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Purpose: To determine dose constraints that correlate with alopecia in patients treated with photon-based Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) for primary brain tumors. Methods: During the treatment planning process, the scalp was drawn as a region of interest. Dose received by 0.1 cc (D0.1cc), mean dose (Dmean), absolute volumes receiving different doses (V16Gy, V20Gy, V25Gy, V30Gy, V35Gy, V40Gy, and V43Gy) were registered for the scalp. Alopecia was assessed according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.0. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify parameters associated with hair-loss. Results: One-hundred and one patients were included in this observational study. At the end of radiotherapy (RT), 5 patients did not develop alopecia (Dmean scalp 3.1 Gy). The scalp of the patients with G1 (n = 11) and G2 (n = 85) alopecia received Dmean of 10.6 Gy and 11.8 Gy, respectively. At ROC analysis, V16Gy20Gy ≥ 5.2 cc were the strongest predictors of acute alopecia risk. Chronic hair-loss assessment was available for 74 patients: median time to recovery from G2 alopecia was 5, 9 months. The actuarial rate of hair regrowth was 98.1% at 18 months after the end of RT. At ROC analysis, V40Gy43Gy ≥2.2 cc were the strongest predictors of chronic G2-alopecia risk. V20Gy, V40Gy, and D0,1cc were shown to be independent variables according to correlation coefficient r. Conclusions: V20Gy and V40Gy were the strongest predictors for acute and chronic G2 hair-loss, respectively. The low-dose bath typical of VMAT corresponds to large areas of acute but transient alopecia. However, the steep dose gradient of VMAT allows to reduce the areas of the scalp that receive higher doses, minimizing the risk of permanent alopecia. The application of our dosimetric findings for the scalp may help in reducing the alopecia risk and also in estimating the probability of hair-loss during patient counseling before starting radiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Data on immunoresponse to COVID vaccines in patients treated with exclusive radiotherapy are scarce. • MORA trial analyzed immune response after second and third dose of mRNA vaccines. • Breast site and comorbidity influenced the seroconversion rate after second dose. • Type of vaccine and site were associated with lower IgG titers after third dose. • Three mRNA vaccine doses guaranteed robust humoral response and clinical protection from severe disease. Data on immunoresponse after SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for patients treated with exclusive radiotherapy (RT) are scarce. Since RT may affect the immune system, we conducted the MORA trial (Antibody response and cell-mediated immunity of MOderna mRNA-1273 vaccine in patients treated with RAdiotherapy). Data regarding humoral and cellular immune response of patients treated with RT were prospectively collected after the second and third dose of mRNA vaccines. Ninety-two patients were enrolled. With a median of 147 days after the second dose, the median SARS-CoV-2 IgG titer was 300 BAU/mL: six patients were seronegative (Spike IgG titer ≤ 40 BAU/mL), whereas 24, 46 and 16 were poor responders (Spike IgG titer:41–200 BAU/mL), responders (Spike IgG titer:201–800 BAU/mL) and ultraresponders (Spike IgG titer > 800 BAU/mL), respectively. Among seronegative patients, two patients were negative also for cell mediated response, as tested with IFN-γ release Assay (IGRA) test. With a median of 85 days after the third dose, the median SARS-CoV-2 IgG titer was 1632 BAU/mL in 81 patients: only two patients were seronegative, whereas 16 and 63 patients were responders and ultraresponders, respectively. Among the 2 persistently seronegative patients, IGRA test was negative in one who had previously received anti-CD20 therapy. Documented paucisymptomatic (n = 3) or asymptomatic (n = 4) infection occurred after the third dose, during the Omicron wave. In patients treated with exclusive RT, even during the Omicron breakthrough, robust humoral response and clinical protection from severe SARS-CoV-2 disease were achievable with three doses of mRNA vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]