The impact of bridging therapy prior to CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in patients with large B-cell lymphoma.

In the relapsed/refractory setting for treatment of large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has emerged as an effective treatment modality. Patients often have aggressive disease that requires prompt treatment in the form of bridging therapy (BT) for disease stabilisation while CAR-T cells are manufactured. Patients (n = 75) undergoing CAR-T therapy infusion for LBCL at our institution were identified. A total of 52 (69·3%) received BT and 23 (30·7%) received no BT (NBT). BT modalities included systemic BT (SBT) in 28 patients, radiation BT (RBT) in 14, and high-dose steroid BT (HDS) in 10. There was no difference in incidence of cytokine release syndrome or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome between BT and NBT (P = 0·18 and P = 0·53 respectively). Prolonged cytopenias at Day 180 were more common in BT than NBT (50% vs. 13·3%, P = 0·04). The SBT and RBT subgroups had more cytopenias at Day 180 compared to the HDS and NBT subgroups (58·3% and 57·1% vs. 20% and 13·3% respectively, P = 0·04). Disease response at last follow-up, progression-free survival and overall survival were similar between BT, NBT, and BT subgroups. In summary, BT can be safely considered in patients undergoing CAR-T therapy. However, those undergoing BT with SBT or RBT are at higher risk of prolonged cytopenias after CAR-T therapy.

Advances in management of locally advanced cervical cancer.

Globally, cervical cancer has the fourth highest cancer incidence and mortality in women. Cervical cancer is unique because it has effective prevention, screening, and treatment options. This review discusses the current cervical cancer advances with a focus on locally advanced cervical cancer. Topics discussed include diagnostic imaging principles, surgical management with adjuvant therapy and definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Emphasis is given on current advances and future research directions in radiation therapy (RT) with an emphasis on three-dimensional brachytherapy, intensity-modulated RT, image-guided RT, proton RT and hyperthermia.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Is a Prognostic Marker in Patients with Locally Advanced (Stage IIIA and IIIB) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Combined Modality Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a measure of systemic inflammation that appears prognostic in localized and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Increased systemic inflammation portends a poorer prognosis in cancer patients. We hypothesized that low NLR at diagnosis is associated with improved overall survival (OS) in locally advanced NSCLC (LANSCLC) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records from 276 patients with stage IIIA and IIIB NSCLC treated with definitive chemoradiation with or without surgery between 2000 and 2010 with adequate data were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline demographic data and pretreatment peripheral blood absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were collected. Patients were grouped into quartiles based on NLR. OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test was used to compare mortality between groups. A linear test-for-trend was used for the NLR quartile groups. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariable analysis. RESULTS: The NLR was prognostic for OS (p < .0001). Median survival in months (95% confidence interval) for the first, second, third, and fourth quartile groups of the population distribution of NLR were 27 (19-36), 28 (22-34), 22 (12-31), and 10 (8-12), respectively. NLR remained prognostic for OS after adjusting for race, sex, stage, performance status, and chemoradiotherapy approach (p = .004). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, our series is the largest to demonstrate that baseline NLR is a significant prognostic indicator in LANSCLC patients who received definitive chemoradiation with or without surgery. As an indicator of inflammatory response, it should be explored as a potential predictive marker in the context of immunotherapy and radiation therapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio measured at the time of diagnosis was associated with improved overall survival in 276 patients with stage IIIA and IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive chemoradiation with or without surgery. To our knowledge, our series is the largest to demonstrate that baseline neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is a significant prognostic indicator in locally advanced NSCLC patients who received definitive chemoradiation with or without surgery. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is an inexpensive biomarker that may be easily utilized by clinicians at the time of locally advanced NSCLC diagnosis to help predict life expectancy.

Choroid plexus tumor epidemiology and outcomes: implications for surgical and radiotherapeutic management.

Choroid plexus tumors (CPTs) are rare neoplasms of the central nervous system whose optimal management is not well defined. The Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Database from 1978 to 2009 was queried to define population-based outcomes for all patients with CPTs. Patient demographic data, histological classification (choroid plexus papilloma [CPP], atypical CPP [aCPP], and choroid plexus carcinoma [CPC]), extent of surgery, and use of radiation therapy (RT) as part of an initial course of therapy were analyzed for impact on overall survival (OS) and cause-specific survival (CSS). Chemotherapy data were not available within the SEER database. A total of 349 patients with CPTs were identified (120 CPCs, 26 aCPPs, and 203 CPPs). Patients with CPC presented at a younger age (median 3, mean 14.8 years) relative to CPP (median 25, mean 28.4 years; p < 0.0001). Histology was a significant predictor of OS, with 5-year OS rates of 90, 77, and 58 % for CPP, aCPP, and CPC, respectively. Older age and male sex were prognostic for worse OS and CSS for CPP. Only extent of surgery had a significant impact on survival for CPC. The use of adjuvant RT in patients with CPC undergoing surgery was not associated with a significantly improved OS (p = 0.17). For patients undergoing GTR without RT as part of an initial course of therapy, estimated 5- and 10-year OS were 70 % (±7 %) and 67 % (±8 %), respectively. Prospective data are required to define the optimal combination of surgery with adjuvant therapies, including chemotherapy.

Large volume reirradiation as salvage therapy for glioblastoma after progression on bevacizumab.

Outcomes after bevacizumab failure for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) are poor. Our analysis of 16 phase II trials (n = 995) revealed a median overall survival (OS) of 3.8 months (±1.0 month SD) after bevacizumab failure with no discernible activity of salvage chemotherapy. Thus, the optimal treatment for disease progression after bevacizumab has yet to be elucidated. This study evaluated the efficacy of reirradiation for patients with GBM after progression on bevacizumab. An IRB approved retrospective (2/2008-5/2013) analysis was performed of 23 patients with recurrent GBM (after standard radiotherapy/temozolomide) treated with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) every 2 weeks until progression (median age 53 years; median KPS 80; median progression free survival on bevacizumab 3.7 months). Within 7-14 days of progression on bevacizumab, patients initiated reirradiation to a dose of 54 Gy in 27 fractions using pulsed-reduced dose rate (PRDR) radiotherapy. The median planning target volume was 424 cm(3). At the start of reirradiation, bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) was given every 4 weeks for two additional cycles. The median OS and 6 month OS after bevacizumab failure was 6.9 months and 65 %, respectively. Reirradiation was well tolerated with no symptomatic grade 3-4 toxicities. Favorable outcomes of reirradiation after bevacizumab failure in patients with recurrent GBM suggest its role as a treatment option for large volume recurrences not amenable to stereotactic radiosurgery. As PRDR is easily accomplished from a technological standpoint, we are in the process of expanding this approach to a multi-institutional cooperative group trial.

Dosimetric Evaluation and Reproducibility of Breath-hold Plans in Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy: An Initial Clinical Experience.

Purpose: Breath-hold (BH) technique can mitigate target motion, minimize target margins, reduce normal tissue doses, and lower the effect of interplay effects with intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT). This study presents dosimetric comparisons between BH and nonbreath-hold (non-BH) IMPT plans and investigates the reproducibility of BH plans using frequent quality assurance (QA) computed tomography scans (CT). Methods and Materials: Data from 77 consecutive patients with liver (n = 32), mediastinal/lung (n = 21), nonliver upper abdomen (n = 20), and malignancies in the gastroesophageal junction (n = 4), that were treated with a BH spirometry system (SDX) were evaluated. All patients underwent both BH CT and 4-dimensional CT simulations. Clinically acceptable BH and non-BH plans were generated on each scan, and dose-volume histograms of the 2 plans were compared. Reproducibility of the BH plans for 30 consecutive patients was assessed using 1 to 3 QA CTs per patient and variations in dose-volume histograms for deformed target and organs at risk (OARs) volumes were compared with the initial CT plan. Results: Use of BH scans reduced initial and boost target volumes to 72% ± 20% and 70% ± 17% of non-BH volumes, respectively. Additionally, mean dose to liver, stomach, kidney, esophagus, heart, and lung V20 were each reduced to 71% to 79% with the BH technique. Similarly, small and large bowels, heart, and spinal cord maximum doses were each lowered to 68% to 84%. Analysis of 62 QA CT scans demonstrated that mean target and OAR doses using BH scans were reproducible to within 5% of their nominal plan values. Conclusions: The BH technique reduces the irradiated volume, leading to clinically significant reductions in OAR doses. By mitigating tumor motion, the BH technique leads to reproducible target coverage and OAR doses. Its use can reduce motion-related uncertainties that are normally associated with the treatment of thoracic and abdominal tumors and, therefore, optimize IMPT delivery.

Clinical Implementation and Dosimetric Evaluation of a Robust Proton Lattice Planning Strategy Using Primary and Robust Complementary Beams.

PURPOSE: Pencil-beam scanning proton therapy has been considered as a potential modality for the 3D form of spatially-fractionated-radiation-therapy called lattice therapy. However, few practical solutions have been introduced in the clinic. Existing limitations include degradation in plan quality and robustness when using single-field versus multifield lattice plans, respectively. We propose a practical and robust proton lattice (RPL) planning method using multifield and evaluate its dosimetric characteristics compared to clinically acceptable photon lattice plans. METHODS: Seven cases previously treated with photon lattice therapy were used to evaluate a novel RPL planning technique using two-orthogonal beams: a primary beam (PB) and a robust complementary beam (RCB) that deliver 67% and 33%, respectively, of the prescribed dose to vertices inside the gross-target-volume (GTV). Only RCB is robustly optimized for setup and range uncertainties. The number and volume of vertices, peak-to-valley dose ratios (PVDRs), and volume of low dose to GTV of proton and photon plans were compared. The RPL technique was then used in treatment of two patients and their dosimetric parameters are reported. RESULTS: The RPL strategy was able to achieve the clinical planning goals. Compared to previously-treated photon plans, the average number of vertices increased by 30%, average vertex volume by 49% (18.2±25.9cc vs. 12.2±14.5cc, P=0.21), and higher PVDR (10.5±4.8 vs. 2.5±0.9, P<0.005) was achieved. In addition, RPL plans show more conformal dose with less low-dose to GTV (V30%: 60.9±7.2% vs. 81.6±13.9% and V10%: 88.3±4.5% vs. 98.6±3.6% [P<0.01]). The RPL plan for two treated patients showed PVDRs of 4.61 and 14.85 with vertices-to-GTV ratios of 1.52% and 1.30%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A novel RPL planning strategy using a pair of orthogonal beams was developed and successfully translated to the clinic. The proposed method can generate better quality plans, a higher number of vertices, and higher PVDRs than currently used photon lattice plans.

ACR-ARS Practice Parameter for Radiation Oncology.

BACKGROUND: This practice parameter was revised collaboratively by the American College of Radiology (ACR), and the American Radium Society. This practice parameter provides updated reference literature regarding radiation oncology practice and its key personnel. METHODS: This practice parameter was developed according to the process described under the heading The Process for Developing ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards on the ACR website ( https://www.acr.org/Clinical-Resources/Practice-Parameters-and-Technical-Standards ) by the Committee on Practice Parameters-Radiation Oncology of the ACR Commission on Radiation Oncology in collaboration with the American Radium Society. RESULTS: This practice parameter provides a comprehensive update to the reference literature regarding radiation oncology practice in general. The overall roles of the radiation oncologist, the Qualified Medical Physicist, and other specialized personnel involved in the delivery of external-beam radiation therapy are discussed. The use of radiation therapy requires detailed attention to equipment, patient and personnel safety, equipment maintenance and quality assurance, and continuing staff education. Because the practice of radiation oncology occurs in a variety of clinical environments, the judgment of a qualified radiation oncologist should be used to apply these practice parameters to individual practices. Radiation oncologists should follow the guiding principle of limiting radiation exposure to patients and personnel while accomplishing therapeutic goals. CONCLUSION: This practice parameter can be used as an effective tool to guide radiation oncology practice by successfully incorporating the close interaction and coordination among radiation oncologists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, nurses, and radiation therapists.

Psychosocial Factors That Influence a Woman's Decision to Enroll in a Clinical Trial: Implications on How to Improve Clinical Trial Enrollment Among Black Women.

PURPOSE: Black women with breast cancer often present with more aggressive disease compared with other races, contributing to an increased risk of cancer mortality. Despite this inequity, Black women remain severely underrepresented in breast cancer clinical trials. We aim to characterize factors that influence a woman's decision to enroll in a clinical trial, with the goal of identifying clinical interventions to aid in the recruitment of vulnerable groups. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted using a questionnaire adapted from 2 prevalidated surveys investigating factors influencing clinical trial enrollment. The survey was administered to women with curable breast cancer during a single follow-up visit at 4 different sites within a university medical system where all patients are screened for clinical trial eligibility. Chi-square tests and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to assess associations or differences between the populations. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-four out of 209 women completed the survey, giving a compliance rate of 93%. Twenty-six percent of women self-identified as Black, most women were located at community sites (67.1%), most women had diagnoses of early-stage disease (I: 57.7%, II: 29.4%), and 81% of women had some collegiate-level education. Black women were younger at diagnosis (P = .005) and less likely to be married (P = .012) but more often lived with family members (P = .003) and had a lower median income (P < .001). According to the survey, Black women were less likely to trust their care team (P = .032), more likely to believe that research ultimately harms minorities (P < .001), and had a stronger belief in God's will determining illness and wellness (P < .001). Recurring themes of trust in the health care team, patient education, and advancement of cancer treatments were discussed in the focus groups. CONCLUSIONS: Failure to offer clinical trials and mistrust in research institutions may pose the greatest hindrances to the enrollment of Black women in clinical trials. Empowering women through education and fostering trustworthy relationships can encourage greater clinical trial participation.

Multicenter Phase 1b/2a Clinical Trial of Radioprotectant BIO 300 Oral Suspension for Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Radiation therapy is part of the standard treatment regimen for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although radiation therapy is an effective tool to manage NSCLC, it can be associated with significant dose-limiting toxicities. These toxicities can lead to treatment interruption or early termination and worsening clinical outcomes in addition to reductions in patient quality of life. Based on preclinical efficacy for radioprotection of normal tissues, we evaluated the clinical utility of BIO 300 Oral Suspension (BIO 300; synthetic genistein nanosuspension) in patients with NSCLC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this multicenter, open-label, single-arm, ascending dose phase 1b/2a study, patients were enrolled with newly diagnosed stage II-IV NSCLC planned for 60 to 70/1.8-2.0 Gy radiation therapy and concurrent weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin. Oral BIO 300 (cohort 1, 500 mg/d; cohort 2, 1000 mg/d; cohort 3, 1500 mg/d) was self-administered once daily starting 2 to 7 days before initiating concurrent chemoradiotherapy and continued until the end of radiation therapy. The primary endpoint was acute dose-limiting toxicities attributable to BIO 300. Secondary outcomes included pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, overall toxicity profile, quality of life, local response rate, and survival. RESULTS: Twenty-one participants were enrolled. No dose-limiting toxicities were reported. BIO 300 dosing did not alter chemotherapy pharmacokinetics. Adverse events were not dose-dependent, and those attributable to BIO 300 (n = 11) were all mild to moderate in severity (grade 1, n = 9; grade 2, n = 2) and predominantly gastrointestinal (n = 7). A dose-dependent decrease in serum transforming growth factor ß1 levels was observed across cohorts. Based on safety analysis, the maximum tolerated dose of BIO 300 was not met. Patient-reported quality of life and weight were largely stable throughout the study period. No patient had progression as their best overall response, and a 65% tumor response rate was achieved (20% complete response rate). CONCLUSIONS: The low toxicity rates, along with the pharmacodynamic results and tumor response rates, support further investigation of BIO 300 as an effective radioprotector.

NRG Oncology and Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group Patterns of Practice Survey and Consensus Recommendations on Pencil-Beam Scanning Proton Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Thoracic Malignancies.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and hypofractionation using pencil-beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy (PBSPT) is an attractive option for thoracic malignancies. Combining the advantages of target coverage conformity and critical organ sparing from both PBSPT and SBRT, this new delivery technique has great potential to improve the therapeutic ratio, particularly for tumors near critical organs. Safe and effective implementation of PBSPT SBRT/hypofractionation to treat thoracic malignancies is more challenging than the conventionally fractionated PBSPT because of concerns of amplified uncertainties at the larger dose per fraction. The NRG Oncology and Particle Therapy Cooperative Group Thoracic Subcommittee surveyed proton centers in the United States to identify practice patterns of thoracic PBSPT SBRT/hypofractionation. From these patterns, we present recommendations for future technical development of proton SBRT/hypofractionation for thoracic treatment. Among other points, the recommendations highlight the need for volumetric image guidance and multiple computed tomography-based robust optimization and robustness tools to minimize further the effect of uncertainties associated with respiratory motion. Advances in direct motion analysis techniques are urgently needed to supplement current motion management techniques.

Proton Pencil-Beam Scanning Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Thoracic Malignancies: Patterns of Practice Survey and Recommendations for Future Development from NRG Oncology and PTCOG.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and hypofractionation using pencil-beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy (PBSPT) is an attractive option for thoracic malignancies. Combining the advantages of target coverage conformity and critical organ sparing from both PBSPT and SBRT, this new delivery technique has great potential to improve the therapeutic ratio, particularly for tumors near critical organs. Safe and effective implementation of PBSPT SBRT/hypofractionation to treat thoracic malignancies is more challenging than the conventionally-fractionated PBSPT due to concerns of amplified uncertainties at the larger dose per fraction. NRG Oncology and Particle Therapy Cooperative Group (PTCOG) Thoracic Subcommittee surveyed US proton centers to identify practice patterns of thoracic PBSPT SBRT/hypofractionation. From these patterns, we present recommendations for future technical development of proton SBRT/hypofractionation for thoracic treatment. Amongst other points, the recommendations highlight the need for volumetric image guidance and multiple CT-based robust optimization and robustness tools to minimize further the impact of uncertainties associated with respiratory motion. Advances in direct motion analysis techniques are urgently needed to supplement current motion management techniques.

Integrating local and distant radiation-induced lung injury: Development and validation of a predictive model for ventilation loss.

BACKGROUND: Investigations on radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) have predominantly focused on local effects, primarily those associated with radiation damage to lung parenchyma. However, recent studies from our group and others have revealed that radiation-induced damage to branching serial structures such as airways and vessels may also have a substantial impact on post-radiotherapy (RT) lung function. Furthermore, recent results from multiple functional lung avoidance RT trials, although promising, have demonstrated only modest toxicity reduction, likely because they were primarily focused on dose avoidance to lung parenchyma. These observations emphasize the critical need for predictive dose-response models that effectively incorporate both local and distant RILI effects. PURPOSE: We develop and validate a predictive model for ventilation loss after lung RT. This model, referred to as P+A, integrates local (parenchyma [P]) and distant (central and peripheral airways [A]) radiation-induced damage, modeling partial (narrowing) and complete (collapse) obstruction of airways. METHODS: In an IRB-approved prospective study, pre-RT breath-hold CTs (BHCTs) and pre- and one-year post-RT 4DCTs were acquired from lung cancer patients treated with definitive RT. Up to 13 generations of airways were automatically segmented on the BHCTs using a research virtual bronchoscopy software. Ventilation maps derived from the 4DCT scans were utilized to quantify pre- and post-RT ventilation, serving, respectively, as input data and reference standard (RS) in model validation. To predict ventilation loss solely due to parenchymal damage (referred to as P model), we used a normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model. Our model used this NTCP-based estimate and predicted additional loss due radiation-induced partial or complete occlusion of individual airways, applying fluid dynamics principles and a refined version of our previously developed airway radiosensitivity model. Predictions of post-RT ventilation were estimated in the sublobar volumes (SLVs) connected to the terminal airways. To validate the model, we conducted a k-fold cross-validation. Model parameters were optimized as the values that provided the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) between predicted post-RT ventilation and the RS for all SLVs in the training data. The performance of the P+A and the P models was evaluated by comparing their respective post-RT ventilation values with the RS predictions. Additional evaluation using various receiver operating characteristic (ROC) metrics was also performed. RESULTS: We extracted a dataset of 560 SLVs from four enrolled patients. Our results demonstrated that the P+A model consistently outperformed the P model, exhibiting RMSEs that were nearly half as low across all patients (13 ± 3 percentile for the P+A model vs. 24 ± 3 percentile for the P model on average). Notably, the P+A model aligned closely with the RS in ventilation loss distributions per lobe, particularly in regions exposed to doses ≥13.5 Gy. The ROC analysis further supported the superior performance of the P+A model compared to the P model in sensitivity (0.98 vs. 0.07), accuracy (0.87 vs. 0.25), and balanced predictions. CONCLUSIONS: These early findings indicate that airway damage is a crucial factor in RILI that should be included in dose-response modeling to enhance predictions of post-RT lung function.

Predicting the Effect of Proton Beam Therapy Technology on Pulmonary Toxicities for Patients With Locally Advanced Lung Cancer Enrolled in the Proton Collaborative Group Prospective Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to predict the probability of grade ≥2 pneumonitis or dyspnea within 12 months of receiving conventionally fractionated or mildly hypofractionated proton beam therapy for locally advanced lung cancer using machine learning. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Demographic and treatment characteristics were analyzed for 965 consecutive patients treated for lung cancer with conventionally fractionated or mildly hypofractionated (2.2-3 Gy/fraction) proton beam therapy across 12 institutions. Three machine learning models (gradient boosting, additive tree, and logistic regression with lasso regularization) were implemented to predict Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4 grade ≥2 pulmonary toxicities using double 10-fold cross-validation for parameter hyper-tuning without leak of information. Balanced accuracy and area under the curve were calculated, and 95% confidence intervals were obtained using bootstrap sampling. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 70 years (range, 20-97), and they had predominantly stage IIIA or IIIB disease. They received a median dose of 60 Gy in 2 Gy/fraction, and 46.4% received concurrent chemotherapy. In total, 250 (25.9%) had grade ≥2 pulmonary toxicity. The probability of pulmonary toxicity was 0.08 for patients treated with pencil beam scanning and 0.34 for those treated with other techniques (P = 8.97e-13). Use of abdominal compression and breath hold were highly significant predictors of less toxicity (P = 2.88e-08). Higher total radiation delivered dose (P = .0182) and higher average dose to the ipsilateral lung (P = .0035) increased the likelihood of pulmonary toxicities. The gradient boosting model performed the best of the models tested, and when demographic and dosimetric features were combined, the area under the curve and balanced accuracy were 0.75 ± 0.02 and 0.67 ± 0.02, respectively. After analyzing performance versus the number of data points used for training, we observed that accuracy was limited by the number of observations. CONCLUSIONS: In the largest analysis of prospectively enrolled patients with lung cancer assessing pulmonary toxicities from proton therapy to date, advanced machine learning methods revealed that pencil beam scanning, abdominal compression, and lower normal lung doses can lead to significantly lower probability of developing grade ≥2 pneumonitis or dyspnea.

Genomic profiling of tissue and blood predicts survival outcomes in patients with resected pleural mesothelioma.

PURPOSE: Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an aggressive tumor still considered incurable, in part due to the lack of predictive biomarkers. Little is known about the clinical implications of molecular alterations in resectable PM tissues and blood. Here, we characterized genetic alterations to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers in patients with resected PM. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Targeted next-generation sequencing was performed in retrospective pleural tumor tissue and paired plasma samples from stage IB-IIIB resected PM. Association between prognosis and presence of specific mutations was validated in silico. RESULTS: Thirty PM tissues and paired blood samples from 12 patients were analyzed. High tissue tumor mutational burden (TMB) (>10 mutations/Mb), tissue median minor allele frequency (MAF) (>9 mutations/Mb), and blood TMB (>6 mutations/Mb), tissue KMT2C, PBRM1, PKHD1,EPHB1 and blood LIFR mutations correlated with longer disease-free survival and/or overall survival. High concordance (>80%) between tissue and blood was found for some mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Tissue TMB and MAF, blood TMB, and specific mutations correlated with outcomes in patients with resected PM and should be further studied to validate their role as prognostic biomarkers and potentially predictive factors for combinations with immune-checkpoint inhibitors. This suggest that molecular profiling could identify longer survivors in patients with resected PM.

The role of radiation in retroperitoneal sarcomas.

OPINION STATEMENT: Retroperitoneal sarcomas form a group of rare malignancies that require expertise in every aspect of management. Patients benefit from referral to cancer centers that can provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary, oncologic management. The role of radiation in retroperitoneal sarcoma management is, appropriately, the subject of considerable controversy due to the absence of high-level evidence proving its efficacy. Nonetheless, the preponderance of available data suggests that radiation therapy likely improves local control and, in some settings, may favorably impact resectability and survival. These outcome observations coupled with the lower doses (45-54 Gy) and normal tissue displacement characteristic of preoperative radiation therapy leads us to favor preoperative radiotherapy followed by oncologic resection for most retroperitoneal sarcomas. This strategy appears to provide the highest chance of safe and successful delivery of multimodal therapy, which can otherwise be hindered by postoperative complications as a result of technically challenging surgery and normal tissue radiation dose tolerances. Dose-escalation and selective integrative boosts to "at-risk" margins are attractive strategies that merit, and arguably require, further clinical evaluation. We believe that postoperative radiotherapy should be reserved for very high-risk cases and should be treated to a dose of ≥60 Gy respecting normal tissue dose tolerances. An additional approach that we consider in the postoperative setting is close surveillance with consideration of preoperative radiotherapy at recurrence before repeat surgical resection. Highly conformal radiotherapy techniques, such as IMRT with image guidance, should be employed to minimize dose to normal tissues and thereby allow delivery of efficacious radiation doses. If feasible, referral to a treatment facility with proton beam therapy should be discussed with the patient, especially if normal tissue dose constraints cannot be met using IMRT/IGRT. Participation in prospective studies should be highly encouraged.