Conventional Versus Hypofractionated Radiation for High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients (CHIRP): 24-Month Patient-Reported Outcomes of the Randomized Phase 2 CHIRP Trial.

PURPOSE: In this study, we report the 24-month patient-reported outcomes of the randomized phase 2 CHIRP trial that compared conventional and hypofractionated radiation therapy (RT) in the treatment of high-risk prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Men with high-risk localized prostate cancer were randomized to either conventional (78 Gy/39 fractions) or hypofractionated RT (68 Gy/25 fractions). All patients received pelvic nodal RT and adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy. Quality of life (QoL) data were collected through the expanded prostate cancer index composite and the short-form 12 (SF-12) health-related QoL questionnaire at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months posttreatment. We assessed change from baseline to account for differences in baseline comorbidities. Independent t test was used to identify differences between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Ninety-six participants were included in the QoL analysis, 49 in the hypofractionation arm and 47 in the standard fractionation arm. Urinary and sexual scores were similar between the 2 arms at all time points. Bowel bother scores exhibited a consistent trend favoring the standard arm from 3- to 18-months posttreatment and were statistically significant at 12 months (P = .016). SF-12 physical component scores showed a consistent trend favoring the hypofractionation arm from 6- to 18-months posttreatment and were statistically significant at 18 months (P = .017). At 24 months, there were no significant differences in QoL scores between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: At 24 months post-RT, there were no major differences in patient-reported QoL between standard and hypofractionated RT. Early statistically significant differences in bowel bother and SF-12 physical component scores were no longer present at 24 months.

Clinical Outcomes of the CHIRP Trial: A Phase II Prospective Randomized Trial of Conventionally Fractionated Versus Moderately Hypofractionated Prostate and Pelvic Nodal Radiation Therapy in Patients With High-Risk Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: Hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT) may offer treatment advantages for patients with prostate cancer. However, HFRT may also increase the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) or genitourinary (GU) toxicity compared with conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (CFRT). Several large trials have found that HFRT is well tolerated in mixed risk population studies. Here, we report on a phase II, randomized controlled study conducted to evaluate these endpoints in exclusively high-risk patients with prostate cancer treated with prostate and pelvic nodal radiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: After giving informed consent, patients with high-risk prostate cancer were randomly assigned to prostate plus pelvic nodal radiation therapy with either HFRT (68 Gy in 25 fractions) or CFRT (78 Gy in 39 fractions) and 18 months of androgen suppression therapy. Toxicity was scored using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.0). Biochemical failure was determined by the Phoenix definition. Patients were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2018, 111 patients with high-risk prostate cancer were enrolled and 109 patients were treated. The cumulative incidence of grade 2 or higher acute GI toxicity was not significantly different between the arms (HFRT 18.9% vs CFRT 21.8%; P = .812). Similarly, acute GU (HFRT 30.2% vs CFRT 30.9%; P = 1.00), late GI (HFRT 16.0% vs CFRT 10.0%; P = .554), and late GU (HFRT 16.0% vs CFRT 6.0%; P = .200) were not significantly different between the arms. Median follow-up was 38.0 months (4.8-77.8 months). The 3-year biochemical recurrence-free survival was not significantly different between the 2 arms (97.3% for HFRT vs 91.0% for CFRT; P = .606). The 3-year overall survival was 94.8% in the HFRT arm and 100.0% in the CFRT arm (P = .116). CONCLUSIONS: HFRT and CFRT using intensity modulated radiation therapy were both well tolerated for patients with high-risk prostate cancer and resulted in similar 3-year biochemical recurrence-free survival and overall survival.

CYLD is a causative gene for frontotemporal dementia - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are clinically and pathologically overlapping disorders with shared genetic causes. We previously identified a disease locus on chromosome 16p12.1-q12.2 with genome-wide significant linkage in a large European Australian family with autosomal dominant inheritance of frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and no mutation in known amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or dementia genes. Here we demonstrate the segregation of a novel missense variant in CYLD (c.2155A>G, p.M719V) within the linkage region as the genetic cause of disease in this family. Immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissue from two CYLD p.M719V mutation carriers showed widespread glial CYLD immunoreactivity. Primary mouse neurons transfected with CYLDM719V exhibited increased cytoplasmic localization of TDP-43 and shortened axons. CYLD encodes a lysine 63 deubiquitinase and CYLD cutaneous syndrome, a skin tumour disorder, is caused by mutations that lead to reduced deubiquitinase activity. In contrast with CYLD cutaneous syndrome-causative mutations, CYLDM719V exhibited significantly increased lysine 63 deubiquitinase activity relative to the wild-type enzyme (paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test P = 0.005). Overexpression of CYLDM719V in HEK293 cells led to more potent inhibition of the cell signalling molecule NF-κB and impairment of autophagosome fusion to lysosomes, a key process in autophagy. Although CYLD mutations appear to be rare, CYLD's interaction with at least three other proteins encoded by frontotemporal dementia and/or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis genes (TBK1, OPTN and SQSTM1) suggests that it may play a central role in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Mutations in several frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis genes, including TBK1, OPTN and SQSTM1, result in a loss of autophagy function. We show here that increased CYLD activity also reduces autophagy function, highlighting the importance of autophagy regulation in the pathogenesis of frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Late Toxicity and Outcomes in High-risk Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With Hypofractionated IMRT and Long-term Androgen Suppression Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess late toxicity and outcomes in high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with hypofractionated radiation treatment with androgen suppression therapy. METHODS: Sixty high-risk prostate cancer patients were enrolled. IMRT prescription was 68 Gy/25 fractions (2.7 Gy/fraction) to the prostate and proximal seminal vesicles (SV). The pelvic lymph nodes (PLN) and distal SV concurrently received 45 Gy/25 fractions (1.8 Gy/fraction). The patients were treated with helical TomoTherapy-based IMRT and underwent daily megavoltage CT image-guided verification before each treatment. RTOG Toxicity scores were recorded for a 5-year period. RESULTS: Sixty patients completed RT with median follow-up of 63 months (range, 7 to 80 mo).At 5 years follow-up timepoint: Grade (G)2 and G3 late genitourinary toxicity was experienced in 7 (17.0%) and 1 (2.44%), respectively; gastrointestinal G2 as highest toxicity recorded in only 1 (2.44%) patient. There was no G3 gastrointestinal toxicity recorded at this timepoint.With 63-month median follow-up (mean of 65.41±1.72 mo), the 5-year overall survival was 86.67%; 5 years freedom from biochemical failure was 91.67% and freedom from clinical failure was 96.67%. CONCLUSIONS: Dose escalation and hypofractionated radiation treatment with IMRT treating the prostate and proximal SV concurrently with the pelvic lymph nodes and distal SV and long-term androgen suppression therapy is well tolerated with respect to acute and late toxicity with 5-year actuarial overall survival 86.67%, freedom from biochemical failure 91.38%, and freedom from clinical failure 96.67%. Longer follow-up will provide more information on 10-year survival outcomes.

Patient reported quality of life after helical IMRT based concurrent chemoradiation of locally advanced anal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced anal canal carcinoma, although treatment-related side effects can affect patient quality of life (QOL). The purpose was to prospectively evaluate the effects of Tomotherapy (HT) based CCRT on patient reported QOL in locally advanced anal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients treated with HT and concurrent 5-fluorouracil/mitomycin-C underwent QOL evaluation at baseline, after treatment, and during follow-up with EORTC core (QLQ-C30) and colorectal (QLQ-CR29) questionnaires. The QOL scores at baseline and post-treatment were compared. RESULTS: All C30 functional symptoms, except emotional and cognitive functioning, were impaired end-of-treatment and recovered by 3months follow-up. The majority of symptom scores were worse end-of-treatment but recovered by 3months except for fecal incontinence (FI), diarrhea, urinary incontinence (UI), and dyspareunia which persisted. FI returned to baseline at 12months while diarrhea, UI, and dyspareunia persisted. CONCLUSIONS: Most impaired functions and symptoms following HT based CCRT were temporary and improved by 3months post-therapy. Late complications affecting QOL were FI, sexual function, UI, and diarrhea. Our observations support routine use of IMRT and emphasize the significance of precise evaluation of sexual, urinary, and anorectal functions before starting CCRT and routine incorporation of QOL evaluations.

Prospective phase II study of tomotherapy based chemoradiation treatment for locally advanced anal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate toxicity, local control, and survival of anal cancer patients treated with helical tomotherapy (HT) and concurrent 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin-C (5FU/MMC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients were treated with HT and concurrent 5FU/MMC. The planning objectives were to deliver 54 Gy to the tumor (PTV54) and 45 Gy to the nodes at risk (PTV45) in 30 fractions. Patients were reviewed for toxicity weekly during HT, every 6 weeks for 3 months, and then every 3-4 months for 5 years. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 40 months. The median age was 58 years (range: 37-83). Stage distribution: stage II-48%, IIIA-18%, IIIB-34%. The majority of patients developed ⩽ grade 2 acute toxicity scores. The most common ⩾ grade 3 acute toxicity was neutropenia (40%). Common late toxicities were grade 2 anal incontinence (16%) and telangiectasia (12%). The 3 year colostomy-free survival rate was 77% (95% CI: 61-87%), 3 year disease-free survival rate was 80% (CI: 66-89%), and 3 year overall survival was 91% (CI: 77-96%). CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of HT with concurrent 5FU/MMC had low treatment-related acute and late morbidity with few treatment breaks. However, the expected dosimetric benefit for hematological toxicity was not experienced clinically.

Dosimetric effect of small bowel oral contrast on conventional radiation therapy, linear accelerator-based intensity modulated radiation therapy, and helical tomotherapy plans for rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the dosimetric effect of small bowel oral contrast on conventional radiation therapy, linear accelerator-based intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and helical tomotherapy (HT) treatment plans. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirteen patients with rectal cancer underwent computed tomography (CT) simulation with oral contrast (CCT) in preparation for chemoradiation therapy. The contrast in the small bowel was contoured, and a noncontrast CT scan (NCCT) was simulated by reassigning a CT number of 0 Hounsfield units to the contrast volume. Conventional, IMRT, and HT plans were generated with the CCT. The plan generated on the CCT was then recalculated on the NCCT, maintaining the same number of monitor units for each field, and the plans were not renormalized. Dosimetric parameters representing coverage of the planning target volume with 45 Gy (D98%, D95%, D50%, and D2%) and sparing of the bladder and peritoneal cavity (D50%, D30%, and D10%) were recorded. The ratio of dose calculated in the presence of contrast to dose with contrast edited out was recorded for each parameter. A paired Student t test was used for comparison of plans. RESULTS: For conventional plans, there was <0.1% variance in the dose ratio for all volumes of interest. For IMRT plans, there was a 1% decrease in the mean dose ratio, and the range of dose ratios for all volumes was greater than that for HT or conventional plans. For HT plans, for all volumes of interest, the mean dose ratio was <0.2%, and the range for all patients was <1%. For all IMRT dosimetric parameters, the difference was in the order of 1% of the mean dose (P < .05). The dose difference was not statistically significant for the conventional or HT plans. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CCT during CT simulation has no clinically significant effect on dose calculations for conventional, IMRT, and HT treatment plans and may not require replacement of the contrast with a CT number of 0 Hounsfield units.

Phase I study of hypofractionated intensity modulated radiation therapy with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and efficacy of hypofractionated intensity modulated radiation therapy (Hypo-IMRT) using helical tomotherapy (HT) with concurrent low dose temozolomide (TMZ) followed by adjuvant TMZ in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Adult patients with GBM and KPS > 70 were prospectively enrolled between 2005 and 2007 in this phase I study. The Fibonacci dose escalation protocol was implemented to establish a safe radiation fractionation regimen. The protocol defined radiation therapy (RT) dose level I as 54.4 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks and dose level II as 60 Gy in 22 fractions over 4.5 weeks. Concurrent TMZ followed by adjuvant TMZ was given according to the Stupp regimen. The primary endpoints were feasibility and safety of Hypo-IMRT with concurrent TMZ. Secondary endpoints included progression free survival (PFS), pattern of failure, overall survival (OS) and incidence of pseudoprogression. The latter was defined as clinical or radiological suggestion of tumour progression within three months of radiation completion followed by spontaneous recovery of the patient. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients were prospectively enrolled with a median follow-up of 12.4 months. The median age at diagnosis was 53 years. Based on recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) criteria, 16%, 52% and 32% of the patients were RPA class III, class IV and class V, respectively. All patients completed concurrent RT and TMZ, and 19 patients (76.0%) received adjuvant TMZ. The median OS was 15.67 months (95% CI 11.56 - 20.04) and the median PFS was 6.7 months (95% CI 4.0 - 14.0). The median time between surgery and start of RT was 44 days (range of 28 to 77 days). Delaying radiation therapy by more than 6 weeks after surgery was an independent prognostic factor associated with a worse OS (4.0 vs. 16.1 months, P = 0.027). All recurrences occurred within 2 cm of the original gross tumour volume (GTV). No cases of pseudoprogression were identified in our cohort of patients. Three patients tolerated dose level I with no dose limiting toxicity and hence the remainder of the patients were treated with dose level II according to the dose escalation protocol. Grade 3-4 hematological toxicity was limited to two patients and one patient developed Grade 4 Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Hypo-IMRT using HT given with concurrent TMZ is feasible and safe. The median OS and PFS are comparable to those observed with conventional fractionation. Hypofractionated radiation therapy offers the advantage of a shorter treatment period which is imperative in this group of patients with limited life expectancy.

Frontotemporal dementia-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis syndrome locus on chromosome 16p12.1-q12.2: genetic, clinical and neuropathological analysis.

Numerous families exhibiting both frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have been described, and although many of these have been shown to harbour a repeat expansion in C9ORF72, several C9ORF72-negative FTD-ALS families remain. We performed neuropathological and genetic analysis of a large European Australian kindred (Aus-12) with autosomal dominant inheritance of dementia and/or ALS. Affected Aus-12 members developed either ALS or dementia; some of those with dementia also had ALS and/or extrapyramidal features. Neuropathology was most consistent with frontotemporal lobar degeneration with type B TDP pathology, but with additional phosphorylated tau pathology consistent with corticobasal degeneration. Aus-12 DNA samples were negative for mutations in all known dementia and ALS genes, including C9ORF72 and FUS. Genome-wide linkage analysis provided highly suggestive evidence (maximum multipoint LOD score of 2.9) of a locus on chromosome 16p12.1-16q12.2. Affected individuals shared a chromosome 16 haplotype flanked by D16S3103 and D16S489, spanning 37.9 Mb, with a smaller suggestive disease haplotype spanning 24.4 Mb defined by recombination in an elderly unaffected individual. Importantly, this smaller region does not overlap with FUS. Whole-exome sequencing identified four variants present in the maximal critical region that segregate with disease. Linkage analysis incorporating these variants generated a maximum multipoint LOD score of 3.0. These results support the identification of a locus on chromosome 16p12.1-16q12.2 responsible for an unusual cluster of neurodegenerative phenotypes. This region overlaps with a separate locus on 16q12.1-q12.2 reported in an independent ALS family, indicating that this region may harbour a second major locus for FTD-ALS.

An evaluation of the Clarity 3D ultrasound system for prostate localization.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the Clarity 3D ultrasound system to track prostate gland positional variations due to setup error and organ motion. Seventeen patients (n = 17) undergoing radical external beam radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer were studied. Subsequent to initial reference ultrasound and planning CT scans, each patient underwent seven repeat weekly tracking CT and ultrasound (US) scans during the course of treatment. Variations in the location of the prostate between reference and tracking scans were measured. Differences reported by CT and ultrasound scans are compared. Ultrasound tracking was initially performed clinically by a group of trained general users. Retrospective prostate localization was then performed by a trained dedicated user upon the original raw data set and also a reduced data set derived from the original by an expert user from Resonant Medical. Correlation accuracy between ultrasound and CT shifts acquired and delineated by a pool of trained general users was deemed unacceptable for radiotherapy purposes. A mean discrepancy between CT and US localizations of greater than 10 mm, with a 5 mm or greater discrepancy rate of nearly 90%, was observed. Retrospective analysis by a dedicated user of both the original and Resonant Medical reduced data sets yielded mean CT-Us discrepancies of 8.7 mm and 7.4 mm, respectively. Unfortunately, the 5 mm or greater CT-US discord rate for these retrospective analyses failed to drop below 80%. The greatest disparity between CT and ultrasound was consistently observed in the superior-inferior direction, while greatest agreement was achieved in the lateral dimension. Despite an expert reanalysis of the original data, the Clarity ultrasound system failed to deliver an acceptable level of geometric accuracy required for modern radiotherapy purposes.

Integrating the healthcare enterprise in radiation oncology plug and play--the future of radiation oncology?

PURPOSE: To describe the processes and benefits of the integrating healthcare enterprises in radiation oncology (IHE-RO). METHODS: The IHE-RO process includes five basic steps. The first step is to identify common interoperability issues encountered in radiation treatment planning and the delivery process. IHE-RO committees partner with vendors to develop solutions (integration profiles) to interoperability problems. The broad application of these integration profiles across a variety of vender platforms is tested annually at the Connectathon event. Demonstration of the seamless integration and transfer of patient data to the potential users are then presented by vendors at the public demonstration event. Users can then integrate these profiles into requests for proposals and vendor contracts by institutions. RESULTS: Incorporation of completed integration profiles into requests for proposals can be done when purchasing new equipment. Vendors can publish IHE integration statements to document the integration profiles supported by their products. As a result, users can reference integration profiles in requests for proposals, simplifying the systems acquisition process. These IHE-RO solutions are now available in many of the commercial radiation oncology-related treatment planning, delivery, and information systems. They are also implemented at cancer care sites around the world. CONCLUSIONS: IHE-RO serves an important purpose for the radiation oncology community at large.

A treatment planning study comparing helical tomotherapy with intensity-modulated radiotherapy for the treatment of anal cancer.

PURPOSE: A planning study to compare helical tomotherapy (HT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for the treatment of anal canal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen (8 males and 8 females) patients with anal cancer previously treated radically were identified. HT and IMRT plans were generated and dosimetric comparisons of the plans were performed. The planning goals were to deliver 54Gy to the tumor (PTV(54Gy)) and 48Gy to the nodes at risk (PTV(Node)) in 30 fractions. RESULTS: PTVs: HT plans were more homogeneous for both men and women. Male patients: HT vs. IMRT: D(max): 55.87+/-0.58 vs. 59.17+/-3.24 (p=0.036); D(min): 52.91+/-0.36 vs. 44.09+/-6.84 (p=0.012); female patients: HT vs. IMRT: D(max): 56.14+/-0.71 vs. 59.47+/-0.81 (p=0.012); D(min): 52.36+/-0.87 vs. 50.97+/-1.42 (p=0.028). OARs: In general, HT plans delivered a lower dose to the peritoneal cavity, external genitalia and the bladder and IMRT plans resulted in greater sparing of the pelvic bones (iliac crest/femur) for both men and women. Iliac crest/femur: the difference was significant only for the mean V10Gy of iliac crest in women (p< or =0.012). External genitalia: HT plans achieved better sparing in women compared to men (p< or =0.046). For men, the mean doses were 18.96+/-3.17 and 15.72+/-3.21 for the HT and IMRT plan, respectively (p< or =0.017). Skin: both techniques achieved comparable sparing of the non-target skin (p=NS). CONCLUSIONS: HT and IMRT techniques achieved comparable target dose coverage and organ sparing, whereas HT plans were more homogeneous for both men and women.

Acute toxicity in high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with androgen suppression and hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To report acute toxicity resulting from radiotherapy (RT) dose escalation and hypofractionation using intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) treatment combined with androgen suppression in high-risk prostate cancer patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixty patients with a histological diagnosis of high-risk prostatic adenocarcinoma (having either a clinical Stage of > or =T3a or an initial prostate-specific antigen [PSA] level of > or =20 ng/ml or a Gleason score of 8 to 10 or a combination of a PSA concentration of >15 ng/ml and a Gleason score of 7) were enrolled. RT prescription was 68 Gy in 25 fractions (2.72 Gy/fraction) over 5 weeks to the prostate and proximal seminal vesicles. The pelvic lymph nodes and distal seminal vesicles concurrently received 45 Gy in 25 fractions. The patients were treated with helical TomoTherapy-based IMRT and underwent daily megavoltage CT image-guided verification prior to each treatment. Acute toxicity scores were recorded weekly during RT and at 3 months post-RT, using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group acute toxicity scales. RESULTS: All patients completed RT and follow up for 3 months. The maximum acute toxicity scores were as follows: 21 (35%) patients had Grade 2 gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity; 4 (6.67%) patients had Grade 3 genitourinary (GU) toxicity; and 30 (33.33%) patients had Grade 2 GU toxicity. These toxicity scores were reduced after RT; there were only 8 (13.6%) patients with Grade 1 GI toxicity, 11 (18.97%) with Grade 1 GU toxicity, and 5 (8.62%) with Grade 2 GU toxicity at 3 months follow up. Only the V60 to the rectum correlated with the GI toxicity. CONCLUSION: Dose escalation using a hypofractionated schedule to the prostate with concurrent pelvic lymph node RT and long-term androgen suppression therapy is well tolerated acutely. Longer follow up for outcome and late toxicity is required.

The effects of verbalisation on cognitive performance in schizophrenia: a pilot study using tasks from the Delis Kaplan Executive Function System.

Cognitive impairment is common in schizophrenia, and has adverse effects on functional outcome. Cognitive remediation strategies in which people with schizophrenia speak aloud (verbalise) during task performance have demonstrated some success in improving performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. This study extends previous research by assessing whether verbalisation also improves performance on tasks selected from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS). Twenty two subjects with schizophrenia participated in the study. We used a within subjects design to compare performance on the D-KEFS Tower Test and Trail Making Test when participants (a) produced concurrent verbalisation, or (b) remained silent. Results demonstrated selective benefits of verbalisation on a neuropsychological task requiring multiple executive functions (number-letter switching task), while performance on tasks requiring simpler single-component cognitive functions (visual scanning and motor speed tasks) was adversely affected. The effects of verbalisation on the cognitive task performance of patients with schizophrenia differ depending on the nature of the task. Benefits are seen in tests of executive skills but performance worsens in single component cognitive tasks. When developing cognitive remediation strategies for people with schizophrenia, consideration should be given to the nature and cognitive demands of each task before recommending verbalisation strategies.

Sparing the parotid glands and surgically transferred submandibular gland with helical tomotherapy in post-operative radiation of head and neck cancer: a planning study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of sparing the parotid glands and surgically transferred submandibular gland (SMG) by intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in post-operative cases of head and neck cancer (HNC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients (larynx-2, base of tongue-4, tonsil-3, and unknown primary-1; pathologic stages III-IV) who underwent SMG transfers on the side of N0 neck along with definitive surgery were selected for this study. IMRT planning was done retrospectively using helical tomotherapy approach. Planning objective was to deliver 60 Gy to PTV1 and 54 Gy to PTV2 while maintaining the mean dose to the total parotid volume (TPV) and SMG less than 26 Gy. RESULTS: The mean dose (+/-SD) to the TPV and SMG were 25+/-0.6 Gy and 23+/-1.9 Gy, respectively. The D(95) for PTV1 and PTV2 were 59.9+/-0.1 Gy and 54.9+/-0.3 Gy, respectively, satisfying our planning goal for PTV coverage. The D(99) for PTV1 and PTV2 were 58.2+/-0.7 Gy and 49.5+/-2.2 Gy, respectively, showing that sparing the salivary glands did not result in underdosing of the PTVs. CONCLUSIONS: By combining the gland transfer and IMRT, the mean dose to TPV and transferred SMG could be reduced to less than 26 Gy in post-operative patients of HNC.

Experimental validation of the Eclipse AAA algorithm.

The present study evaluates the performance of a newly released photon-beam dose calculation algorithm that is incorporated into an established treatment planning system (TPS). We compared the analytical anisotropic algorithm (AAA) factory-commissioned with "golden beam data" for Varian linear accelerators with measurements performed at two institutions using 6-MV and 15-MV beams. The TG-53 evaluation regions and criteria were used to evaluate profiles measured in a water phantom for a wide variety of clinically relevant beam geometries. The total scatter factor (TSF) for each of these geometries was also measured and compared against the results from the AAA. At one institute, TLD measurements were performed at several points in the neck and thoracic regions of a Rando phantom; at the other institution, ion chamber measurements were performed in a CIRS inhomogeneous phantom. The phantoms were both imaged using computed tomography (CT), and the dose was calculated using the AAA at corresponding detector locations. Evaluation of measured relative dose profiles revealed that 97%, 99%, 97%, and 100% of points at one institute and 96%, 88%, 89%, and 100% of points at the other institution passed TG-53 evaluation criteria in the outer beam, penumbra, inner beam, and buildup regions respectively. Poorer results in the inner beam regions at one institute are attributed to the mismatch of the measured profiles at shallow depths with the "golden beam data." For validation of monitor unit (MU) calculations, the mean difference between measured and calculated TSFs was less than 0.5%; test cases involving physical wedges had, in general, differences of more than 1%. The mean difference between point measurements performed in inhomogeneous phantoms and Eclipse was 2.1% (5.3% maximum) and all differences were within TG-53 guidelines of 7%. By intent, the methods and evaluation techniques were similar to those in a previous investigation involving another convolution-superposition photon-beam dose calculation algorithm in another TPS, so that the current work permitted an independent comparison between the two algorithms for which results have been provided.

Correlation between saliva production and quality of life measurements in head and neck cancer patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the strength of correlation between measured saliva flow rates and various toxicity endpoints commonly used in head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients enrolled in a phase II study using intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for HNC treatment underwent whole mouth saliva flow measurements (stimulated and unstimulated). They were also assessed for salivary gland toxicity using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) late toxicity grading and 9 items representing patient-graded toxicities from 2 questionnaires (Xerostomia questionnaire and University of Washington quality of life). For each patient, saliva flow rates and quality of life (QOL) data were collected preradiotherapy (RT) and at 3 intervals post-RT (3, 6, and 12 months). RESULTS: A total of 188 sets of coregistered data were obtained for 47 patients over a period of approximately 4 years. Saliva production and mean QOL dropped significantly immediately after RT, but there was a statistically significant recovery in both parameters between 3- and 12-month post-RT. By 12 months, post-RT the mean QOL scores had returned to pre-RT baseline, although mean stimulated saliva production remained 58% below baseline. CONCLUSION: Patients with HNC treated with IMRT experienced a small drop in QOL which recovered to baseline by 12 months post-RT. There was no statistically significant correlation seen between global health-related QOL scores and stimulated saliva production rates in the post-RT period.

Association of DNA repair and steroid metabolism gene polymorphisms with clinical late toxicity in patients treated with conformal radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in candidate genes encoding DNA damage recognition/repair/response and steroid metabolism proteins with respect to clinical radiation toxicity in a retrospective cohort of patients previously treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3-DCRT) for prostate cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: One hundred twenty-four patients with prostate cancer underwent 3-DCRT at our institution between September 1996 and December 2000. Of these, 83 consented for follow-up of blood sampling and SNP analysis. Twenty-eight patients were documented as having experienced grade >/=2 late bladder or rectal toxicity (scoring system of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group) on at least one follow-up visit. We analyzed 49 SNPs in BRCA1, BRCA2, ESR1, XRCC1, XRCC2, XRCC3, NBN, RAD51, RAD52, LIG4, ATM, BCL2, TGFB1, MSH6, ERCC2, XPF, NR3C1, CYP1A1, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP3A5, CYP2D6, CYP11B2, and CYP17A1 genes using the Pyrosequencing technique. RESULTS: Significant univariate associations with late rectal or bladder toxicity (grade >/=2) were found for XRCC3 (A>G 5' untranslated region NT 4541), LIG4 (T>C Asp(568)Asp), MLH1 (C>T, Val(219)Ile), CYP2D6*4 (G>A splicing defect), mean rectal and bladder dose, dose to 30% of rectum or bladder, and age <60 years. On Cox multivariate analysis, significant associations with toxicity were found for LIG4 (T>C, Asp(568)Asp), ERCC2 (G>A, Asp(711)Asp), CYP2D6*4 (G>A, splicing defect), mean bladder dose >60 Gy, and dose to 30% of rectal volume >75 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we identified SNPs in LIG4, ERCC2, and CYP2D6 genes as putative markers to predict individuals at risk for complications arising from radiation therapy in prostate cancer.

Comparing step-and-shoot IMRT with dynamic helical tomotherapy IMRT plans for head-and-neck cancer.

PURPOSE: The goal of this planning study was to compare step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans with helical dynamic IMRT plans for oropharynx patients on the basis of dose distribution. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Five patients with oropharynx cancer had been previously treated by step-and-shoot IMRT at the University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands, applying five fields and approximately 60-90 segments. Inverse planning was carried out using Plato, version 2.6.2. For each patient, an inverse IMRT plan was also made using Tomotherapy Hi-Art System, version 2.0, and using the same targets and optimization goals. Statistical analysis was performed by a paired t test. RESULTS: All tomotherapy plans compared favorably with the step-and-shoot plans regarding sparing of the organs at risk and keeping an equivalent target dose homogeneity. Tomotherapy plans in particular realized sharper dose gradients compared with the step-and-shoot plans. The mean dose to all parotid glands (n = 10) decreased on average 6.5 Gy (range, -4 to 14; p = 0.002). The theoretical reduction in normal tissue complication probabilities in favor of the tomotherapy plans depended on the parotid normal tissue complication probability model used (range, -3% to 32%). CONCLUSION: Helical tomotherapy IMRT plans realized sharper dose gradients compared with the clinically applied step-and shoot plans. They are expected to be able to reduce the parotid normal tissue complication probability further, keeping a similar target dose homogeneity.