Feasibility of transrectal and transperineal fiducial marker placement for prostate cancer before proton therapy.

BACKGROUND: To compare the feasibility of transrectal and transperineal fiducial marker placement for prostate cancer before proton therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2013 to 2015, the first 40 prostate cancer patients that were scheduled for proton therapy underwent transrectal fiducial marker placement, and the next 40 patients underwent transperineal fiducial marker placement (the first series). Technical and clinical success and pain scores were evaluated. In the second series (n = 280), the transrectal or transperineal approach was selected depending on the presence/absence of comorbidities, such as blood coagulation abnormalities. Seven patients refused to undergo the procedure. Thus, the total number of patients across both series was 353 (262 and 91 underwent the transrectal and transperineal approach, respectively). Technical and clinical success, complications, marker migration and the distance between the two markers were evaluated. RESULTS: In the first series, the technical and clinical success rates were 100% in both groups. The transrectal group exhibited lower pain scores than the transperineal group. The overall technical success rates of the transrectal and transperineal groups were 100% (262/262) and 99% (90/91), respectively (P > 0.05). The overall clinical success rate was 100% in both groups, and there were no major complications in either group. The migration rates of the two groups did not differ significantly. The mean distance between the two markers was 25.6 ± 7.1 mm (mean ± standard deviation) in the transrectal group and 31.9 ± 5.2 mm in the transperineal group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both the transrectal and transperineal fiducial marker placement methods are feasible and safe.

Physical and biological beam modeling for carbon beam scanning at Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center.

We have developed physical and biological beam modeling for carbon scanning therapy at the Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center (Osaka HIMAK). Carbon beam scanning irradiation is based on continuous carbon beam scanning, which adopts hybrid energy changes using both accelerator energy changes and binary range shifters in the nozzles. The physical dose calculation is based on a triple Gaussian pencil-beam algorithm, and we thus developed a beam modeling method using dose measurements and Monte Carlo simulation for the triple Gaussian. We exploited a biological model based on a conventional linear-quadratic (LQ) model and the photon equivalent dose, without considering the dose dependency of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE), to fully comply with the carbon passive dose distribution using a ridge filter. We extended a passive ridge-filter design method, in which carbon and helium LQ parameters are applied to carbon and fragment isotopes, respectively, to carbon scanning treatment. We then obtained radiation quality data, such as the linear energy transfer (LET) and LQ parameters, by Monte Carlo simulation. The physical dose was verified to agree with measurements to within ±2% for various patterns of volume irradiation. Furthermore, the RBE in the middle of a spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) reproduced that from passive dose distribution results to within ±1.5%. The developed carbon beam modeling and dose calculation program was successfully applied in clinical use at Osaka HIMAK.

Carbon ion radiotherapy using fiducial markers for prostate cancer in Osaka HIMAK: Treatment planning.

PURPOSE: Carbon ion radiotherapy for prostate cancer was performed using two fine needle Gold Anchor (GA) markers for patient position verification in Osaka Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Kansai (Osaka HIMAK). The present study examined treatment plans for prostate cases using beam-specific planning target volume (bsPTV) based on the effect of the markers on dose distribution and analysis of target movements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gafchromic EBT3 film was used to measure dose perturbations caused by markers. First, the relationships between the irradiated film density and absolute dose with different linear energy transfer distributions within a spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) were confirmed. Then, to derive the effect of markers, two types of markers, including GA, were placed at the proximal, center, and distal depths within the same SOBP, and dose distributions behind the markers were measured using the films. The amount of internal motion of prostate was derived from irradiation results and analyzed to determine the margins of the bsPTV. RESULTS: The linearity of the film densities against absolute doses was constant within the SOBP and the amount of dose perturbations caused by the markers was quantitatively estimated from the film densities. The dose perturbation close behind the markers was smallest (<10% among depths within the SOBP regardless of types of markers) and increased with depth. The effect of two types of GAs on dose distributions was small and could be ignored in the treatment planning. Based on the analysis results of internal motions of prostate, required margins of the bsPTV were found to be 8, 7, and 7 mm in left-right (LR), anterior-posterior (AP), and superior-inferior (SI) directions, respectively. CONCLUSION: We evaluated the dose reductions caused by markers and determined the margins of the bsPTV, which was applied to the treatment using fiducial markers, using the analysis results of prostate movements.

Recovery from sublethal damage and potentially lethal damage : Proton beam irradiation vs. X­ray irradiation.

PURPOSE: In order to clarify the biological response of tumor cells to proton beam irradiation, sublethal damage recovery (SLDR) and potentially lethal damage recovery (PLDR) induced after proton beam irradiation at the center of a 10 cm spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) were compared with those seen after X­ray irradiation. METHODS: Cell survival was determined by a colony assay using EMT6 and human salivary gland tumor (HSG) cells. First, two doses of 4 Gy/GyE (Gray equivalents, GyE) were given at an interfraction interval of 0-6 h. Second, five fractions of 1.6 Gy/GyE were administered at interfraction intervals of 0-5 min. Third, a delayed-plating assay involving cells in plateau-phase cultures was conducted. The cells were plated in plastic dishes immediately or 2-24 h after being irradiated with 8 Gy/GyE of X­rays or proton beams. Furthermore, we investigated the degree of protection from the effects of X­rays or proton beams afforded by the radical scavenger dimethyl sulfoxide to estimate the contribution of the indirect effect of radiation. RESULTS: In both the first and second experiments, SLDR was more suppressed after proton beam irradiation than after X­ray irradiation. In the third experiment, there was no difference in PLDR between the proton beam and X­ray irradiation conditions. The degree of protection tended to be higher after X­ray irradiation than after proton beam irradiation. CONCLUSION: Compared with that seen after X­ray irradiation, SLDR might take place to a lesser extent after proton beam irradiation at the center of a 10 cm SOBP, while the extent of PLDR does not differ significantly between these two conditions.

Acute toxicity of image-guided hypofractionated proton therapy for localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Hypofractionated proton therapy (HFPT) is expected to become an effective treatment approach for localized prostate cancer (PCa). The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in acute toxicity among patients with localized PCa treated with either conventional fractionated proton therapy (CFPT) or HFPT. METHODS: A total of 526 eligible patients treated with proton therapy between February 2013 and May 2016 in three phase II trials were analyzed. We prescribed 74 gray relative biological effectiveness equivalents [Gy (RBE)]/37 fractions for low-risk patients and 78 Gy (RBE)/39 fractions for intermediate- and high-risk patients in the CFPT group (n = 254) and 60 Gy (RBE)/20 fractions for low-risk and 63 Gy (RBE)/21 fractions for intermediate- and high-risk patients in the HFPT group (n = 272). Patients were evaluated for acute toxicity with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0, and urinary quality-of-life change using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). RESULTS: No grade ≥3 acute toxicity was observed in either group. Among acute genitourinary toxicities, grade 2 rates were 15% (n = 38) in CFPT and 5.9% (n = 16) in HFPT (P ≤ 0.001). The median baseline IPSSs of the CFPT and HFPT groups were 7 (0-29) and 6 (0-31), respectively (P = 0.70). One-month post-treatment scores were 9 (0-32) and 11 (0-32), respectively (P = 0.036), and 6-month post-treatment scores were 7 (0-30) and 7 (0-33), respectively (P = 0.88). There were no significant differences in acute gastrointestinal toxicity between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated the safety of HFPT for localized PCa patients in terms of acute toxicity.

Review of carbon ion radiotherapy for skull base tumors (especially chordomas).

AIM: To review the clinical feasibility of carbon ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for skull base tumors, especially for chordomas which are often seen in the skull base area. BACKGROUND: Skull base tumors treated by C-ion RT consist of primary chordomas and chondrosarcomas, and enormously extended head and neck cancer with a histology of adenoid cystic carcinomas, adenocarcinomas and malignant melanomas. These tumors are located on anatomically complex sites where they are close to important normal tissues and therefore demand better physical dose distribution to avoid unnecessary doses for surrounding normal tissues. These tumors are also known as radio-resistant tumors for low linear energy transfer (LET) radiotherapy and show favorable results after treatment by high LET carbon ion radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biological reports of C-ions for the chordoma cell line, clinical results of C-ion RT for skull base tumors, dose comparative studies between two representative facilities and tumor control probability (TCP) of chordomas by C-ion RT were reviewed. RESULTS: C-ion RT for skull base tumors, especially for chordomas, shows favorable results of tumor control and acceptable complications. The C-ion dose of 57.36 gray equivalent (GyE)/16 fractions/4 weeks will deliver 90% of local control for chordomas. The limiting doses for surrounding normal tissues are clearly revealed. The dose difference between institutes was assumed within 10%. CONCLUSIONS: C-ion RT is recommended for skull base tumors because of high LET characteristics and clinical results.

Risk factors of local control in adrenal metastases treated by stereotactic body radiation therapy - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study is aimed to explore risk factors affect the therapy outcomes of adrenal metastases (AM) for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and guide clinical dose selection. Methods and materials: PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched in September 22, 2022 in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were used to search for sources of heterogeneity and identify risky outcomes factors. Publication bias test and sensitivity analysis were also conducted. Results: Thirty-three studies with full text from 2009 to 2022 about AM with SBRT on 1483 patients were included. Pooled 1- and 2-year local control (LC) and overall survival(OS) were 81.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75.6%-86.5%), 62.8% (95% CI, 53.8%-71.8%), 67.4% (95%CI, 61.8%-73.1%) and 46.5% (95%CI, 40.4%-52.6%), respectively. Biological effective dose (BED, α/ß=10Gy) and dose per fraction affected 1-year LC (Qm=23.89, 15.10; P<0.0001, 0.0001). In the range of 60-80Gy (BED10), the group of dose per fraction ≥ 9Gy achieved the excellent 1-year LC (< 9Gy: ≥ 9Gy =78%, 91%; χ2 = 10.16, P = 0.001). Tracking technology significantly affected 1- and 2-year OS (Qm = 5.73, 8.75; P = 0.017, 0.003) and high tracking adoption group showed excellent 1- and 2- year OS (78.7% [95%CI, 68.6%- 88.9%]; and 62.9% [95%CI, 53.1%-72.7%]). Conclusion: Increasing the dose per fraction appropriately may help control locally AM lesious. Tracking technology might contribute to improve survival of advanced patients with AM. But these results need prospective studies to verify them.

Outcomes of proton therapy for non-small cell lung cancer in patients with interstitial pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial pneumonia (IP) is a disease with a poor prognosis. In addition, IP patients are more likely to develop lung cancer. Since IP patients frequently develop toxicities during cancer treatment, minimally invasive cancer treatment is warranted for such patients to maintain their quality of life. This study retrospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of proton therapy (PT) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients with IP. METHODS: Twenty-nine NSCLC patients with IP were treated with PT between September 2013 and December 2019. The patients had stage IA to IIIB primary NSCLC. Ten of the 29 patients exhibited the usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. The prescribed dose was 66-74 Grays (relative biological effectiveness) in 10-37 fractions. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 21.1 months [interquartile range (IQR), 15.6-37.3] for all patients and 37.2 months (IQR, 24.0-49.9) for living patients. The median patient age was 77 years (IQR, 71-81). The median planning target volume was 112.0 ml (IQR, 56.1-246.3). The 2-year local control, progression-free survival, and overall survival rates were 85% (95% confidence interval: 57-95), 30% (15-47), and 45% (26-62), respectively. According to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.0), grade 3 acute radiation pneumonitis (RP) was observed in 1 patient. Two patients developed grade 3 late RP, but no other patients experienced serious toxicities. The patients' quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13 and SF-36) scores had not changed after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: PT may be a relatively safe treatment for NSCLC patients with IP, without deteriorating quality of life scores within 3 months.

Image-Guided Proton Therapy for Elderly Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: High Local Control and Quality of Life Preservation.

This study retrospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of image-guided proton therapy (IGPT) for elderly (≥80 years old) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Proton therapy was performed using respiratory-gated and image-guided techniques. Seventy-one elderly HCC patients were treated using IGPT. The Child-Pugh score was A5 in 49 patients, A6 in 15, and B7-9 in 7. Forty-seven patients with a peripherally located tumor were administered 66 gray relative biological effectiveness (GyRBE) in 10 fractions, whereas 24 with a centrally located tumor received 72.6 GyRBE in 22 fractions. The median follow-up period of surviving patients was 33 months (range: 9-68). Two-year overall survival (OS) and local control (LC) rates estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method were 76% (95% confidence interval: 66-87%) and 88% (80-97%), respectively. According to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0, no grade 2 or higher radiation-induced liver disease was observed, and only 1 patient developed grade 3 dermatitis. The quality of life score (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 version 3.0, QLQ-HCC18, and SF-36) did not change after 1 year, except for the three-mental component summary (SF-36, improvement). IGPT is a safe and effective treatment for HCC in elderly patients.

A Phase 2 Study of Image-Guided Proton Therapy for Operable or Ablation-Treatable Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Because most previous data on proton therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were retrospectively collected from inoperable or previously treated cases, our aim was to evaluate the outcome of image-guided proton therapy (IGPT) for operable or radiofrequency ablation-treatable primary HCC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This phase 2 study prospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of IGPT and quality of life (QoL) after IGPT for operable/ablatable HCC. The primary endpoint was overall survival, and the secondary endpoints were local control, incidence of grade ≥3 adverse events, and changes in QoL. Toxicities were evaluated with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. QoL scores were assessed with European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, version 3.0, and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Hepatocellular Carcinoma/Primary Liver Cancer Module. IGPT was performed using respiratory-gated techniques. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (median age: 68 years; range, 36-80 years) were enrolled between June 2013 and February 2016; 38 were considered operable and 14 were indicated for radiofrequency ablation. The major underlying liver diseases were hepatitis B (n = 16), hepatitis C (n = 13), alcoholic hepatitis (n = 3), and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (n = 13). The Child-Pugh score was A5 in 32 patients, A6 in 9 patients, and B7 in 4 patients. Thirty-seven patients with a peripherally located tumor were given 66 Gy relative biological effectiveness in 10 fractions, and 8 patients with a centrally located tumor received 72.6 Gy relative biological effectiveness in 22 fractions. The median follow-up period of surviving patients was 60 months (range, 42-75 months). Two- and 5-year overall survival rates were 84% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74%-95%) and 70% (95% CI, 56%-84%), respectively, and local control rates were 95% (95% CI, 89%-100%) and 92% (95% CI, 84%-100%), respectively. Grade 3 radiation-induced liver disease was observed in 1 patient. No significant changes were noted in QoL scores 1 year after treatment, except for body image. CONCLUSIONS: Although the primary endpoint did not meet statistical significance as planned in the study design, IGPT is a safe and effective treatment for solitary primary HCC and may become a treatment option.

Changes in sexual function and serum testosterone levels in patients with prostate cancer after image-guided proton therapy.

Since sexual function and testosterone levels after image-guided proton therapy (IGPT) have not yet been examined in detail, we prospectively evaluated changes before and after IGPT. Among patients treated with IGPT with or without combined androgen blockade (CAB) therapy between February 2013 and September 2014, patients who agreed to participate in the study and were followed up for >3 years after IGPT were evaluated. Serum testosterone levels were regularly measured together with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels before and after IGPT. The Erection Hardness Score (EHS) and the sexual domain summary, function subscale and bother subscale of the sexual domain in the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) were assessed. There were 38 low-risk, 46 intermediate-risk and 43 high- or very-high-risk patients (NCCN classification). Although serum testosterone levels in low-risk patients did not decrease after IGPT, reductions were observed in the average EHS and the sexual domain summary score of the EPIC. In intermediate-, high- and very-high-risk patients, testosterone and PSA levels both increased following the termination of CAB after IGPT, and the average EHS increased. The sexual domain summary score gradually increased, but not above minimally important differences. In intermediate-risk patients, the function subscale increased from 4.4 to 14.8 (P < 0.05) 12 months after IGPT and reached a plateau after 60 months. The results of the present study would suggest the potential of IGPT, and further prospective studies to directly compare IGPT with other modalities are warranted.

Proton Beam Therapy for Histologically or Clinically Diagnosed Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): The First Nationwide Retrospective Study in Japan.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of proton beam therapy (PBT) for the treatment of stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Six hundred sixty-nine patients with 682 tumors histologically or clinically diagnosed stage I NSCLC according to the seventh edition of Union for International Cancer Control who received passive-scattering PBT from April 2004 and December 2013 in Japan were retrospectively reviewed to analyze survival, local control, and toxicities. RESULTS: Of 669 patients, 486 (72.6%) were men, with a median age of 76 years (range, 42-94 years). NSCLC was histologically confirmed in 440 patients (65.7%). Clinical T stages included T1a (n = 265; 38.9%), T1b (n = 216; 31.7%), and T2a (n = 201; 29.4%). The total irradiation doses of PBT ranged from 74.4 to 131.3 biological effective dose GyE (median, 109.6 biological effective dose GyE). The median follow-up period was 38.2 months (range, 0.6-154.5 months) for all patients. The 3-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates for all patients were 79.5% and 64.1%, respectively. For patients with stage IA tumors, the 3-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 82.8% and 70.6%, respectively, and the corresponding rates for patients with stage IB tumors were 70.8% and 47.3%, respectively. The 3-year local progression-free rates for all, stage IA, and stage IB patients were 89.8%, 93.5%, and 79.4%, respectively. The incidence of grade 2, 3, 4, and 5 pneumonitis was 9.8%, 1.0%, 0%, and 0.7%, respectively. The incidence of grade ≥3 dermatitis was 0.4%. No grade 4 or severe adverse events, other than pneumonitis, were observed. CONCLUSIONS: PBT appears to yield acceptable survival rates, with a low rate of toxicities.

Carbon ion radiotherapy for elderly patients 80 years and older with stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

Surgical resection is the standard treatment for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, elderly patients with NSCLC often suffer from other conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cardiovascular disease, and are not suitable candidates for surgery. Different modalities to treat stage I NSCLC have been developed, such as stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), proton beam radiotherapy and carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT). Between April 1999 and November 2003, we treated 129 patients with stage I NSCLC using CIRT. In this study, we focused on 28 patients aged 80 years and older who underwent CIRT, and analyzed the effectiveness of CIRT in treating their lung cancer and the impact on their activity of daily life (ADL). The 5-year local control rate for these patients was 95.8%, and the 5-year overall survival rate was 30.7%, but there were no patients who started home oxygen therapy or had decreased ADL. Our data demonstrate that CIRT was effective in treating elderly patients with stage I NSCLC.

Skull base chordomas: efficacy of surgery followed by carbon ion radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Skull base chordomas are challenging to treat because of their invasive nature, critical location, and aggressive recurrence. We report the effectiveness of combined radical skull base surgery with carbon ion radiotherapy for treating skull base chordomas. METHODS: Between November 1996 and August 2007, 32 patients (12 males and 20 females; mean age at initial presentation 41.4 years, range, 10-75 years) with skull base chordomas underwent 59 operations. Sub-total resection (resection of >90% of the pre-operative tumour volume) was achieved in 24 out of 59 (40.7%) operations. After surgical excision, 9/32 (28.1%) patients underwent adjuvant carbon ion radiotherapy. The patients were followed up for a mean period of 36.3 months (range, 3-93 months) from the initial presentation. FINDINGS: Fifty percent of the patients had to be re-treated due to tumour regrowth during the follow-up period. Thus far, 3 patients have died from the neoplasms. The overall 7 year survival rate of 9 patients who underwent carbon ion radiotherapy was 85.7%. The rate was higher compared to that of others (76.4%). The 3 year recurrence free survival rates of carbon ion therapy treated group was 70.0%, being higher than that of the other groups treated with radiotherapy or untreated (57.1%, and 7.1% respectively). Log-rank analysis showed a significant difference in the recurrence free survival rates between the group treated with adjunctive carbon ion radiotherapy and the untreated group (P = 0.001146). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical removal of the tumour around the brainstem and the optic nerve combined with post-operative carbon ion radiotherapy will improve the survival rate and quality of life of patients with complicated skull base chordomas.

Transient increases in serum α fetoprotein and protein induced by vitamin K antagonist II levels following proton therapy does not necessarily indicate progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Transient increases in α-fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K antagonist II (PIVKA-II), so-called flares, are frequently observed after treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, changes in AFP and PIVKA-II levels after proton therapy (PT), and the relationship between the flare phenomenon and clinical response were investigated. In 82 patients with stage I/II HCC (59 with no recurrence and 23 with out-of-field recurrence within 1 year), serum AFP and PIVKA-II levels were measured at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post-PT. AFP and PIVKA-II flares were defined as a >20% increase from the preceding serum level above 20 ng/ml (AFP) or 40 mAU/ml (PIVKA-II), followed by a >20% drop. Among the 59 patients with no recurrence, 3 (5.1%) had an AFP flare, while 23 (39%) had a PIVKA-II flare. The median time to AFP and PIVKA-II flare peaks was 1 and 6 months, respectively. In 4 patients, PIVKA-II flares were observed twice during follow-up. In 1 patient, AFP and PIVKA-II flares were observed simultaneously at 1 month post-PT. The PIVKA-II level pre-PT was significantly higher in the PIVKA-II flare-positive group compared with that in the flare-negative group (P=0.015, odds ratio 4.3, 95% confidence interval, 1.3-14.0). In the 23 patients with out-of-field recurrence, the median increase rate of PIVKA-II (203%) was higher than that in the PIVKA-II-flare-positive group (111%, P=0.035) and the time to recurrence (median, 9 months) was longer than the time to peak AFP level (1 month) in the AFP-flare-positive group (P=0.033). There was no significant association between flares and clinical response. Increases in AFP and PIVKA-II levels following PT should be assessed with caution to avoid misinterpretation of therapeutic outcome.

Effect of a Device-Free Compressed Shell Fixation Method on Hepatic Respiratory Movement: Analysis for Respiratory Amplitude of the Liver and Internal Motions of a Fiducial Marker.

PURPOSE: Suppression of respiratory movement of the liver would be desirable for high-precision radiation therapy for liver tumors. We aimed to investigate the effect of our original device-free compressed shell fixation method and breathing instruction on suppression of respiratory movement. The characteristics of liver motion based on the movement of a fiducial marker were also analyzed. METHODS AND MATERIALS: First, respiratory amplitudes of the liver with the device-free compressed shell were analyzed from the data of 146 patients. The effect of this shell fixing method on liver movement was evaluated. Second, as another cohort study with 166 patients, interfractional internal motion of the liver for patients fixed in the shell was calculated using the fiducial marker coordinate data of images for position setting before daily irradiation. Third, in another 12 patients, intrafractional internal motion was calculated from the fiducial marker coordinate data using x-ray images before and after irradiation. RESULTS: The median respiratory movement without the shell, after fixing with the shell, and after instructing on the breathing method with the shell was 14.2 (interquartile range, 10.7-19.8), 11.5 (8.6-17.5), and 10.4 mm (7.3-15.8), respectively. Systematic and random errors of interfractional internal motion were all ≤2 mm in the left-right and anteroposterior directions and 3.7 and 3.0 mm, respectively, in the craniocaudal direction. Systematic and random errors of intrafractional internal motion were all ≤1.3 mm in the left-right and anteroposterior directions and 0.8 and 2.4 mm, respectively, in the craniocaudal direction. CONCLUSIONS: The device-free compressed shell fixation method was effective in suppressing the respiratory movement of the liver. Irradiation position matching using the fiducial marker can correct the interfractional internal motion on each day, which would contribute to the reduction of the margin to be given around the target.

Proton therapy for non-squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: planning comparison and toxicity.

To investigate optimal treatment planning using proton beams for non-squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (NSCHN), the dose distributions of plans involving pencil beam scanning (PBS) with or without a patient-specific aperture system (PSAS), passive-scattering proton therapy (PSPT) and X-ray intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were compared. As clinical results, toxicities of PBS with PSAS, including changes in quality of life, were reported. Between April 2014 and August 2016, a total of 30 patients were treated using PBS with PSAS. In 20 patients selected at random, the dose distributions of PBS with or without the PSAS, PSPT and IMRT plans were compared. Neutron exposure by proton therapy was calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation. Toxicities were scored according to CTCAE ver. 4.0. Patients completed EORTC quality of life survey forms (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HN35) before and 0-12 months after proton therapy. The 95% conformity number of PBS with the PSAS plan was the best, and significant differences were detected among the four plans (P < 0.05, Bonferroni tests). Neutron generation by PSAS was ~1.1-fold higher, but was within an acceptable level. No grade 3 or higher acute dermatitis was observed. Pain, appetite loss and increased weight loss were more likely at the end of treatment, but recovered by the 3 month follow-up and returned to the pretreatment level at the 12 month follow-up. PBS with PSAS reduced the penumbra and improved dose conformity in the planning target volume. PBS with PSAS was tolerated well for NSCHN.

l-[METHYL-(11)C] methionine positron emission tomography for target delineation in malignant gliomas: impact on results of carbon ion radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To assess the importance of (11)C-methionine (MET)-positron emission tomography (PET) for clinical target volume (CTV) delineation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective study analyzed 16 patients with malignant glioma (4 patients, anaplastic astrocytoma; 12 patients, glioblastoma multiforme) treated with surgery and carbon ion radiotherapy from April 2002 to Nov 2005. The MET-PET target volume was compared with gross tumor volume and CTV, defined by using computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Correlations with treatment results were evaluated between positive and negative extended volumes (EVs) of the MET-PET target for CTV. RESULTS: Mean volumes of the MET-PET targets, CTV1 (defined by means of high-intensity volume on T2-weighted MRI), and CTV2 (defined by means of contrast-enhancement volume on T1-weighted MRI) were 6.35, 264.7, and 117.7 cm(3), respectively. Mean EVs of MET-PET targets for CTV1 and CTV2 were 0.6 and 2.2 cm(3), respectively. The MET-PET target volumes were included in CTV1 and CTV2 in 13 (81.3%) and 11 patients (68.8%), respectively. Patients with a negative EV for CTV1 had significantly greater survival rate (p = 0.0069), regional control (p = 0.0047), and distant control time (p = 0.0267) than those with a positive EV. Distant control time also was better in patients with a negative EV for CTV2 than those with a positive EV (p = 0.0401). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with malignant gliomas, MET-PET has a possibility to be a predictor of outcome in carbon ion radiotherapy. Direct use of MET-PET fused to planning computed tomography will be useful and yield favorable results for the therapy.

Susceptible genes and molecular pathways related to heavy ion irradiation in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Heavy ion beams are high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation characterized by a higher relative biologic effectiveness than low LET radiation. The aim of the current study was to determine the difference of gene expression between heavy ion beams and X-rays in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)-derived cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The OSCC cells were irradiated with accelerated carbon or neon ion irradiation or X-rays using three different doses. We sought to identify genes the expression of which is affected by carbon and neon ion irradiation using Affymetrix GeneChip analysis. The identified genes were analyzed using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis Tool to investigate the functional network and gene ontology. Changes in mRNA expression in the genes were assessed by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: The microarray analysis identified 84 genes that were modulated by carbon and neon ion irradiation at all doses in OSCC cells. Among the genes, three genes (TGFBR2, SMURF2, and BMP7) and two genes (CCND1 and E2F3), respectively, were found to be involved in the transforming growth factor beta-signaling pathway and cell cycle:G1/S checkpoint regulation pathway. The qRT-PCR data from the five genes after heavy ion irradiation were consistent with the microarray data (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our findings should serve as a basis for global characterization of radiation-regulated genes and pathways in heavy ion-irradiated OSCC.

Comparative study of dose distribution between carbon ion radiotherapy and photon radiotherapy for head and neck tumor.

PURPOSE: A comparative treatment planning study has been performed between carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) and photon radiotherapy [three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)] to assess the potential improvements and limitations that could result for locally advanced, nonresectable head and neck tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients, originally treated with CIRT, were randomly selected for the comparative study. The evaluations analyzed using dose-volume histogram parameters, conformity index, inhomogeneity coefficient, and dose to the organs at risk (OARs). RESULTS: The mean conformity index was 1.46, 1.43, and 1.22 for 3D-CRT, IMRT, and CIRT, respectively. The mean inhomogeneity coefficient was 0.05, 0.07, and 0.02 for 3D-CRT, IMRT, and CIRT respectively. Photon plans resulted in greater volumes of normal tissues at 10% to 95% isodose levels compared with the corresponding carbon ion plans where the volumes increased by a factor of 1.2 to 2.7 for 3D-CRT and 1.2 to 2.0 for IMRT. CONCLUSION: CIRT has the potential to improve the target dose conformity, inhomogeneity coefficient, and OAR sparing when compared with 3D-CRT and IMRT. Compared with 3D-CRT, normal tissue exposure was reduced mainly in the mid-to low-isodose levels using IMRT. Additional improvement was obtained using CIRT.