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Adjuvant therapy; Breast cancer; Olaparib Terapia adyuvante; Cáncer de mama; Olaparib Teràpia adjuvant; Càncer de mama; Olaparib Background The randomized, double-blind OlympiA trial compared 1 year of the oral poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, olaparib, to matching placebo as adjuvant therapy for patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 (gBRCA1/2pv) and high-risk, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, early breast cancer (EBC). The first pre-specified interim analysis (IA) previously demonstrated statistically significant improvement in invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) and distant disease-free survival (DDFS). The olaparib group had fewer deaths than the placebo group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance for overall survival (OS). We now report the pre-specified second IA of OS with updates of IDFS, DDFS, and safety. Patients and methods One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to olaparib or placebo following (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy if indicated. Endocrine therapy was given concurrently with study medication for hormone receptor-positive cancers. Statistical significance for OS at this IA required P < 0.015. Results With a median follow-up of 3.5 years, the second IA of OS demonstrated significant improvement in the olaparib group relative to the placebo group [hazard ratio 0.68; 98.5% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-0.97; P = 0.009]. Four-year OS was 89.8% in the olaparib group and 86.4% in the placebo group (Δ 3.4%, 95% CI −0.1% to 6.8%). Four-year IDFS for the olaparib group versus placebo group was 82.7% versus 75.4% (Δ 7.3%, 95% CI 3.0% to 11.5%) and 4-year DDFS was 86.5% versus 79.1% (Δ 7.4%, 95% CI 3.6% to 11.3%), respectively. Subset analyses for OS, IDFS, and DDFS demonstrated benefit across major subgroups. No new safety signals were identified including no new cases of acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. Conclusion With 3.5 years of median follow-up, OlympiA demonstrates statistically significant improvement in OS with adjuvant olaparib compared with placebo for gBRCA1/2pv-associated EBC and maintained improvements in the previously reported, statistically significant endpoints of IDFS and DDFS with no new safety signals. Funding for this work, which was conducted as a collaborative partnership among the Breast International Group, NRG Oncology, Frontier Science, AstraZeneca, and Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, U.S.A. (MSD), was provided by the National Institutes of Health (grant numbers: U10CA 180868, UG1CA 189867, and U10CA 180822) and by AstraZeneca as part of an alliance between AstraZeneca and MSD. Provision of olaparib and placebo was from AstraZeneca.

PURPOSE It remains unknown whether or not short-term androgen deprivation (STAD) improves survival among men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IRPC) treated with dose-escalated radiotherapy (RT). METHODS The NRG Oncology/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0815 study randomly assigned 1,492 patients with stage T2b-T2c, Gleason score 7, or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value >10 and ≤20 ng/mL to dose-escalated RT alone (arm 1) or with STAD (arm 2). STAD was 6 months of luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone agonist/antagonist therapy plus antiandrogen. RT modalities were external-beam RT alone to 79.2 Gy or external beam (45 Gy) with brachytherapy boost. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Secondary end points included prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM), non-PCSM, distant metastases (DMs), PSA failure, and rates of salvage therapy. RESULTS Median follow-up was 6.3 years. Two hundred nineteen deaths occurred, 119 in arm 1 and 100 in arm 2. Five-year OS estimates were 90% versus 91%, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.11]; P = .22). STAD resulted in reduced PSA failure (HR, 0.52; P CONCLUSION STAD did not improve OS rates for men with IRPC treated with dose-escalated RT. Improvements in metastases rates, prostate cancer deaths, and PSA failures should be weighed against the risk of adverse events and the impact of STAD on quality of life.

ImportanceFor many types of epithelial malignant neoplasms that are treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT), treatment prolongation and interruptions have an adverse effect on outcomes.ObjectiveTo analyze the association between RT duration and outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer who were treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT).Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis study was an unplanned, post hoc secondary analysis of 3 prospective, multi-institutional phase 3 randomized clinical trials (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group [RTOG] 8501, RTOG 9405, and RTOG 0436) of the National Cancer Institute–sponsored NRG Oncology (formerly the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, RTOG, and Gynecologic Oncology Group). Enrolled patients with nonmetastatic esophageal cancer underwent definitive CRT in the trials between 1986 and 2013, with follow-up occurring through 2014. Data analyses were conducted between March 2022 to February 2023.ExposuresTreatment groups in the trials used standard-dose RT (50 Gy) and concurrent chemotherapy.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe outcomes were local-regional failure (LRF), distant failure, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Multivariable models were used to examine the associations between these outcomes and both RT duration and interruptions. Radiotherapy duration was analyzed as a dichotomized variable using an X-Tile software to choose a cut point and its median value as a cut point, as well as a continuous variable.ResultsThe analysis included 509 patients (median [IQR] age, 64 [57-70] years; 418 males [82%]; and 376 White individuals [74%]). The median (IQR) follow-up was 4.01 (2.93-4.92) years for surviving patients. The median cut point of RT duration was 39 days or less in 271 patients (53%) vs more than 39 days in 238 patients (47%), and the X-Tile software cut point was 45 days or less in 446 patients (88%) vs more than 45 days in 63 patients (12%). Radiotherapy interruptions occurred in 207 patients (41%). Female (vs male) sex and other (vs White) race and ethnicity were associated with longer RT duration and RT interruptions. In the multivariable models, RT duration longer than 45 days was associated with inferior DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01-1.77; P = .04). The HR for OS was 1.33, but the results were not statistically significant (95% CI, 0.99-1.77; P = .05). Radiotherapy duration longer than 39 days (vs ≤39 days) was associated with a higher risk of LRF (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.06-1.65; P = .01). As a continuous variable, RT duration (per 1 week increase) was associated with DFS failure (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.28; P = .03). The HR for LRF 1.13, but the result was not statistically significant (95% CI, 0.99-1.28; P = .07).Conclusions and RelevanceResults of this study indicated that in patients with esophageal cancer receiving definitive CRT, prolonged RT duration was associated with inferior outcomes; female patients and those with other (vs White) race and ethnicity were more likely to have longer RT duration and experience RT interruptions. Radiotherapy interruptions should be minimized to optimize outcomes.

Purpose: Despite favorable outcomes, up to 20% of patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) will experience recurrence. Monitoring circulating tumor tissue modified viral (TTMV)-HPV DNA during post-treatment surveillance has emerged as a tool that has demonstrated >95% positive predictive value (PPV) for detecting recurrence. Here we describe a large real-world population with detailed clinical follow-up, permitting determination of the longitudinal negative predictive value (NPV) of the assay. Patients and methods: This IRB-approved, retrospective observational cohort study included 312 patients across five U.S. centers who were ≥3 months post-treatment for HPV-driven OPSCC. Patients had one or more TTMV-HPV DNA results (NavDx®, Naveris Laboratories) obtained during surveillance between February 2020 and January 2021. A baseline TTMV-HPV DNA test was not required. HPV status was assessed by p16 immunohistochemistry or HPV PCR/ISH. Test results were correlated with physician-reported exam and imaging findings to assess disease status in follow-up. Results: The cohort was mostly male (85%), had a median age of 61 (range: 27-81), included smokers (50%), and 282 (90%) had involved nodes (N1: 204, N2: 70, N3: 8) at initial staging. Curative-intent treatment involved surgery with or without another modality in 54% of cases (169/312). Median follow-up time was 23.5 months, and 39 patients (12.5%) had documented recurrence. Most patients had >1 TTMV-HPV DNA test result ≥3 months post-treatment (231, 74%), with 48 (15%) having 5 or more tests. Among patients with multiple negative surveillance tests, the median time between tests was 126 days (4.2 months, range: 0.37-24.2). The first TTMV-HPV DNA surveillance test was most often performed within the first year post-treatment (195, 63%). Across 812 test results, the NPV was 99.5%. There were 4 false negative tests among patients with confirmed p16-positive (3/4) or HPV PCR-positive (1/4) biopsy-proven recurrence. One of these patients had a subsequent positive TTMV-HPV DNA test during salvage immunotherapy. Only one of these patients had baseline TTMV-HPV DNA testing available, which showed a low positive Conclusion: Our findings further support the clinical potential of monitoring circulating TTMV-HPV DNA during post-treatment surveillance. We demonstrate a very high assay NPV correlated with physician-reported outcomes. TTMV-HPV DNA can be used to assist in surveillance and could inform imaging needs and future practice guidelines for HPV-driven head and neck cancer survivors. Citation Format: Glenn J. Hanna, Scott Roof, James Jabalee, Eleni M. Rettig, Rocco M. Ferrandino, Sida Chen, Marshall Posner, Krzysztof J. Misiukiewicz, Eric M. Genden, Raymond L. Chai, John Sims, Elaine Thrash, Scott J. Stern, Adam Raben, Lydia I. Clements, Abie H. Mendelsohn, Charlotte Kuperwasser, Catherine Del Vecchio Fitz, Barry M. Berger. Negative predictive value of circulating tumor tissue modified viral HPV DNA for identifying recurrence among patients treated for HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3360.

PURPOSE Radiotherapy (RT) plus long-term androgen suppression (AS) are a standard treatment option for patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer. We hypothesized that docetaxel chemotherapy (CT) could improve overall survival (OS) and clinical outcomes among patients with high-risk prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS The multicenter randomized NRG Oncology RTOG 0521 study enrolled patients with high-risk nonmetastatic disease between 2005 and 2009. Patients were randomly assigned to receive standard long-term AS plus RT with or without adjuvant CT. RESULTS A total of 612 patients were enrolled; 563 were evaluable. Median prostate-specific antigen was 15.1 ng/mL; 53% had a Gleason score 9 to 10 cancer; 27% had cT3 to cT4 disease. Median follow-up was 5.7 years. Treatment was well tolerated in both arms. Four-year OS rate was 89% (95% CI, 84% to 92%) for AS + RT and 93% (95% CI, 90% to 96%) for AS + RT + CT (hazard ratio [HR], 0.69; 90% CI, 0.49 to 0.97; one-sided P = .034). There were 59 deaths in the AS + RT arm and 43 in the AS + RT + CT arm, with fewer deaths resulting from prostate cancer in the AS + RT + CT arm versus AS + RT (23 v 16 deaths, respectively). Six-year rate of distant metastasis was 14% for AS + RT and 9.1% for AS + RT + CT, (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.99; two-sided P = .044). Six-year disease-free survival rate was 55% for AS + RT and 65% for AS + RT + CT (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.00; two-sided P = .053). CONCLUSION For patients with high-risk nonmetastatic prostate cancer, CT with docetaxel improved OS from 89% to 93% at 4 years, with improved disease-free survival and reduction in the rate of distant metastasis. The trial suggests that docetaxel CT may be an option to be discussed with selected men with high-risk prostate cancer.

PurposeWe report efficacy of a prospective phase 2 trial (NCT00450411) of salvage low-dose-rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy (BT) for local failure (LF) after prior external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with minimum 5-years' follow-up.Methods and materialsEligible patients had low/intermediate risk prostate cancer (PCa) before EBRT and biopsy-proven LF >30 months after EBRT, with prostate-specific antigen

Author(s): Hsu, I-Chow; Rodgers, Joseph P; Shinohara, Katsuto; Purdy, James; Michalski, Jeff; Roach, Mack; Vigneault, Eric; Ivker, Robert A; Pryzant, Rodger M; Kuettel, Michael; Taussky, Daniel; Gustafson, Gary S; Raben, Adam; Sandler, Howard M | Abstract: PurposeTo report the long-term outcome of patients with prostate cancer treated with external beam radiation therapy and high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy from a prospective multi-institutional trial conducted by NRG Oncology/RTOG.Methods and materialsPatients with clinically localized (T1c-T3b) prostate cancer without prior history of transurethral resection of prostate or hip prosthesis were eligible for this study. All patients were treated with a combination of 45 Gy in 25 fractions from external beam radiation therapy and one HDR implant delivering 19 Gy in 2 fractions. Adverse events (AE) were collected using Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3. Cumulative incidence was used to estimate time to severe late gastrointestinal (GI)/genitourinary (GU) toxicity, biochemical failure, disease-specific mortality, local failure, and distant failure. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.ResultsOne hundred and twenty-nine patients were enrolled from July 2004 to May 2006. AE data was available for 115 patients. Patients were National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) intermediate to very high risk. The median age was 68, T1c-T2c 91%, T3a-T3b 9%, PSA ≤10 70%, PSA g10 to ≤20 30%, GS 6 10%, GS 7 72%, and GS 8 to 10 18%. Forty-three percent of patients received hormonal therapy. At a median follow-up time of 10 years, there were 6 (5%) patients with grade 3 GI and GU treatment-related AEs, and no late grade 4 to 5 GI and GU AEs. At 5 and 10 years, the rate of late grade 3ngastrointestinal and genitourinary AEs was 4% and 5%, respectively. Five- and 10-year overall survival rates were 95% and 76%. Biochemical failure rates per Phoenix definition at 5 and 10 years were 14% and 23%. The 10-year rate of disease-specific mortality was 6%. At 5 and 10 years, the rates of distant failure were 4% and 8%, respectively. The rates of local failure at 5 and 10 years were 2% at both time points.ConclusionsCombined modality treatment using HDR prostate brachytherapy leads to excellent long-term clinical outcomes in this prospective multi-institutional trial.

Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of radiotherapy plus cetuximab in high risk CSCC patients. Materials and Methods Patients with high-risk CSCC diagnosed between 2006 and 2013 were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: radiotherapy alone versus radiotherapy plus cetuximab. Among 68 patients meeting study criteria, we identified 29 treated with cetuximab plus RT and 39 with RT alone. Primary analysis examined disease-free and overall survival, freedom from local and distant recurrence in the propensity score matched cohort. Propensity score analysis was performed with weighted factors including: Charlson Comorbidity Index score, age. KPS, primary location, T and N stage, recurrent status, margin status, LVSI, PNI and grade. Toxicity was assessed using the CTCAE v4.0. Results Median follow-up for living patients was 30 months. Patients in the cetuximab group were more likely to have advanced N stage, positive margins and recurrent disease. After propensity score matching the groups were well balanced. Six patients experienced ≥ grade 3 acute toxicity in the cetuximab group. The 1-year, 2-year and 5-year progression free survival (PFS) for patients in the cetuximab group were 86%, 72% and 66%, respectively. The 1-year, 2-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) for patients in the cetuximab group was 98%, 80% and 80%, respectively. Conclusions Although limited by small numbers, the combination of cetuximab and radiotherapy in CSCC appears well tolerated there were more long-term survivors and less distant metastasis in the cetuximab group. These promising finding warrant further studies.

Purpose/Objective(s) Androgen suppression can improve outcomes when added to radiotherapy (RT) for intermediate risk prostate cancer, but no study to date has reported its utility in the context of contemporary, dose-escalated RT. Herein, the clinical outcomes of a phase III prospective trial evaluating the utility of total androgen suppression (TAS) combined with dose-escalated RT for patients with intermediate risk prostate cancer are reported. Materials/Methods Eligible patients had intermediate risk prostate cancer defined as harboring ≥ 1 of the following risk factors: clinical stage T2b-T2c, Gleason score 7, or PSA value > 10 and ≤ 20 ng/mL. Patients with all three risk factors and ≥ 50% of biopsy cores positive were ineligible. After stratification by number of intermediate risk factors (single vs. multiple), RT boost modality, and baseline comorbidity (ACE-27 comorbidity index ≥ vs. Results The study completed its accrual objective. Between 2009 and 2016, 1538 patients were randomized. There were 750 eligible patients on Arm 1 and 742 on Arm 2 comprising the modified intent-to-treat population. 67% had a single intermediate risk factor. 88% were treated with EBRT with the remainder receiving EBRT plus brachytherapy boost. 33% had an ACE-27 score ≥ grade 2. With a median follow up of 6.2 years, 219 deaths occurred, 119 in Arm 1 and 100 in Arm 2, yielding 5-year overall survival estimates of 90% vs. 91%, respectively [HR 0.85 (95% CI 0.65-1.11); P = 0.22]. 193 patients experienced PSA failure, 125 in Arm 1 and 68 in Arm 2 [HR 0.52 (0.39-0.70); P Conclusion While the addition of TAS to dose-escalated RT did not improve overall survival for men with intermediate risk prostate cancer, significant improvements in rates of metastases, deaths due to prostate cancer, and PSA failures support the continued use of combination dose-escalated RT and TAS. Benefits will need to be weighed against the increased risk of adverse events and the patient reported outcomes analysis.

Objectives: We reviewed testosterone changes for patients who were treated with radiation therapy (RT) alone on NRG oncology RTOG 9408. Methods and materials: Patients (T1b-T2b, prostate-specific antigen

Purpose To report the biochemical control rate and clinical outcomes with real-time inverse planning (inverse optimization prostate seed implant [IO-PSI]) for favorable-risk (FR) and intermediate-risk (IR) prostate adenocarcinoma in a community practice setting. This analysis is an extended followup of our initial report, with favorable early biochemical control rate (biochemical nonevidence of disease) of 97% at 4 years. Methods and Materials Three hundred fifty-seven evaluable patients with FR and IR prostate cancer underwent real-time IO-PSI (iodine-125/145 Gy or palladium-103/120 Gy) between 2001 and 2013. Results With a median followup of 54 months (range, 24–110 months), the absolute biochemical failure free survival of disease was 96%. The 8-year actuarial probability of prostate-specific antigen failure-free survival for FR and IR cohorts was 92.4% and 87%, respectively. Late genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity remained low. Late Grade 2 and Grade 3 genitourinary toxicity was 19% and 1%, respectively. Late Grade 2 and 3 rectal bleeding rates were 1% and 0%, respectively. No difference in biochemical control was observed with preimplant short course androgen deprivation or between Gleason score 3 + 4 vs. 4 + 3 patients. No dosimetric parameter was predictive of biochemical failure. Patients with FR had a significantly decreased risk of failure (hazard ratio = 0.26; 95% confidence interval = 0.09–0.78; p = 0.02) compared with those with IR. Patients with a prostate-specific antigen nadir >0.4 ng/mL had an increased risk of failure (hazard ratio = 1.37; 95% confidence interval = 1.27–1.47; p Conclusions Our initial biochemical and clinical outcomes using real-time IO-PSI persisted with extended followup and support our original hypothesis for use of a reduced number of sources, needles, and total activity, suggesting that with IO, less is more.

Head and neck cancers, including those of the lip and oral cavity, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, oropharynx, larynx and nasopharynx represent nearly 700,000 new cases and 380,000 deaths worldwide per annum, and account for over 10,000 annual deaths in the United States alone. Improvement in outcomes are needed for patients with recurrent and or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the first immunotherapeutic approvals – the anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab – for the treatment of patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) that is refractory to platinum-based regimens. The European Commission followed in 2017 with approval of nivolumab for treatment of the same patient population, and shortly thereafter with approval of pembrolizumab monotherapy for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC in adults whose tumors express PD-L1 with a ≥ 50% tumor proportion score and have progressed on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Then in 2019, the FDA granted approval for PD-1 inhibition as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic or unresectable, recurrent HNSCC, approving pembrolizumab in combination with platinum and fluorouracil for all patients with HNSCC and pembrolizumab as a single agent for patients with HNSCC whose tumors express a PD-L1 combined positive score ≥ 1. These approvals marked the first new therapies for these patients since 2006, as well as the first immunotherapeutic approvals in this disease. In light of the introduction of these novel therapies for the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer, The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) formed an expert committee tasked with generating consensus recommendations for emerging immunotherapies, including appropriate patient selection, therapy sequence, response monitoring, adverse event management, and biomarker testing. These consensus guidelines serve as a foundation to assist clinicians’ understanding of the role of immunotherapies in this disease setting, and to standardize utilization across the field for patient benefit. Due to country-specific variances in approvals, availability and regulations regarding the discussed agents, this panel focused solely on FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of patients in the U.S. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40425-019-0662-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: Combination treatment with radiotherapy can prime the immune system due and improve responses to PD-1 based immunotherapy. However, the optimal dose and schedule of combination therapy is still unclear. Although hypofractionated radiotherapy has been shown to be superior to traditional fractionation schedules, the immunostimulatory effects of this regimen may be limited by death of radiation sensitive T-cells. Here we examine the effects of heterogenous dose delivery on early T cell responses in a murine model of head and neck cancer. Methods: Dose delivery was validated for the SARRP irradiator using high spatial resolution radiochromic film absolute dosimetry. The nozzles size was selected to deliver either a uniform dose of 12 Gy or SORT using two abutted nozzles to deliver conventional (2Gy) and hypofractionated (12 Gy) dose regions. C3H/HeJ mice bearing SCCVII/SF xenografts (n=8/group) were irradiated with either a single fraction of a uniform dose of 12 Gy using the 1 × 1 cm2 nozzle to cover the entire tumor or SORT (2-12Gy) using 0.5 × 0.5 cm2 nozzle. To assess the effect on activation of T cells present within the tumor at the time of radiation, mice were sacrificed 24 hrs after treatment and the presence of T cell subsets and cytokines was determined by real-time PCR. Statistical differences were determined using a one-way ANOVA followed by a post-hoc Tukey T-Test. Results: Radiochromic film measurements indicated highly uniform dose profiles with sharp dose fall off region for 0.5 × 0.5 cm2 nozzle, allowing butting of high and low dose fields. Quantitative PCR revealed increases in CD8 gene expression in both treatment groups over sham-irradiated mice with a slight but significant increase in 2Gy-12Gy treated mice compared to mice treated with 12Gy (7 fold vs 5 fold). No statistical differences in FoxP3 gene expression were observed between the groups. Significant increases of IFN-γ gene expression were observed in SORT treated mice compared to mice irradiated with 12Gy. Mice treated with a uniform 12Gy dose showed a 13.75-fold increase in IFN-γ over sham irradiated mice. This increase was significantly larger in 2Gy-12Gy treated mice in which a mean 67 fold-difference over sham-irradiated mice was observed. In contrast, tumors treated with 12Gy had a significantly higher level of TGF-beta gene expression than mice treated with 12Gy-2GY compared to sham irradiated mice (10 fold vs 6 fold). Conclusion: Although increases in CD8 gene expression were observed in both treatment groups, this increase was not proportional to the large increase in IFN-γ observed in mice treated with a heterogenous dose, indicating enhanced T-cell survival and/or activation. Further study is needed to determine if early immune activation observed with heterogeneous dosing correlates to a sustained immune response and improved response to immunotherapy. Citation Format: Jennifer Mourtada, Adam Raben, James Keller, Neil Hockstien, Yan Yu, Bo Lu, Firas Mourtada. Early T cell responses are enhanced by heterogenous dose delivery in a murine model of head and neck cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Radiation Science and Medicine; 2021 Mar 2-3. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(8_Suppl):Abstract nr PO-047.

Purpose Although intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is increasingly used to treat locally advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), IMRT and three-dimensional conformal external beam radiation therapy (3D-CRT) have not been compared prospectively. This study compares 3D-CRT and IMRT outcomes for locally advanced NSCLC in a large prospective clinical trial. Patients and Methods A secondary analysis was performed to compare IMRT with 3D-CRT in NRG Oncology clinical trial RTOG 0617, in which patients received concurrent chemotherapy of carboplatin and paclitaxel with or without cetuximab, and 60- versus 74-Gy radiation doses. Comparisons included 2-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival, local failure, distant metastasis, and selected Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 3) ≥ grade 3 toxicities. Results The median follow-up was 21.3 months. Of 482 patients, 53% were treated with 3D-CRT and 47% with IMRT. The IMRT group had larger planning treatment volumes (median, 427 v 486 mL; P = .005); a larger planning treatment volume/volume of lung ratio (median, 0.13 v 0.15; P = .013); and more stage IIIB disease (30.3% v 38.6%, P = .056). Two-year OS, progression-free survival, local failure, and distant metastasis–free survival were not different between IMRT and 3D-CRT. IMRT was associated with less ≥ grade 3 pneumonitis (7.9% v 3.5%, P = .039) and a reduced risk in adjusted analyses (odds ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.171 to 0.986; P = .046). IMRT also produced lower heart doses ( P < .05), and the volume of heart receiving 40 Gy (V40) was significantly associated with OS on adjusted analysis ( P < .05). The lung V5 was not associated with any ≥ grade 3 toxicity, whereas the lung V20 was associated with increased ≥ grade 3 pneumonitis risk on multivariable analysis ( P = .026). Conclusion IMRT was associated with lower rates of severe pneumonitis and cardiac doses in NRG Oncology clinical trial RTOG 0617, which supports routine use of IMRT for locally advanced NSCLC.

In addition to inducing lethal DNA damage in tumor and stromal cells, radiation can alter the interactions of tumor cells with their microenvironment. Recent technological advances in planning and delivery of external beam radiotherapy have allowed delivery of larger doses per fraction (hypofractionation) while minimizing dose to normal tissues with higher precision. The effects of radiation on the tumor microenvironment vary with dose and fractionation schedule. In this review, we summarize the effects of conventional and hypofractionated radiation regimens on the immune system and tumor stroma. We discuss how these interactions may provide therapeutic benefit in combination with targeted therapies. Understanding the differential effects of radiation dose and fractionation can have implications for choice of combination therapies.

To update the outcomes of an institutional clinical management approach using ipsilateral neck radiotherapy in the treatment of node-positive squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil with a well-lateralized primary lesion.Between August 2003 and April 2014, 61 consecutive patients with ipsilateral node-positive squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil without involvement of the base of the tongue or midline soft palate were treated at a community hospital-based cancer center with radiotherapy to the primary site and ipsilateral neck. Overall survival, disease-free survival and freedom from contralateral failure were calculated.Median follow up was 37.2months (range 4-121months). Freedom from contralateral nodal failure at 5years was 98% with one contralateral nodal failure noted. The patient underwent a salvage neck dissection and was treated with post-operative radiotherapy with no evidence of disease to date. 5-year overall survival (OS) was 92.4% and 5year disease-free survival (DFS) was 86.7%.This represents the single largest series reported from a community hospital-based cancer center in which lateralized tonsil cancers with N+ disease were treated with ipsilateral neck radiotherapy. In this carefully selected cohort of patients with well-lateralized tonsil cancers, the risk of contralateral nodal failure appears to be5%, suggesting that prophylactic radiation of the contralateral neck may not be necessary. Future planned studies will focus on prospectively selecting subgroups of patients eligible for treatment de-intensification as survivorship issues in excellent prognosis HPV positive patients are increasingly becoming relevant.

Purpose We tested the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin plus accelerated fractionation with a concomitant boost (AFX-C) versus standard fractionation (SFX) in locally advanced head and neck carcinoma (LA-HNC). Patients and Methods Patients had stage III to IV carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx. Radiation therapy schedules were 70 Gy in 35 fractions over 7 weeks (SFX) or 72 Gy in 42 fractions over 6 weeks (AFX-C). Cisplatin doses were 100 mg/m2 once every 3 weeks for two (AFX-C) or three (SFX) cycles. Toxicities were scored by using National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria 2.0 and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier method and were compared by using the one-sided log-rank test. Locoregional failure (LRF) and distant metastasis (DM) rates were estimated by using the cumulative incidence method and Gray's test. Results In all, 721 of 743 patients were analyzable (361, SFX; 360, AFX-C). At a median follow-up of 7.9 years (range, 0.3 to 10.1 years) for 355 surviving patients, no differences were observed in OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.96; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.18; P = .37; 8-year survival, 48% v 48%), PFS (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.24; P = .52; 8-year estimate, 42% v 41%), LRF (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.38; P = .78; 8-year estimate, 37% v 39%), or DM (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.56 to 1.24; P = .16; 8-year estimate, 15% v 13%). For oropharyngeal cancer, p16-positive patients had better OS than p16-negative patients (HR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.42; P < .001; 8-year survival, 70.9% v 30.2%). There were no statistically significant differences in the grade 3 to 5 acute or late toxicities between the two arms and p-16 status. Conclusion When combined with cisplatin, AFX-C neither improved outcome nor increased late toxicity in patients with LA-HNC. Long-term high survival rates in p16-positive patients with oropharyngeal cancer support the ongoing efforts to explore deintensification.

To evaluate the lung and pelvic seed migration and intraprostatic dose variability for prostate seed implant (PSI) using bio-absorbable polymer "coated" seeds for intraoperative planning.A total of 100 PSI patients were initially implanted with uncoated I-125 (STM 1251 or I125-SL, N = 85) or Pd-103 (mod 200, N = 15) seeds, and 105 PSI patients were implanted subsequently with coated seeds using inverse optimization with real-time planning. Implant technique, average number of needles, and dose objectives remained identical among the cohorts.Day 30 postimplant comparison of seed migration demonstrated a significant reduction in overall lung and pelvic seed migration from 25% (uncoated) to 4% (coated) (p 0.0001). A measurable reduction in intraprostatic dose variability was observed in patients with the coated seeds when comparing 30 days dosimetry results for V100, V150, and D90 for prostate, and V110 for the rectum. A statistically significant reduction in the standard deviation from Day 0 to Day 30 for the above parameters for the prostate as well as for V110 of rectum was also observed. A significant improvement in implant quality at Day 30 was demonstrated using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) evaluation criteria range with the coated seeds cohort.PSI using coated seeds shows lower lung and pelvic seed migration compared with those using uncoated seeds and compares favorably to pelvic stranded seed migration reports. A higher concordance was observed with less dose variability in dosimetric parameters on Day 30 dosimetry compared with that on Day 0. Improvement in the implant quality was also observed using the RTOG criteria, suggesting reduced intraprostatic migration.

To analyze quality of life (QOL) and performance status (PS) for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated on NRG Oncology RTOG 0129 by treatment (secondary outcome) and p16 status, and to examine the association between QOL/PS and survival.Eligible patients were randomized into either an accelerated-fractionation arm or a standard-fractionation arm, and completed the Performance Status Scale for the Head and Neck (PSS-HN), the Head and Neck Radiotherapy Questionnaire (HNRQ), and the Spitzer Quality of Life Index (SQLI) at 8 time points from before treatment to 5 years after treatment.The results from the analysis of area under the curve showed that QOL/PS was not significantly different between the 2 arms from baseline to year after treatment (P ranged from .39 to .98). The results from general linear mixed models further supported the nonsignificant treatment effects until 5 years after treatment (P=.95, .90, and .84 for PSS-HN Diet, Eating, and Speech, respectively). Before treatment and after 1 year after treatment, p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients had better QOL than did p16-negative patients (P ranged from .0283 to.0001 for all questionnaires). However, QOL/PS decreased more significantly from pretreatment to the last 2 weeks of treatment in the p16-positive group than in the p16-negative group (P ranged from .0002 to.0001). Pretreatment QOL/PS was a significant independent predictor of overall survival, progression-free survival, and local-regional failure but not of distant metastasis (P ranged from .0063 to.0001).The results indicated that patients in both arms may have experienced similar QOL/PS. p16-positive patients had better QOL/PS at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up. Patients presenting with better baseline QOL/PS scores had better survival.

Favorable dosimetric results have been reported using intraoperative inverse optimization (IO) for permanent prostate brachytherapy. The clinical implications of these improvements in dosimetry are unclear. We review toxicity and early biochemical outcomes for patients implanted using IO technique.Between 2001 and 2007, 165 patients received permanent prostate implants using real-time IO and had/=3 months of followup. Dose constraints for inverse planning were: the prostate volume receiving 100% of the prescription dose [prostate V(100)] was95%; the dose received by 90% of the gland [prostate D(90)] was within the 140-180 by dose range; the volume of urethra receiving 150% of the prescription dose [urethra V(150)] was30%; and the volume of rectal wall receiving 110% of the prescription dose [rectal V(110)] was1.0 cc. Toxicity was prospectively scored using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group toxicity scale and the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire. Biochemical control was determined using the nadir + 2 ng/mL definition.Mean followup was 30 months (range, 6-63 months). Risk classification was low risk in 89% and intermediate risk in 11%. Iodine-125 sources were used for 161 implants and palladium-103 sources for four implants. The median number of seeds and total activity implanted were 61 and 999 MBq, respectively, for a median prostate volume of 33.6 cc. Late GU and GI morbidity was uncommon. Among patients with at least 24 months followup, 16% had persistent Grade 2-3 urinary morbidity. Grade 2 rectal bleeding occurred in 1 patient (0.6%). Biochemical failure has occurred in only 4 patients at last followup.IO technique for prostate brachytherapy is associated with low rates of late morbidity and excellent early biochemical control. Additionally, the number of seeds and total implanted activity required to achieve a high-quality implant are lower compared with historical controls.

Purpose To establish the safety and toxicity profile of daily gefitinib with radiation alone or with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in previously untreated patients with locally advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer (LAHNC). Patients and Methods Patients with intermediate-stage LAHNC were treated with concomitant boost radiation (RT) alone with escalating doses of daily gefitinib (250 or 500 mg; cohort I). Once a safety profile was determined with RT alone, patients with high-risk disease were then treated with daily gefitinib (250 or 500 mg), weekly cisplatin (CDDP; 30 mg/m2), and once-daily RT (cohort II). Patients also received post-RT gefitinib at 250 mg daily for a period of up to 2 years. Results Twenty-three patients were enrolled and assessable for toxicity. No dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were observed in patients treated in cohort I at either 250 or 500 mg of gefitinib daily with concomitant boost RT to 72 Gy. In patients receiving chemoradiotherapy and gefitinib (cohort II), DLTs included one grade 4 diarrhea and one grade 4 neutropenic fever. Fifteen patients started maintenance gefitinib, and eight (53%) experienced grade 1 to 2 acne-like skin rash and diarrhea, but no grade 3 or 4 toxicity occurred. Conclusion Gefitinib (250 or 500 mg daily) was well tolerated with concomitant boost RT or concurrent chemoradiotherapy with weekly CDDP. Protracted administration of gefitinib for up to 2 years at 250 mg daily was also tolerated well.

Comparison of inverse optimization (IO) to modified peripheral (MP) and geometric optimization (GO) intraoperative computer planning options for permanent seed implantation (PSI) of the prostate.One hundred ten patients underwent PSI with iodine-125. Three computer planning options were compared including MP loading, GO, and IO. Preimplant dose goals (prescribed dose [PD] of 144 Gy) and normal tissue constraints were determined at the outset by the participating physicians before intraoperative computer planning. A single computer planning system was used for this comparison. Postimplant dosimetry was performed at 4-5 weeks and compared for V(100) and D(90), urethral V(150), and rectal V(110) of the PD. Acute urinary morbidity was evaluated and compared.All three options achieved a similar preimplant median V(100) (97%). The median number of needles and seeds implanted was greater with GO (29, 75) compared to MP (16, 66) and IO (17, 66) (p0.0001 and p=0.0024, respectively). Postimplant dosimetry showed that IO achieved a higher percentage with V(100)95% of the PD in multivariate analysis (p=0.04) and a lower percentage postimplant D(90)140 Gy (7%) than for MP/GO (26%) (p = 0.01). IO predicted for lower urethral dose (p=0.0169), despite a higher median D(90) (169 Gy) than either MP (159 Gy) or GO (151 Gy) (p = 0.0025). The median percentage V(150) urethra for IO was 8% vs. 16% for MP and 23% for GO (p = 0.0005). With a median followup time of 6 months, acute Grade 2 urinary symptoms were higher with GO (81%) vs. MP (36%) and IO (53%) (p = 0.0019).Dosimetric outcomes for IO compare favorably to either MP or GO when performed in real time for PSI. In contrast to GO, IO and MP demonstrated excellent correlation between the intraoperative and postoperative plans while using fewer total and interior placed needles and seeds. IO appears feasible as an alternative intraoperative planning solution for PSI.

Purpose: To determine whether a computer-assisted target volume delineation (CAT) system using a deformable image registration approach can reduce the variation of target delineation among physicians with different head and neck (HN) IMRT experiences and reduce the time spent on the contouring process. Materials and Methods: We developed a deformable image registration method for mapping contours from a template case to a patient case with a similar tumor manifestation but different body configuration. Eight radiation oncologists with varying levels of clinical experience in HN IMRT performed target delineation on two HN cases, one with base-of-tongue (BOT) cancer and another with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), by first contouring from scratch and then by modifying the contours deformed by the CAT system. The gross target volumes were provided. Regions of interest for comparison included the clinical target volumes (CTVs) and normal organs. The volumetric and geometric variation of these regions of interest and the time spent on contouring were analyzed. Results: We found that the variation in delineating CTVs from scratch among the physicians was significant, and that using the CAT system reduced volumetric variation and improved geometric consistency in both BOT and NPC cases. The average timesaving when using the CAT system was 26% to 29% for more experienced physicians and 38% to 47% for the less experienced ones. Conclusions: A computer-assisted target volume delineation approach, using a deformable image-registration method with template contours, was able to reduce the variation among physicians with different experiences in HN IMRT while saving contouring time.

Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is associated with memory dysfunction. As part of NRG Oncology RTOG 0933, a phase II study of WBRT for brain metastases that conformally avoided the hippocampal stem cell compartment (HA-WBRT), memory was assessed pre- and post-HA-WBRT using both traditional and computerized memory tests. We examined whether the computerized tests yielded similar findings and might serve as possible alternatives for assessment of memory in multi-institution clinical trials. Adult patients with brain metastases received HA-WBRT to 30 Gy in ten fractions and completed Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R), CogState International Shopping List Test (ISLT) and One Card Learning Test (OCLT), at baseline, 2 and 4 months. Tests' completion rates were 52-53 % at 2 months and 34-42 % at 4 months. All baseline correlations between HVLT-R and CogState tests were significant (p ≤ 0.003). At baseline, both CogState tests and one component of HVLT-R differentiated those who were alive at 6 months and those who had died (p ≤ 0.01). At 4 months, mean relative decline was 7.0 % for HVLT-R Delayed Recall and 18.0 % for ISLT Delayed Recall. OCLT showed an 8.0 % increase. A reliable change index found no significant changes from baseline to 2 and 4 months for ISLT Delayed Recall (z = -0.40, p = 0.34; z = -0.68, p = 0.25) or OCLT (z = 0.15, p = 0.56; z = 0.41, p = 0.66). Study findings support the possibility that hippocampal avoidance may be associated with preservation of memory test performance, and that these computerized tests also may be useful and valid memory assessments in multi-institution adult brain tumor trials.

Background Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is associated with coronary heart disease and diabetes in men with prostate cancer (PCa); however, controversy exists regarding ADT and cardiovascular mortality (CVM) with limited data for lower risk disease. Objective We conducted a hypothesis-generating retrospective analysis to evaluate the relationship between short-course ADT and CVM in patients with clinically localized PCa enrolled in a phase III trial. Design, setting, and participants A total of 1979 men with clinically localized (T1b–2b, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] Outcome measurements and statistical analysis The Cox proportional hazards model assessed overall survival. The Fine-Gray proportional hazards model assessed disease-specific survival (DSS) and CVM. Covariates included age, race, weight, baseline cardiovascular disease, baseline diabetes, baseline hypertension, Gleason score, T stage, and PSA. Results and limitations Short-course ADT improved overall survival and DSS and was not associated with an increased risk of CVM. Overall, 191 cardiovascular-related deaths were observed. At 10 yr, 83 patients (cumulative incidence rate: 10%) receiving RT and ADT versus 95 patients (cumulative incidence rate: 11%) receiving RT alone experienced CVM. The treatment arm was not associated with increased CVM (unadjusted hazard ratio: 1.07; confidence interval, 0.81–1.42; p =0.62). Increased CVM was not observed in patients at low risk of PCa death or at high risk of cardiac-related death. Conclusions Data from patients enrolled in RTOG 94-08 support the hypothesis that ADT does not increase CVM risk in men with clinically localized PCa treated with short-course GnRH agonist therapy. These data support ADT use in settings with proven survival benefit. Patient summary We investigated the controversial relationship between hormone therapy and cardiovascular mortality in men with prostate cancer (PCa) treated with radiation in a large randomized trial. Our data suggest that hormone therapy does not increase the risk of cardiovascular death in patients with clinically localized PCa and support the use of such therapy in settings with proven survival benefit.

To compare dosimetric outcomes between two real-time prostate seed implantation (PSI) techniques to evaluate the impact of three-dimensional (3D) intraoperative computer planning on target coverage, conformality, and preset urethral and rectal dose constraints.One hundred and fourteen patients with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent ultrasound-guided transperineal PSI of the prostate with (125)I sources as monotherapy. From 1999 to 2001, 69 patients were implanted in real-time using a standard look-up nomogram (Group 1: NG-PSI). All patients were implanted with a modified peripheral loading technique in which 75-80% of the calculated total activity was delivered to the gland periphery, with the remaining 20-25% activity placed in the gland interior, to achieve a prescribed dose (PD) of 144 Gy to cover the gland with acceptable homogeneity. No preoperative or intraoperative planning was performed to set dose constraints to the urethra or anterior rectal wall. Dosimetric outcome from this group was compared with 45 patients subsequently implanted after 2001 using an intraoperative 3D computer planning system (Group 2: 3D-PSI). A similar modified peripheral loading technique was used as an option in the planning system. Preoperative dose constraints were placed on the urethra (V15035%), prostate (V10095% of PD; D90: 140-180 Gy), and rectal wall (V1101.5 cc) with real-time dosimetric feedback performed after peripheral loading. Manual dose optimization was performed to determine interior needle position and remaining number and placement of (125)I sources to adhere to urethral and rectal constraints and target coverage goals. Both groups underwent postimplant CT analysis to determine dosimetric outcome with regard toV100(prostate), D90(prostate), V150(urethra), and V110(rectum). Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine variables impacting on dosimetric outcome.Analysis of preimplant and postimplant variables demonstrated no difference in the median preimplant gland volume (33 cc vs. 35 cc; p = 0.31), median mCi/seed strengths (0.4 vs. 0.45 mCi; p = 0.23), median V100 (94% vs. 94%), or median D90 at postimplant Day 30 (165 Gy vs. 160 Gy; p = 0.26) between Groups 1 and 2. However, for Group 2 (3D-PSI) the median total mCi implanted (26 vs. 33 mCi; p0.0001) and the median number of seeds implanted (67 vs. 83; p0.0001) were reduced substantially. The percent of patients exceeding a D90180 Gy was reduced from 29% in Group 1 to 16% in Group 2 (p = 0.08). A reduction was observed in the percent of patients receiving a D90140 Gy (14% Group 1 vs. 9% Group 2, p = 0.56). The median V150(urethra) for Group 2 was reduced dramatically with 3D-PSI compared with NG-PSI (63% vs. 17%; p0.0001). A V150(urethra)30% was observed in 88% in Group 1 compared with 29% in Group 2, p0.0001. Similarly, the median V110(rectum) for Group 1 was significantly higher than that in Group 2 (1.93 vs. 0.26 cc; p0.0001). The percent of patients with V110(rectum)1.5 cc in Group 1 and Group 2 was 57% and 13%, respectively (p0.0001).The adoption of 3D computer intraoperative dose planning and optimization for prostate seed implantation resulted in dramatic reductions in urethral and rectal wall doses, while consistently producing excellent target coverage with reduced dose variability above 180 Gy and below 140 Gy, compared with the use of a standard look-up nomogram. Additionally, the reduction in total mCi and number of seeds needed to achieve improved conformality was substantial and may have implications for cost savings.

Purpose: Large setup variability has been observed for prone breast patients due to rotation error. To reduce this uncertainty, we propose a novel implementation of isocentric prone breast method on Elekta linac with couch move assistant (CMA) and on-line KV CBCT. Methods: Daily CBCT is used to evaluate the prone breast patient positioning uncertainty of proposed isocentric technique against our routine manual clinical setup. Clinical setup involves a manual AP shift from the ipsilateral torso tattoos (2PT) to the treatment iso directly underneath and SSD and flash check. While the proposed isocentric prone breast method features an additional contralateral leveling tattoo positioned at mid-level of torso during CT simulation to determine correct patient obliqueness, and an automatic couch shift using Elekta CMA to correct both known distance from 2PT to the iso and daily setup uncertainty. Summary statistics were calculated for a cohort of prone breast patients from our clinic (n=5), and will be updated as more patients get administrated. Results: Small field of view partial CBCT acquisition is optimized to achieve clearance and minimize nominal imaging dose to 0.6cGy per scan to a 16cm phantom. Routine clinical setup uncertainty is 0.3±0.2cm, 0.7±0.4cm and 0.4±0.3cm in S/I, L/R and A/P respectively. Using the isocentric prone breast method, the setup uncertainty could be reduced to 0±0.3cm, 0.3±0.4cm and 0.1±0.3cm if the average couch shift in the 1st week of treatment is applied by CMA to the rest of treatment days. The uncertainty could be further reduced to 0.3±0.1cm, 0±0.1cm and 0±0.2cm with additional contralateral leveling tattoo. The improvement in precision is found to be statistically significant (p

Importance The role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition in chemoradation strategies in the nonoperative treatment of patients with esophageal cancer remains uncertain. Objective To evaluate the benefit of cetuximab added to concurrent chemoradiation therapy for patients undergoing nonoperative treatment of esophageal carcinoma. Design, Setting, and Participants A National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored, multicenter, phase 3, randomized clinical trial open to patients with biopsy-proven carcinoma of the esophagus. The study accrued 344 patients from 2008 to 2013. Interventions Patients were randomized to weekly concurrent cisplatin (50 mg/m 2 ), paclitaxel (25 mg/m 2 ), and daily radiation of 50.4 Gy/1.8 Gy fractions with or without weekly cetuximab (400 mg/m 2 on day 1 then 250 mg/m 2 weekly). Main Outcomes and Measures Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint, with a study designed to detect an increase in 2-year OS from 41% to 53%; 80% power and 1-sided α = .025. Results Between June 30, 2008, and February 8, 2013, 344 patients were enrolled. This analysis used all data received at NRG Oncology through April 12, 2015. Sixteen patients were ineligible, resulting in 328 evaluable patients, 159 in the experimental arm and 169 in the control arm. Patients were well matched between the treatment arms for patient and tumor characteristics: 263 (80%) with T3 or T4 disease, 215 (66%) N1, and 62 (19%) with celiac nodal involvement. Incidence of grade 3, 4, or 5 treatment-related adverse events at any time was 71 (46%), 35 (23%), or 6 (4%) in the experimental arm and 83 (50%), 28 (17%), or 2 (1%) in the control arm, respectively. A clinical complete response (cCR) rate of 81 (56%) was observed in the experimental arm vs 92 (58%) in the control arm (Fisher exact test, P = .66). No differences were seen in cCR between treatment arms for either histology (adenocarcinoma or squamous cell). Median follow-up for all patients was 18.6 months. The 24- and 36-month local failure for the experimental arm was 47% (95% CI, 38%-57%) and 49% (95% CI, 40%-59%) vs 49% (95% CI, 41%-58%) and 49% (95% CI, 41%-58%) for the control arm (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.66-1.28; P = .65). The 24- and 36-month OS rates for the experimental arm were 45% (95% CI, 37%-53%) and 34% (95% CI, 26%-41%) vs 44% (95% CI, 36%-51%) and 28% (95% CI, 21%-35%) for the control arm (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.70-1.16; P = .47). Conclusions and Relevance The addition of cetuximab to concurrent chemoradiation did not improve OS. These phase 3 trial results point to little benefit to current EGFR-targeted agents in an unselected patient population, and highlight the need for predictive biomarkers in the treatment of esophageal cancer. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00566852

Purpose National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) receive treatment at centers with expertise, but whether provider experience affects survival is unknown. Patients and Methods The effect of institutional experience on overall survival (OS) in patients with stage III or IV HNC was investigated within a randomized trial of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG 0129), which compared cisplatin concurrent with standard versus accelerated fractionation radiotherapy. As a surrogate for experience, institutions were classified as historically low- (HLACs) or high-accruing centers (HHACs) based on accrual to 21 RTOG HNC trials (1997 to 2002). The effect of accrual volume on OS was estimated by Cox proportional hazards models. Results Median RTOG accrual (1997 to 2002) at HLACs was four versus 65 patients at HHACs. Analysis included 471 patients in RTOG 0129 (2002 to 2005) with known human papillomavirus and smoking status. Patients at HLACs versus HHACs had better performance status (0: 62% v 52%; P = .04) and lower T stage (T4: 26.5% v 35.3%; P = .002) but were otherwise similar. Radiotherapy protocol deviations were higher at HLACs versus HHACs (18% v 6%; P < .001). When compared with HHACs, patients at HLACs had worse OS (5 years: 51.0% v 69.1%; P = .002). Treatment at HLACs was associated with increased death risk of 91% (hazard ratio [HR], 1.91; 95% CI, 1.37 to 2.65) after adjustment for prognostic factors and 72% (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.40) after radiotherapy compliance adjustment. Conclusion OS is worse for patients with HNC treated at HLACs versus HHACs to cooperative group trials after accounting for radiotherapy protocol deviations. Institutional experience substantially influences survival in locally advanced HNC.

Importance Tadalafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer treatment, but its role as a preventive agent is undefined. Objectives To determine primarily whether tadalafil preserved erectile function in men treated with radiotherapy for prostate cancer, and secondarily to determine whether participant- or partner-reported overall sexual function and sexual and marital satisfaction were affected. Design, Setting, and Participants Stratified, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study with 1:1 randomization at 76 community-based and tertiary medical sites in the United States and Canada. Two hundred forty-two participants with intact erectile function scheduled to receive radiotherapy for prostate cancer were recruited between November 2009 and February 2012 with follow-up through March 2013. Interventions One hundred twenty-one participants were assigned 5 mg of tadalafil daily and 121 were assigned placebo for 24 weeks starting with external radiotherapy (63%) or brachytherapy (37%). Participant-reported International Index of Erectile Function response before radiotherapy and at weeks 2 and 4, between weeks 20 and 24, between weeks 28 and 30, and 1 year thereafter. Participants and partners could respond also to the Sexual Adjustment Questionnaire and to the Locke Marital Adjustment Test before radiotherapy, between weeks 20 and 24 and weeks 28 and 30, and at 1 year. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcome was off-drug spontaneous erectile function 28 to 30 weeks after radiotherapy started. Secondary end points were spontaneous erection at 1 year; overall sexual function and satisfaction; marital adjustment; and partner-reported satisfaction and marital adjustment at 28 to 30 weeks and 1 year, predictors of tadalafil response; and adverse events. Results Among 221 evaluable participants, 80 (79%; 95% CI, 70%-88%) assigned to receive tadalafil retained erectile function between weeks 28 and 30 compared with 61 (74%; 95% CI, 63%-85%) assigned to receive placebo ( P = .49); an absolute difference of 5% (95% CI, −9% to 19%). A significant difference was also not observed at 1 year (72%; 95% CI, 60%-84% vs 71%; 95% CI, 59%-84%; P = .93). Tadalafil was not associated with significantly improved overall sexual function or satisfaction; a significant difference was not observed in any domain subscale. Partners of men assigned tadalafil noted no significant effect on sexual satisfaction, and marital adjustment was not significantly improved in participants or partners. Conclusions and Relevance Among men undergoing radiotherapy for prostate cancer, daily use of tadalafil compared with placebo did not result in improved erectile function. These findings do not support daily use of tadalafil to prevent erectile dysfunction in these patients. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00931528

A multileaf collimator (MLC)-based intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) program was implemented successfully at Monmouth Medical Center, a community hospital at Long Branch, New Jersey. Our clinical experience gained in the treatment of over 80 patients using IMRT for prostate, head and neck, and brain is reviewed, and some of the clinical issues are also, discussed. Implementation of the IMRT requires a treatment planning system, computer-controlled beam-shaping aperture, electronic record and verify system, and a good physics quality assurance program. These components, by grouping them efficiently, have created a seamless workflow for our complete radiotherapy process of IMRT. Each of these radiotherapy processes are discussed for clarity and the clinical importance is also evaluated. Of particular interest is inverse treatment planning that will impact treatment delivery such as beam orientation, treatment ports, and organ motion of IMRT. A checklist for physics and departmental quality assurance is suggested, with the intention of providing systematic workflow, making IMRT feasible at a community medical center setting. This is especially important because most of our cancer patients received radiation therapy locally. Lastly, the reimbursement issue affecting the implementation of IMRT at our medical center is also discussed to justify this new treatment protocol for future clinical outcomes.

Purpose/Objective: This study evaluates the dosimetric benefits and feasibility of a deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) technique in the treatment of lung tumors. The technique has two distinct features—deep inspiration, which reduces lung density, and breath-hold, which immobilizes lung tumors, thereby allowing for reduced margins. Both of these properties can potentially reduce the amount of normal lung tissue in the high-dose region, thus reducing morbidity and improving the possibility of dose escalation. Methods and Materials: Five patients treated for non-small cell lung carcinoma (Stage IIA-IIIB) received computed tomography (CT) scans under 4 respiration conditions: free-breathing, DIBH, shallow inspiration breath-hold, and shallow expiration breath-hold. The free-breathing and DIBH scans were used to generate 3-dimensional conformal treatment plans for comparison, while the shallow inspiration and expiration scans determined the extent of tumor motion under free-breathing conditions. To acquire the breath-hold scans, the patients are brought to reproducible respiration levels using spirometry, and for DIBH, modified slow vital capacity maneuvers. Planning target volumes (PTVs) for free-breathing plans included a margin for setup error (0.75 cm) plus a margin equal to the extent of tumor motion due to respiration (1–2 cm). Planning target volumes for DIBH plans included the same margin for setup error, with a reduced margin for residual uncertainty in tumor position (0.2–0.5 cm) as determined from repeat fluoroscopic movies. To simulate the effects of respiration-gated treatments and estimate the role of target immobilization alone (i.e., without the benefit of reduced lung density), a third plan is generated from the free-breathing scan using a PTV with the same margins as for DIBH plans. Results: The treatment plan comparison suggests that, on average, the DIBH technique can reduce the volume of lung receiving more than 25 Gy by 30% compared to free-breathing plans, while respiration gating can reduce the volume by 18%. The DIBH maneuver was found to be highly reproducible, with intra breath-hold reproducibility of 1.0 (± 0.9) mm and inter breath-hold reproducibility of 2.5 (± 1.6) mm, as determined from diaphragm position. Patients were able to perform 10–13 breath-holds in one session, with a comfortable breath-hold duration of 12–16 s. Conclusion: Patients tolerate DIBH maneuvers well and can perform them in a highly reproducible fashion. Compared to conventional free-breathing treatment, the DIBH technique benefits from reduced margins, as a result of the suppressed target motion, as well as a decreased lung density; both contribute to moving normal lung tissue out of the high-dose region. Because less normal lung tissue is irradiated to high dose, the possibility for dose escalation is significantly improved.

Background There are several management options for patients with squamous cell cancer of the base of tongue. We have had an interest in using primary radiotherapy with or without neck dissection, in an effort to provide optimal oncologic as well as functional outcomes. Methods From 1981 to 1995, 68 patients with primary squamous cell cancer of the base of tongue were managed with primary radiotherapy, with neck dissection added for those who were initially seen with palpable lymph node metastases. Ages ranged from 35 to 77 years (median age, 55 years). There were 59 men and 9 women. T Stage distribution was: T1, 17; T2, 32; T3, 17; T4, 2. Fifty-eight patients (85%) were initially seen with nodal metastases. Initial treatment generally involved external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to the primary site and upper neck (54 Gy) and to the low neck (50 Gy). A 192-Ir brachytherapy boost (20–30 Gy) to the base of tongue was done about 3 weeks later, at the same anesthesia used for the neck dissection. All patients had temporary tracheostomy. Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 151 months (median, 36 months). Nine patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy as part of a larynx-preservation protocol. Results Actuarial 5- and 10-year local control is 89% and 89%, distant metastasis free survival is 91% and 76%, diseasefree survival is 80% and 67%, and overall survival is 86% and 52%, respectively. Complications occurred in 16%. Conclusions Our long term data clearly demonstrate that primary radiotherapy produces excellent oncologic outcomes. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 20: 668–673, 1998.

Background Our study is a prospective evaluation of unresectable malignant cancers of the head and neck treated with concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) using delayed accelerated fractionation (concomitant boost). Methods Between January 1988 and March 1995, 82 patients with unresectable cancers of the head and neck were enrolled in this phase II study. Of these, 52 patients were treated and followed for a minimum of 3 years and are the subject of this analysis. All patients had T4 lesions and were stage IV according to the American Joint Committee on Staging Criteria (AJCC). Patients received RT with accelerated fractionation to a total of 70 Gy in 6 weeks using a concomitant-boost technique. Concomitant cis platin (100 mg/M2) was given on days 1 and 22 of RT. Twenty-seven patients received mitomycin-C (7.5 mg/M2) on days 1 and 22, and 1 patient received mitomycin-C on day 1. In addition, 27 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy with cis platin and vinblastine. The mean follow-up was 45 months (range, 36–72 months). The minimum follow-up for surviving patients is 3 years. Results At 3 years, the local control rate was 58%. Three-year local control rates for paranasal sinus, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and larynx/hypopharynx were 78%, 78%, 64%, and 100%, respectively. For all patients, the distant-metastasis-free survival was 56%, and the overall survival rate was 36%. Patients with oral cavity cancers experienced worse overall survival versus other sites, 0% versus 47% (p = .03). Salivary cancers also showed worse survival versus other sites, 0% versus 47%, but was not statistically significant. Severe acute complications occurred in 34% of patients. Treatment-related toxicity also resulted in the death of 2 patients. Severe late complications occurred in 7% of patients. Conclusions Treatment of this poor prognostic group of patients with aggressive chemotherapy and RT produced surprisingly good local control and survival. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck20: 497–503, 1998.