Bevacizumab in recurrent high-grade glioma: a single institution retrospective analysis on 92 patients

BACKGROUND: High-grade gliomas are among the most aggressive central nervous system primary tumors, with a high risk of recurrence and a poor prognosis. Re-operation, re-irradiation, chemotherapy are options in this setting. No-best therapy has been established. Bevacizumab was approved on the basis of two Phase 2 trials that evaluated its efficacy in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have retrospectively review data of patients with high-grade glioma treated at our institution that undergone radiological or histological progression after at least one systemic treatment for recurrent disease. Bevacizumab was administered alone or in combination with chemotherapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Bevacizumab regimen was analyzed to assess PFS and OS. Histological, molecular and clinical features of the entire cohort were collected. RESULTS: We reviewed data from 92 patients, treated from April 2009 to November 2019, with histologically confirmed diagnosis of high-grade gliomas and recurrent disease. A PFS of 55.2%, 22.9% and 9.6% was observed at 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Performance status, age at diagnosis ( 65 ys.) and use of corticosteroids during bevacizumab therapy were strongly associated with PFS. The OS was 74.9% at 6 months, 31.7% at 12 months, 10.1% at 24 months. In our cohort, 51.1% were long-term responders (PFS > 6 months). Globally, bevacizumab treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Our analysis confirms the efficacy of bevacizumab in recurrent high-grade glioma patients with an acceptable toxicity profile, in keeping with its known safety in the literature

Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma: a single institution retrospective analysis and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND:  Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare low-grade brain tumor. To date, limited studies have analyzed factors affecting survival outcomes and defined the therapeutic strategy. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of PXA and identify factors associated with outcomes. METHODS:  We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 16 adult and children patients with PXA who underwent primary resection from 1997 to 2019, referred to our Radiation Oncology Unit and to Meyer’s Paediatric Hospital. We also reviewed the relevant literature. RESULTS:  All patients underwent primary surgical resection; 10 patients received adjuvant radiation treatment course, ranging from DTF 54 to 64 Gy; 8 of them received, in addition, concurrent adjuvant chemotherapy; 6 patients underwent only radiological follow-up. After a median follow up was 60 months: median OS was 34.9 months (95% CI 30–218), 1-year OS 87%, 5-years OS 50%, 10-years OS 50%; median PFS 24.4 months (95% CI 13–156), 1-year PFS 80%, 5-years PFS 33%, 10-years PFS 33%. A chi-square test showed a significant association between OS and recurrent disease (p = 0.002) and with chemotherapy adjuvant treatment (p = 0.049). A borderline statistical significant association was instead recognized with BRAF mutation (p = 0.058). CONCLUSIONS: Despite our analysis did not reveal a strong prognostic or predictive factor able to address pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma management; however, in selected patients could be considered the addition of adjuvant radiation chemotherapy treatment after adequate neurosurgical primary resection. Furthermore, recurrent disease evidenced a detrimental impact on survival

Enhancing Radiotherapy Workflow for Head and Neck Cancer with Artificial Intelligence: A Systematic Review

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is characterized by complex-shaped tumors and numerous organs at risk (OARs), inducing challenging radiotherapy (RT) planning, optimization, and delivery. In this review, we provided a thorough description of the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the HNC RT process. Methods: The PubMed database was queried, and a total of 168 articles (2016–2022) were screened by a group of experts in radiation oncology. The group selected 62 articles, which were subdivided into three categories, representing the whole RT workflow: (i) target and OAR contouring, (ii) planning, and (iii) delivery. Results: The majority of the selected studies focused on the OARs segmentation process. Overall, the performance of AI models was evaluated using standard metrics, while limited research was found on how the introduction of AI could impact clinical outcomes. Additionally, papers usually lacked information about the confidence level associated with the predictions made by the AI models. Conclusions: AI represents a promising tool to automate the RT workflow for the complex field of HNC treatment. To ensure that the development of AI technologies in RT is effectively aligned with clinical needs, we suggest conducting future studies within interdisciplinary groups, including clinicians and computer scientists

Dataset related to article "Total tumor volume as a predictor of survival in patients with multiple oligometastases treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR)"

<p>This record contains raw data related to article "Total tumor volume as a predictor of survival in patients with multiple oligometastases treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR)"</p><p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Delivering stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in patients with multiple oligometastases represents a challenge for clinical and technical reasons. We aimed to evaluate the outcome of patients affected by multiple oligometastases treated with SABR and the impact of tumor volume on survival.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We included all the patients treated with single course SABR for 3 to 5 extracranial oligometastases. All patients were treated with the volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique with ablative intent. End-points of the analysis were overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), local control (LC) and toxicity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>136 patients were treated from 2012 to 2020 on 451 oligometastases. Most common primary tumor was colorectal cancer (44.1%) followed by lung cancer (11.8%). A total of 3, 4 and 5 lesions were simultaneously treated in 102 (75.0%), 26 (19.1%), and 8 (5.9%) patients, respectively. Median total tumor volume (TTV) was 19.1 cc (range 0.6-245.1). With a median follow-up of 25.0 months, OS at 1 and 3 years was 88.4% and 50.2%, respectively. Increasing TTV was independent predictive factor of worse OS (HR 2.37, 95% CI 1.18-4.78, p = 0.014) and PFS (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.05-2.54; p = 0.028). Median OS was 80.6 months if tumor volume was ≤ 10 cc (1 and 3 years OS rate 93.6% and 77.5%, respectively), and 31.1 months if TTV was higher than 10 cc (1 and 3 years OS rate 86.7% and 42.3%, respectively). Rates of LC at 1 and 3 years were 89.3% and 76.5%. In terms of toxicity, no grade 3 or higher toxicity was reported both in the acute and late settings.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We demonstrated the impact of tumor volume on survival and disease control of patients affected by multiple oligometastases treated with single course SABR</p&gt

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in combination with drugs in metastatic kidney cancer: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of SBRTdrug combination in patients affected by mRCC and associated oncologic outcomes and toxicity profiles.EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We performed a critical review of the Pubmed, Medline, and Embase databases from January 1, 2000 through April 30, 2020 according to the Preferred Reporting Items and Meta-Analyses statement. To assess the overall quality of the literature reviewed, we used a modified Delphi tool.EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 6 studies were included, corresponding to a cohort of 216 patients. Tyrosine Kinases Inhibitors were the most widely used drugs in combination with SBRT, being administered in 93% patients. No study reported an increase of radiation-induced toxicity.CONCLUSIONS: SBRT resulted to be safe, without increase in terms of drugs-related adverse events in this setting. Moreover, this approach showed promising clinical outcomes in terms of LC and OS

Dataset related to article "The impact of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy on oligoprogressive metastases from renal cell carcinoma"

<p>This record contains raw data related to article "The impact of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy on oligoprogressive metastases from renal cell carcinoma"</p><p><strong> Abstract</strong></p><p>Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents 80-90% of all kidney tumors and about 15-25% of patients will develop distant metastases. Systemic therapy represents the standard of care for metastatic patients, but stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) may play a relevant role in the oligoprogressive setting, defined as the progression of few metastases during an ongoing systemic therapy on a background of otherwise stable disease. Aim of the present study was to analyze the outcome of RCC patients treated with SABR on oligoprogressive metastases.</p><p>Materials and methods: In this monocenter study, we analyzed patients affected by RCC treated with SABR on a maximum of 5 cranial or extracranial oligoprogressive sites of disease. Endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and toxicity.</p><p>Results: We included 74 oligoprogressions (26 intracranial and 48 extracranial) and 57 SABR treatments in 44 patients. Most common concomitant treatments were sunitinib (28, 49.1%), pazopanib (12, 21.0%) and nivolumab (11, 19.3%). Median follow-up was 19.0 months, and 1- and 2-year OS rates were 79.2% and 57.3%, respectively. Repeated SABR was a positive predictive factor for OS (p = 0.034). Median PFS was 9.8 months, with 1- and 2-year rates of 43.2% and 25.8%. At multivariable analysis, disease-free interval (p = 0.022) and number of treated metastases (p = 0.007) were significant for PFS. About 80% of patients continued the ongoing systemic therapy 1- and 2-years after SABR with no grade 3 or 4 toxicities.</p><p>Conclusions: we confirmed the efficacy and safety of SABR for oligoprogression from RCC, with the potential to ablate resistant metastases and to prolong the ongoing systemic therapy</p&gt

Management of prostate cancer radiotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: A necessary paradigm change

To adapt the management of prostate malignancy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Dataset related to article "Adaptive Volumetric-Modulated Arc Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer: Evaluation of Benefit on Target Coverage and Sparing of Organs at Risk"

<p>This record contains raw data related to article "Adaptive Volumetric-Modulated Arc Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer: Evaluation of Benefit on Target Coverage and Sparing of Organs at Risk"</p><p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Radiotherapy is essential in the management of head-neck cancer. During the course of radiotherapy, patients may develop significant anatomical changes. Re-planning with adaptive radiotherapy may ensure adequate dose coverage and sparing of organs at risk. We investigated the consequences of adaptive radiotherapy on head-neck cancer patients treated with volumetric-modulated arc radiation therapy compared to simulated non-adaptive plans: Materials and methods: We included in this retrospective dosimetric analysis 56 patients treated with adaptive radiotherapy. The primary aim of the study was to analyze the dosimetric differences with and without an adaptive approach for targets and organs at risk, particularly the spinal cord, parotid glands, oral cavity and larynx. The original plan (OPLAN) was compared to the adaptive plan (APLAN) and to a simulated non-adaptive dosimetric plan (DPLAN).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The non-adaptive DPLAN, when compared to OPLAN, showed an increased dose to all organs at risk. Spinal cord D2 increased from 27.91 (21.06-31.76) Gy to 31.39 (27.66-38.79) Gy (<i>p</i> = 0.00). V15, V30 and V45 of the DPLAN vs. the OPLAN increased by 20.6% (<i>p</i> = 0.00), 14.78% (<i>p</i> = 0.00) and 15.55% (<i>p</i> = 0.00) for right parotid; and 16.25% (<i>p</i> = 0.00), 18.7% (<i>p</i> = 0.00) and 20.19% (<i>p</i> = 0.00) for left parotid. A difference of 36.95% was observed in the oral cavity V40 (<i>p</i> = 0.00). Dose coverage was significantly reduced for both CTV (97.90% vs. 99.96%; <i>p</i> = 0.00) and PTV (94.70% vs. 98.72%; <i>p</i> = 0.00). The APLAN compared to the OPLAN had similar values for all organs at risk.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The adaptive strategy with re-planning is able to avoid an increase in dose to organs at risk and better target coverage in head-neck cancer patients, with potential benefits in terms of side effects and disease control.</p&gt

Stereotactic Radiotherapy after Incomplete Transarterial (Chemo-) Embolization (TAE\TACE) versus Exclusive TAE or TACE for Treatment of Inoperable HCC: A Phase III Trial (NCT02323360)

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent liver malignancy and a leading cause of cancer death in the world. In unresectable HCC patients, transcatheter arterial (chemo-) embolization (TAE/TACE) has shown a disease response in 15–55% of cases. Though multiple TAE/TACE courses can be administered in principle, Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as an alternative option in the case of local relapse following multiple TAE/TACE courses. Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel-group superiority trial of SBRT versus standard TAE/TACE for the curative treatment of the intermediate stage of HCC after an incomplete response following TAE/TACE (NCT02323360). The primary endpoint is 1-year local control (LC): 18 events were needed to assess a 45% difference (HR: 0.18) in favor of SBRT. The secondary endpoints are 1-year Progression-Free Survival (PFS), Distant Recurrence-Free Survival (DRFS), Overall Survival (OS) and the incidence of acute and late complications. Results: At the time of the final analysis, 40 patients were enrolled, 19 (49%) in the TAE/TACE arm and 21 (51%) in the SBRT arm. The trial was prematurely closed due to slow accrual. The 1- and 2-year LC rates were 57% and 36%. The use of SBRT resulted in superior LC as compared to TAE/TACE rechallenge (median not reached versus 8 months, p = 0.0002). PFS was 29% and 16% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. OS was 86% and 62% at 1 year and 2 years, respectively. In the TAE arm, PFS was 13% and 6% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. In the SBRT arm, at 1 and 2 years, PFS was 37% and 21%, respectively. OS at 1 and 2 years was 75% and 64% in the SBRT arm and 95% and 57% in the TACE arm, respectively. No grade >3 toxicity was recorded. Conclusions: SBRT is an effective treatment option in patients affected by inoperable HCC experiencing an incomplete response following ≥1 cycle of TAE/TAC