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Item does not contain fulltext INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to identify subgroups of locally advanced NSCLC patients with a distinct treatment response during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Subsequently, we investigated the association of subgroup membership with treatment outcomes. METHODS: 394 NSCLC-patients treated with CCRT between 2007 and 2013 were included. Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) during treatment was determined and relative GTV-volume change from the planning-CT was subsequently calculated. Latent Class Mixed Modeling (LCMM) was used to identify subgroups with distinct volume changes during CCRT. The association of subgroup membership with overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and local regional control (LRC) was assessed using cox regression analyses. RESULTS: Three subgroups of GTV-volume change during treatment were identified, with each subsequent subgroup showing a more profound reduction of GTV during treatment. No associations between subgroup membership and OS, PFS nor LRC were observed. Nonetheless, baseline GTV (HR1.42; 95%CI 1.06-1.91) was significantly associated with OS. CONCLUSIONS: Three different subgroups of GTV-volume change during treatment were identified. Surprisingly, these subgroups did not differ in their risk of treatment outcomes. Only patients with a larger GTV at baseline had a significantly worse OS. Therefore, risk stratification at baseline might already be accurate in identifying the best treatment strategy for most patients.

Item does not contain fulltext BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: (Chemo)Radiotherapy for locally advanced non-small lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) causes severe dysphagia due to the radiation dose to the mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Reducing the dose to the mediastinum and the margins to the planning target volume (PTV) might reduce severe toxicity rates. The results of both adaptations in LA-NSCLC patients receiving (chemo)radiotherapy were analysed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 308 LA-NSCLC patients were included in an observational study. Both cohorts received hypofractionated RT (24 × 2.75 Gy) of 70 Gy (EQD2(10)) to the primary tumour. The reference-cohort (N = 170) received the same dose of 70 Gy (EQD2(10)) to the involved lymph nodes, while the reduction-cohort (N = 138) received 24 × 2.42 Gy, biologically equivalent to 60 Gy (EQD2(10)). Furthermore, the patient-specific PTV-margins for both the primary tumour and lymph nodes were reduced by 2-3 mm in the reduction-cohort after implementing a carina based correction strategy. The effects on toxicity, regional failure and overall survival (OS) were assessed. RESULTS: The acute grade 3 (G3) dysphagia and G3 pulmonary toxicity decreased significantly from 12.9% to 3.6% and 4.1% versus 0%, respectively. The regional failures were comparable: 5.9% versus 4.3% (p = 0.546). The median OS was significantly different: 26 months (reference-cohort) versus 35 months (reduction-cohort). After correction for confounders, the association between the reduction-cohort and OS remained significant (HR 0.63 versus HR 0.70). CONCLUSION: A reduction in PTV-margins and dose from 70 Gy to 60 Gy to the involved lymph nodes in LA-NSCLC patients receiving (chemo)radiotherapy did not result in an increase in regional failures. Moreover, significantly lower acute toxicities and an improved OS were observed in the reduction-cohort.

Introduction: To compare neurocognitive functioning in patients with SCLC who received prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) with or without hippocampus avoidance (HA).Methods: In a multicenter, randomized phase 3 trial (NCT01780675), patients with SCLC were randomized to standard PCI or HA-PCI of 25 Gy in 10 fractions. Neuropsychological tests were performed at baseline and 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months after PCI. The primary end point was total recall on the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised at 4 months; a decline of at least five points from baseline was considered a failure. Secondary end points included other cognitive outcomes, evaluation of the incidence, location of brain metastases, and overall survival.Results: From April 2013 to March 2018, a total of 168 patients were randomized. The median follow-up time was 26.6 months. In both treatment arms, 70% of the patients had limited disease and baseline characteristics were well balanced. Decline on the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised total recall score at 4 months was not significantly different between the arms: 29% of patients on PCI and 28% of patients on HA-PCI dropped greater than or equal to five points (p = 1.000). Performance on other cognitive tests measuring memory, executive function, attention, motor function, and processing speed did not change significantly different over time between the groups. The overall survival was not significantly different (p = 0.43). The cumulative incidence of brain metastases at 2 years was 20% (95% confidence interval: 12%-29%) for the PCI arm and 16% (95% confidence interval: 7%-24%) for the HA-PCI arm.Conclusions: This randomized phase 3 trial did not find a lower probability of cognitive decline in patients with SCLC receiving HA-PCI compared with conventional PCI. No increase in brain metastases at 2 years was observed in the HA-PCI arm. (C) 2021 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Contains fulltext : 220483.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work is to assess the validity of real world data (RWD) derived from an electronic toxicity registration (ETR). As a showcase, the NTCP-models of acute esophageal toxicity (AET) for concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) for NSCLC patients were used to validate the ETR of AET before/after dose de-escalation to the mediastinal lymph nodes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and one patients received 24 × 2.75 Gy and 116 patients received de-escalated dose of 24 × 2.42 Gy to the mediastinal lymph nodes. The validity and completeness of the ETR was analyzed. The grade ≥2 AET probability was defined according the V50 Gy and V60 Gy NTCP-models from literature. Validity of the models was assessed by calibration and discrimination. Furthermore, sensitivity and specificity for different cut-off points were determined. RESULTS: The compliance of ETR was 73-80%, with sensitivity and specificity rates of 83% and 86% for grade ≥2 AET, respectively. Discrimination of both NTCP-models demonstrated a moderate accuracy (V50 model, AUC 0.71; V60-model, AUC 0.69). Dose de-escalation did not influence the accuracy of the V50-model; AUC before: 0.69, and AUC after: 0.71. For the V60-model the model-accuracy decreased after dose de-escalation; AUC before: 0.72 and AUC after: 0.62, respectively. CONCLUSION: RWD is a useful method to audit NTCP models in clinical practice. The NTCP models to predict AET in NSCLC patients showed moderate predictive accuracy. For clinical practice, the V50Gy seems to be most stable for dose de-escalation without compromising safety and efficacy.

Purpose: To compare neurocognitive functioning in Small Cell Lung Cancer patients(SCLC) who received prophylactic cranial irradiation(PCI) with or without hippocampus avoidance (HA). Material and Methods: In a multicenter randomized phase III trial (NCT01780675) patients with SCLC were randomized to standard PCI (25 Gy /10 fractions) or HA-PCI. Neuropsychological tests were performed at baseline and 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 months after PCI. The primary endpoint was total recall on the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test- Revised(HVLT-R) at 4 months; a decline of at least 5 points from baseline was considered a failure. Secondary endpoints included other cognitive outcomes, evaluation of the incidence and location of brain metastases and overall survival(OS). Results: From April 2013 until March 2018 a total of 168 patients were randomized. The median follow-up time was 26 .6 months. In both treatment arms 70% of patients had limited disease and baseline characteristics were well balanced. Decline on the HVLT-R total recall score at 4 months was not significantly different between the arms: 29% of PCI patients dropped ≥5 points and 28% of HA-PCI patients (p=1.000). Performance on other cognitive tests measuring memory, executive function, attention, motor function and processing speed did not change significantly different over time between the groups. The OS was not significantly different. The cumulative incidence of brain metastases at 2 years was 20% (95% CI: 12% - 29%) for the PCI arm and 16% (95% CI: 7% - 24%) for the HA-PCI arm. Conclusion: This randomized phase III trial did not show lower probability of cognitive decline in SCLC patients receiving hippocampus avoidance PCI compared to conventional PCI. No increase in brain metastases at 2 years was observed in the HA- PCI arm. Trial Registration: NCT01780675 Funding Statement: Maarten Lambrecht Speaker’s fee AstraZeneca, all others No Funding. Declaration of Interests: YL reports personal fees from Astra-Zeneca and RaySearch outside the context of the submitted work. All other authors have nothing to declare. Ethics Approval Statement: This trial (NCT01780675) was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Netherlands Cancer Institute.

Objective: Multicenter randomized phase III trial (NCT01780675) to investigate memory functioning and safety after PCI with or without hippocampus sparing in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) (25 Gy/ 10 fractions) using the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R). We here report on the differences between localized (stage I-III) vs. metastatic (stage IV) patients. Methods: Primary endpoint: decline in HVLT-R total recall at 4 months. Decline of 5 or more out of a possible 36 points was considered a failure. Results: 168 patients were randomized. Median follow-up: 24.6 months. Median age: 64 years, 51% female, performance score WHO 0-1: 93%. Stage distribution: 70% localized, 30% metastatic. Localized disease: at 4 months, 27 % in both treatment arms had a decline of ≥ 5 points of HVLT-R total recall (p=1.00); at 8 months: 34 % and 22 % in PCI and HA-PCI (p=0.40). Metastatic disease: at 4 months, 33 % in both treatment arms had a decline of ≥ 5 points (p=1.00); at 8 months: 33 % and 50 % in PCI and HA-PCI (p=1.00). No difference in the incidence of brain metastases between PCI and HA-PCI in localized or metastatic SCLC were observed. No patients developed isolated brain metastases in the hippocampal avoidance region. There were no statistically significant differences in the overall survival (OS) between PCI and HA-PCI, neither in localized, nor in metastatic disease. Conclusion: HA-PCI did not affect neuro-cognitive decline compared to standard PCI, both in localized and in metastatic SCLC. No increase in brain metastases was observed. Regular PCI remains the standard of care.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy has been associated with increased toxicity when delivered to patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer with a tumor within 2 cm of the proximal bronchial tree (PBT). We investigated noncancer deaths for these patients as related to gross tumor volume (GTV) proximity to the PBT, compared with peripheral tumors.We included 765 patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer who were treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy to a median of 3 × 18 Gy. Central tumors were treated with a risk-adapted (less-intense) schedule (mostly 8 fractions) in 55% of the patients in the first-centimeter group and 27% of the patients in the second-centimeter group. An average anatomy with contouring of PBT and organs at risk (OARs) was deformed onto each patient to obtain the distance of the GTV to the PBT and doses to OARs. Log-rank, 1-way analysis of variance, and Cox regressions were performed to assess differences in the first-centimeter, second centimeter, and peripheral groups and associations with noncancer deaths.The median overall survival was 42.7 months, the median noncancer death occurred in 57.3 months, and the median follow-up was 34.8 months. Noncancer death in the first-centimeter group (31 patients) was significantly different from noncancer death in the other groups, with a hazard ratio of 3.175 (P .001). Noncancer death in the second-centimeter group (71 patients) was not different from noncancer death in the peripheral group (P = .53). Doses to OARs were higher in the first- and second-centimeter groups than in the peripheral group for all OARs. High dose to the PBT was associated with noncancer death (D1%; hazard ratio, 1.006 GyPatients with a GTV in the first centimeter surrounding the PBT died more often from causes other than cancer compared with other patients. Noncancer death in patients with a GTV in the second centimeter, who partly received a risk-adapted schedule, was comparable to that in patients with a peripheral tumor.

Background and purpose: We externally validated a previously established multivariable normal-tissue complication probability (NTCP) model for Grade >= 2 acute esophageal toxicity (AET) after intensity-modulated (chemo-)radiotherapy or volumetric-modulated arc therapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.Materials and methods: A total of 603 patients from five cohorts (A-E) within four different Dutch institutes were included. Using the NTCP model, containing predictors concurrent chemoradiotherapy, mean esophageal dose, gender and clinical tumor stage, the risk of Grade >= 2 AET was estimated per patient and model discrimination and (re) calibration performance were evaluated.Results: Four validation cohorts (A, B, D, E) experienced higher incidence of Grade >= 2 AET compared to the training cohort (49.3-70.2% vs 35.6%; borderline significant for one cohort, highly significant for three cohorts). Cohort C experienced lower Grade >= 2 AET incidence (21.7%, p Conclusions: The NTCP model for AET prediction was successfully validated in three out of five patient cohorts (AUC >= 0.80). The model did not perform well in two cohorts, which included patients receiving substantially different treatment. Before applying the model in clinical practice, validation of discrimination and (re) calibration performance in a local cohort is recommended. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Objectives Patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are considered incurable and are mainly treated with palliative intent. This patient group has a poor overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). The purpose of this study was to investigate PFS and OS of NSCLC patients diagnosed with synchronous oligometastatic disease who underwent radical treatment of both intrathoracic disease and metastases. Materials and methods Patients with NSCLC and oligometastatic disease at diagnosis, who were treated with radical intent between 2008 and 2016, were included in this observational study. Treatment consisted of systemic treatment and radical radiotherapy or resection of the intrathoracic disease. Treatment of the metastases consisted of radical or stereotactic radiotherapy, surgical resection or radiofrequency ablation. Results and conclusions Ninety-one patients (52% men, mean age 60 years) in good performance status were included. Thirty-eight patients (42%) died during follow-up (median follow-up 35 months). The cause of dead was lung cancer in all patients, except one. Sixty-three (69%) patients developed recurrent disease. Eleven recurrences (17%) occurred within the irradiated area. For the whole group, the median PFS was 14 months (range 2–89, 95%CI 12–16) and the median OS was 32 months (range 3–89, 95%CI 25–39). The 1- and 2-year OS rates were 85% and 58% and the 1- and 2-year PFS rates were 55% and 27%, respectively. Radical local treatment of a selected group of NSCLC patients with good performance status presenting with synchronous oligometastatic disease resulted in favorable long-term PFS and OS.

To correlate radiotherapy (RT) dose to acute esophagitis (AE) by means of FDG-PET scans acquired after concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (cCRT) for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Patients treated with 24 × 2.75 Gy were selected on presence of a post-RT PET (PET(post)) scan acquired within 3 months after cCRT. The value of PET(post) in relation to AE was evaluated by comparing the mean esophageal SUV of the highest 50% (mathematical left angle bracket SUV(50%) mathematical right angle bracket) between gr2 and gr ≥ 2AE. The local dose on the esophagus wall was correlated to the SUV and modeled using a power-law fit. The Lyman-Kutcher-Burman (LKB) model was used to predict gr ≥ 2AE. The local dose-response relation was used in the LKB model to calculate the EUD. Resulting prediction accuracy was compared to D(mean), V(35), V(55) and V(60).Eighty-two patients were included (gr2 = 25, gr ≥ 2=57). The mathematical left angle bracket SUV(50%) mathematical right angle bracket ≥ was significantly higher for gr ≥ 2AE (2.2 vs. 2.6, p0.01). The LKB parameters (95% CI) were n = 0.130 (0.120-0.141), m = 0.25 (0.13-0.85) and TD(50) = 50.4 Gy (37.5-55.4), which resulted in improved predictability of AE compared to other predictors.Esophageal uptake of FDG post-cCRT reflects AE severity. Predictability of grade ≥ 2AE was improved by using the local dose-SUV response model, with narrow confidence intervals for the optimized LKB parameters.

Background and purpose Conebeam-CT (CBCT) guidance is often used for setup verification of lung cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to quantify intra-thoracic anatomical changes (ITACs) during the radiotherapy treatment and to hand over a decision support system to guide the radiation therapy technologist and radiation oncologist in prioritizing these changes. Materials and methods 1793 CBCT-scans of 177 lung cancer patients treated in 2010 in our institute with radical radiotherapy were evaluated. Our decision support system: "the Traffic Light Protocol", was retrospectively applied to these CBCT-scans. The protocol has four levels: red (immediate action before treatment), orange (action before next fraction), yellow (no action required) and green (no change). Results In 128 patients (72%), 210 ITACs were observed with a maximum level of red, orange and yellow in 12%, 36% and 24% respectively. Types of observed ITACs were, tumor regression (35%), tumor baseline shift (27%), changes in atelectasis (19%), tumor progression (10%), pleural effusion (6%) and infiltrative changes (3%). Conclusions ITACs have been observed in 72% of all lung cancer patients during the course of radical radiotherapy. The clinical relevance of the proposed ITAC classification in lung radiotherapy needs to be validated in a prospective analysis.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the dose-effect relation between acute esophageal toxicity (AET) and the dose-volume parameters of the esophagus after intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods One hundred thirty-nine patients with inoperable NSCLC treated with IMRT and concurrent chemotherapy were prospectively analyzed. The fractionation scheme was 66 Gy in 24 fractions. All patients received concurrently a daily dose of cisplatin (6 mg/m²). Maximum AET was scored according to Common Toxicity Criteria 3.0. Dose-volume parameters V5 to V70, D mean and D max of the esophagus were calculated. A logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the dose-effect relation between these parameters and grade ≥2 and grade ≥3 AET. The outcome was compared with the clinically used esophagus V35 prediction model for grade ≥2 after radical 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) treatment. Results In our patient group, 9% did not experience AET, and 31% experienced grade 1 AET, 38% grade 2 AET, and 22% grade 3 AET. The incidence of grade 2 and grade 3 AET was not different from that in patients treated with CCRT using 3DCRT. The V50 turned out to be the most significant dosimetric predictor for grade ≥3 AET ( P =.012). The derived V50 model was shown to predict grade ≥2 AET significantly better than the clinical V35 model ( P Conclusions For NSCLC patients treated with IMRT and concurrent chemotherapy, the V50 was identified as most accurate predictor of grade ≥3 AET. There was no difference in the incidence of grade ≥2 AET between 3DCRT and IMRT in patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy.

Background and purpose The aim of this study was to correlate clinical and dosimetric variables with acute esophageal toxicity (AET) following Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) with concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In addition, timeline of AET was reported. Material and methods 153 patients with locally advanced NSCLC treated with 66Gy/2.75Gy/24 fractions of radiotherapy and concurrent daily low dose cisplatin were selected. Medical records and treatments of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. Maximum AET grade ⩾2 and maximum grade 3 were the endpoints of this study. Dates for onset, maximum and recovery (to baseline) of AET were reported. Univariate and multivariate analysis were applied to correlate clinical, tumor, dosimetric and chemotherapy dose variables to AET grade ⩾2 and grade 3. Results AET grade 2 occurred in 37% and grade 3 in 20% of the patients. The median onset of AET was around day 15 for all grades. The median onset of the maximum grade was day 30 for both grades 2 and 3. The median duration was 43days for grade 1, 50days for grade 2 and >80days for grade 3. Of the grade 3 AET patients, 48% recovered within 3months. Esophagus V50, ethnic background, and the number of cisplatin administrations were significantly correlated with grade 3 AET. Conclusions For NSCLC patients treated with concurrent chemotherapy and IMRT A higher number of cisplatin administrations, non-Caucasian background and higher V50oes were associated with grade 3 AET. The median onset of AET grade 3 is 15days after the start of treatment, maximized at day 30, with a median duration of >80days.