Stress-testing pelvic autosegmentation algorithms using anatomical edge cases.

Commercial autosegmentation has entered clinical use, however real-world performance may suffer in certain cases. We aimed to assess the influence of anatomic variants on performance. We identified 112 prostate cancer patients with anatomic variations (edge cases). Pelvic anatomy was autosegmented using three commercial tools. To evaluate performance, Dice similarity coefficients, and mean surface and 95% Hausdorff distances were calculated versus clinician-delineated references. Deep learning autosegmentation outperformed atlas-based and model-based methods. However, edge case performance was lower versus the normal cohort (0.12 mean DSC reduction). Anatomic variation presents challenges to commercial autosegmentation.

Phase II Randomized Study of Salvage Radiation Therapy Plus Enzalutamide or Placebo for High-Risk Prostate-Specific Antigen Recurrent Prostate Cancer After Radical Prostatectomy: The SALV-ENZA Trial.

PURPOSE: We sought to investigate whether enzalutamide (ENZA), without concurrent androgen deprivation therapy, increases freedom from prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression (FFPP) when combined with salvage radiation therapy (SRT) in men with recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (RP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Men with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer after RP were enrolled into a randomized, double-blind, phase II, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of SRT plus ENZA or placebo (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02203695). Random assignment (1:1) was stratified by center, surgical margin status (R0 v R1), PSA before salvage treatment (PSA ≥ 0.5 v < 0.5 ng/mL), and pathologic Gleason sum (7 v 8-10). Patients were assigned to receive either ENZA 160 mg once daily or matching placebo for 6 months. After 2 months of study drug therapy, external-beam radiation (66.6-70.2 Gy) was administered to the prostate bed (no pelvic nodes). The primary end point was FFPP in the intention-to-treat population. Secondary end points were time to local recurrence within the radiation field, metastasis-free survival, and safety as determined by frequency and severity of adverse events. RESULTS: Eighty-six (86) patients were randomly assigned, with a median follow-up of 34 (range, 0-52) months. Trial arms were well balanced. The median pre-SRT PSA was 0.3 (range, 0.06-4.6) ng/mL, 56 of 86 patients (65%) had extraprostatic disease (pT3), 39 of 86 (45%) had a Gleason sum of 8-10, and 43 of 86 (50%) had positive surgical margins (R1). FFPP was significantly improved with ENZA versus placebo (hazard ratio [HR], 0.42; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.92; P = .031), and 2-year FFPP was 84% versus 66%, respectively. Subgroup analyses demonstrated differential benefit of ENZA in men with pT3 (HR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.69) versus pT2 disease (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.43 to 5.47; Pinteraction = .019) and R1 (HR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.64) versus R0 disease (HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.36 to 2.76; Pinteraction = .023). There were insufficient secondary end point events for analysis. The most common adverse events were grade 1-2 fatigue (65% ENZA v 53% placebo) and urinary frequency (40% ENZA v 49% placebo). CONCLUSION: SRT plus ENZA monotherapy for 6 months in men with PSA-recurrent high-risk prostate cancer after RP is safe and delays PSA progression relative to SRT alone. The impact of ENZA on distant metastasis or survival is unknown at this time.

Efficacy of Abemaciclib in the Management of Refractory Metastatic Extramammary Paget's Disease.

Published systemic therapy options for metastatic extramammary Paget's disease have largely been anecdotal due to the rarity of this disease, which has precluded the ability to conduct clinical trials. We describe the favorable response of a 72-year-old man with extramammary Paget's disease, whose disease has been controlled with the CDK4/6 inhibitor, abemaciclib. The rationale behind the selection of this therapy is discussed.

Short-term ADT and Dose-escalated IMRT in Patients With Intermediate-risk Prostate Cancer: Benefit or Caution?

OBJECTIVES: In the era of dose-escalated prostate radiation therapy (RT), the use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is undefined for intermediate-risk (IR) prostate cancer. There is growing concern of the risk of ADT to be detrimental to quality of life. This single-institution retrospective analysis aimed to evaluate outcomes of IR patients treated with dose-escalated intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with or without concurrent/adjuvant short-term ADT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was collected from 260 consecutive patients treated with dose-escalated IMRT with daily image-guided RT for newly diagnosed IR prostate cancer. Biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS), distant metastasis-free survival, prostate cancer-specific survival, and overall survival (OS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier methodology. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 93 months. A total of 181 patients had unfavorable IR disease, and 36.2% (N=94) received ADT, with median ADT duration of 6 months. Seven-year BCRFS was 94.1% vs. 86.2% (P=0.067), for ADT and no ADT, respectively, and no difference in distant metastasis-free survival or prostate cancer-specific survival was observed. ADT was associated with significantly worse 7-year OS (80.0% vs. 91.3%, P=0.010). Analysis of the unfavorable IR cohort alone, showed similar results; 7-year BCRFS and 7-year OS in patients who received ADT versus no ADT were 93.7% vs. 85.9% (P=0.093), and 79.0% vs. 90.6% (P=0.019), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our 15-year experience treating IR prostate cancer with dose-escalated IMRT with daily image-guided RT, short-term concurrent ADT was associated with a statistically significant worse OS. Additional studies are needed to determine if ADT is beneficial or detrimental for patients with IR prostate cancer treated with dose-escalated radiation.

The Clinical Cell-Cycle Risk (CCR) Score Is Associated With Metastasis After Radiation Therapy and Provides Guidance on When to Forgo Combined Androgen Deprivation Therapy With Dose-Escalated Radiation.

PURPOSE: The clinical cell-cycle risk (CCR) score, which combines the University of California, San Francisco's Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) and the cell cycle progression (CCP) molecular score, has been validated to be prognostic of disease progression for men with prostate cancer. This study evaluated the ability of the CCR score to prognosticate the risk of metastasis in men receiving dose-escalated radiation therapy (RT) with or without androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective, multi-institutional cohort study included men with localized National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) intermediate-, high-, and very high-risk prostate cancer (N = 741). Patients were treated with dose-escalated RT with or without ADT. The primary outcome was time to metastasis. RESULTS: The CCR score prognosticated metastasis with a hazard ratio (HR) per unit score of 2.22 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.71-2.89; P < .001). The CCR score better prognosticated metastasis than NCCN risk group (CCR, P < .001; NCCN, P = .46), CAPRA score (CCR, P = .002; CAPRA, P = .59), or CCP score (CCR, P < .001; CCP, P = .59) alone. In bivariable analyses, CCR score remained highly prognostic when accounting for ADT versus no ADT (HR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.61-2.96; P < .001), ADT duration as a continuous variable (HR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.59-2.79; P < .001), or ADT given at or below the recommended duration for each NCCN risk group (HR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.69-2.86; P < .001). Men with CCR scores below or above the multimodality threshold (CCR score, 2.112) had a 10-year risk of metastasis of 3.7% and 21.24%, respectively. Men with below-threshold scores receiving RT alone had a 10-year risk of metastasis of 3.7%, and for men receiving RT plus ADT, the 10-year risk of metastasis was also 3.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The CCR score accurately and precisely prognosticates metastasis and adds clinically actionable information relative to guideline-recommended therapies based on NCCN risk in men undergoing dose-escalated RT with or without ADT. For men with scores below the multimodality threshold, adding ADT may not significantly reduce their 10-year risk of metastasis.

A pilot feasibility study of Exercising Together© during radiation therapy for prostate cancer: a dyadic approach for patients and spouses.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer can negatively impact the health of patients and their spouse, particularly early on in the cancer trajectory. PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of dyadic exercises during radiation therapy and preliminary efficacy on physical, mental, and relational outcomes for men and their spouses. Exercising Together©, originally designed as a 6-month dyadic resistance training program for couples post-treatment, was adapted for the radiation setting. METHODS: We conducted a single-group pilot feasibility study of Exercising Together© in men scheduled for radiation therapy for prostate cancer and their spouse. Couples attended supervised exercise sessions thrice weekly throughout radiation treatment and were followed up 8 weeks later. Primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability with secondary outcomes of changes in physical (physical functioning (short physical performance battery (sPPB)), gait speed (m/s), functional capacity (400-m walk (min), physical activity (min/week)), mental (depressive symptoms (CES-D), and anxiety (SCL-90 ANX)), and relationship (Dyadic Coping, Role Overload, and Physical Intimacy Behavior Scales) health outcomes for each partner. Participants completed an evaluation post-intervention. RESULTS: Ten couples enrolled and 8 completed the intervention, attending 83% of scheduled sessions. Couple satisfaction with the intervention was high (patients: mean difference (MD) = 9.4 ± 1.9 and spouses: MD = 10.0 ± 0.0, on a 1-10 scale). At post-intervention, gait speed (MD = 0.1; 95%CI: 0.1, 0.2; p = 0.003; d = 0.94) and functional capacity (MD = -0.6; 95%CI: -0.9, 0.3; p = 0.002; d = -0.42) improved in patients and sPPB in spouses (MD = 1.3; 95%CI: 0.3, 2.2; p = 0.02; d = 0.71). Total physical activity increased non-significantly for patients and significantly for spouses at post-intervention and decreased at follow-up (MD = 179.6; 95%CI: 55.4, 303.7; p = 0.01; d = 1.35 and MD = -139.9; 95%CI: -266.5, 13.3; p = 0.03; d=1.06). Among patients, anxiety and active engagement significantly improved post-intervention (MD = -2.3; 95%CI: -3.8, 0.7; p = 0.01; d = -0.43 and MD = 2.5; 95%CI: 0.7, 4.3; p = 0.01; d = 0.98, respectively). There were modest effects on other physical, mental, and relationship health domains in patients and spouses. CONCLUSION: A modified version of Exercising Together© is a feasible and acceptable program during radiation therapy for prostate cancer and shows preliminary evidence for improvements on physical, mental, and relational health in both patient and spouse. A larger, fully powered randomized controlled trial is warranted and could help shift the landscape toward dyadically targeted interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on February 18th, 2018 ( NCT03418025 ).

Protocol for GET FIT Prostate: a randomized, controlled trial of group exercise training for fall prevention and functional improvements during and after treatment for prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Many prostate cancer survivors are treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), but these therapies may increase frailty, worsen physical functioning, and increase fall risk. While exercise may counter functional declines associated with ADT, no studies have tested whether and which type of exercise may reduce falls and frailty. The purpose of this trial is to compare the relative efficacy of strength training versus tai ji quan training against each other and to a stretching control group on falls, frailty, and physical functioning in men expose to ADT for prostate cancer. METHODS: Prostate cancer survivors treated with ADT (N = 360) who have fallen in the past year or are at risk of a fall based on validated risk factors will be recruited to participate in this single-blind, parallel group, randomized trial. Participants will be randomized to one of three supervised, group training programs: (i) strength training, (ii) tai ji quan training, or (iii) stretching (control), that train 3×/week for 6 months. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, 3 (mid-intervention), 6 (immediately post-intervention), and 12 (follow-up) months. The primary outcome is falls assessed by monthly self-report. Secondary outcomes include the following: frailty (low lean body mass (by bioelectrical impedance analysis), exhaustion (by SF-36 vitality scale), low activity (by CHAMPS physical activity survey), slowness (by 4 m usual walk speed), and weakness (by chair stand time)); objective and subjective measures of physical function will also be collected. Negative binomial regression models will be used to assess differences in falls between groups, while mixed effects modeling will be used to compare the relative efficacy of training group on secondary outcomes. DISCUSSION: Exercise represents a non-pharmacologic approach to mitigate the problem of falls experienced among men treated with ADT. By engaging in appropriate exercise, men may be able to avoid or delay falls, frailty, and disability associated with their cancer treatment. Findings of the trial are expected to inform clinical practice about how exercise could be prescribed as part of cancer care for prostate cancer survivors prescribed ADT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03741335 . Registered on November 18, 2018.

Thermal Ablation Versus Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy After Transarterial Chemoembolization for Inoperable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score-Weighted Analysis.

BACKGROUND. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has synergistic properties when combined with ablative therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to compare outcomes for inoperable HCC between TACE with percutaneous thermal ablation (TACE-TA) and TACE with stereotactic body radiotherapy (TACE-SBRT) using propensity score-weighted cohorts. METHODS. This retrospective study included 190 patients with a single inoperable HCC treated from 2007 to 2018 by either TACE-SBRT (n = 90) or TACE-TA (n = 100). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS) and hepatotoxicity (defined as Child-Pugh score elevation of ≥ 2 within 2-6 months after treatment). Fine-Gray competing risk models with propensity score weighting and transplant as the competing risk factor were used to model OS and PFS. RESULTS. The median follow-up time was 48.2 months. Both OS and PFS were significantly higher for TACE-TA (77% and 76%, respectively, at 2 years) than TACE-SBRT (49% and 50%, respectively, at 2 years) in the propensity score-weighted multivariate model (OS: subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] = 2.70, p < .001; PFS: sHR = 1.71, p = .02). Treatment-related hepatotoxicity occurred in 9% of patients who underwent TACE-TA versus 27% of those who underwent TACE-SBRT (p = .01). For the subset of patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer A HCC and Child-Pugh A cirrhosis (TACE-SBRT, n = 36 patients; TACE-TA, n = 55 patients), OS (p = .11) and PFS (p = .19) were not significantly different between the two treatment modalities. CONCLUSION. Compared with TACE-SBRT, TACE-TA showed superior OS and PFS, possibly from its lesser hepatotoxicity. The two strategies did not differ in OS and PFS for patients with the earliest-stage HCC and preserved liver function. CLINICAL IMPACT. Across all patients, TACE-TA may be superior to TACE-SBRT for inoperable HCC.

Visual Attack on the Moving Prey by Cuttlefish.

Visual attack for prey capture in cuttlefish involves three well characterized sequential stages: attention, positioning, and seizure. This visually guided behavior requires accurate sensorimotor integration of information on the target's direction and tentacular strike control. While the behavior of cuttlefish visual attack on a stationary prey has been described qualitatively, the kinematics of visual attack on a moving target has not been analyzed quantitatively. A servomotor system controlling the movement of a shrimp prey and a high resolution imaging system recording the behavior of the cuttlefish predator, together with the newly developed DeepLabCut image processing system, were used to examine the tactics used by cuttlefish during a visual attack on moving prey. The results showed that cuttlefish visually tracked a moving prey target using mainly body movement, and that they maintained a similar speed to that of the moving prey right before making their tentacular strike. When cuttlefish shot out their tentacles for prey capture, they were able to either predict the target location based on the prey's speed and compensate for the inherent sensorimotor delay or adjust the trajectory of their tentacular strike according to the prey's direction of movement in order to account for any changes in prey position. These observations suggest that cuttlefish use the various visual tactics available to them flexibly in order to capture moving prey, and that they are able to extract direction and speed information from moving prey in order to allow an accurate visual attack.

Practice Patterns for the Treatment of Uveal Melanoma with Iodine-125 Plaque Brachytherapy: Ocular Oncology Study Consortium Report 5.

BACKGROUND: Treatment planning for I-125 plaque therapy for uveal melanoma has advanced significantly since the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study trial, with more widely available image-guided planning and improved dosimetry. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated real-world practice patterns for I-125 plaque brachytherapy in the United States by studying practice patterns at centers that comprise the Ocular Oncology Study Consortium (OOSC). METHODS: The OOSC database and responses to a treatment practice survey were evaluated. The database contains treatment information from 9 institutions. Patients included in the database were treated between 2010 and 2014. The survey was conducted in 2018 and current treatment planning methods and prescriptions were queried. RESULTS: Examination of the OOSC database revealed that average doses to critical structures were highly consistent, with the exception of one institution. Survey responses indicated that most centers followed published guidelines regarding dose and prescription point. Dose rate ranged from 51 to 118 cGy/h. As of 2018, most institutions use pre-loaded plaques and fundus photographs and/or computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in planning. CONCLUSIONS: While there were differences in dosimetric practices, overall agreement in plaque brachytherapy practices was high among OOSC institutions. Clinical margins and planning systems were similar among institutions, while prescription dose, dose rates, and dosimetry varied.

Longitudinal Detection of Radiation-Induced Peripapillary and Macular Retinal Capillary Ischemia Using OCT Angiography.

PURPOSE: To study longitudinal changes in retinal capillary circulation in eyes treated with iodine 125 (I125) plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma using OCT angiography (OCTA). DESIGN: Longitudinal prospective study of 21 patients undergoing treatment for uveal melanoma with I125 plaque brachytherapy. Eyes with melanoma were imaged with OCTA before treatment and at 12-month intervals until 2 years after brachytherapy. PARTICIPANTS: After institutional review board approval, participants were enrolled prospectively from an academic ocular oncology clinic. METHODS: Peripapillary (4.5 × 4.5-mm) and macular (3 × 3-mm) OCTA scans were acquired with AngioVue (Optovue, Inc, Fremont, CA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The peripapillary nerve fiber layer plexus capillary density (NFLP_CD), macular superficial vascular complex vessel density (mSVC_VD), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area were calculated. RESULTS: Before treatment, no significant difference was found in the NFLP_CD, mSVC_VD, or FAZ area between eyes with melanoma and normal fellow eyes. By 24 months, 11 eyes had developed clinical signs of radiation retinopathy, radiation optic neuropathy, or both. In treated eyes, the NFLP_CD (48.4±4.1%) was reduced at 12 months (46.7±5.0%; P = 0.04, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) and 24 months (44.5±6.1%; P < 0.001). Similarly, the mSVC_VD (48.4 2±3.6%) was reduced in treated eyes at 12 months (43.5±5.9%; P = 0.01) and 24 months (37.4±9.1%; P < 0.001). The FAZ area (0.26±0.11 mm2) increased in treated eyes at 12 months (0.35±0.22 mm2; P = 0.009) and 24 months (0.81±1.03 mm2; P = 0.001). When only eyes with clinically evident radiation changes were evaluated, the changes in NFLP_CD, mSVC_VD, and FAZ area were more pronounced. OCT angiography measurements correlated with both radiation dose and visual acuity. The mSVC_VD measured at 12 months was found to predict the development of clinically apparent radiation retinopathy within 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: OCT angiography demonstrated early emergence of peripapillary and macular capillary vasculature changes after I125 plaque brachytherapy. OCT angiography provided a quantitative measurement of retinal capillary changes associated with ischemia that correlated with visual acuity and radiation dose and may predict future development of radiation-induced retinal toxicity.

A phase II randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study of salvage radiation therapy plus placebo versus SRT plus enzalutamide with high-risk PSA-recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (SALV-ENZA).

BACKGROUND: In men with a rising PSA following radical prostatectomy, salvage radiation therapy (SRT) offers a second chance for cure. Hormonal therapy can be combined with SRT in order to increase prostate tumor control, albeit with associated higher rates of treatment side effects. This trial studies the effectiveness of SRT combined with hormonal therapy using a more potent anti-androgen with a favorable side effect profile. Enzalutamide, a next generation selective androgen receptor antagonist, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) where it has been shown to improve overall survival in combination with androgen deprivation therapy. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of combination SRT and enzalutamide for freedom-from-PSA-progression. Secondary objectives include time to local recurrence within the radiation field, metastasis-free survival and safety as determined by frequency and severity of adverse events. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a randomized, double-blind, phase II, prospective, multicenter study in adult males with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy. Following registration, enzalutamide 160 mg or placebo by mouth (PO) once daily will be administered for 6 months. Following two months of study drug, external beam radiotherapy to 66.6-70.2 Gray (Gy) will be administered to the prostate bed over 7-8 weeks while continuing daily placebo/enzalutamide. This is followed by two additional months of placebo/enzalutamide. DISCUSSION: The SALV-ENZA trial is the first phase II placebo-controlled double-blinded randomized study to test SRT in combination with a next generation androgen receptor antagonist in men with high-risk recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. The primary hypothesis of this study is that clinical outcomes will be improved by the addition of enzalutamide compared to standard-of-care SRT alone and pave the path for phase III evaluation of this combination. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: ClinicaltTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02203695 Date of Registration: 06/16/2014. Date of First Participant Enrollment: 04/16/2015.

Is moderate hypofractionation accepted as a new standard of care in north america for prostate cancer patients treated with external beam radiotherapy? Survey of genitourinary expert radiation oncologists

ABSTRACT Introduction: Several recent randomized clinical trials have evaluated hypofractionated regimens against conventionally fractionated EBRT and shown similar effectiveness with conflicting toxicity results. The current view regarding hypofractionation compared to conventional EBRT among North American genitourinary experts for management of prostate cancer has not been investigated. Materials and Methods: A survey was distributed to 88 practicing North American GU physicians serving on decision - making committees of cooperative group research organizations. Questions pertained to opinions regarding the default EBRT dose and fractionation for a hypothetical example of a favorable intermediate - risk prostate cancer (Gleason 3 + 4). Treatment recommendations were correlated with practice patterns using Fisher's exact test. Results: Forty - two respondents (48%) completed the survey. We excluded from analysis two respondents who selected radical hypofractionation with 5 - 12 fractions as a preferred treatment modality. Among the 40 analyzed respondents, 23 (57.5%) recommend conventional fractionation and 17 (42.5%) recommended moderate hypofractionation. No demographic factors were found to be associated with preference for a fractionation regimen. Support for brachytherapy as a first choice treatment modality for low - risk prostate cancer was borderline significantly associated with support for moderate hypofractionated EBRT treatment modality (p = 0.089). Conclusions: There is an almost equal split among North American GU expert radiation oncologists regarding the appropriateness to consider moderately hypofractionated EBRT as a new standard of care in management of patients with prostate cancer. Physicians who embrace brachytherapy may be more inclined to support moderate hypofractionated regimen for EBRT. It is unclear whether reports with longer follow-ups will impact this balance, or whether national care and reimbursement policies will drive the clinical decisions. In the day and age of patient - centered care delivery, patients should receive an objective recommendation based on available clinical evidence. The stark division among GU experts may influence the design of future clinical trials utilizing EBRT for patients with prostate cancer.

Is moderate hypofractionation accepted as a new standard of care in north america for prostate cancer patients treated with external beam radiotherapy? Survey of genitourinary expert radiation oncologists.

INTRODUCTION: Several recent randomized clinical trials have evaluated hypofractionated regimens against conventionally fractionated EBRT and shown similar effectiveness with conflicting toxicity results. The current view regarding hypofractionation compared to conventional EBRT among North American genitourinary experts for management of prostate cancer has not been investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was distributed to 88 practicing North American GU physicians serving on decision - making committees of cooperative group research organizations. Questions pertained to opinions regarding the default EBRT dose and fractionation for a hypothetical example of a favorable intermediate - risk prostate cancer (Gleason 3 + 4). Treatment recommendations were correlated with practice patterns using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Forty - two respondents (48%) completed the survey. We excluded from analysis two respondents who selected radical hypofractionation with 5 - 12 fractions as a preferred treatment modality. Among the 40 analyzed respondents, 23 (57.5%) recommend conventional fractionation and 17 (42.5%) recommended moderate hypofractionation. No demographic factors were found to be associated with preference for a fractionation regimen. Support for brachytherapy as a first choice treatment modality for low - risk prostate cancer was borderline significantly associated with support for moderate hypofractionated EBRT treatment modality (p = 0.089). CONCLUSIONS: There is an almost equal split among North American GU expert radiation oncologists regarding the appropriateness to consider moderately hypofractionated EBRT as a new standard of care in management of patients with prostate cancer. Physicians who embrace brachytherapy may be more inclined to support moderate hypofractionated regimen for EBRT. It is unclear whether reports with longer followups will impact this balance, or whether national care and reimbursement policies will drive the clinical decisions. In the day and age of patient - centered care delivery, patients should receive an objective recommendation based on available clinical evidence. The stark division among GU experts may influence the design of future clinical trials utilizing EBRT for patients with prostate cancer.

On thin ice: barriers to adoption of surveillance for patients with stage I testicular seminoma. Survey of US radiation oncologists

ABSTRACT Purpose: Most men with stage I testicular seminoma are cured with surgery alone, which is a preferred strategy per national guidelines. The current pattern of practice among US radiation oncologists (ROs) is unknown. Materials and Methods: We surveyed practicing US ROs via an online questionnaire. Respondent's characteristics, self-rated knowledge, perceived patient compliance rates with observation were analyzed for association with treatment recommendations. Results: We received 353 responses from ROs, of whom 23% considered themselves experts. A vast majority (84%) recommend observation as a default strategy, however this rate drops to 3% if the patient is believed to be noncompliant. 33% of respondents believe that survival is jeopardized in case of disease recurrence, and among these respondents only 5% support observation. 22% of respondents over-estimate the likelihood of noncompliance with observation to be in the 50-80% range. Responders with a higher perceived noncompliance rate are more likely to recommend adjuvant therapy (Fisher's exact p<0.01). Only 7% of respondents recommend observation for stage IS seminoma and 45% administer adjuvant RT in patients with elevated pre-orchiectomy alpha-fetal protein levels. Conclusions: Many US ROs over-estimate the likelihood that stage I testicular seminoma patients will be noncompliant with surveillance and incorrectly believe that overall survival is jeopardized if disease recurs on surveillance. Observation is quickly dismissed for patients who are not deemed to be compliant with observation, and is generally not accepted for patients with stage IS disease. There is clearly an opportunity for improved physician education on evidence-based management of stage I testicular seminoma.

Quantitative OCT Angiography Evaluation of Peripapillary Retinal Circulation after Plaque Brachytherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To study peripapillary retinal capillary circulation in eyes treated with I-125 plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of 10 subjects imaged with OCTA prior to uveal melanoma treatment and 15 subjects imaged after development of radiation retinopathy and/or optic neuropathy. PARTICIPANTS: Following IRB approval, subjects were enrolled from an academic ocular oncology clinical practice. All subjects had uveal melanoma in one eye and treatment with I-125 plaque brachytherapy was planned or had previously taken place. Patients with low vision at baseline and uncontrolled hypertension were excluded. In the post-treatment group, seven subjects were male and eight were female; age range 38 to 81 years. Visual acuities in the irradiated eyes ranged from 20/20 to counting fingers. Visual acuities in the untreated fellow eyes were 20/25 or better. METHODS: Peripapillary retinal capillary circulation was measured by OCTA (Optovue, Inc). 4.5×4.5 mm optic disc scans were obtained. 10 subjects were imaged prior to brachytherapy treatment and 15 subjects were imaged after development of clinically apparent radiation retinopathy and/or radiation optic neuropathy post-brachytherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The relationship of the peripapillary retinal capillary density (PPCD) as measured by OCTA to the calculated dose to the optic nerve (D50, the dose to 50% of the disc) and the LogMAR vision was evaluated. RESULTS: No significant difference was seen in the PPCD as measured by OCTA when comparing the eye with melanoma to the fellow eye prior to brachytherapy; however the PPCD was significantly lower in treated eyes (52.9% +/- 22.4%) than in fellow eyes that did not receive radiation (73.3% +/- 13.7%, p = 0.004). There was an inverse linear correlation between D50 and the PPCD (Pearson's; r= -0.528, P=0.043) and between visual acuity and the PPCD (Pearson's; r= -0.564, P=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with clinically apparent radiation retinopathy and/or radiation optic neuropathy, PPCD was lower in the treated eye and correlated with the radiation dose to the optic nerve and the visual acuity. OCTA provides a measure of capillary changes following radiation, and may serve as a quantitative endpoint to address visual prognosis.

On thin ice: barriers to adoption of surveillance for patients with stage I testicular seminoma. Survey of US radiation oncologists.

PURPOSE: Most men with stage I testicular seminoma are cured with surgery alone, which is a preferred strategy per national guidelines. The current pattern of practice among US radiation oncologists (ROs) is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We surveyed practicing US ROs via an online questionnaire. Respondent's characteristics, self-rated knowledge, perceived patient compliance rates with observation were analyzed for association with treatment recommendations. RESULTS: We received 353 responses from ROs, of whom 23% considered themselves experts. A vast majority (84%) recommend observation as a default strategy, however this rate drops to 3% if the patient is believed to be noncompliant. 33% of respondents believe that survival is jeopardized in case of disease recurrence, and among these respondents only 5% support observation. 22% of respondents over-estimate the likelihood of noncompliance with observation to be in the 50-80% range. Responders with a higher perceived noncompliance rate are more likely to recommend adjuvant therapy (Fisher's exact p<0.01). Only 7% of respondents recommend observation for stage IS seminoma and 45% administer adjuvant RT in patients with elevated pre-orchiectomy alpha-fetal protein levels. CONCLUSIONS: Many US ROs over-estimate the likelihood that stage I testicular seminoma patients will be noncompliant with surveillance and incorrectly believe that overall survival is jeopardized if disease recurs on surveillance. Observation is quickly dismissed for patients who are not deemed to be compliant with observation, and is generally not accepted for patients with stage IS disease. There is clearly an opportunity for improved physician education on evidence-based management of stage I testicular seminoma.

68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT imaging of localized primary prostate cancer patients for intensity modulated radiation therapy treatment planning with integrated boost.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to show the feasibility and potential benefits of using 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT imaging for radiation therapy treatment planning of patients with primary prostate cancer using either integrated boost on the PET-positive volume or localized treatment of the PET-positive volume. The potential gain of such an approach, the improvement of tumor control, and reduction of the dose to organs-at-risk at the same time was analyzed using the QUANTEC biological model. METHODS: Twenty-one prostate cancer patients (70 years average) without previous local therapy received 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT imaging. Organs-at-risk and standard prostate target volumes were manually defined on the obtained datasets. A PET active volume (PTV_PET) was segmented with a 40% of the maximum activity uptake in the lesion as threshold followed by manual adaption. Five different treatment plan variations were calculated for each patient. Analysis of derived treatment plans was done according to QUANTEC with in-house developed software. Tumor control probability (TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) was calculated for all plan variations. RESULTS: Comparing the conventional plans to the plans with integrated boost and plans just treating the PET-positive tumor volume, we found that TCP increased to (95.2 ± 0.5%) for an integrated boost with 75.6 Gy, (98.1 ± 0.3%) for an integrated boost with 80 Gy, (94.7 ± 0.8%) for treatment of PET-positive volume with 75 Gy, and to (99.4 ± 0.1%) for treating PET-positive volume with 95 Gy (all p < 0.0001). For the integrated boost with 80 Gy, a significant increase of the median NTCP of the rectum was found, for all other plans no statistical significant increase in the NTCP neither of the rectum nor the bladder was found. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that the use of 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT image information allows for more individualized prostate treatment planning. TCP values of identified active tumor volumes were increased, while rectum and bladder NTCP values either remained the same or were even lower. However, further studies need to clarify the clinical benefit for the patients applying these techniques.

Safety and Efficacy of Accelerated Hypofractionation and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients With Varying Degrees of Hepatic Impairment.

PURPOSE: To report the toxicities and outcomes for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and accelerated hypofractionated radiation therapy (AHRT) in patients with Child-Pugh (CP) class A, B, or C and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score 1, 2, or 3 hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively reviewed the data from 146 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had undergone SBRT (50 Gy in 5 fractions) or AHRT (45 Gy in 18 fractions). The primary endpoint was liver toxicity, defined as an increase in the CP score of ≥2 within 6 months of radiation therapy. The secondary endpoints of ALBI change, overall survival, and local control were also calculated. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 23 months (range 1-59). Most received SBRT (72%), and 28% received AHRT. Of all 146 patients, 45 (31%) had a CP score elevation of ≥2 within 6 months of radiation therapy (RT) (27 patients [28%] with baseline CP-A/B7 and 18 [35%] with baseline CP-B8/B9/C cirrhosis; P = .45). On multivariate analysis, neither baseline CP nor ALBI score was predictive of toxicity. No patient with a decline in liver functionality of CP ≥2 within 6 months of RT returned to baseline at later time points. Eleven grade 4 toxicities were observed. The mean change in the raw ALBI score at ∼6 months was similar for all baseline ALBI groups. Twenty-two patients underwent orthotopic liver transplantation after RT, 13 of whom had baseline CP-B8/B9/C liver functionality. For all patients, the 1- and 2-year treated-lesion local control was greater for SBRT than for AHRT (2-year 94% vs 65%, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The tolerability of SBRT or AHRT as measured by a CP score decline of ≥2 within 6 months of RT was similar across baseline liver functionality groups. Compared with AHRT, SBRT was associated with superior local control. Because the true tolerability of limited-volume RT for patients with CP-B or CP-C cirrhosis is unknown, prospective trials validating its safety and efficacy are warranted.

Epirubicin and Ifosfamide with Preoperative Radiation for High-Risk Soft Tissue Sarcomas.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment of high-risk soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the extremities remains controversial. We report follow-up from a phase II study of dose-intense chemotherapy with preoperative hypofractionated radiation in this population supplemented with subsequent data from an extensive institutional experience using this regimen. METHODS: Patients with localized, intermediate- or high-grade STS of the extremity or body wall measuring > 5 cm were treated with epirubicin 30 mg/m2/day and ifosfamide 2.5 g/m2/day on days 1-4 every 21 days for 3 preoperative and 3 postoperative cycles. During cycle 2 of preoperative therapy, epirubicin was omitted, and a total of 28 Gy of radiation (8 fractions) was delivered. Twenty-five patients were treated on the phase II study (2002-2005). Fifty-one additional patients were identified from a retrospective chart review (2005-2014). RESULTS: The 5-year rates for overall survival, distant disease-free survival, and freedom from local regional failure were 70.4% (95% CI 59.2-83.7%), 55.9% (95% CI 44.5-70.2%), and 87.2% (95% CI 77.9-96.5%) respectively. Thirty-eight percent of tumors (29/76) demonstrated ≥ 90% pathologic response. Wound complications occurred in 32% (24/76) of patients. DISCUSSION: Treatment with preoperative radiation and pre- and post-operative epirubicin and ifosfamide was associated with favorable clinical outcomes. Survival and recurrence rates were comparable to those reported with other preoperative chemotherapy regimens in high-risk extremity sarcomas. Use of trimodality therapy should be considered for appropriate high-risk STS patients.