Feasibility of intensity-modulated radiotherapy combined with gemcitabine and S-1 for patients with pancreatic cancer.

The aim of the present study was to establish whether intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with concurrent gemcitabine and S-1 is a feasible treatment option for patients with locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were prospectively enrolled. An IMRT dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions with concurrent gemcitabine at a dose of 600 mg/m2 and S-1 at a dose of 60 mg were administrated. Adverse events and associated dosimetric factors were assessed. Between February 2012 and January 2014, 17 patients with borderline resectable and 4 with unresectable pancreatic cancer were enrolled. None of the patients experienced grade 3 or worse nausea and vomiting. The planning target volume (≥200 vs. <200 ml) was a statistically significant predictive factor for neutrocytopenia (≥500 vs. 500/µl, P=0.02). Concurrent IMRT with gemcitabine and S-1 for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer is feasible, with tolerable hematological toxicities and low gastrointestinal toxicities.

Impact of the duration of hormonal therapy following radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer.

External-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is known to provide improved survival outcomes compared with EBRT alone in the treatment of prostate cancer; however, the use of ADT has been reported to be associated with adverse events. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to clarify the adequate duration of ADT when combined with EBRT to treat patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer, with consideration of survival outcomes and toxicity. Between 2001 and 2011, 173 patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer received ADT combined with EBRT, at a median dose of 69.6 Gy. Of these, 54 (31%) underwent short-term ADT (<36 months) and 119 (69%) underwent long-term ADT (≥36 months). During the median follow-up period of 54 months, the five-year progression-free survival rate of patients receiving short-term ADT (72.9%) was significantly lower than that of patients receiving long-term ADT (92.8%) (P<0.01). Furthermore, the incidence of cardiovascular toxicity at grade II or above was significantly higher amongst patients treated with short-term ADT compared with patients treated with long-term ADT (P<0.01). Thus, the present study determined that ADT for ≥36 months combined with EBRT significantly improved the progression-free survival of patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer and exhibited an acceptable toxicity profile.