBRT, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), or surgery alone or in combination for patients with a limited number of BM in SCLC should be evaluated in further prospective clinical trials.

Metformin Enhanced in Vitro Radiosensitivity Associates with G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and Elevated Adenosine-5'-monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase Levels in Glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: It is hypothesized that metabolism plays a strong role in cancer cell regulation. We have recently demonstrated improved progression-free survival in patients with glioblastoma who received metformin as an antidiabetic substance during chemoradiation. Although metformin is well-established in clinical use the influence of metformin in glioblastoma is far from being understood especially in combination with other treatment modalities such as radiation and temozolomide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we examined the influence of metformin in combinations with radiation and temozolomide on cell survival (clonogenic survival), cell cycle (routine flow cytometric analysis, FACScan), and phosphorylated Adenosine-5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) (Phopho-AMPKalpha1 - ELISA) levels in glioblastoma cell lines LN18 and LN229. RESULTS: Metformin and temozolomide enhanced the effectiveness of photon irradiation in glioblastoma cells. Cell toxicity was more pronounced in O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter non-methylated LN18 cells. Induction of a G2/M phase cell cycle block through metformin and combined treatments was observed up to 72 h. These findings were associated with elevated levels of activated AMPK levels in LN229 cells but not in LN18 cells after irradiation, metformin, and temozolomide treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Radiosensitizing effects of metformin on glioblastoma cells treated with irradiation and temozolomide in vitro coincided with G2/M arrest and changes in pAMPK levels.

Exploring Helium Ions' Potential for Post-Mastectomy Left-Sided Breast Cancer Radiotherapy.

Proton therapy presents a promising modality for treating left-sided breast cancer due to its unique dose distribution. Helium ions provide increased conformality thanks to a reduced lateral scattering. Consequently, the potential clinical benefit of both techniques was explored. An explorative treatment planning study involving ten patients, previously treated with VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy) for 50 Gy in 25 fractions for locally advanced, node-positive breast cancer, was carried out using proton pencil beam therapy with a fixed relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 1.1 and helium therapy with a variable RBE described by the mMKM (modified microdosimetric kinetic model). Results indicated that target coverage was improved with particle therapy for both the clinical target volume and especially the internal mammary lymph nodes compared to VMAT. Median dose value analysis revealed that proton and helium plans provided lower dose on the left anterior descending artery (LAD), heart, lungs and right breast than VMAT. Notably, helium therapy exhibited improved ipsilateral lung sparing over protons. Employing NTCP models as available in the literature, helium therapy showed a lower probability of grade ≤ 2 radiation pneumonitis (22% for photons, 5% for protons and 2% for helium ions), while both proton and helium ions reduce the probability of major coronary events with respect to VMAT.