Neoadjuvant Radiation in High-Grade Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: Histopathologic Features and Response Evaluation.

In this study, we sought to determine the prognostic value of both the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group (EORTC-STBSG) score and the histologic parameters viable tumor, coagulative necrosis, hyalinization/fibrosis, and infarction in patients (n=64) with localized, nonmetastatic high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas after preoperative radiomonotherapy. A standardized macroscopic workup for pretreated surgical specimen including evaluation of a whole section of high-grade soft tissue sarcomas in the largest diameter, was used. Association with overall survival and disease-free survival was assessed. Limb salvage could be accomplished in 98.4% of patients. Overall, 90.6% tumors had negative resection margins. The median postoperative tumor diameter was 9 cm. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (42.2%) and myxofibrosarcoma (17.2%) were the most common diagnoses. In all, 9.4% of patients had local recurrence despite clear resection margins, and 50% had distant metastases. Morphologic mapping suggests an overall heterogenous intratumoral response to radiotherapy, with significant differences among histologic subtypes. Complete regression (0% vital tumor cells) was not seen. Categorizing the results according to the proposed EORTC-STBSG 5-tier response score, <1% viable tumor cells were seen in 3.1%, ≥1% to <10% viable tumor cells in 20.4%, ≥10% to <50% viable tumor cells in 35.9% and ≥50% viable tumor cells in 40.6% of cases. Mean values for viable tumor cells were 40% (range: 1% to 100%), coagulative necrosis 5% (0% to 60%), hyalinization/fibrosis 25% (0% to 90%) and infarction 15% (0% to 79%). Hyalinization/fibrosis was a significant independent prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio=4.4; P =0.047), while the other histologic parameters including the EORTC-STBSG score were not prognostic.

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.

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.

Bone marrow involvement identifies a subgroup of advanced Ewing sarcoma patients with fatal outcome irrespective of therapy in contrast to curable patients with multiple bone metastases but unaffected marrow.

PURPOSE: Advanced Ewing sarcomas have poor prognosis. They are defined by early relapse (<24 months after diagnosis) and/or by metastasis to multiple bones or bone marrow (BM). We analyzed risk factors, toxicity and survival in advanced Ewing sarcoma patients treated with the MetaEICESS vs. EICESS92 protocols. DESIGN: Of 44 patients, 18 patients were enrolled into two subsequent MetaEICESS protocols between 1992 and 2014, and compared to outcomes of 26 advanced Ewing sarcoma patients treated with EICESS 1992 between 1992 and 1996. MetaEICESS 1992 consisted of induction chemotherapy, whole body imaging directed radiotherapy to the primary tumor and metastases, tandem high-dose chemotherapy and autologous rescue. In MetaEICESS 2007 this treatment was complemented by allogeneic stem cell transplantation. EICESS 1992 comprised induction chemotherapy, local therapy to the primary tumor only followed by consolidation chemotherapy. RESULTS: In MetaEICESS 8/18 patients survived in complete remission vs. 2/26 in EICESS 1992 (p<0.05). Survival did not differ between MetaEICESS 2007 and MetaEICESS 1992. Three MetaEICESS patients died of complications, all in MetaEICESS 1992. After exclusion of patients succumbing to treatment related complications (n=3), 7/10 patients survived without BM involvement, in contrast to 0/5 patients with BM involvement. This was confirmed in a multivariate analysis. There was no correlation between BM involvement and the number of metastases at diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The MetaEICESS protocols yield long-term disease-free survival in patients with advanced Ewing sarcoma. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation was not associated with increased death of complications. Bone marrow involvement is a risk factor distinct from multiple bone metastases.

Study of Preoperative Radiotherapy for Sarcomas of the Extremities with Intensity-Modulation, Image-Guidance and Small Safety-margins (PREMISS).

BACKGROUND: The aim of the trial is to demonstrate that with the use of modern IMRT/IGRT and reduction of safety margins postoperative wound complications can be reduced. METHODS/ DESIGN: The trial is designed as a prospective, monocentric clinical phase II trial. The treatment is performed with helical IMRT on the Tomotherapy HiArt System© or with RapidArc© IMRT as available. All treatments are performed with 6 MV photons and daily online CT-based IGRT. A dose of 50 Gy in 2 Gy single fractions (5 fractions per week) is prescribed. Restaging including MRI of the primary tumor site as well as CT of the thorax/abdomen is planned 4 weeks after RT. PET-examinations or any other imaging can be performed as required clinically. In cases of R1 resection, brachytherapy is anticipated in the 2nd postoperative week. Brachytherapy catheters are implanted into the tumor bed depending on the size and location of the lesion. Surgery is planned 5-6 weeks after completion of neoadjuvant RT. All patients are seen for a first follow-up visit 2 weeks after wound healing is completed, thereafter every 3 months during the first 2 years. The endpoints of the study are evaluated in detail during the first (2 weeks) and second (3 months) follow-up. Functional outcome and QOL are documented prior to treatment and at year 1 and 2. Treatment response and efficacy will be scored according to the RECIST 1.1 criteria. A total patient number of 50 with an expected 20% rate of wound complications were calculated for the study, which translates into a 95% confidence interval of 10.0-33.7% for wound complication rate in a binomial distribution. DISCUSSION: The present study protocol prospectively evaluates the use of IMRT/IGRT for neoadjuvant RT in patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the extremity with the primary endpoint wound complications, which is the major concern with this treatment sequence. Besides complications rates, local control rates and survival rates, as well as QOL, functional outcome and treatment response parameters (imaging and pathology) are part of the protocol. The data of the present PREMISS study will enhance the current literature and support the hypothesis that neoadjuvant RT with IMRT/IGRT offers an excellent risk-benefit ratio in this patient population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01552239.

Scanning irradiation device for mice in vivo with pulsed and continuous proton beams.

A technical set-up for irradiation of subcutaneous tumours in mice with nanosecond-pulsed proton beams or continuous proton beams is described and was successfully used in a first experiment to explore future potential of laser-driven particle beams, which are pulsed due to the acceleration process, for radiation therapy. The chosen concept uses a microbeam approach. By focusing the beam to approximately 100 × 100 µm(2), the necessary fluence of 10(9) protons per cm(2) to deliver a dose of 20 Gy with one-nanosecond shot in the Bragg peak of 23 MeV protons is achieved. Electrical and mechanical beam scanning combines rapid dose delivery with large scan ranges. Aluminium sheets one millimetre in front of the target are used as beam energy degrader, necessary for adjusting the depth-dose profile. The required procedures for treatment planning and dose verification are presented. In a first experiment, 24 tumours in mice were successfully irradiated with 23 MeV protons and a single dose of 20 Gy in pulsed or continuous mode with dose differences between both modes of 10%. So far, no significant difference in tumour growth delay was observed.

Differences in the kinetics of gamma-H2AX fluorescence decay after exposure to low and high LET radiation.

PURPOSE: In order to obtain more insight into heavy ion tumour therapy, some features of the underlying molecular mechanisms controlling the cellular response to high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation are currently analysed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed the decay of the integrated fluorescence intensity of gamma-H2AX (phosphorylated histone H2AX) which is thought to reflect the repair kinetics of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) using Laser-Scanning-Cytometry. Asynchronous human HeLa cells were irradiated with a single dose of either 1.89 Gy of 55 MeV carbon ions or 5 Gy of 70 kV X-rays. RESULTS: Measurements of the gamma-H2AX-intensities from 15-60 min resulted in a 16 % decrease for carbon ions and in a 43 % decrease for X-rays. After 21 h, the decrease was 77 % for carbon ions and 85 % for X-rays. The corresponding time-effect relationship was fitted by a bi-exponential function showing a fast and a slow component with identical half-life values for both radiation qualities being 24 +/- 4 min and 13.9 +/- 0.7 h, respectively. Apparent differences in the kinetics following high and low LET irradiation could completely be attributed to quantitative differences in their contributions, with the slow component being responsible for 47 % of the repair after exposure to X-rays as compared to 80 % after carbon ion irradiation. CONCLUSION: gamma-H2AX loss kinetics follows a bi-exponential decline with two definite decay times independent of LET. The higher contribution of the slow component determined for carbon ion exposure is thought to reflect the increased amount of complex DSB induced by high LET radiation.

A new modification of combining vacuum therapy and brachytherapy in large subfascial soft -tissue sarcomas of the extremities.

PURPOSE: To present a modification of a technique combining the advantages of brachytherapy for local radiation treatment and vacuum therapy for wound conditioning after resection of subfascial soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) of the extremities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January and May 2008, four patients with large (> 10 cm) subfascial STS of the thigh underwent marginal tumor excision followed by early postoperative HDR (high-dose-rate) brachytherapy (iridium-192) and vacuum therapy as part of their interdisciplinary treatment. The sponge of the vacuum system was used to stabilize brachytherapy applicators in parallel positions and to allow for a maximal wound contraction in the early postoperative phase, thus preventing seroma and deterioration of local dose distribution as optimized in computed tomography-(CT-)based three-dimensional conformal treatment planning. In three patients this was followed by external-beam radiotherapy. Acute wound complications and late effects according to LENT-SOMA after 4-8 months of follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: The combination of vacuum and brachytherapy was applicable in all patients. CT scans from the 1st postoperative day showed the shrinkage of the sponge located in the tumor bed with the brachytherapy applicators in the intended position and easily visible. 15-18 Gy in fractions of 3 Gy bid prescribed to 5 mm tissue depth were applied over the next days with removal of the sponge and applicators on days 5-8. No early or late toxicity exceeding grade 2 was observed. The mean Enneking Score for functional outcome was 63% (perfect function = 100%). CONCLUSION: The combination of vacuum and brachytherapy is applicable and safe in the treatment of large subfascial STS.

Relative biological effectiveness of pulsed and continuous 20 MeV protons for micronucleus induction in 3D human reconstructed skin tissue.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laser accelerated radiotherapy is a prospect for cancer treatment with proton and/or carbon ion beams that is currently under fast development. In principal, ultra fast, high-energy laser pulses will lead to a "pulsed" delivery of the induced ion beam with pulse durations of 1ns and below, whereas conventional proton beams deriving from a cyclotron or synchrotron apply the dose within 100 ms ("continuous"). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A simulation of both irradiation modes could be established at the Munich tandem accelerator with a 20MeV proton beam, and a wide-field fast scanning system was implemented that allowed for application of up to 5 Gy per tissue voxel in a single pulse. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of pulsed and continuous modes of irradiation with 20 MeV protons relative to the reference radiation 70 kV X-rays was examined in a human tissue model (3D human reconstructed skin, EpiDermFT) which preserves the three-dimensional geometric arrangement and communication of cells present in tissues in vivo. Using the induction of micronuclei (MN) in keratinocytes as the biological endpoint, the RBE was calculated as the ratio between the dose of 70 kV X-rays and 3 Gy of 20 MeV protons (pulsed or continuous) which produced equal response. RESULTS: For pulsed and continuous 20 MV proton exposures of the human skin model, RBE values of 1.08+/-0.20 and 1.22+/-0.15 versus 70 kV X-rays were obtained in a first experiment and 1.00+/-0.14 and 1.13+/-0.14 in a second experiment during distinct beam access times, respectively. The approximately 10% difference in RBE between the respective irradiation modes in both experiments was associated with large uncertainties which were not statistically significant (p approximately 0.5). CONCLUSION: These findings represent an important step on the way towards application of laser-accelerated protons for clinical radiotherapy. Further clinically relevant endpoints in normal and tumor tissue have to be evaluated.

Individual radiosensitivity measured with lymphocytes may predict the risk of acute reaction after radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: We tested whether the chromosomal radiosensitivity of in vitro irradiated lymphocytes could be used to predict the risk of acute reactions after radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two prospective studies were performed: study A with 51 patients included different tumor sites and study B included 87 breast cancer patients. Acute reaction was assessed using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group score. In both studies, patients were treated with curative radiotherapy, and the mean tumor dose applied was 55 Gy (40-65) +/- boost with 11 Gy (6-31) in study A and 50.4 Gy +/- boost with 10 Gy in study B. Individual radiosensitivity was determined with lymphocytes irradiated in vitro with X-ray doses of either 3 or 6 Gy and scoring the number of chromosomal deletions. RESULTS: Acute reactions displayed a typical spectrum with 57% in study A and 53% in study B showing an acute reaction of Grade 2-3. Individual radiosensitivity in both studies was characterized by a substantial variation and the fraction of patients with Grade 2-3 reaction was found to increase with increasing individual radiosensitivity measured at 6 Gy (study A, p = 0.238; study B, p = 0.023). For study B, this fraction increased with breast volume, and the impact of individual radiosensitivity on acute reaction was especially pronounced (p = 0.00025) for lower breast volume. No such clear association with acute reaction was observed when individual radiosensitivity was assessed at 3 Gy. CONCLUSION: Individual radiosensitivity determined at 6 Gy seems to be a good predictor for risk of acute effects after curative radiotherapy.

Pharmacological inhibition of EGFR tyrosine kinase affects ILK-mediated cellular radiosensitization in vitro.

PURPOSE: Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) mediates signals from beta integrins and links integrins to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Previous studies have identified an antisurvival effect of ILK in irradiated cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of EGFR tyrosine kinase (tk) activity for ILK-mediated radiosensitization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human FaDu squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells stably transfected with hyperactive ILK (ILK-hk) and ILK(fl/fl) and ILK(-/-) mouse fibroblasts were treated with the pharmacological EGFR-tk inhibitor BIBX1382BS without or in combination with single doses of X-rays. Clonogenic radiation survival, protein expression and phosphorylation (EGFR, v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (Akt), p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase), DNA-double strand break (DSB) repair measured by gammaH2AX foci, cell morphology and cell cycle distribution were examined. RESULTS: Expression of ILK-hk or ILK(fl/fl) status resulted in significant radiosensitization relative to vector controls or ILK(-/-). Following BIBX1382BS, clonogenic survival of normal fibroblasts and vector controls remained unaffected while ILK-hk-related radiosensitization was significantly diminished. In contrast to BIBX1382BS, which did not affect DNA-DSB repair, ILK-hk-mediated radiosensitization was associated with reduced DNA-DSB repair. At 10 days after BIBX1382BS treatment, FaDu transfectants, in contrast to fibroblasts, showed reduced cell size, accumulation of G1 phase cells and reduced Akt-serine(S)473 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm ILK as a cell type-independent antisurvival factor in irradiated cells, which actions in terms of radiosensitization critically depend on proper EGFR-tk activity.

Hypoxia imaging with FAZA-PET and theoretical considerations with regard to dose painting for individualization of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of hypoxia positron emission tomography (PET) using [18F]fluoroazomycin-arabinoside (FAZA) in head and neck cancer for radiation treatment planning using intensity-modulated radiotherapy and dose painting. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eighteen patients with advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer were included. Both FAZA-PET and axial CT were performed using mask fixation. The data were coregistered using software based on mutual information. Contours of tumor (primary gross tumor volume, GTV/CT-P) and lymph node metastases (GTV/CT-N) were outlined manually, and FAZA standardized uptake values (SUVs) were calculated automatically. The hypoxic subvolume (GTV/PET-FAZA) having at least 50% more FAZA uptake than background (mean SUV) neck muscle tissue was contoured automatically within GTV/CT-P (GTV/PET-FAZA-P) and GTV/CT-N (GTV/PET-FAZA-N). RESULTS: The median GTV/PET-FAZA-P was 4.6 mL, representing 10.8% (range, 0.7-52%) of the GTV/CT-P. The GTV/PET-FAZA-P failed to correlate significantly with the GTV/CT-P (p = 0.06). The median GTV/PET-FAZA-N was 4.1 mL, representing 8.3% (range, 2.2-51.3%) of the GTV/CT-N. It was significantly correlated with the GTV/PET-N (p = 0.006). The GTV/PET-FAZA-P was located in a single confluent area in 11 of 18 patients (61%) and was diffusely dispersed in the whole GTV/CT-P in 4 of 18 patients (22%), whereas no hypoxic areas were identified in 3 of 18 patients (17%). The GTV/PET-FAZA-N was outlined as a single confluent region in 7 of 18 patients (39%), in multiple diffuse hypoxic regions in 4 of 18 patients (22%), and was not delineated in 7 of 18 patients (39%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that FAZA-PET imaging could be used for a hypoxia-directed intensity-modulated radiotherapy approach in head and neck cancer.

Integrating diagnostic B-mode ultrasonography into CT-based radiation treatment planning.

This paper presents methods and a clinical procedure for integrating B-mode ultrasound images tagged with position information with a planning computed tomography (CT) scan for radiotherapy. A workflow is described that allows the integration of these modalities into the clinic. A surface mapping approach provides a preregistration of the ultrasound image borders onto the patient's skin. Successively, a set of individual ultrasound images from a freehand sweep is chosen by the physician. These images are automatically registered with the planning CT scan using novel intensity-based methods. We put a particular focus on deriving an appropriate similarity measure based on the physical properties and artifacts of ultrasound. A combination of a weighted mutual information term, edge correlation, clamping to the skin surface, and occlusion detection is able to assess the alignment of structures in ultrasound images and information reconstructed from the CT data. We demonstrate the practicality of our methods on five patients with head and neck tumors and cervical lymph node metastases and provide a detailed report on the conducted experiments, including the setup, calibration, acquisition, and verification of our algorithms. The mean target registration error on nine data sets is 3.9 mm. Thus, the additional information about intranodal architecture and fulfillment of malignancy criteria derived from a high-resolution ultrasonography of lymph nodes can be localized and visualized in the CT scan coordinate space and is made available for further radiation treatment planning.

213Bi-induced death of HSC45-M2 gastric cancer cells is characterized by G2 arrest and up-regulation of genes known to prevent apoptosis but induce necrosis and mitotic catastrophe.

Tumor cells are efficiently killed after incubation with alpha-emitter immunoconjugates targeting tumor-specific antigens. Therefore, application of alpha-emitter immunoconjugates is a promising therapeutic option for treatment of carcinomas that are characterized by dissemination of single tumor cells in the peritoneum like ovarian cancer or gastric cancer. In diffuse-type gastric cancer, 10% of patients express mutant d9-E-cadherin on the surface of tumor cells that is targeted by the monoclonal antibody d9MAb. Coupling of the alpha-emitter (213)Bi to d9MAb provides an efficient tool to eliminate HSC45-M2 gastric cancer cells expressing d9-E-cadherin in vitro and in vivo. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms triggered by alpha-emitters in tumor cells could help to improve strategies of alpha-emitter radioimmunotherapy. For that purpose, gene expression of (213)Bi-treated tumor cells was quantified using a real time quantitative-PCR low-density array covering 380 genes in combination with analysis of cell proliferation and the mode of cell death. We could show that (213)Bi-induced cell death was initiated by G(2) arrest; up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), SPHK1, STAT5A, p21, MYT1, and SSTR3; and down-regulation of SPP1, CDC25 phosphatases, and of genes involved in chromosome segregation. Together with morphologic changes, these results suggest that (213)Bi activates death cascades different from apoptosis. Furthermore, (213)Bi-triggered up-regulation of SSTR3 could be exploited for improvement of the therapeutic regimen.

Tissue characterization of locoregionally advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using quantified ultrasonography: a prospective phase II study on prognostic relevance.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Information on a patient's prognosis is important for the clinical decision-making process. This study explored the capacity of quantitative ultrasound imaging to increase prognostic information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High-resolution B-scan and colour-coded duplex-sonography of the neck was prospectively applied to 50 HNSCC-patients stage IVA-B 05/99-01/02 before definite radio-(chemo-)therapy. Every lymph node >1.5 cm was scored for the following Malignancy Criteria: Inhomogeneity, Surface-irregularity, Missing hilar sign, Spherical form, Matting, Aberrant intranodal vessels, Infiltration of surrounding tissue, Intranodal cystic necrosis. RESULTS: Median Overall Survival (OS) was 1 year. High MMCC (Maximal Malignancy Criteria Count in a single node) predicted a poor outcome with a median OS of 8.1 months (MMCC=7-8, n=24) vs. 24.7 months for low MMCC (1-6, n=26, p=0.0004, logrank). Estimated 1- and 3-year-OS was 25% and 8% for high vs. 69% and 41% for low MMCC. Ten out of eleven living patients (follow-up 2.3-5.3 years) had a low MMCC. Of the clinical parameters determined, only pre-treatment hemoglobin levels <12 g/dl and treatment less radical than chemoradiation to 70 Gy predicted poor OS (univariate p=0.04 and 0.02, respectively). In multivariate Cox analysis, MMCC continued to significantly predict for OS (p=0.002) and Disease-Free Survival (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Quantification of nodal ultrasonography offers valuable prognostic information for the conservative management of HNSCC.

Pretreatment 18F-FAZA PET predicts success of hypoxia-directed radiochemotherapy using tirapazamine.

UNLABELLED: We evaluated the predictive value of PET using the hypoxia tracer (18)F-fluoroazomycin arabinoside ((18)F-FAZA) for success of radiotherapy in combination with tirapazamine, a specific cytotoxin for hypoxic cells. METHODS: Imaging was performed on EMT6 tumor-bearing nude mice before allocating mice into 4 groups: radiochemotherapy (RCT: 8 fractions of 4.5 Gy within 4 d combined with tirapazamine, 14 mg/kg), radiotherapy alone (RT), chemotherapy alone (tirapazamine) (CHT), or control. Treatment success was assessed by several tumor growth assays, including tumor growth time from 70 to 500 microL and absolute growth delay (aGD). The median pretreatment (18)F-FAZA tumor-to-background ratio served as a discriminator between "hypoxic" and "normoxic" tumors. RESULTS: The mean tumor growth was significantly accelerated in hypoxic control tumors (growth time from 70 to 500 microL, 11.0 d) compared with normoxic control tumors (growth time from 70 to 500 microL, 15.6 d). Whereas RT delayed tumor growth regardless of the level of hypoxia, an additive beneficial therapeutic effect of tirapazamine to RT was observed only in hypoxic tumors (aGD, 12.9 d) but not in normoxic tumors (aGD, 6.0 d). CONCLUSION: This study provides compelling evidence that hypoxia imaging using (18)F-FAZA PET is able to predict the success of RCT of tumor-bearing mice using the hypoxia-activated chemotherapeutic agent tirapazamine. Pretreatment (18)F-FAZA PET, therefore, offers a way for the individualization of tumor treatment involving radiation. The data suggest that by reserving hypoxia-directed therapy to tumors with high (18)F-FAZA uptake, improvement of the therapeutic ratio is possible, as the therapeutic effect of tirapazamine seems to be restricted to hypoxic tumors.

Technical improvement of pO(2) measurements in breast cancer: investigation of the feasibility in patients and in vitro validation of the method.

PURPOSE: Investigating tumor oxygenation in breast cancer with the Eppendorf device is hampered by the deep location and inadequate fixation of the tumor within the breast. In order to ensure the correct site of pO(2) measurements, guiding aids were introduced and the reliability of the refined method was evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For guidance of the needle electrode, a metal trocar was inserted up to the tumor rim. Its positioning and all transtumoral tracks of the needle electrode were monitored continuously by ultrasonography. Thus, 150 tumor measurements in 148 patients were evaluated. In a phantom, the possible influence of the metal trocar was assessed and the measurements of two histographs with five different needle electrodes were compared. RESULTS: In 88% of measurements (132/150) complete or partial sonographic demarcation of the tumor was possible. 83.2% of the tracks (437/525) could be controlled by ultrasonography. Overall, in 60% of measurements (90/150) all values derived reliably from within the tumor. In vitro, an influence of the metal trocar on the measurements could be excluded. Differences between histographs were in accordance with tolerance limits. CONCLUSION: From theoretical considerations and the phantom experiments a significant negative impact of the technical modifications could be excluded. Instead, the method described here showed to be beneficial in measuring tumor oxygenation in breast tumors. The authors strongly advise to consider exclusively intratumoral pO(2) values as proven by ultrasonography for oxygenation profiling, as in 40% of all measurements the origin of single pO(2) values or tracks was questionable.

Automatic registration and fusion of ultrasound with CT for radiotherapy.

We present a framework for rigid registration of a set of B-mode ultrasound images to a CT scan in the context of Radiotherapy planning. Our main focus is on deriving an appropriate similarity measure based on the physical properties and artifacts of ultrasound. A combination of a weighted Mutual Information term, edge correlation, clamping to the skin surface and occlusion detection is able to assess the alignment of structures in ultrasound images and simulated slices generated from the CT data. Hence a set of ultrasound images, whose relative transformations are given by a magnetic tracking device, can be registered automatically to the CT scan. We validated our methods on neck data of patients with head and neck tumors and cervical lymph node metastases.

Thêta-Cream versus Bepanthol lotion in breast cancer patients under radiotherapy. A new prophylactic agent in skin care?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In radiotherapy of the breast following breast-conserving surgery, the adverse reaction predominantly found is confined to the skin. After phase II studies, Thêta-Cream, containing CM Glucan, Hydroxyprolisilan C und Matrixyl as active substances, was said to have prophylactic properties of preventing acute radiation side effects in skin tissue. In a prospective randomized study, Thêta-cream was compared with standard skin care using Bepanthol lotion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 20 breast cancer patients were randomly assigned to use Thêta-Cream or Bepanthol lotion during radiotherapy. At 0, 30, and 50 Gy, acute skin toxicity was scored with a modified RTOG scoring system. The patients' content with the skin care and the technical assistants' content with the skin marks were recorded. RESULTS: For single aspects of toxicity and their sums in defined skin areas, no differences in median and range between study groups were found. The maximal toxicity anywhere in the breast averaged in a moderate erythema, mild elevation of skin temperature, no desquamation in both groups. Mild itchiness and sporadic efflorescences were more frequently seen with Thêta-Cream. According to a ranking of anonymized breast photos at 50 Gy by independent investigators, side effects were equal. Patients' content was high with both skin care regimens (1.25 on a scale from 0 to 10). With Thêta-Cream a trend toward worse skin marks was noted. Adverse events exclusively occurred in Thêta-Cream users: suspected allergic reaction once, and the necessity for resimulation twice. CONCLUSION: In direct comparison with dexpanthenol-containing lotion, no advantage for Thêta-Cream was found. Higher costs and problems with skin marks prevent a general recommendation.