Patient-Reported Outcomes After Swallowing (SWOARs)-Sparing IMRT in Head and Neck Cancers: Primary Results from a Prospective Study Endorsed by the Head and Neck Study Group (HNSG) of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO).

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively investigate changes in M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) scores in patients affected by naso- and oropharynx cancer after definitive radiochemotherapy (ChemoRT) using swallowing organs at risk (SWOARs)-sparing IMRT. METHODS: MDADI questionnaires were collected at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after treatment. MDADI scores were categorized as follows: ≥ 80 "optimal," 80-60 "adequate," < 60 "poor" deglutition-related quality of life (QoL) group, and dichotomized as "optimal" vs "adequate/poor" for the analysis. A mean MDADI composite (MDADI-C) change of 10 points was considered as minimal clinically important difference (MCID). RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were enrolled of which 47 were considered for the analysis. At baseline, 26 (55%) were "optimal" and 21 (45%) were "adequate/poor." The mean baseline MDADI-C score was 93.6 dropping to 81 at 6 months (p = 0.013) and slightly rising to 85.5 at 12 months (p = 0.321) for the "optimal" group. Indeed, the mean baseline MDADI-C score was 64.3 rising to 77.5 at 6 months (p = 0.006) and stabilizing at 76 at 12 months (p = 0.999) for the "adequate/poor" group. A statistically significant but not clinically relevant worsening of the MDADI-C score was reported for the "optimal" group, whereas both a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement of the MDADI-C score were reported for the "adequate/poor" group from before to post-treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a doubly clinical benefit of dose optimization to SWOARs to minimize the RT sequalae in patients with a baseline "optimal" deglutition-related QoL and to recover from cancer dysphagia in those with a baseline "adequate/poor" deglutition-related QoL.

Linac-based versus MR-guided SBRT for localized prostate cancer: a comparative evaluation of acute tolerability.

AIM: This study aims to compare acute toxicity of prostate cancer (PCa) stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) delivered by MR-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) with 1.5-T MR-linac or by volumetric modulated arc (VMAT) with conventional linac. METHODS: Patients with low-to-favorable intermediate risk class PCa were treated with exclusive SBRT (35 Gy in five fractions). Patients treated with MRgRT were enrolled in an Ethical Committee (EC) approved trial (Prot. n° 23,748), while patients treated with conventional linac were enrolled in an EC approved phase II trial (n° SBRT PROG112CESC). The primary end-point was the acute toxicity. Patients were included in the analysis if they had at least 6 months of follow-up for the primary end-point evaluation. Toxicity assessment was performed according to CTCAE v5.0 scale. International Prostatic Symptoms Score (IPSS) was also performed. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients were included in the analysis. Seventy-two (53.3%) were treated with MR-linac and 63 (46.7%) with conventional linac. The median initial PSA before RT was 6.1 ng/ml (range 0.49-19). Globally, acute G1, G2, and G3 toxicity occurred in 39 (28.8%), 20 (14.5%), and 5 (3.7%) patients. At the univariate analysis, acute G1 toxicity did not differ between MR-linac and conventional linac (26.4% versus 31.8%), as well as G2 toxicity (12.5% versus 17.5%; p = 0.52). Acute G2 gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity occurred in 7% and 12.5% of cases in MR-linac and conventional linac group, respectively (p = 0.06), while acute G2 genitourinary toxicity occurred in 11% and 12.8% in MR-linac and conventional linac, respectively (p = 0.82). The median IPSS before and after SBRT was 3 (1-16) and 5 (1-18). Acute G3 toxicity occurred in two cases in the MR-linac and three cases in the conventional linac group (p = n.s.). CONCLUSION: Prostate SBRT with 1.5-T MR-linac is feasible and safe. Compared to conventional linac, MRgRT might to potentially reduce the overall G1 acute toxicity at 6 months, and seems to show a trend toward a lower incidence of grade 2 GI toxicity. A longer follow-up is necessary to assess the late efficacy and toxicity.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for pulmonary oligometastases: a monoinstitutional analysis of clinical outcomes and potential prognostic factors.

PURPOSE: We report the retrospective data of a cohort of patients who received stereotactic body radiotherapy for pulmonary oligometastases, aiming to assess the clinical factors potentially affecting clinical outcomes. METHODS: The present series reports the outcomes of a cohort of 71 patients with pulmonary oligometastases with no extrapulmonary disease. All patients were treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) performed with volumetric modulated arc therapy-image guided radiotherapy (VMAT-IGRT) to up to five secondary lesions. Survival estimates were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 98 lesions in 71 patients were treated from February 2014 to August 2020. The most frequent histologies were colorectal in 37.7%, lung cancer in 44.8%, head and neck cancer in 8.1%, and other in 9.4%. Median age was 71 years (range 32-93 years). Concurrent systemic therapy was administered in 32.3%. SBRT was delivered to a median total dose of 60 Gy (range 55-70 Gy) in 3-10 fractions for a median BED10 = 105 Gy (range 96-180 Gy). Median follow-up was 29.5 months (range 6-81), with no acute or late G > 2 adverse event. Our LC rates at 2 and 4 years were 92.4 and 89.8%, respectively. DPFS rates at 2 and 4 years were 45.3 and 27.2%, respectively. A second SBRT course was proposed in 21 patients (29.5%) who developed an oligoprogression, resulting in median time to second progression of 9 months (range 2-44) and 2­year PFS2 rate of 42.4%. At univariate analysis, patients with sequential oligometastases reported better OS rates (p = 0.002), which was also confirmed at multivariate analysis, where distant progression was also related to worse OS (p = 0.022). Higher local control rates relate to better PFS (p = 0.04). The 2­ and 4­year OS rates were 61 and 39.7% CONCLUSION: SBRT is feasible for pulmonary oligometastases with favorable outcomes and toxicity. At multivariate analysis, patients with sequential oligometastatic progression maintain a survival advantage. Also, local control was found to be related to improved PFS rates.

Postoperative moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy in prostate cancer: a mono-institutional propensity-score-matching analysis between adjuvant and early-salvage radiotherapy.

AIM: To evaluate the impact of moderately hypofractionated postoperative radiotherapy (RT) in prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 304 surgically resected PCa patients were analyzed. One hundred and five patients underwent adjuvant RT (aRT), 77 early-savage RT (esRT), and 123 salvage RT (sRT). Biochemical relapse-free survival (BRFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity were analyzed. A propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to account for potential confounders between aRT and esRT groups. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 33 months. Three-year BRFS and PFS were 82 and 85.2%, respectively, in the overall population. At the multivariate analysis, Gleason score and hormone therapy were factors independently correlated with BRFS and PFS. After PSM, there was no difference in BRFS and PFS between aRT and esRT patients. Severe toxicity was represented by grade 3 urinary incontinence (3.5%) and urgency (1%), and aRT correlated with increased any-grade acute toxicity. Severe grade 3 gastrointestinal late toxicity occurred in 1.3% of cases. CONCLUSION: Postoperative moderately hypofractionated RT achieved acceptable disease control rate and demonstrated no increased or unexpected toxicity. Future prospective studies should evaluate the role of postoperative RT in patients with unfavorable disease characteristics.

Radiomic analysis to predict local response in locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: Aim of this study is to assess the ability of contrast-enhanced CT image-based radiomic analysis to predict local response (LR) in a retrospective cohort of patients affected by pancreatic cancer and treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Secondary aim is to evaluate progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at long-term follow-up. METHODS: Contrast-enhanced-CT images of 37 patients who underwent SBRT were analyzed. Two clinical variables (BED, CTV volume), 27 radiomic features were included. LR was used as the outcome variable to build the predictive model. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate PFS and OS. RESULTS: Three variables were statistically correlated with the LR in the univariate analysis: Intensity Histogram (StdValue feature), Gray Level Cooccurrence Matrix (GLCM25_Correlation feature) and Neighbor Intensity Difference (NID25_Busyness feature). Multivariate model showed GLCM25_Correlation (P = 0.007) and NID25_Busyness (P = 0.03) as 2 independent predictive variables for LR. The odds ratio values of GLCM25_Correlation and NID25_Busyness were 0.07 (95%CI 0.01-0.49) and 8.10 (95%CI 1.20-54.40), respectively. The area under the curve for the multivariate logistic regressive model was 0.851 (95%CI 0.724-0.978). At a median follow-up of 30 months, median PFS was 7 months (95%CI 6-NA); median OS was 11 months (95%CI 10-22 months). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis identified a radiomic signature that correlates with LR. To confirm these results, prospective studies could identify patient sub-groups with different rates of radiation dose-response to define a more personalized SBRT approach.

Dose-escalated pelvic radiotherapy for prostate cancer in definitive or postoperative setting.

PURPOSE: Given the absence of standardized planning approach for clinically node-positive (cN1) prostate cancer (PCa), we collected data about the use of prophylactic pelvic irradiation and nodal boost. The aim of the present series is to retrospectively assess clinical outcomes after this approach to compare different multimodal treatment strategies in this scenario. METHODS: Data from clinical records of patients affected by cN1 PCa and treated in six different Italian institutes with prophylactic pelvic irradiation and boost on pathologic pelvic lymph nodes detected with CT, MRI or choline PET/CT were retrospectively reviewed and collected. Clinical outcomes in terms of overall survival (OS) and biochemical relapse-free survival (b-RFS) were explored. The correlation between outcomes and baseline features (International Society of Urological Pathology-ISUP pattern, total dose to positive pelvic nodes ≤ / > 60 Gy, sequential or simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) administration and definitive vs postoperative treatment) was explored. RESULTS: ISUP pattern < 2 was a significant predictor of improved b-RFS (HR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1220-0.7647, P = 0.0113), while total dose < 60 Gy to positive pelvic nodes was associated with worse b-RFS (HR = 3.59, 95% CI 1.3245-9.741, P = 0.01). Conversely, treatment setting (postoperative vs definitive) and treatment delivery technique (SIB vs sequential boost) were not associated with significant differences in terms of b-RFS (HR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.338-2.169, P = 0.743, and HR = 2.39, 95% CI 0.93-6.111, P = 0.067, respectively). CONCLUSION: Results from the current analysis are in keeping with data from literature showing that pelvic irradiation and boost on positive nodes are effective approaches. Upfront surgical approach was not associated with better clinical outcomes.

Stereotactic radiotherapy for oligometastases in the lymph nodes.

Even though systemic therapy is standard treatment for lymph node metastases, metastasis-directed stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT ) seems to be a valid option in oligometastatic patients with a low disease burden. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT ) is the gold standard for assessing metastases to the lymph nodes; co-registration of PET-CT images and planning CT images are the basis for gross tumor volume (GTV ) delineation. Appropriate techniques are needed to overcome target motion. SRT schedules depend on the irradiation site, target volume and dose constraints to the organs at risk (OARs) of toxicity. Although several fractionation schemes were reported, total doses of 48-60 Gy in 4-8 fractions were proposed for mediastinal lymph node SRT, with the spinal cord, esophagus, heart and proximal bronchial tree being the dose limiting OAR s. Total doses ranged from 30 to 45 Gy, with daily fractions of 7-12 Gy for abdominal lymph nodes, with dose limiting OARs being the liver, kidneys, bowel and bladder. SRT on lymph node metastases is safe; late side effects, particularly severe, are rare.

The role of radiotherapy in patients with solid tumours after solid organ transplantation: a systematic review.

For patients diagnosed with cancer who have previously received an organ transplant, radiotherapy represents a challenging clinical scenario without well established care algorithms. Immunosuppressive therapy can be a cause for concern among clinicians treating this category of patients. Potential immune modulation following irradiation could affect recipient organ tolerance and the outcomes of the transplantation itself. The main aim of this systematic review was to define the safety and effectiveness of radiotherapy in patients diagnosed with cancer who have previously received an organ transplant. We searched PubMed and Embase for articles published between Jan 1, 1995, and April 30, 2020 for studies in patients who had undergone radiotherapy for post-transplantation malignancies. The Review is framed by the PICO (population, intervention, control, and outcomes) criteria, and primarily focuses on modern treatment techniques.

Daily dosimetric variation between image-guided volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy and MR-guided daily adaptive radiotherapy for prostate cancer stereotactic body radiotherapy.

AIM: To evaluate differences between MR-guided daily-adaptive RT (MRgRT) and image-guided RT (IGRT) with or without fiducial markers in prostate cancer (PCa) stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in terms of dose distribution on critical structures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred treatment sessions in 40 patients affected by low and intermediate PCa were evaluated. The prescribed dose was 35 Gy in 5 fractions delivered on alternate days. MRgRT patients (10) were daily recontoured, re-planned, and treated with IMRT technique. IGRT patients without (20) and with (10) fiducials were matched on soft tissues or fiducials and treated with VMAT technique. Respective CBCTs were retrospectively delineated and the prescribed plan was overlaid for dosimetric analysis. The daily dose for rectum, bladder, and prostate was registered. RESULTS: MRgRT resulted in a significantly lower rate of constraints violation as compared to IGRT without fiducials, especially for rectum V28Gy, rectum V32Gy, rectum V35Gy, rectum Dmax, and bladder Dmax. IGRT with fiducials reported high accuracy levels, comparable to MRgRT. MRgRT and IGRT with fiducials reported no significant prostate CTV underdosage, while IGRT without fiducials was associated with occasional cases of prostate CTV under dosage. CONCLUSION: MR-guided daily-adaptive SBRT seems a feasible and accurate strategy for treating prostate cancer with ablative doses. IGRT with the use of fiducials provides a comparable level of accuracy and acceptable real-dose distribution over treatment fractions. Future study will provide additional data regarding the tolerability and the clinical outcome of this new technological approach.

Stereotactic Ablative radiation therapy (SABR) for cardiac arrhythmia: A new therapeutic option?

AIM: Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) is used in non-oncologic indications, recently even for cardiac arrhythmias. Thus, aim of this analysis is to review preclinical, early clinical evidences and future direction of the latter new treatment approach. METHOD: A collection of available data regarding SABR and cardiac arrhythmias was made, by Pubmed research and 2 independent researchers, including preclinical and clinical data. A review of ongoing trials was conducted on ClinicalTrials.gov. RESULTS: Preclinical research conducted in animal models showed that a safe and effective noninvasive treatment approach for cardiac arrhythmias could be represented by SABR with a median time of response around 2-3 months. The treatment dose plays a crucial role: the atrioventricular node would seem more radiosensitive than the other cardiac electric zones. Clinical data, such as published case series, case reports and early prospective studies, have already suggested the feasibility, efficacy and safety of SABR (25 Gy in one session) for refractory ventricular arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: Considering the ongoing trials of SABR and new technological improvements in radiotherapy (e.g. hybrid magnetic resonance) and in arrhythmias noninvasive mapping systems, the future analyses will improve the reliability of those preliminary results.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for oligometastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer using 1.5 T MRI-Linac: preliminary data on feasibility and acute patient-reported outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To report preliminary data on feasibility and patient-reported outcomes following PSMA-PET/CT guided SBRT by means of 1.5 T MRI-Linac. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between October 2019 and April 2020, twenty consecutive castration sensitive oligorecurrent prostate cancer patients were enrolled in an ethical committee approved prospective observational study (Protocol n. XXXX) and treated with PSMA-PET/CT guided SBRT by means of 1.5 T MRI-Linac (Unity, Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden). The mean delivered dose was 35 Gy in 5 fractions. Clinicians reported toxicity was prospectively collected according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0. Quality of life (QoL) assessment was performed using EORTC-QLQ C30 questionnaires administered at baseline, end of treatment and at first follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-five lesions in 20 castration sensitive oligorecurrent patients were treated: the most commonly treated anatomic sites were nodal (n = 16) and pelvic bone (n = 9). Median PSA-value preMRI guided SBRT was 1.16 ng/mL (range, 0.27-8.9), whereas median PSA value at first follow-up after SBRT was 0.44 ng/mL (range, 0.06-8.15). At first follow-up, for 16 patients showing detectable PSA, PSMA-PET/CT was performed detecting, respectively, in 6 cases partial response and in 10 cases complete response. In the remaining cases, PSA-value was undetectable after SBRT. Radiotherapy treatment was safe and well tolerated according to the PROMs. No acute G2 or higher toxicities were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The current series represent the largest one exploring the feasibility and patient-reported outcomes following PSMA-PET/CT guided SBRT by means of 1.5 T MRI-Linac. The preliminary findings here reported are encouraging in terms of effectiveness and tolerability.

Recurrence pattern of stereotactic body radiotherapy in oligometastatic prostate cancer: a multi-institutional analysis.

PURPOSE: For patients with oligometastatic/oligorecurrent/oligoprogressive lymph node metastases from PCa, metastases-directed therapy is an emerging strategy. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the oncological outcome and pattern of recurrence in patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to lymph node metastases. METHODS: In this multi-institutional analysis, patients with a maximum of five lymph node metastases from PCa treated with SBRT were included. Primary endpoints of the analysis were local control (LC), out-of-field nodal progression-free survival (NPFS), overall progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: 109 patients and 155 lymph node metastases were evaluated. Patients' median age was 70.8 years (range 51-84) and median PSA before SBRT was 1.88 ng/ml (range 0.3-45.5 ng/ml). The dose delivered to the target ranged from 25 to 48 Gy in 4-7 fractions; median BED1.5 Gy was 198 Gy (range 108.3-432 Gy). With a median follow-up of 16 months, LC rates at 1 and 3 years were 93% and 86%, respectively. In-field progression of disease was observed in 11 (7%) lesions. One- and 3­year NPFS was 59% and 29%, and median NPFS was 15 months. Rates of OS at 1 and 3 years were 100% and 95%. The median time to administration of a systemic treatment after SBRT was 7.8 months (1.7-54.8). CONCLUSION: SBRT is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option in the management of lymph node metastases from PCa. Prospective trials are necessary to better select patients who benefit most from this ablative focal treatment and better define the recurrence patterns.

Disease course of lung oligometastatic colorectal cancer treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) or stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has been shown to increase survival rates in oligometastatic disease (OMD), but local control of colorectal metastases remains poor. We aimed to explore the natural course of oligometastatic colorectal cancer and to investigate how SBRT of lung metastases can delay the progression to polymetastatic disease (PMD). METHODS: 107 lung oligometastases in 38 patients were treated with SBRT at a single institution. The median number of treated lesions was 2 (range 1-5). Time to PMD (ttPMD) was defined as the time from SBRT to the occurrence of >5 new metastases. Genetic biomarkers such as EGFR, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and microsatellite instability were investigated as predictive factors for response rates. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 28 months. At median follow-up, 7 patients were free from disease and 31 had progression: 18 patients had sequential oligometastatic disease (SOMD) and 13 polymetastatic progression. All SOMD cases received a second SBRT course. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7 months (range 4-9 months); median ttPMD was 25.8 months (range 12-39 months) with 1­ and 2­year PFS rates of 62.5% and 53.4%, respectively. 1­ and 2­year local PFS (LPFS) rates were 91.5% and 80%, respectively. At univariate analysis, BRAF wildtype correlated with better LPFS (p = 0.003), SOMD after primary SBRT was associated with longer cancer-specific survival (p = 0.031). Median overall survival (OS) was 39.5 months (range 26-64 months) and 2­year OS was 71.1%. CONCLUSION: The present results support local ablative treatment of lung metastases using SBRT in oligometastatic colorectal cancer patients, as it can delay the transition to PMD. Patients who progressed as SOMD maintained a survival advantage compared to those who developed PMD.

Linac-based SBRT as a feasible salvage option for local recurrences in previously irradiated prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The optimal management of prostate cancer (PC) recurrences after definitive or postoperative radiotherapy (RT) is still controversial. The aim of the present retrospective study was to report the preliminary clinical results and toxicity of a mono-institutional series of patients re-irradiated with linac-based SBRT in recurrent prostate cancer. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were previous definitive or adjuvant/salvage RT, evidence of biochemical recurrence and radiological detection of local relapse (Magnetic Resonance Imaging or PSMA/choline-Positron Emission Tomography), and IPSS <10. Toxicity was assessed according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0. RESULTS: Between 12/2014 and 12/2019, 24 patients with median age 75 years (65-89) underwent re-RT for PC recurrence. Median follow-up was 21 months (2-68). The recurrences occurred in 13 cases within the prostate and in 11 cases within the prostate bed. All patients were treated with SBRT to a median total dose of 30 Gy (25-36 Gy) in 5-6 fractions, and simultaneous androgen deprivation therapy was administered in 4 patients. Acute toxicity was G1 in 8.3% and G2 in 12.5% for genitourinary (GU), no acute gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity occurred. Concerning late side effects, 19.7% of patients were found to have ≥G2 GU toxicity, including one G3 urethral stenosis. Only one case of G1 late GI toxicity occurred and no ≥G2. The 2­year overall survival was 95%. The 1­ and 2­year biochemical relapse-free survival (BRFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 80 and 54.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite of the heterogeneity of the sample, linac-based SBRT as a salvage treatment in previously irradiated locally recurrent PC patients seems to be a safe and feasible treatment option. Long-term data are pending.

A comparative analysis between radiation dose intensification and conventional fractionation in neoadjuvant locally advanced rectal cancer: a monocentric prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: The potential role of neoadjuvant radiation dose intensification in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is still largely debated. In the present study, a comparative analysis between radiation dose intensification and conventional fractionation was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the current prospective observational study (protocol ID RT-03/2011), 56 patients diagnosed with LARC were enrolled between January 2013 and December 2016. More specifically, 25 patients underwent preoperative conventional radiation dose [i.e., 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions here defined as standard dose radiotherapy (SDR)-group 1], whereas 31 patients were candidate for radiation dose intensification (RDI) (i.e., 60 Gy in 30 fractions-group 2). The primary endpoint was the complete pathological response (pCR) rate. Secondary endpoints were postoperative complications and ChT-RT-related toxicity. RESULTS: No statistical significance was observed in pCR rate (20.8% and 22.6% in SDR and RDI group, respectively, p = 0.342). Of contrast, the RDI group showed a significantly higher primary tumor downstaging in case of T3 tumor compared to SDR group (p = 0.049). Sphincter-preserving surgery was 84% and 93.5% in SDR and RDI groups, respectively (p = 0.25). All patients had R0 margins. No surgical-related death was recorded. No statistically significant difference was observed regarding surgical complications and incomplete mesorectal excision. Acute genitourinary toxicity was significantly higher in RDI group (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The intensification of the neoadjuvant radiotherapy for LARC seems to produce a major pathological response in T3 tumors. The radiation dose intensification appears probably associated with a higher rate of genitourinary toxicity.

Post-HIFU locally relapsed prostate cancer: high-dose salvage radiotherapy guided by molecular imaging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate tolerance and biochemical control rates of salvage external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in patients with local relapse from prostate cancer (PC) after high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as primary treatment. METHODS: Twenty-four patients presented biochemical failure of PC. Salvage EBRT to the residual prostate was performed with moderate hypofractionation schedule (MHRT) in 28 fractions (n = 16) or with extreme hypofractionation schedule (SBRT) in 5 fractions (n = 8) by means of image-guided volumetric modulation arc therapy. In case of MHRT, the median dose was 71.4 Gy, whereas in case of SBRT it was 32.5 Gy. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 28 months. The median PSA nadir was 0.26 ng/mL. In case of MHRT, the median PSA nadir was 0.15 ng/mL and occurred within a median time of 19 months. In case of SBRT, the median PSA nadir was 0.64 ng/mL and occurred within a median time of 8 months. No G3 higher acute or late toxicity after EBRT was observed. Only three patients presented with G2 acute GI toxicity (actinic proctitis). Twelve patients experienced acute G1 GU toxicity: 8/16 of men treated with MHRT and 4/8 of men treated with SBRT. Complete local control of disease was achieved in 23/24 patients (96%). CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the feasibility and the low toxicity of salvage EBRT with both schedules of treatment after HIFU failure. The findings of low acute toxicity and good biochemical control rates are encouraging, but a larger number of patients and a longer follow-up are needed to confirm these results.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy of central lung malignancies using a simultaneous integrated protection approach : A prospective observational study.

AIM: It is recognized that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for centrally located lung metastases is affected by higher rates of severe toxicity. In the present study, we report the clinical outcomes following a novel intensity-modulated radiotherapy prescription dose, termed simultaneous integrated protection (SIP), for nearby organs at risk (OARs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prescribed total doses of SBRT were 70 Gy in 10 fractions and 60 Gy in 8 fractions. For ultra-centrally located lesions, a dose of 60 Gy in 10 fractions was delivered. The main planning instructions were: (1) to remain within the limits of the given dose constraints for an OAR; (2) to make use of the maximum possible dose to the OARs to minimize dose inhomogeneity for the Planning Target Volume (PTV). SBRT-related toxicity was prospectively assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.0. The primary clinical endpoint was the SBRT-related toxicity. Secondary endpoint was local control. RESULTS: Forty patients affected by a single central malignancy were analyzed. The median follow-up was 20 months (range, 6-58 months). Acute and late clinical pulmonary toxicity ≥grade 2 was recorded in 2 out of 40 patients (5%) and 3 out of 40 patients (7%), respectively. No patient experienced cardiac toxicity. No narrowing or stenosis of any airway or vessel was registered. One-year local control rate was 91%. The median time to local progression was 13 months (range, 6-46 months). CONCLUSION: SBRT using a PTV-SIP approach for single central lung metastases achieved low SBRT-related toxicity with acceptable local control.

Phase II study of accelerated Linac-based SBRT in five consecutive fractions for localized prostate cancer.

AIM: The goal was to evaluate feasibility, side effects and biochemical no evidence of disease (bNED) after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivered on 5 consecutive days for localized prostate cancer (PC). METHODS: The study was approved by the ethical committee and started in March 2014. Inclusion criteria were age ≤85 years, WHO performance status ≤2, histologically proven adenocarcinoma, low-intermediate risk, no previous surgery (except transurethral resection of the prostate), and a pre-SBRT International Prostatic Symptoms Score of 0-7. The radiotherapy regimen consisted of 35 Gy for low-risk and 37.5 Gy for intermediate-risk PC in 5 consecutive fractions. RESULTS: At the time of the analysis, 52 patients were recruited to the study (median age 73 years, range 55-83 years; median follow-up 34 months, range 12-49 months; 34 patients low-risk and 18 intermediate risk). The median initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 5.9 ng/ml (range 1.8-15.7). Acute genitourinary (GU) toxicity was G0 (grade 0) 36/52 (69%), G1 11/52 (21%), G2 5/52 (10%), while acute rectal (GI) toxicity was G0 43/52 (83%), G1 8/52 (15%), G2 1/52 (2%). No acute toxicity ≥G3 was recorded. At the time of analysis late GU and GI toxicities were as follows: GU-G0 43/52 (83%), GU-G1 7/52 (13%), GU-G2 2/52 (4%); GI-G0 48/52 (92%), GI-G1 2/52 (4%), GI-G2 2/52 (4%). No late toxicities ≥G3 were recorded. bNED was 98%. One patient with intermediate PC had distant progression. CONCLUSIONS: Accelerated SBRT for low-intermediate PC is feasible and well tolerated with comparable oncological outcome as described for other series with the same RT technique but treatment delivery on every other day. Longer follow-up is needed to the assess late toxicity profile and long-term clinical outcome.

Linac-based radiosurgery or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy with flattening filter-free volumetric modulated arc therapy in elderly patients : A mono-institutional experience on 110 brain metastases.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility and clinical results of linear accelerator (linac-)based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SFRT) with flattening filter-free (FFF) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in elderly patients affected by brain metastases (BMs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients selected for the present analysis were ≥65 years old with a life expectancy of >3 months, a controlled or synchronous primary tumor, and <10 BMs with a diameter <3 cm. All patients were treated with FFF linac-based SRS/SFRT. The prescribed total dose (15-30 Gy/1-5 fractions) was based on BM size and proximity to organs at risk (OAR). Toxicity was assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.0. MedCalc v18.2 (MedCalc Software, Ostend, Belgium) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: From April 2014 to December 2017, 40 elderly patients with 110 BMs were treated by FFF linac-based SRS/SFRT. With a median follow-up of 28 months (range 6-50 months), median and 1­year overall survival were 9 months and 39%, respectively; median intracranial progression-free survival was 6 months. At the time of the analysis, local control was reported in 109/110 BMs (99.1%): 12 BMs had a complete response; 51 a partial response; 46 showed stable disease. One BM (0.9%) progressed after 2 months. BM volume (<1 cc) and higher SRS/SFRT dose correlated to treatment response (p = 0.01 and p = 0.0017, respectively). No adverse events higher than grade 2 were observed. CONCLUSION: The present findings highlight the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of FFF linac-based SRS/SFRT in elderly patients with BMs.

Metastasis-directed stereotactic radiotherapy for oligoprogressive castration-resistant prostate cancer: a multicenter study.

PURPOSE: Herein, we report the clinical outcomes of a multicenter study evaluating the role of SBRT in a cohort of patients affected by oligoprogressive castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter observational study including eleven centers. Inclusion criteria of the current study were: (a) Karnofsky performance status > 80, (b) histologically proven diagnosis of PC, (c) 1-5 oligoprogressive metastases, defined as progressive disease at bone or nodes levels (detected by means of choline PET/CT or CT plus bone scan) during ADT, (d) serum testosterone level under 50 ng/ml during ADT, (e) controlled primary tumor, (f) patients treated with SBRT with a dose of at least 5 Gy per fraction to a biologically effective dose (BED) of at least 80 Gy using an alpha-to-beta ratio of 3 Gy, (g) at least 6 months of follow-up post-SBRT. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients for a total of 117 lesions were treated with SBRT. The median follow-up was 30.7 months (range 4-91 months). The median new metastasis-free survival after SBRT was 12.3 months (95% CI 5.5-19.1 months). One- and two-year distant progression-free survival was 52.3% and 33.7%, respectively. Twenty-six out of 86 patients underwent a second course of SBRT due to further oligoprogressive disease: This resulted in a median systemic treatment-free survival of 21.8 months (95% CI 17.8-25.8 months). One-year systemic treatment-free survival was 72.1%. CONCLUSION: SBRT appears to be a promising approach in oligoprogressive castration-resistant prostate cancer. Further investigations are warranted.