ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: For 7 years we gained experience of how asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis respond to biologics. In contrast, it is much less known, how ASA/NSAID intolerance (Widal's disease) behaves under biologicals. We therefore describe the case of a patient with both clinical conditions who reacted with a severe intolerance reaction under perioperative metamizole administration.
Subject(s)
Asthma, Aspirin-Induced , Nasal Polyps , Rhinosinusitis , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/adverse effects , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/therapeutic use , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/adverse effects , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , Asthma, Aspirin-Induced/drug therapy , Asthma, Aspirin-Induced/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Dipyrone/adverse effects , Dipyrone/therapeutic use , Nasal Polyps/drug therapy , Rhinosinusitis/drug therapySubject(s)
Asthma , Eosinophilia , Humans , Asthma/complications , Asthma/diagnosis , Eosinophilia/diagnosis , Respiratory SystemABSTRACT
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous lung disorder with a complex clinical picture. The diagnosis may be difficult at times, as COPD may develop insidiously and remain unnoticed for a long time. Therefore, general practitioners play a central role in early detection of disease. Suspected COPD may be confirmed by further investigations in collaboration with a pulmonologist. The most recent GOLD guideline defines three COPD risk groups (A-B-E) which should guide the personalized treatment concept. General practitioners are crucial for implementing non-pharmacological measures such as smoking cessation, regular exercise, vaccinations, and patient self-management education. However, this also underlines the challenges to implement the GOLD recommendations in daily practice.
La BPCO est une maladie hétérogène avec un tableau clinique complexe. Le diagnostic n'est pas toujours facile à évoquer, car elle peut se développer insidieusement et passer longtemps inaperçue. Les médecins de premier recours (MPR) jouent donc un rôle central dans le diagnostic précoce. La suspicion de BPCO peut être confirmée en collaboration avec un pneumologue par des examens fonctionnels respiratoires avant l'instauration d'un traitement médicamenteux. Les nouvelles recommandations GOLD, publiées en 2022 définissent trois groupes de risques pour la BPCO (A-B-E). Les MPR sont importants pour la mise en Åuvre de mesures accompagnant le traitement (arrêt du tabac, activité physique régulière, vaccinations, éducation thérapeutique). Mais cela souligne également les exigences élevées de la mise en Åuvre des recommandations GOLD dans la pratique quotidienne.*.
Subject(s)
General Practitioners , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Humans , Exercise , Neglected Diseases , PulmonologistsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic airway disease, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. 5-10% of patients suffer from severe asthma and account for 50% of asthma-related financial burden. Availability of real-life data about the clinical course of severe asthma is insufficient. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to characterize patients with severe asthma in Switzerland, enrolled in the Swiss Severe Asthma Registry (SSAR), and evaluate predictors for asthma control. METHOD: A descriptive characterisation of 278 patients was performed, who were prospectively enrolled in the registry until January 2022. Socio-demographic variables, comorbidities, diagnostic values, asthma treatment, and healthcare utilisation were evaluated. Groups of controlled and uncontrolled asthma according to the asthma control test were compared. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent of patients were female and the mean age was 55.8 years (range 13-87). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.4 kg/m2 (±6). 10.8% of patients were current smokers. Allergic comorbidities occurred in 54.3% of patients, followed by chronic rhinosinusitis (46.4%) and nasal polyps (34.1%). According to the ACT score, 54.7% had well controlled, 16.2% partly controlled and 25.9% uncontrolled asthma. The most common inhalation therapy was combined inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting ß2-agonists (78.8%). Biologics were administered to 81.7% of patients and 19.1% received oral steroids. The multivariable analysis indicated that treatment with biologics was positively associated with asthma control whereas higher BMI, oral steroids, exacerbations, and COPD were negative predictors for asthma control. CONCLUSION: Biologics are associated with improved control in severe asthma. Further studies are required to complete the picture of severe asthma in order to provide improved care for those patients.
Subject(s)
Anti-Asthmatic Agents , Asthma , Biological Products , Humans , Female , Adolescent , Young Adult , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Male , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/therapeutic use , Switzerland/epidemiology , Administration, Inhalation , Asthma/drug therapy , Asthma/epidemiology , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Steroids/therapeutic use , Biological Products/therapeutic useABSTRACT
COPD - An Underestimated Disease Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous lung condition with a complex clinical picture. The diagnosis is not easy to make because COPD can develop insidiously and remain unnoticed for a long time. Therefore, general practitioners play a central role in the early detection of the disease. Suspected COPD can be confirmed by special examinations in collaboration with pulmonologists. The new GOLD guideline defines three COPD risk groups (A-B-E) which should guide the personalized treatment concept. A short- or long-acting bronchodilator (SAMA/SABA or LAMA/LABA) is recommended for group A, and a dual long-acting bronchodilator therapy (LABA+LAMA) is recommended for group B and E. In case of blood eosinophilia (≥300 cells/µl) and/or recent hospitalization for COPD exacerbation, triple therapy (LABA+LAMA+ICS) is recommended. General practitioners are important in implementing non-pharmacological measures (smoking cessation, regular exercise, vaccinations, patient selfmanagement education). However, this also underlines the high demands of the implementation of the GOLD guideline in daily practice.
Subject(s)
Bronchodilator Agents , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Humans , Bronchodilator Agents/therapeutic use , Drug Therapy, Combination , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy , Administration, Inhalation , Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists/therapeutic use , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Over 20 years ago, the concept of asthma control was created and appropriate measurement tools were developed and validated. Loss of asthma control can lead to an exacerbation. Years ago, the term "clinically significant asthma exacerbation" was introduced to define when a loss of control is severe enough to declare it an asthma exacerbation. This term is also used by health insurances to determine when an exacerbation is eligible for reimbursement of biologics in clinical practice, however, it sometimes becomes apparent that a clear separation between loss of "asthma control" and an exacerbation is not always possible. In this review, we attempt to justify why exacerbations in early allergic asthma and adult eosinophilic asthma can differ significantly and why this is important in clinical practice as well as when dealing with health insurers.
Subject(s)
Anti-Asthmatic Agents , Asthma , Pulmonary Eosinophilia , Adult , Humans , Asthma/complications , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/drug therapy , Pulmonary Eosinophilia/complications , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy can induce cardiac injury in left-sided breast cancer cases. Cardiac-sparing irradiation using the deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) technique can achieve substantial dose reduction to vulnerable cardiac substructures compared with free breathing (FB). This study evaluated the dosimetric differences between both techniques at a single institution. METHODS: From 2017 to 2019, 130 patients with left-sided breast cancer underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS; nâ¯= 121, 93.1%) or mastectomy (ME; nâ¯= 9, 6.9%) along with axillary lymph node staging (nâ¯= 105, 80.8%), followed by adjuvant irradiation in DIBH technique; adjuvant systemic therapy was included if applicable. 106 (81.5%) patients received conventional and 24 (18.5%) hypofractionated irradiation. Additionally, 12 patients received regional nodal irradiation. Computed tomography (CT) scans in FB and DIBH position were performed for all patients. Intrafractional 3D position monitoring of the patient surface in deep inspiration and breath gating was performed using Sentinel and Catalyst HD 3D surface scanning systems (C-RAD, Catalyst, CRAD AB, Uppsala, Sweden). Individual coaching and determination of breathing amplitude during the radiation planning CT was performed. Three-dimensional treatment planning was performed using standard tangential treatment portals (6 or 18 MV). The delineation of cardiac structures and both lungs was done in both the FB and the DIBH scan. RESULTS: All dosimetric parameters for cardiac structures were significantly reduced (pâ¯< 0.01 for all). The mean heart dose (Dmean) in the DIBH group was 1.3â¯Gy (range 0.5-3.6) vs. 2.2â¯Gy (range 0.9-8.8) in the FB group (pâ¯< 0.001). The Dmean for the left ventricle (LV) in DIBH was 1.5â¯Gy (range 0.6-4.5), as compared to 2.8â¯Gy (1.1-9.5) with FB (pâ¯< 0.001). The parameters for LV (V10â¯Gy, V15â¯Gy, V20â¯Gy, V23â¯Gy, V25â¯Gy, V30â¯Gy) were reduced by about 100% (pâ¯< 0.001). The LAD Dmean in the DIBH group was 4.1â¯Gy (range 1.2-33.3) and 14.3â¯Gy (range 2.4-37.5) in the FB group (pâ¯< 0.001). The median values for LAD such as V15â¯Gy, V20â¯Gy, V25â¯Gy, V30â¯Gy, and V40â¯Gy decreased by roughly 100% (pâ¯< 0.001). An increasing volume of left lung in the DIBH position resulted in dose sparing of cardiac structures. CONCLUSION: For all ascertained dosimetric parameters, a significant dose reduction could be achieved in DIBH technique.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Unilateral Breast Neoplasms , Humans , Female , Organs at Risk/radiation effects , Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Radiotherapy Dosage , Unilateral Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Unilateral Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods , Breath Holding , Mastectomy , Heart/diagnostic imaging , Heart/radiation effectsABSTRACT
For general practitioners there have been important novelties in the treatment of asthma due to recent modifications of the international guidelines from Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). In Step 1, use of short-acting beta2-agonists (SABA) without concomitant inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as controller is no longer recommended for lack of efficacy and safety reasons. Instead, low dose ICS-formoterol as needed is recommended. In Step 5, in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma GINA recommends targeted biologic therapies like interleukin antibodies. Asthma patients presenting simultaneously with symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should receive treatment containing ICS. Independent of the current corona pandemic, GINA recommendations stay in place.
Les nouvelles recommandations GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) modifient radicalement la prise en charge des patients asthmatiques pour le médecin de premier recours. Dans l'asthme léger (palier 1 GINA), les bêta2-agonistes à courte durée d'action (SABA) seuls comme traitement de secours ne sont plus recommandés au profit d'une association de corticostéroïdes inhalés (CSI) faiblement dosés avec un bronchodilatateur à longue durée d'action à début d'action rapide (formotérol). Dans l'asthme sévère non contrôlé (palier 5 GINA), l'objectif est d'éviter la corticothérapie orale au profit de thérapies biologiques ciblées (par exemple, anticorps anti-interleukine). Un traitement contenant des CSI doit être maintenu chez les asthmatiques même si une BPCO est associée. Les recommandations GINA ne sont pas modifiées par les conditions actuelles de pandémie.
Subject(s)
Anti-Asthmatic Agents , Asthma , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Administration, Inhalation , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/therapeutic use , Asthma/drug therapy , Formoterol Fumarate/therapeutic use , Humans , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy using the deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) technique compared with free breathing (FB) can achieve substantial reduction of heart and lung doses in left-sided breast cancer cases. The anatomical organ movement in deep inspiration also cause unintended exposure of locoregional lymph nodes to the irradiation field. METHODS: From 2017-2020, 148 patients with left-sided breast cancer underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS) or mastectomy (ME) with axillary lymph node staging, followed by adjuvant irradiation in DIBH technique. Neoadjuvant or adjuvant systemic therapy was administered depending on hormone receptor and HER2-status. CT scans in FB and DIBH position with individual coaching and determination of the breathing amplitude during the radiation planning CT were performed for all patients. Intrafractional 3D position monitoring of the patient surface in deep inspiration and gating was performed using Sentinel and Catalyst HD 3D surface scanning systems (C-RAD, Catalyst, C-RAD AB, Uppsala, Sweden). Three-dimensional treatment planning was performed using standard tangential treatment portals (6 or 18 MV). The delineation of ipsilateral locoregional lymph nodes was done on the FB and the DIBH CT-scan according to the RTOG recommendations. RESULTS: The mean doses (Dmean) in axillary lymph node (AL) level I, II and III in DIBH were 32.28 Gy (range 2.87-51.7), 20.1 Gy (range 0.44-53.84) and 3.84 Gy (range 0.25-39.23) vs. 34.93 Gy (range 10.52-50.40), 16.40 Gy (range 0.38-52.40) and 3.06 Gy (range 0.21-40.48) in FB (p < 0.0001). Accordingly, in DIBH the Dmean for AL level I were reduced by 7.59%, whereas for AL level II and III increased by 22.56% and 25.49%, respectively. The Dmean for the supraclavicular lymph nodes (SC) in DIBH was 0.82 Gy (range 0.23-4.11), as compared to 0.84 Gy (range 0.22-10.80) with FB (p = 0.002). This results in a mean dose reduction of 2.38% in DIBH. The Dmean for internal mammary lymph nodes (IM) was 12.77 Gy (range 1.45-39.09) in DIBH vs. 11.17 Gy (range 1.34-44.24) in FB (p = 0.005). This yields a mean dose increase of 14.32% in DIBH. CONCLUSIONS: The DIBH technique may result in changes in the incidental dose exposure of regional lymph node areas.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Radiation Injuries , Unilateral Breast Neoplasms , Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Breath Holding , Female , Heart , Humans , Lymph Nodes/diagnostic imaging , Lymph Nodes/radiation effects , Mastectomy , Organs at Risk/radiation effects , Radiotherapy Dosage , Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods , Unilateral Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Unilateral Breast Neoplasms/surgeryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Residential greenness has been associated with health benefits, but its biological mechanism is largely unknown. Investigation of greenness-related DNA methylation profiles can contribute to mechanistic understanding of the health benefits of residential greenness. OBJECTIVE: To identify DNA methylation profiles associated with greenness in the immediate surroundings of the residence. METHODS: We analyzed genome-wide DNA methylation in 1938 blood samples (982 participants) from the Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Diseases in Adults (SAPALDIA). We estimated residential greenness based on normalized difference vegetation index at 30 × 30 m cell (green30) and 500 m buffer (green500) around the residential address. We conducted epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) to identify differentially methylated CpGs and regions, and enrichment tests by comparing to the CpGs that previous EWAS identified as associated with allergy, physical activity, and allostatic load-relevant biomarkers. RESULTS: We identified no genome-wide significant CpGs, but 163 and 56 differentially methylated regions for green30 and green500, respectively. Green30-related DNA methylation profiles showed enrichments in allergy, physical activity, and allostatic load, while green500-related methylation was enriched in allergy and allostatic load. CONCLUSIONS: Residential greenness may have health impacts through allergic sensitization, stress coping, or behavioral changes. Exposure to more proximal greenness may be more health-relevant.
Subject(s)
Air Pollution , DNA Methylation , Cohort Studies , DNA , Epigenome , HumansABSTRACT
Novelties in the Treatment of Asthma Abstract. For general practitioners there have been important novelties in the treatment of asthma due to recent modifications of the international guidelines from Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Step 1 no longer recommends the use of short-acting ß2-agonists (SABA) without concomitant inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as a controller because of the lack of efficacy and for safety reasons. Instead, low dose ICS-formoterol as needed is recommended. GINA step 5 recommends targeted biologic therapies like interleukin antibodies in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma. Asthma patients presenting simultaneously with symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should receive treatment containing ICS. Independent of the current corona pandemic, GINA recommendations stay in place. Recent data on prescriptions of SABA and oral corticosteroids (OCS) in Switzerland indicate that they still play an important role in asthma management and that GINA recommendations have not yet been sufficiently implemented into practice.
Subject(s)
Anti-Asthmatic Agents , Asthma , Administration, Inhalation , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/adverse effects , Asthma/drug therapy , Formoterol Fumarate/therapeutic use , HumansABSTRACT
Type-2 Asthma: Leaving Behind the Perspective of the Seventies Abstract. The diagnosis 'bronchial asthma' spans different phenotypes of this disease like an umbrella. The differentiation of these phenotypes and their overlaps is becoming increasingly important, as the phenotype-specific treatment approaches of today are not effective with every form of asthma. These approaches include the strategy of allergen avoidance, allergen immunotherapy and, most importantly, the newly available biologics for asthma. Treatable disease patterns, so-called 'treatable traits', require targeted diagnostics. The knowledge necessary to identify these traits still needs to be established in practice.
Subject(s)
Asthma , Allergens , Asthma/diagnosis , Asthma/drug therapy , Disease Susceptibility , Humans , PhenotypeABSTRACT
Spirometry in the Medical Practice - Part 2: Interpretation Abstract. The way in which spirometry should be assessed correctly was defined internationally in 2005. Compared to before, it was newly defined that the FEV1/VC ratio is used as a parameter to detect an obstruction. An obstruction is of significance if this measured value is below the 5 % percentile, which is usually indicated as a Z-Score of minus 1,645 in the automatically generated protocol. To generate this value, the software must contain the modern GLI standard values and the patient data (gender, age, height). A proven obstruction shows significant reversibility if bronchospasmolysis improves FEV1 by at least 12 % and 200 ml absolute. The determination of the severity of obstruction is based on the extent of the reduction in FEV1 relative to the individual norm. Even after reading both parts of this publication, ambiguities will still arise in individual cases when performing spirometry in clinical practice. In such cases, it is worthwhile to present these findings to the local pulmonologist for co-assessment. This results in a learning effect that will consolidate expertise.
Subject(s)
Lung , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Forced Expiratory Volume , Humans , Spirometry , Vital CapacityABSTRACT
Spirometry in the Medical Practice - Part 1: Measuring Abstract. Today, every practitioner, as well as every hospital emergency, should be able to perform spirometry. However, the measurement requires solid basic knowledge as well as a certain amount of experience so that consistent and reproducible measurements are possible. Since the measurement depends heavily on the cooperation of the patient, typical errors must be recognised and corrected immediately. A rounded forced expiratory flow volume curve, or a sudden drop of the curve towards zero at the end of exhalation as well as clearly deviating curves or values in the minimum required three measurement manoeuvres are clear hints for an insufficiently forced expiration or an expiration that was stopped too early. Pulmonary function assistants need instructions as to when application of a rapid acting beta agonist with repeated spirometry to detect possible reversibility is necessary. This includes knowing how long therapeutic bronchodilators must be stopped prior to the test.
Subject(s)
Bronchodilator Agents , Lung , Forced Expiratory Volume , Humans , Spirometry , Surveys and Questionnaires , Vital CapacityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: With improved life expectancy, preventing neurocognitive decline after cerebral radiotherapy is gaining more importance. Hippocampal damage has been considered the main culprit for cognitive deficits following conventional whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT). Here, we aimed to determine to which extent hippocampus-avoidance WBRT (HA-WBRT) can prevent hippocampal atrophy compared to conventional WBRT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirty-five HA-WBRT and 48 WBRT patients were retrospectively selected, comprising a total of 544 contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging studies, longitudinally acquired within 24 months before and 48 months after radiotherapy. HA-WBRT patients were treated analogously to the ongoing HIPPORAD-trial (DRKS00004598) protocol with 30 Gy in 12 fractions and dose to 98% of the hippocampus ≤ 9 Gy and to 2% ≤ 17 Gy. WBRT was mainly performed with 35 Gy in 14 fractions or 30 Gy in 10 fractions. Anatomical images were segmented and the hippocampal volume was quantified using the Computational Anatomy Toolbox (CAT), including neuroradiological expert review of the segmentations. RESULTS: After statistically controlling for confounding variables such as age, gender, and total intracranial volume, hippocampal atrophy was found after both WBRT and HA-WBRT (p < 10-6). However, hippocampal decline across time following HA-WBRT was approximately three times lower than following conventional WBRT (p < 10-6), with an average atrophy of 3.1% versus 8.5% in the first 2 years after radiation therapy, respectively. CONCLUSION: HA-WBRT is a therapeutic option for patients with multiple brain metastases, which can effectively and durably minimize hippocampal atrophy compared to conventional WBRT.
ABSTRACT
Previous research has shown that the built environment plays a crucial role for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and health care utilization. But, there is limited evidence on the independence of this association from lifestyle and social environment. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate these associations, independent of the social environment, physical activity and body mass index (BMI). We used data from the third follow-up of the Swiss study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart diseases In Adults (SAPALDIA), a population based cohort with associated biobank. Covariate adjusted multiple quantile and polytomous logistic regressions were performed to test associations of variables describing the perceived built environment with HRQoL and health care utilization. Higher HRQoL and less health care utilization were associated with less reported transportation noise annoyance. Higher HRQoL was also associated with greater satisfaction with the living environment and more perceived access to greenspaces. These results were independent of the social environment (living alone and social engagement) and lifestyle (physical activity level and BMI). This study provides further evidence that the built environment should be designed to integrate living and green spaces but separate living and traffic spaces in order to improve health and wellbeing and potentially save health care costs.
Subject(s)
Built Environment/psychology , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Quality of Life , Adult , Air Pollution/adverse effects , Air Pollution/statistics & numerical data , Body Mass Index , Cross-Sectional Studies , Exercise , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology , Quality of Life/psychology , Social Environment , SwitzerlandABSTRACT
Physical and Clinical Aspects of Inhalation Therapy for Asthma and COPD Abstract. Inhalations form the basis of the medicinal treatment of respiratory diseases. In recent years, therapy has become more complex for patients, but also for medical professionals, as new systems have come onto the market. The knowledge required for this shall be conveyed in this article.
Subject(s)
Asthma , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Respiratory Therapy , Administration, Inhalation , Asthma/therapy , Humans , Nebulizers and Vaporizers , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is the standard therapy for multiple brain metastases. However, WBRT has a poor local tumor control and is associated with a decline in neurocognitive function (NCF). Aim of this trial is to assess the efficacy and safety of a new treatment method, the WBRT with hippocampus avoidance (HA) combined with the simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) on metastases/resection cavities (HA-WBRT+SIB). METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, two-arm phase II multicenter trial comparing the impact of HA on NCF after HA-WBRT+SIB versus WBRT+SIB in patients with multiple brain metastases. The study design is double-blinded. One hundred thirty two patients are to be randomized with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Patients between 18 and 80 years old are recruited, with at least 4 brain metastases of solid tumors and at least one, but not exceeding 10 metastases ≥5 mm. Patients must be in good physical condition and have no metastases/resection cavities in or within 7 mm of the hippocampus. Patients with dementia, meningeal disease, cerebral lymphomas, germ cell tumors, or small cell carcinomas are excluded. Previous irradiation and resection of metastases, as well as the number and size of metastases to be boosted have to comply with certain restrictions. Patients are randomized between the two treatment arms: HA-WBRT+SIB and WBRT+SIB. WBRT is to be performed with 30 Gy in 12 daily fractions and the SIB with 51 Gy/42 Gy in 12 daily fractions on 95% of volume for metastases/resection cavities. In the experimental arm, the dose to the hippocampi is restricted to 9 Gy in 98% of the volume and 17Gy in 2% of the volume. NCF testing is scheduled before WBRT, after 3 (primary endpoint), 9, 18 months and yearly thereafter. Clinical and imaging follow-ups are performed 6 and 12 weeks after WBRT, after 3, 9, 18 months and yearly thereafter. DISCUSSION: This is a protocol of a randomized phase II trial designed to test a new strategy of WBRT for preventing cognitive decline and increasing tumor control in patients with multiple brain metastases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The HIPPORAD trial is registered with the German Clinical Trials Registry (DRKS00004598, registered 2 June 2016).
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Cognitive Dysfunction/prevention & control , Cranial Irradiation/methods , Organ Sparing Treatments/methods , Radiation Injuries/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Brain Neoplasms/secondary , Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic , Cognitive Dysfunction/diagnosis , Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology , Cranial Irradiation/adverse effects , Dose Fractionation, Radiation , Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation , Double-Blind Method , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Germany , Hippocampus/diagnostic imaging , Hippocampus/radiation effects , Humans , Male , Mental Status and Dementia Tests , Middle Aged , Multicenter Studies as Topic , Organ Sparing Treatments/adverse effects , Organs at Risk/diagnostic imaging , Organs at Risk/radiation effects , Prospective Studies , Radiation Injuries/diagnosis , Radiation Injuries/etiology , Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The current study was aimed at investigating the feasibility of hippocampus-avoidance whole-brain radiation therapy with a simultaneous integrated boost (HA-WBRT+SIB) for metastases and at assessing tumor control in comparison with conventional whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) in patients with multiple brain metastases. METHODS: Between August 2012 and December 2016, 66 patients were treated within a monocentric feasibility trial with HA-WBRT+SIB: hippocampus-avoidance WBRT (30 Gy in 12 fractions, dose to 98% of the hippocampal volume ≤ 9 Gy) and a simultaneous integrated boost (51 or 42 Gy in 12 fractions) for metastases/resection cavities. Intracranial tumor control, hippocampal failure, and survival were subsequently compared with a retrospective cohort treated with WBRT via propensity score matching analysis. RESULTS: After 1:1 propensity score matching, there were 62 HA-WBRT+SIB patients and 62 WBRT patients. Local tumor control (LTC) of existing metastases was significantly higher after HA-WBRT+SIB (98% vs 82% at 1 year; P = .007), whereas distant intracranial tumor control was significantly higher after WBRT (82% vs 69% at 1 year; P = .016); this corresponded to higher biologically effective doses. Intracranial progression-free survival (PFS; 13.5 vs 6.4 months; P = .03) and overall survival (9.9 vs 6.2 months; P = .001) were significantly better in the HA-WBRT+SIB cohort. Four patients (6.5%) developed hippocampal metastases after hippocampus avoidance. The neurologic death rate after HA-WBRT+SIB was 27.4%. CONCLUSIONS: HA-WBRT+SIB can be an efficient therapeutic option for patients with multiple brain metastases and is associated with improved LTC of existing metastases, higher intracranial PFS, a reduction of the neurologic death rate, and an acceptable risk of radiation necrosis. The therapy has the potential to prevent neurocognitive adverse effects, which will be further evaluated in the multicenter, phase 2 HIPPORAD trial.