Evaluation of two modalities of perioperative treatment in the management of extremity and truncal soft tissue sarcomas: neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy and sequential treatment.

PURPOSE: Patients with locally advanced grade 2-3 extremity/truncal soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are at high risk of recurrence. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and feasibility of neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT) in selected grade 2-3 patients with limb or trunk wall STS, and to compare this schedule to a sequential approach combining neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant radiotherapy. METHODS: We retrospectively included patients who underwent neoadjuvant cCRT at two comprehensive cancer centers from 1992-2016. We then compared these results to those of patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy from a third comprehensive cancer center with a propensity score matched analysis. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients were treated by neoadjuvant cCRT; 58 patients could be matched with 29 patients in each treatment group after propensity score matching. Disease-free survival and overall survival at 5 years were 54.9 and 63.5%, respectively with neoadjuvant cCRT, with no significant difference when compared to the sequential treatment group. R0 resection rate was higher (90.9 vs 44.8%, p < 0.01) in the cCRT group than in the sequential treatment group during a shorter therapeutic sequence (118 vs 210.5 days, p < 0.01), with no impact on the surgical procedure or postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: cCRT is feasible with acceptable immediate and late toxicities. It could facilitate surgery by increasing the R0 resection rate and improve patient compliance by shortening the therapeutic sequence.

Dosimetric analysis of stereotactic rotational versus static intensity-modulated radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: Stereotactic body radiation therapy is a promising treatment modality for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. To determine the optimal radiation treatment, we compared the plan characteristics of volumetric-modulated arc therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy when administered with stereotactic body radiation therapy to treat pancreatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer were treated by stereotactic body radiation therapy at a dose of 24-32Gy in four fractions with marker-guided gated volumetric-modulated arc therapy. Four dimensional-computed tomography scans were used to assess the target and surrounding normal organs. The same images, contours, and dose constraints were used for dual-arc volumetric-modulated arc therapy and 9-field intensity-modulated radiation therapy planning. Plans were compared using dosimetric parameters and treatment performance. RESULTS: Volumetric-modulated arc therapy required significantly lower monitor units (1726 vs. 4188; P<0.001) and shorter treatment delivery time in comparison with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (22.5min vs. 52.4min; P<0.001). Regarding target volume coverage, both modalities demonstrated comparable results (V95%, 99.3% vs. 99.4%; P=0.796). Both modalities satisfied the dosimetric determinants for duodenal toxicity and the maximum and mean doses administered to normal organ were also statistically similar. CONCLUSION: In comparison with 9-field intensity-modulated radiation therapy, volumetric-modulated arc therapy significantly reduces the number of monitoring units and treatment delivery times while administering similar dosimetric quality. Based on these results, volumetric-modulated arc therapy might be an appropriate treatment for locally advanced pancreatic cancer when combined with stereotactic body radiation therapy.

[Inflammatory and immune biomarkers of radiation response]. / Biomarqueurs inflammatoires et immunologiques de réponse à la radiothérapie.

In radiotherapy, the treatment is adapted to each individual to protect healthy tissues but delivers most of time a standard dose according to the tumor histology and site. The only biomarkers studied to individualize the treatment are the HPV status with radiation dose de-escalation strategies, and tumor hypoxia with dose escalation to hypoxic subvolumes using FMISO- or FAZA-PET imaging. In the last decades, evidence has grown about the contribution of the immune system to radiation tumor response. Many preclinical studies have identified some of the mechanisms involved. In this context, we have realised a systematic review to highlight potential inflammatory and immune biomarkers of radiotherapy response. Some are inside the tumor microenvironment, as lymphocyte infiltration or PD-L1 expression, others are circulating biomarkers, including different types of hematological cells, cytokines and chemokines.

[Cancer, radiotherapy and immune system]. / Cancer, radiothérapie et système immunitaire.

Novel paradigms emerge in oncology today. Systemic treatments are more effective and diversified along with an increased life expectancy in oligometastatic patients. Stereotactic radiotherapy using hypofractionation opens new perspectives for local tumour control. The area of radiobiology has expanded with integration of tumour microenvironment in which radiation-induced inflammation mediators and immune system play a major role. Immunity checkpoints inhibitors experience a major development. This rapidly evolving field seems involved in the abscopal effects, especially when radiation is combined with checkpoints inhibitors, as demonstrated in numerous preclinical studies and several clinical trials. Paradoxically, irradiation also produces immunosuppressive effects. This manuscript aims to report the dual effects of ionizing radiation on the immune system and reviews some results of the combination of radiation and immunity chekpoints inhibitors and also research perspectives.

FIGO stage IB1 cervical carcinoma: Place and principles of brachytherapy.

The treatment of cervical cancers according to FIGO staging is well defined. For FIGO stage IB2 or more, chemoradiotherapy followed by uterovaginal brachytherapy boost is the standard treatment. Surgery is the preferred choice for less advanced tumors. However, most French institutions propose preoperative brachytherapy followed by hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy for FIGO stage IB1 tumors over 2cm. Brachytherapy is also used for the boost after adjuvant pelvic external beam radiotherapy. Tridimensional dosimetry with optimization allows better treatment planning, delivering high doses to target volumes with limited irradiation to the organs at risk. We will discuss the indications of brachytherapy for FIGO stage IB1 tumors and the principles of pulsed-dose rate and high-dose rate techniques.

[Retrospective study of a series of 62 cases of hydatid liver cysts]. / Etude rétrospective d'une série de 62 cas de kystes hydatiques du foie.

Sixty-two cases of hydatid cyst of liver were treated and followed up between 1968 and 1982. Current pre-operative investigations include immunologic tests (immunoelectrophoresis, tests for hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies) and medical imaging (ultrasound, scanner). Vascular exploration is now very rarely performed. Surgical treatment is mainly by pericystectomy and was conducted in 90% of cases with a postoperative mortality of 5,2%. Chemotherapy with Albendazole was combined routinely.

[Pancreas divisum or embryonic pancreas. Anatomical study (apropos of 16 cases)]. / Pancréas divisum ou embryonnaire étude anatomique (à propos de 16 cas).

The authors study the Pancreas divisum's rate in 242 cadavers. With two successive studies, they establish a rate of about 6.6%. They conform the sexual disparity and the presence of muscular fibre cells on a level with papilla duodeni minor.

[Remaining pancreas after cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy. Development and treatment]. / Le pancréas restant après duodénopancréatectomie céphalique. Son devenir et son traitement.

The authors relate a series concerning 123 cephalic pancreatico-duodenectomy cases for chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic tumors. Post surgical complications due to pancreatico jejunal anastomosis and those appearing later on in relation with residual parenchyma have been studied; so were described the different therapeutic proceedings remedying to them. The obstruction of Wirsung's duct in the tall of Pancreas with some acrylate glue seems interesting in limiting the post surgical complications if the risk of pancreatic fistula can be prevented while preserving the endocrine function.