Efficacy of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy in patients with oligometastatic hepatocellular carcinoma: A phase II study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) can extend survival and offers the potential for cure in some patients with oligometastatic disease (OMD). However, limited evidence exists regarding its use in oligometastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to prospectively investigate the efficacy and safety of SABR in patients with oligometastatic HCC. METHODS: We enrolled patients with controlled primary HCC and one to five metastatic lesions amenable to SABR. The primary endpoint was treatment efficacy defined as overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included time to local progression, objective response rate, disease control rate, toxicities, and quality of life (QOL), assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 before, and 0, 1, and 3 months after SABR. RESULTS: Overall, 40 consecutive patients received SABR on 62 lesions between 2021 and 2022. The most common locations for OMD were the lungs (48.4%), lymph nodes (22.6%), and bone (17.7%). After a median follow-up of 15.5 months, the 2-year OS was 80%. Median PFS was 5.3 months, with 1- and 2-year PFS rates of 21.2% and 0%, respectively. A shorter time to OMD from the controlled primary independently correlated with PFS (p = 0.039, hazard ratio 2.127) alongside age, Child-Pugh class, and alpha-fetoprotein (p = 0.002, 0.004, 0.019, respectively). The 2-year time to local progression, objective response rate, and disease control rate were 91.1%, 75.8%, and 98.4%, respectively. Overall, 10% of patients experienced acute toxicity, and 7.5% experienced late toxicity, with no grade 3+ toxicity. All QOL scores remained stable, whereas the patients without systemic treatments had improved insomnia and social functioning scores. CONCLUSIONS: SABR is an effective and feasible option for oligometastatic HCC that leads to excellent local tumor control and improves survival without adversely affecting QOL. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is a non-invasive treatment approach capable of efficiently ablating the target lesion; however, neither the oligometastatic disease concept nor the potential benefits of SABR have been well-defined in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). According to this study, SABR is an effective and safe treatment option for oligometastatic HCC, yielding excellent local tumor control and survival improvement without worsening patients' quality of life, regardless of tumor sites. We also demonstrated that patients with a later presentation of OMD from the controlled primary and lower alpha-fetoprotein levels achieved better survival outcomes. This is the first prospective study of SABR in oligometastatic HCC, providing insights for the development of novel strategies to improve oncologic outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT05173610.

The Landmark Series: Multimodal Management of Oligometastatic Sarcoma.

The concept of "oligometastatic" disease suggests the presence of intermediate states between localized disease and widespread metastases, which may be potentially treatable with curative therapeutic strategies. Metastases local therapy (MLT) can be accomplished through various techniques such as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), cryoablation, or surgical metastasectomy. The incorporation of MLT in the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with metastatic sarcoma is complex. Retrospective studies support consideration of MLT for selected patients based on factors such as patient condition, disease biology, histologic type, and disease burden. Decisions regarding type and timing of MLT should be made after multidisciplinary discussion including radiation oncologists, surgical and orthopedic oncologists, medical oncologists, and interventional radiology to explore all options before treatment decsions. All MLT techniques have advantages and disadvantages and should be performed in centers specialized in the care of complex oncology patients where various options can be explored concurrently or sequentially for each patient. Future studies evaluating quality of life and patient-reported outcomes are necessary to adequately align patient goals and optimal outcomes. This article reviews the medical scenarios that may benefit the use of MLT, evaluates the distinct advantages and disadvantages associated with these various techniques, and analyzes the findings from pivotal series to provide a comprehensive understanding of its role in clinical practice.

Single vs. multiple fraction non-inferiority trial of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for the comprehensive treatment of oligo-metastases/progression: SIMPLIFY-SABR-COMET.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy delivery regimens can vary between a single fraction (SF) and multiple fractions (MF) given daily for up to several weeks depending on the location of the cancer or metastases. With limited evidence comparing fractionation regimens for oligometastases, there is support to explore toxicity levels to nearby organs at risk as a primary outcome while using SF and MF stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) as well as explore differences in patient-reported quality of life and experience. METHODS: This study will randomize 598 patients in a 1:1 ratio between the standard arm (MF SABR) and the experimental arm (SF SABR). This trial is designed as two randomized controlled trials within one patient population for resource efficiency. The primary objective of the first randomization is to determine if SF SABR is non-inferior to MF SABR, with respect to healthcare provider (HCP)-reported grade 3-5 adverse events (AEs) that are related to SABR. Primary endpoint is toxicity while secondary endpoints include lesional control rate (LCR), and progression-free survival (PFS). The second randomization (BC Cancer sites only) will allocate participants to either complete quality of life (QoL) questionnaires only; or QoL questionnaires and a symptom-specific survey with symptom-guided HCP intervention. The primary objective of the second randomization is to determine if radiation-related symptom questionnaire-guided HCP intervention results in improved reported QoL as measured by the EuroQoL-5-dimensions-5levels (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. The primary endpoint is patient-reported QoL and secondary endpoints include: persistence/resolution of symptom reporting, QoL, intervention cost effectiveness, resource utilization, and overall survival. DISCUSSION: This study will compare SF and MF SABR in the treatment of oligometastases and oligoprogression to determine if there is non-inferior toxicity for SF SABR in selected participants with 1-5 oligometastatic lesions. This study will also compare patient-reported QoL between participants who receive radiation-related symptom-guided HCP intervention and those who complete questionnaires alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05784428. Date of Registration: 23 March 2023.

A randomised controlled trial of Standard Of Care versus RadioAblaTion in Early Stage HepatoCellular Carcinoma (SOCRATES HCC).

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic options for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in individual patients can be limited by tumor and location, liver dysfunction and comorbidities. Many patients with early-stage HCC do not receive curative-intent therapies. Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) has emerged as an effective, non-invasive HCC treatment option, however, randomized evidence for SABR in the first line setting is lacking. METHODS: Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) 21.07 SOCRATES-HCC is a phase II, prospective, randomised trial comparing SABR to other current standard of care therapies for patients with a solitary HCC ≤ 8 cm, ineligible for surgical resection or transplantation. The study is divided into 2 cohorts. Cohort 1 will compromise 118 patients with tumors ≤ 3 cm eligible for thermal ablation randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to thermal ablation or SABR. Cohort 2 will comprise 100 patients with tumors > 3 cm up to 8 cm in size, or tumors ≤ 3 cm ineligible for thermal ablation, randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to SABR or best other standard of care therapy including transarterial therapies. The primary objective is to determine whether SABR results in superior freedom from local progression (FFLP) at 2 years compared to thermal ablation in cohort 1 and compared to best standard of care therapy in cohort 2. Secondary endpoints include progression free survival, overall survival, adverse events, patient reported outcomes and health economic analyses. DISCUSSION: The SOCRATES-HCC study will provide the first randomized, multicentre evaluation of the efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness of SABR versus other standard of care therapies in the first line treatment of unresectable, early-stage HCC. It is a broad, multicentre collaboration between hepatology, interventional radiology and radiation oncology groups around Australia, coordinated by TROG Cancer Research. TRIAL REGISTRATION: anzctr.org.au, ACTRN12621001444875, registered 21 October 2021.

Salvage stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy after thermal ablation of primary kidney cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of salvage stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for recurrent renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after thermal ablation (TA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a multi-institutional retrospective analysis of patients with recurrent RCC following TA who received SABR between 2016 and 2020. The primary study outcome was freedom from local failure, evaluated radiographically based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) v1.1. Distant failure, cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), treatment-related toxicity and renal function changes following SABR were the secondary outcomes. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate freedom from local and distant failure, CSS and OS. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with 18 biopsy-confirmed RCCs were included, with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age at time of SABR of 75.2 (72.6-68.7) years, a median (IQR) tumour size of 3.5 (1.9-4.1) cm and follow-up (reverse Kaplan-Meier method) of 3.36 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-4.1) years. Six of the 17 patients had a solitary kidney. Five patients had failed repeat TA prior to SABR. The median (IQR) time from TA procedure to SABR was 3.03 (1.5-5.1) years. No patient experienced local progression, with a local control rate of 100%. Four patients, two with baseline metastatic disease, experienced distant progression. The distant progression-free survival, CSS and OS at 3 years were 72.1% (95% CI 51.9%-100%), 92.3% (95% CI 78.9%-100%) and 82.1% (95% CI 62.1%-100%), respectively. The median (IQR) glomerular filtration rate before SABR was 58 (40-71) mL/min, and at last follow-up, it was 48 (33-57) mL/min. No patient experienced grade 3+ toxicity or went on to develop end-stage renal disease. CONCLUSION: The results showed that SABR appears to be an effective and safe salvage strategy in patients with recurrent RCC following TA.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy: is less fractionation more effective in adrenal and renal malignant lesions?

PURPOSE: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has become an excellent non-invasive alternative for many patients with primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and adrenal malignancies (AM). The aims of this study were to analyse how tumor-, patient- and treatment-related factors may influence the outcomes and side effects of SBRT and to assess its benefits as an alternative to surgery. METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter study included 25 lesions in 23 patients treated with SBRT using different devices (LINAC, CyberKnife® and Tomotherapy®). A multivariate linear regression was used for the statistical study. RESULTS: Local control time was higher than six months in more than 87% of patients and treatment response was complete for 73.68%. There was an overall 2-year survival of 40% and none of the deaths were secondary to renal or adrenal local progression. Patients treated with lower total radiation dose (mean [m] = 55 Gy) but less fractions with more dose per fraction (> 8.5 Gy) showed better outcome. Patients with previous chemotherapy and surgery treatments also showed higher complete response and disease-free survival (> 6 months). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of ultra-hypofractionated regimens with higher doses per session. Thus, the referral of patients with RCC and AM to Radiotherapy and Oncology departments should be encouraged supporting the role of SBRT as a minimally invasive and outpatient treatment.

A randomized phase III trial of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for patients with up to 10 oligometastases and a synchronous primary tumor (SABR-SYNC): study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Emerging randomized data, mostly from phase II trials, have suggested that patients with oligometastatic cancers may benefit from ablative treatments such as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). However, phase III data testing this paradigm are lacking, and many studies have examined SABR in the setting of metachronous oligometastatic disease. The goal of the SABR-SYNC trial is to assess the effect of SABR in patients with oligometastatic cancers and a synchronous primary tumor. METHODS: One hundred and eighty patients will be randomized in a 1:2 ratio between standard of care (SOC) palliative-intent treatments vs. SOC + ablative therapy (SABR preferred) to all sites of known disease. Randomization will be stratified based on histology and number of metastases at enrollment. SABR may be delivered in 1-, 3- and 5-fraction regimens, with recommended doses of 20 Gy, 30 Gy, and 35 Gy, respectively. Non-SABR local modalities (e.g. surgery, thermal ablation, conventional radiation) may be used for treatment of the primary or metastases at the discretion of the treating physicians, if those modalities are clinically preferred. The primary endpoint is overall survival, and secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, time to development of new metastatic lesions, time to initiation of next systemic therapy, quality of life, and toxicity. Translational endpoints include assessment of circulating tumor DNA and immunological predictors of outcomes. DISCUSSION: SABR-SYNC will provide phase III data to assess the impact of SABR on overall survival in a population of patients with synchronous oligometastases. The translational component will attempt to identify novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers to aid in clinical decision making. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05717166 (registration date: Feb. 8, 2023).

Stereotactic body radiotherapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in pancreatic cancer allows high delivery of radiation doses on tumors without affecting surrounding tissue. This review aimed at the SBRT application in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. DATA SOURCES: We retrieved articles published in MEDLINE/PubMed from January 2017 to December 2022. Keywords used in the search included: "pancreatic adenocarcinoma" OR "pancreatic cancer" AND "stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR)" OR "stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)" OR "chemoradiotherapy (CRT)". English language articles with information on technical characteristics, doses and fractionation, indications, recurrence patterns, local control and toxicities of SBRT in pancreatic tumors were included. All articles were assessed for validity and relevant content. RESULTS: Optimal doses and fractionation have not yet been defined. However, SBRT could be the standard treatment in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in addition to CRT. Furthermore, the combination of SBRT with chemotherapy may have additive or synergic effect on pancreatic adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: SBRT is an effective modality for patients with pancreatic cancer, supported by clinical practice guidelines as it has demonstrated good tolerance and good disease control. SBRT opens a possibility of improving outcomes for these patients, both in neoadjuvant treatment and with radical intent.

Novel Blood Biomarkers for Response Prediction and Monitoring of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy in Metastatic Oligoprogressive Lung Cancer.

Up to 80% of patients under immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) face resistance. In this context, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) can induce an immune or abscopal response. However, its molecular determinants remain unknown. We present early results of a translational study assessing biomarkers of response to combined ICI and SABR (I-SABR) in liquid biopsy from oligoprogressive patients in a prospective observational multicenter study. Cohort A includes metastatic patients in oligoprogression to ICI maintaining the same ICI due to clinical benefit and who receive concomitant SABR. B is a comparative group of oligometastatic patients receiving only SABR. Blood samples are extracted at baseline (T1), after the first (T2) and last (T3) fraction, two months post-SABR (T4) and at further progression (TP). Response is evaluated by iRECIST and defined by the objective response rate (ORR)-complete and partial responses. We assess peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and small RNA from extracellular vesicles. Twenty-seven patients could be analyzed (cohort A: n = 19; B: n = 8). Most were males with non-small cell lung cancer and one progressing lesion. With a median follow-up of 6 months, the last ORR was 63% (26% complete and 37% partial response). A decrease in cfDNA from T2 to T3 correlated with a good response. At T2, CD8+PD1+ and CD8+PDL1+ cells were increased in non-responders and responders, respectively. At T2, 27 microRNAs were differentially expressed. These are potential biomarkers of response to I-SABR in oligoprogressive disease.

[Radiotherapy for non-tumoral disorders : a brief history and indications in 2024]. / La radiothérapie des pathologies non tumorales : un bref historique et possibilités en 2024.

Radiotherapy for non-tumoral disorders has a long history. Lack of high-level evidence, therapeutic alternatives and fear of side effects (particularly radiation-induced cancer) reduced some indications to a trickle during the second half of the 20th century. Others were logically abandoned. There are two exceptions to this trend. On the one hand, some Central European countries (Germany in particular) still use radiotherapy regularly for diseases such as osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, chronic tendinopathies, Dupuytren's disease, etc. On the other hand, the development of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy has opened up new indications, whether cerebral (arteriovenous malformations, trigeminal neuralgia, obsessive-compulsive disorders) or cardiac (ventricular tachycardia). In this article, we present a non-exhaustive list of some indications (or rather possibilities) for radiotherapy in non-tumoral disorders in 2024.

La radiothérapie des pathologies non tumorales possède une longue histoire. L'absence de preuves d'un niveau élevé, les alternatives thérapeutiques et la peur d'effets secondaires (en particulier le cancer radio-induit) ont réduit certaines indications à peau de chagrin durant la seconde moitié du 20ème siècle. D'autres ont logiquement été abandonnées. Deux exceptions existent concernant cette diminution. D'une part, certains pays d'Europe centrale (l'Allemagne en particulier) continuent d'utiliser régulièrement la radiothérapie dans des pathologies telles que l'arthrose, la fasciite plantaire, les tendinopathies chroniques, la maladie de Dupuytren ... D'autre part, le développement de la radiothérapie stéréotaxique ablative a permis d'envisager de nouvelles indications qu'elles soient cérébrales (malformations artério-veineuses, névralgie du trijumeau, troubles obsessionnels compulsifs) ou cardiaques (tachycardie ventriculaire). Nous présentons, de façon non exhaustive, quelques indications (ou plutôt possibilités) de radiothérapie dans les pathologies non tumorales utilisées en 2024.

Retreatment of Patients With Metastatic Cutaneous Melanoma Who Relapse After Elective Checkpoint Inhibitor Discontinuation After a Complete Remission.

INTRODUCTION: Checkpoint blockade has improved the response rate and survival in metastatic melanoma. Elective treatment discontinuation appears to be reasonable in most patients who have achieved a confirmed complete remission. It seems crucial to understand whether restarting immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy can induce additional responses or remissions in rare patients who relapse. METHODS: A retrospective analysis identified only 10 patients who relapsed after elective treatment discontinuation after a radiologically confirmed remission. These patients were retreated with single-agent PD-1 or combined CTLA-4 plus PD-1-directed monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: We found an initial complete response rate of 20% (2 patients) following retreatment. With a median follow-up of 26 months, the addition of individualized salvage therapies converted an additional 4 patients to a 2nd remission. All 6 of these patients have again discontinued therapy. Three patients have died of metastatic melanoma, while another is receiving salvage therapy. Six of our 10 patients experienced grades 2-3 retreatment-related toxicity. There were no hospitalizations or fatalities. DISCUSSION: Retreatment of relapsing patients resulted in 20% complete responses with checkpoint inhibitors. The planned addition of other treatment modalities converted another 4 patients (40%) to a durable 2nd remission. This sequential approach merits further exploration in prospective clinical trials.

Difference in failure patterns after stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung cancer according to clinical T stage based on 4D computed tomography.

PURPOSE: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a treatment option for early-stage lung cancer. We aimed to examine the differences in failure patterns after SBRT according to the clinical T stage. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with early-stage lung cancer (T1-3N0M0) who underwent SBRT were analysed. The clinical stage in patients whose tumours were in contact with the chest wall was confirmed using four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT). Local failure, regional node metastasis, and distant metastasis were confirmed from clinical charts. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 27.5 months (range 7-122) after SBRT. Thirteen patients were restaged from clinical T2 with visceral pleural invasion to T3 with chest wall invasion using 4D-CT analysis. Thirty-seven patients developed recurrences. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 38.1 and 53.8 months, respectively. The 3­year PFS and OS rates were 50.7% and 60.3%, respectively. A significant difference was observed in PFS according to the clinical T stage (p = 0.001). No significant differences were observed in OS according to the clinical T stage (p = 0.213). The proportion of locoregional failures relative to distant metastasis decreased with progression from T1 to T3. The pleural dissemination rate was significantly higher in T3 tumours than in T1 and T2 tumours (p = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Clinical T stage is associated with PFS after SBRT for lung cancer. There were differences in the failure patterns according to T stage. 4D-CT might provide significant information for assessing chest wall invasion associated with unfavourable PFS.

Systematic review of economic evaluations on stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) compared to other radiotherapy techniques or surgical procedures for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is recommended as first-choice treatment to inoperable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it is not widely adopted in developing countries, and its cost-effectiveness is unclear. We aimed to perform a systematic review of full economic evaluations (EE) that compared SABR with other radiotherapy or surgical procedures to assess the results and methodological approach. METHODS: The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021241640). We included full EE studies with early-stage NSCLC in which one group was submitted to SABR. Studies that were partial EE, included advanced NSCLC or other neoplasm were excluded. We performed the last search on June 2021 in Medline, EMBASE and other databases. The reporting quality were assessed by CHEERS checklist. The main characteristics of each study were tabulated, and the results were presented by a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: We included nine studies. Three compared radiotherapy techniques, in which SABR was found to be dominant or cost-effective. Six compared SABR with surgery, and in this group, there was not a unanimous decision. All included only direct healthcare costs but varied about categories included. The parameters used in the model-based studies were highly heterogeneous using mixed data from various sources. The items properly reported varied from 29 to 67%. CONCLUSIONS: The studies were all from developed countries and lacked in reporting quality. We recommend that developing countries produce their own studies. More strict alignment to reporting guidelines and use of robust evidence as model parameters are also advised.

Plain language summary and patient perspective of the revised STARS study: long-term results of a study that compared the effectiveness of radiotherapy to surgery in people with non-small-cell lung cancer.

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?: This is a summary of a research study called revised STARS. The STARS study involved people with non-small-cell lung cancer, also known as NSCLC. The cancer was less than 5 cm in size and had not spread to other parts of the body (known as stage 1 cancer). The study compared the effectiveness of surgery versus a type of radiotherapy treatment, called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (also known as SABR) as a treatment for people with NSCLC. Researchers wanted to find out how likely people were to be alive after treatment or if their cancer had grown or spread to other parts of their body (also known as progressed). WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?: The study found that the long term outcomes were similar between SABR and surgery. People with NSCLC were as likely to be alive 3 years after treatment with SABR compared to surgery. WHAT DO THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY MEAN?: SABR may be an alternative to surgery for people with stage 1 NSCLC which is less than 5 cm in size and has not spread to other parts of the body Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02357992 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for colorectal cancer liver metastasis.

Survival improvement of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) benefits from systemic therapy and metastasis-directed local therapy. Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR), as a new efficient metastasis-directed local therapy with a systematic impact, plays a vital role in CRLM multidisciplinary treatment. SABR leads to a dramatic immunological change in the tumor microenvironment (TME) via differential activation of cytoprotective and cytotoxic pathways in malignant and non-malignant cells, in addition to direct tumor cell death. The synergy of SABR and immunotherapy might increase the abscopal response rate of out-field lesions by targeting different steps of the immune-mediated response, in addition to direct intratumoral cell death. The clinical treatment and efficacy of SABR, its influence on TME, and potential molecular underpinnings of which are the topic of this review.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy for primary liver tumors: An effective liver-directed therapy in the toolbox.

The use of radiation for primary liver cancers has historically been limited because of the risk of radiation-induced liver disease. Treatment fields have become more conformal because of several technical advances, and this has allowed for dose escalation. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), also known as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, is now able to safely treat liver tumors to ablative doses while sparing functional liver parenchyma by using highly conformal therapy. Several retrospective and small prospective studies have examined the use of SBRT for liver cancers; however, there is a lack of well-powered randomized studies to definitively guide management in these settings. Recent advances in systemic therapy for primary liver cancers have improved outcomes; however, the optimal selection criteria for SBRT as a local therapy remain unclear among other liver-directed options such as radiofrequency ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, and radioembolization.

Endoscopic nodal staging in oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (ENDO-SABR).

BACKGROUND: Research in treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has shown promising results with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) of oligometastatic disease, wherein distant disease may be limited to one or a few distant organs by host factors. Traditionally, PET/CT has been used in detecting metastatic disease and avoiding futile surgical intervention, however, sensitivity and specificity is limited to only 81 and 79%, respectively. Mediastinal staging still identifies occult nodal disease in up to 20% of NSCLC patients initially thought to be operative candidates. Endobronchial ultrasound and transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive tool for the staging and diagnosis of thoracic malignancy. When EBUS is combined with endoscopic ultrasound using the same bronchoscope (EUS-B), the diagnostic sensitivity and negative predictive value increase to 84 and 97%, respectively. Endoscopic staging in patients with advanced disease has never been studied, but may inform treatment if a curative SABR approach is being taken. METHODS: This is a multi-centre, prospective, cohort study with two-stage design. In the first stage, 10 patients with oligometastatic NSCLC (lung tumour ± hilar/mediastinal lymphadenopathy) with up to 5 synchronous metastases will be enrolled An additional 19 patients will be enrolled in the second stage if rate of treatment change is greater than 10% in the first stage. Patients will be subject to EBUS or combined modality EBUS/EUS-B to assess bilateral lymph node stations using a N3 to N2 to N1 progression. Primary endpoint is defined as the rate of change to treatment plan including change from SABR to conventional dose radiation, change in mediastinal radiation field, and change from curative to palliative intent treatment. DISCUSSION: If a curative approach with SABR for oligometastatic disease is being explored, invasive mediastinal staging may guide treatment and prognosis. This study will provide insight into the use of endoscopic mediastinal staging in determining changes in treatment plan of NSCLC. Results will inform the design of future phase II trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT04852588. Date of registration: April 19, 2021. PROTOCOL VERSION: 1.1 on December 9, 2021.

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for the Management of Liver Metastases from Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Preliminary Study.

INTRODUCTION: Liver metastases are common in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms. The role of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is not well understood in this population. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SABR in treating well-differentiated neuroendocrine liver metastases (WD-NELM). METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with WD-NELM treated with SABR was conducted between January 2015 and July 2019. Demographic, treatment, and clinical/radiographic follow-up data were abstracted. RECIST 1.1 criteria were applied to each individual target to evaluate the response to treatment. Local control (LC) and progression-free survival (PFS) were determined using the Kaplan-Meier methodology. Toxicity was reported according to the CTCAE v5.0. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with a total of 53 liver metastases treated with SABR were identified. Most patients (68%) had midgut tumors, were grade 2 (80%), and had high-volume intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic disease (76%). The median number of liver metastases treated was 2, with a median size of 2.5 cm. The median radiation dose delivered was 50 Gy/5 fractions. The median follow-up was 14 months; 24 of the 25 patients were alive at the time of analysis. The objective response rate was 32%, with improvement or stability in 96% of lesions treated. The median time to best response was 9 months. The 1-year LC and PFS were 92 and 44%, respectively. No grade 3/4 acute or late toxicity was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Liver SABR is a safe and promising means of providing LC for WD-NELM. This treatment modality should be evaluated in selected patients in concert with strategies to manage systemic disease.

Quantifying the rate and predictors of occult lymph node involvement in patients with clinically node-negative non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: It is essential to evaluate the risk of occult lymph node (LN) disease in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially because delivering stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) assumes no occult spread. This study was designed to assist clinicians in roughly quantifying this risk for cN0 NSCLC. METHODS: The National Cancer Data Base was queried for cN0 cM0 lung squamous cell or adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery and LN dissection without neoadjuvant therapy. Statistics included multivariable logistic regression to evaluate factors associated with pN + disease. RESULTS: 109,964 patients were included. For tumors with size ≤1.0, 1.1-2.0, 2.1-3.0, 3.1-4.0, 4.1-5.0, 5.1-6.0, 6.1-7.0, and >7.0 cm, the pN + rate was 4.4, 7.7, 12.9, 18.0, 20.2, 22.5, 24.4, and 26.4%, respectively. When examining patients with more complete LN dissections (defined as removal of at least 10 LNs), the respective values were 6.6, 11.5, 17.6, 25.3, 26.8, 29.7, 30.7, and 31.6%. Moderately-poorly differentiated disease and adenocarcinomas were associated with a higher rate of pN + disease (p < .001 for both). For every cm increase in tumor size, the relative occult nodal risk increased by 10-14% (p < .001). For every elapsed day from initial diagnosis, the relative risk increased by ∼1% (p < .001). Graphs with best-fit lines were created based on tumor size, histology, and differentiation to aid physicians in estimating the pN + risk. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide study can allow clinicians to roughly estimate the rate of occult LN disease in cN0 NSCLC. These data can also assist in guiding enrollment on randomized trials of SABR ± immunotherapy, individualizing follow-up imaging surveillance, and patient counseling to avoid post-diagnosis delays.

Older Patients with Lung Cancer: a Summary of Seminal Contributions to Optimal Patient Care.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aspires to summarize the landmark advancements in the management of the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), both historically and contemporarily with special focus in older adults. RECENT FINDINGS: The past two decades have witnessed remarkable improvements in the diagnosis and management of lung cancer. Screening recommendations now facilitate earlier diagnosis in high-risk individuals, PET/CT scans have improved radiologic accuracy in identifying sites of disease, and surgical management with minimally invasive techniques has rendered surgery safer in those with limited physiologic reserve. Radiation enhancements, especially radiosurgery, have extended the reach and safety of radiation among high-risk populations. Finally, the revolution in precision medicine with identification of numerous actionable mutations, the advent of immunotherapy, and enhanced supportive care have revolutionized the outcomes in patients with advanced lung cancer. Older adults who represent a majority of patients battling lung cancer have not benefitted to the same extent as their younger counterparts. This special population is only expected to grow in coming days. Hence, addressing major gaps in the management of older adults with NSCLC and optimizing the care are much needed.