Concurrent Radiochemotherapy with Vinorelbine plus Cisplatin or Carboplatin in Patients with Locally Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and an Increased Risk of Treatment Complications

BACKGROUND: In elderly patients, patients with multiple morbidities, and patients with a reduced general condition, the standard treatment of inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) consists of either chemotherapy or radiation therapy alone and is associated with an extremely poor prognosis. We therefore investigated the feasibility, toxicity, and efficacy of radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy using vinorelbine plus cisplatin or carboplatin in NSCLC patients at risk for treatment complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 33 patients (six women, 27 men, median age 65 years) with locally advanced, functionally inoperable pulmonary carcinomas, recurrent lung cancer or postoperative macroscopic residual tumors (R2) with an increased risk of treatment complications (WHO performance status 2/3; cardiac, renal or pulmonary failure; marked pretherapeutic weight loss; age between 71-75 years) received 12.5 mg of vinorelbine per m(2) body surface area (BSA) on days 1, 8, 15, 29, 36 and 43 plus either cisplatin 20 mg/m(2) BSA (ten patients) or carboplatin 70 mg/m(2) BSA (23 patients) on days 1-5 and 29-33 together with conventionally fractionated radiotherapy. The tumor regions were irradiated with doses of up to 63 Gy (90% isodose), and potentially affected lymph nodes received doses of up to 45.0 or 50.4 Gy (90% isodose). RESULTS: Briefly, 31 of 33 patients successfully completed radiation therapy and 26 received four cycles of vinorelbine plus at least two cycles of cisplatin or carboplatin. Hematotoxic side effects included grade III leukocytopenia (n = 8), grade III thrombocytopenia (n = 5), and grade IV thrombocytopenia (n = 2). Other side effects consisted of peripheral neuropathy grade III (n = 1) and esophagitis grade IV (n = 1). Severe pneumonitis did not occur. Six patients had pneumonia before radiochemotherapy. 21 patients (63%) exhibited a complete (n = 7) or partial response (n = 14) to chemoradiation. The twelve nonresponders had either stable (n = 9) or progressive disease (n = 3). The survival rates plus standard deviations were as follows: 1-year survival: 60 +/- 8%, 2-year survival: 36 +/- 9%, 3-year survival: 24 +/- 9%, median survival time: 17 months (5;29 months; 95% confidence interval [CI]), median progression-free survival: 11 months (9;13 months; 95% CI). The median follow-up time was 14 months. CONCLUSION: Conventionally fractionated radiochemotherapy with vinorelbine plus a platinum derivative is feasible in patients with NSCLC and increased risk of treatment complications. Compared to patient populations described in the literature, the survival rates achieved by concurrent radiochemotherapy appear to be better than those achieved with radiotherapy alone.     

Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy in Locally Advanced Gastric Carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Gastric carcinoma is characterized by a high rate of local recurrences and distant metastases and is often not resectable due to locally advanced stage. The aim of this study was to examine feasibility and effectiveness of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT) for locally advanced, primarily nonresectable gastric carcinoma and to achieve curative resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 21 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer located in cardia (n = 17) and corpus (n = 4; seven cT3; 14 cT4; 18 cN+; all cM0) with a median age of 61 years were scheduled to receive neoadjuvant RCT. Therapy consisted of a conventionally fractionated, conformal radiotherapy using the shrinking-field technique (1.8 Gy to 45 Gy + 5.4 Gy) and chemotherapy using cisplatin (20 mg/m(2), d1-5, 29-33), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; 800 mg/m(2), d1-5, 29-33) or paclitaxel (135 mg/m(2), d1, 29). 4-6 weeks after completion of RCT, surgery was performed whenever feasible. RESULTS: Hematologic toxicity was moderate with grade 3 leukopenia in 10/21 patients and grade 3 thrombopenia in 5/21 (CTC). Nonhematologic toxicities consisted of 5/21 cases of fever as well as one fungal sepsis. Following RCT, tumors were classified resectable in 16/21 patients (76%); 12/21 patients (58%) were operated on, 11/12 achieved clear margins (R0). Response was as follows: complete remission (CR) 3/21 (14%), partial remission 13/21 (62%), no change 3/21 (14%), systemic progressive disease (PD) 2/21 (10%). The median survival and the 2-year survival rates were 18 months and 42%, respectively, for the patients following R0 resections as compared to 10 months and 0% for the remaining patients (p = 0.035). Local control (4 years) for patients following R0 resection was 89%. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant RCT is feasible and locally highly effective but must be further investigated involving a higher number of patients.     

艾迪联合长春瑞滨加顺铂方案治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌疗效观察

目的观察和评价艾迪注射液联合长春瑞滨加顺铂方案（NP方案）治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的疗效和毒性。方法将我科近几年收治的52例晚期非小细胞肺癌患者随机分为联合治疗组和化疗组：联合治疗组采用艾迪注射液联合长春瑞滨加顺铂方案，化疗组采用长春瑞滨加顺铂方案（NP方案）。3周期化疗后进行疗效，毒性对比研究。结果联合治疗组和化疗组近期有效率分别为46％和42％，疾病进展时间（TTP）分别为6．8月和5.3月．中位生存时间分别为10．7月和9．4月，1年生存率分别为42％和38％。两组间比较差异均无显著性（P〉0．05）。联合治疗组在恶心、呕吐、骨髓抑制等毒性反应发生率方面低于化疗组，差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论艾迪注射液联合长春瑞滨加顺铂方案与NP方案相比．疗效相似，但毒性反应低于NP组，患者更易接受，可广泛用于临床。     

多西他赛联合顺铂同步放疗治疗非小细胞肺癌近期疗效观察

 目的 评价多西他赛联合顺铂同步放疗治疗不能手术切除的局部晚期非小细胞肺癌(non-small-cell lung cancer, NSCLC)的近期疗效和急性不良反应。方法 120例患者随机分为两组, 其中同步放化疗组60例, 采用多西他赛联合顺铂同步放疗。放疗采用6/15 MV X线, 每周照射5次, 每次200 cGy, 共治疗4周;有锁骨上淋巴结转移者, 给予X线和电子线混合照射至DT 60～66 Gy。在放疗开始后的1、8、15 d, 于放疗前4 h给予多西他赛20～25 mg/m², 顺铂 40 mg/m²化疗。单纯放疗组60例, 治疗方法与同步放化疗组的放疗方法相同。结果 同步放化疗组与单纯放疗组有效率分别为90.0％和70.0％(P<0.05);两组不良反应主要为骨髓抑制、胃肠道反应、放射性食管炎、放射性肺炎和肝功能受损等, 经处理后均可耐受, 差异无统计学意义。结论 多西他赛联合顺铂有放疗增敏作用, 较单纯放疗能够提高NSCLC近期疗效, 急性不良反应增加不明显。     

Radiation-induced oesophagitis in lung cancer patients

Background

Radiation-induced oesophagitis is a major side effect of concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A strong association between neutropenia and oesophagitis was previously shown, but external validation and further elucidation of the possible mechanisms are lacking.

Methods and patients

A total of 119 patients were included at two institutions. The concurrent group comprised 34?SCLC patients treated with concurrent carboplatin and etoposide, and concurrent chest irradiation, and 36?NSCLC patients with concurrent cisplatin and etoposide, and concurrent radiotherapy, while the sequential group comprised 49?NSCLC patients received sequential cisplatin and gemcitabine, and radiotherapy.

Results

Severe neutropenia was very frequent during concurrent chemoradiation (grade: 4 41.4%) and during induction chemotherapy in sequentially treated patients (grade?4: 30.6%), but not during radiotherapy (only 4% grade?1). In the concurrent group, the odds ratios of grade?3 oesophagitis vs. neutropenia were the following: grade?2 vs. grade?0/1: 5.60 (95% CI 1.55–20.26), p?=?0.009; grade?3 vs. grade?0/1: 10.40 (95% CI 3.19–33.95); p?=?0.0001; grade?4 vs. grade?0/1: 12.60 (95% CI 4.36–36.43); p?Conclusion We confirm that neutropenia is independently correlated with oesophagitis in concurrent chemoradiation, but that the susceptibility for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia is not associated with radiation-induced oesophagitis. Further studies focusing on the underlying mechanisms are thus warranted.     

Radiotherapy alone or radiochemotherapy with platin derivatives following transurethral resection of the bladder

Purpose

Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors influencing survival and bladder preservation after radiochemotherapy for bladder cancer following transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB)

Patients and Methods

At the University Hospital of Erlangen 333 patients with bladder cancer were treated with either radiotherapy alone (RT, n=128) or platin based radiochemotherapy (RCT, n=205) after TURB between 5/1982 and 5/1996. Two-hundred and eighty-two curative patients, with either muscle invasive or T1-high risk cancer, were analyzed. Median age was 66 years, median follow-up is 7.5 years. Uni- and multivariate analysis was performed for age, grade, R-status after initial TURB, T-category and treatment modality relevant to the endpoints initial response, survival and bladder preservation.

Results

Treatment related mortality was below 1%. Complete remissions were achieved at 57%, 70%, and 85% after RT or RCT with carbo- or cisplatin. This difference was multivariately significant. Further significant prognostic factors were pT-category and R-status. For all patients survival was 59% and 43% after 5 and 10 years. 79% of survivors could keep their own bladder. Five-year survival rates after RT alone, RCT with carbo- or cisplatin were 47%, 57%, and 69%, respectively. This was univariately significant. The only multivariately significant factor for survival and bladder preservation was the R-status after initial TURB.

Conclusions

Treatment of bladder cancer by TURB and RT/RCT is an alternative to primary cystectomy. The addition of chemotherapy leads to significantly more complete remissions and better survival. Initial TURB is recommended to be as radical as possible.     

氨磷汀配合紫杉醇和顺铂同步放化疗治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌的临床分析

目的观察氨磷汀联合同步放化疗治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌的疗效及对正常组织的保护作用与安全性。方法60例Ⅲa~Ⅲb期的非小细胞肺癌,随机分为两组,对照组(n=30例):同步放化疗,未使用氨磷汀预处理;治疗组(n=30例):同步放化疗,使用氨磷汀预处理(300 mg/m2.d-1)。化疗方案为紫杉醇(60 mg/m2)联合顺铂(30 mg/m2),放疗应用6MV X线,2 Gy/次,5次/周,总剂量50~60Gy。治疗期间评价血细胞变化、食管炎、急性肺毒性及近期疗效。结果两组患者的临床特征比较无显著差异,治疗组食管炎的发病率明显低于对照组(43%和83%,P<0.01),治疗组急性肺毒性的发病率明显低于对照组(27%和54%,P<0.05),对照组的有效率(CR+PR)为80.0%,对照组为86.7%,二者无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论氨磷汀能有效减少局部晚期非小细胞肺癌的同步放化疗的急性毒副作用,且不降低抗肿瘤效应。     

Concurrent Radiotherapy and Taxane Chemotherapy in Patients with Locoregional Recurrence of Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Locoregional breast cancer recurrence is characterized by a high rate of systemic and local re-recurrence. Data on concurrent radiochemotherapy (RCT) in these cases are scarce. The purpose of this study was to evaluate feasibility, toxicity and efficacy of local control of a radiotherapy combined with a chemotherapy containing a taxane. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 1999 and November 2004, 36 women referred to the authors' clinic because of locoregional breast cancer recurrence that was either inoperable (n = 29) or resected (n = 7) received concurrent irradiation and taxane monotherapy weekly (TAX/RT; n = 28: paclitaxel 90 mg/m(2), n = 24, or docetaxel 35 mg/m(2), n = 4) or taxane + cisplatin therapy (TAX/CIS/RT; n = 8; paclitaxel 135 mg/m(2) d1 and cisplatin 20 mg/m(2) d1-5 q28). RESULTS: Comparing TAX/RT with TAX/CIS/RT, the complete remission rate in patients with macroscopic tumor prior to RCT was significantly higher for TAX/RT than for TAX/CIS/RT (7/19 vs. 0/8; p = 0.046), but overall remission rates were comparable, i.e., partial remission: 11/20 versus 6/8 cases, stable disease (no change): 1/20 versus 2/8 cases, and response rate: 95% versus 75%, respectively. The cumulative local recurrence-free survival rate at 1 and 2 years post-treatment was 83% and 68% and that of systemic recurrence-free survival 56% and 29%, respectively. The main toxic reactions of third-degree and higher were dermatitis in TAX/RT (57% vs. 11% for TAX/CIS/RT) and leukocytopenia in TAX/CIS/RT (62% vs. 7% for TAX/RT). CONCLUSION: Concurrent irradiation and taxane chemotherapy weekly, in particular with paclitaxel, is recommended due to response and acceptable side effects for treatment of inoperable locoregional breast cancer recurrence.     

Radiotherapy in elderly patients with inoperable esophageal cancer

Background

Radiation oncologists increasingly face elderly cancer patients impaired by comorbidities and reduced performance status. As less data are available for this particular group of patients, the aim of the study was to assess the prognosis of inoperable esophageal cancer patients ≥?70?years undergoing definitive radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy.

Patients and treatment protocol

Patients aged ≥?70 with inoperable carcinoma of the esophagus undergoing definitive radio(chemo)therapy between 1995 and 2006 at the University of Cologne were included retrospectively. Maximal total dose of radiotherapy administered was 63?Gy (5?×?1.8?Gy/week). Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin (20?mg/m² on days 1–5 and days 29–33) and 5-fluorouracil (650–1,000?mg/m² on days 1–5 and days 29–33). Efficacy was compared with a cohort of 152?patients <?70?years treated with the same protocol during the same time period.

Results

A total of 51?patients aged ?≥?70 with inoperable cancer of the esophagus undergoing definitive therapy were identified (stage I/II 23.5%, stage III 56.9%, stage IV 9.8%; squamous cell carcinoma 74.5%, adenocarcinoma 25.5%). While 15?patients (29.4%) received combined radiochemotherapy (RCT), 40?patients (70.6%) were treated with radiotherapy alone (RT). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.5?months; median overall survival (OS) was 13.9?months. Patients treated with RCT had a 2-year OS rate of 53.3% compared with 16.7% for RT patients (p?=?0.039). The 2-year OS for clinically lymph node negative patients was 38.5% compared with 21.2% for lymph node positive patients (p?=?0.072). Median OS was not significantly different between patients ≥?70?years versus the patient cohort (n?=?152) aged <?70?years (13.9 vs. 7.2?months, p?=?0.072) but PFS showed a significant difference (4.9 vs. 9.5?months, p?=?0.026) in favor of the >?70?years group.

Conclusion

Prognosis in elderly patients with inoperable esophageal cancer undergoing definitive radiotherapy/radiochemotherapy is limited, although it is not inferior to patients <?70?years.     

Concurrent Radiochemotherapy of Locally Recurrent or Advanced Sarcomas of the Uterus

BACKGROUND: Uterine sarcomas are rare tumors. Until now, no data on the treatment of recurrent or advanced uterine sarcomas using concurrent radiochemotherapy (RCT) has been available. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 01/1997 to 03/2004, seven patients with locally recurrent (n = 6) or locally advanced uterine sarcomas (n = 1) received concurrent RCT after tumor surgery (R1/2 resection in 3/7 patients). A total radiation dose of 45 Gy was applied in single doses of 1.8 Gy using an external-beam technique; in addition, three to four intracavitary doses of 5 Gy were applied. Concurrent chemotherapy was generally administered as follows: 1.2 g/m(2) ifosfamide on days 1-5 and 29-33 in combination with 50 or 40 mg/m(2) adriamycin on days 2 and 30. 3/7 patients received further cycles of chemotherapy. The median follow- up was 35 months. RESULTS: All recurrences (before RCT) were localized either in the vagina or in or directly proximal to the vaginal stump. The main side effects of RCT were hemotoxicity (grade 3: n = 3/7; grade 4: n = 4/7; neutropenic fever n = 1/7) and diarrhea (grade 3: n = 5/7). At the median follow-up (35 months), 4/7 patients had recurrences (one local recurrence; one lymph node recurrence outside the irradiated field, two distant metastases). Local control in the irradiated field was 80% +/- 18% after 3 years. Disease-free survival calculated according to Kaplan-Meier was 57% +/- 19% after 3 years. Presently, 5/7 patients are still alive, corresponding to a 3-year survival rate of 83% +/- 15%. CONCLUSION: Concurrent RCT shows good local effectiveness with a good long-term survival. Further evaluation in phase II studies is recommended.     

Percutaneous image-guided thermal ablation and radiation therapy: outcomes of combined treatment for 41 patients with inoperable stage I/II non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after combined treatment with thermal ablation and radiation therapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients with inoperable stage I/II NSCLC tumors underwent thermal ablation and RT at our institution between 1998 and 2005. Thirty-seven radiofrequency (RF) ablation procedures and four microwave ablation procedures were performed. Ablations were followed by standard-fraction external-beam RT within 90 days (n = 27) or postprocedural brachytherapy (n = 14). Survival and local recurrence were the primary endpoints evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 19.5 months. The overall survival rates were 97.6% at 6 months, 86.8% at 1 year, 70.4% at 2 years, and 57.1% at 3 years. Patients with tumors smaller than 3 cm (n = 17) had an average survival time of 44.4 +/- 5.4 months (SE). Patients with tumors 3 cm or larger (n = 24) had an average survival time of 34.6 +/- 7.0 months (P = .08). Local recurrence occurred in 11.8% of tumors smaller than 3 cm after an average of 45.6 +/- 4.1 months and in 33.3% of the larger tumors after an average of 34.0 +/- 7.8 months (P = .03). Outcomes in the brachytherapy and RT groups did not differ significantly. Nine of 15 pneumothoraces required chest tube drainage (22.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Thermal ablation followed by RT for inoperable stage I/II NSCLC has a relatively low rate of complications that are easily managed. Combined therapy may result in an improved survival compared with either modality alone.     

吉西他滨单药或联合卡铂治疗老年晚期非小细胞肺癌疗效观察

 目的 评价吉西他滨单药或与卡铂联合对老年晚期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)化疗的安全性和可行性.方法 48例年龄≥65岁的晚期NSCLC患者随机分为单药治疗组和联合用药组.单药治疗组:盐酸吉西他滨1000 mg/m2,静脉滴注,第1、8天,21 d为一疗程.联合用药组:吉西他滨1000 mg/m2,静脉滴注,第1、8天;卡铂,第1天,以AUC=5计算所得的剂量静脉滴注.21 d为一疗程.结果 单药治疗组有效率为20.8%;联合用药组有效率33.3%,两组有效率差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).单药治疗组中位生存期8.2个月,1年生存率32.1%.联合用药组中位生存期9.6个月,1年生存率为39.4%;两组1年生存率比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).联合用药组3～4级白细胞和血小板减少发生率均显著增高(P＜0.05),但粒细胞减少性发热、感染及出血的发生率并没有显著增加.结论 吉西他滨单药或吉西他滨联合卡铂均是治疗老年晚期NSCLC的较好方案,不良反应均可耐受.     

非小细胞肺癌适形放射治疗中急性放射性食管炎影响因素的研究

目的 探讨接受三维适形放疗(3D-CRT)的非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者发生≥2级急性放射性食管炎(ARE)的影响因素。方法 回顾102例接受3D-CRT的NSCLC患者的临床资料及三维计划资料,采用RTOG分级标准,评价患者自放疗开始3个月内≥2级的ARE。分析临床因素和三维计划的剂量体积参数。结果 发生2级ARE19例,3级15例,未出现更严重的ARE。非同步化疗组多因素回归分析显示,食管V55(OR=1.170,P<0.05)为≥2级ARE发生的惟一影响因素,食管V55的ROC曲线下面积为0.870(95%CI: 0.782~0.957,P＜0.05),界值为16.0。同步化疗组多因素回归分析显示,食管V₃₅(OR=1.125,P<0.05)和同步化疗方案(OR=39.740,P<0.05)是≥2级ARE发生的影响因素,食管V₃₅的ROC曲线下面积为0.782(95%CI: 0.636~0.927,P<0.05),界值为23.75。长春瑞滨+顺铂(NP)同步化疗方案的≥2级ARE发生率明显低于其他方案(33.3% ∶66.7%)。结论 非同步化疗患者,食管V55是≥2级ARE的影响因素。同步化疗患者,食管V₃₅和同步化疗方案是≥2级ARE的影响因素。同步NP方案≥2级ARE发生率较低。     

Pretreatment Proliferation and Local Control in Bladder Cancer after Radiotherapy with or without Concurrent Chemotherapy

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the addition of chemotherapy to radiotherapy (RT) is beneficial particularly in bladder tumors that possess the capacity for rapid proliferation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Ki-67 index was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on pretreatment biopsies from 136 patients treated by transurethral tumor resection (TURBT) and RT (n=50) or platin-based radiochemotherapy (RCT; n=86). Ki-67 expression was correlated with response to RT/RCT and long-term local control rates. The median follow-up was 43 months. RESULTS: The percentage of Ki-67-positive cells ranged from 1.5% to 89%. Complete response (CR) was observed in 100/131 patients (76%, five without restaging TURBT). A statistically significant association between high Ki-67 index (>or= median) and CR was noted for patients receiving RCT (93% vs. 66% for Ki-67 < median; p=0.001), but not for patients treated with RT alone (p=0.12). Long-term local control was 39% for patients treated with RT, and 44% for patients after RCT (p=0.49). Patients with high Ki-67 index did significantly better when subjected to combined RCT (55% vs. 33% with low Ki-67 index; p=0.006), whereas no difference between high and low Ki-67 status was observed in the RT group (39% each; p=0.57). On multivariate analysis, Ki-67 status was an independent predictor for local failure in the RCT group (risk ratio, 0.43; p=0.007). Disease-specific survival was significantly better after RCT (62%) as compared with RT (42%; p=0.03), however, the Ki-67 index was not related to this endpoint. CONCLUSION: Rapid proliferation is associated with improved local control, if patients are treated with concurrent RCT. The cytostatic effect of concurrent chemotherapy may effectively inhibit repopulation during fractionated RT.     

Three-Times-Daily Radiotherapy with Induction Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and toxicity of three-times-daily radiotherapy (3tdRT), preceded by induction chemotherapy (iCT), in stage IIIA-IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: iCT consisted of three cycles of cisplatin and gemcitabine. Surgery was considered for stage IIIA patients responsive to iCT; definitive or postoperative 3tdRT was planned. Doses of 54.4 Gy and 64.6 Gy in postoperative and definitive treatments, respectively, were delivered in three daily fractions. RESULTS: From February 1998 to October 2000, 37 patients received 3tdRT as definitive (n = 18) or postoperative treatment (n = 19). Toxicity was limited to RTOG grade 2 (25 patients, 67.6%) and grade 3 (four patients, 10.8%) acute esophagitis; no grade 3 late esophagitis occurred. Late lung toxicity was represented by one grade 3 pneumonitis. No correlation emerged between acute esophageal toxicity and irradiated esophageal volume or disease- and treatment-related factors. A significant correlation was found for stage (IIIA vs. IIIB; p = 0.03) and a trend for the N-class (N2 vs. N3; p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: In this experience of 3tdRT preceded by iCT, the low toxicity profile confirmed the feasibility of this combination. The limited statistical power does not permit a definition of predictors for radiation-induced esophagitis incidence and severity; additional studies are required to clarify the impact of volumetric and dosimetric parameters. Failure patterns and survival results are warranted to confirm the efficacy of this approach in locally advanced NSCLC.     

CT联合模板引导放射性粒子植入治疗不可手术的早期非小细胞肺癌

目的 探讨CT联合模板引导放射性粒子植入治疗不可手术的早期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）的疗效和不良反应。方法 回顾性分析2010年12月到2016年10月间在天津医科大学第二医院接受CT引导下放射性粒子治疗的21例不可手术的T_1-2N₀M₀早期非小细胞肺癌患者。所有患者术前取得组织学病理,选用粒子活度18.5~29.6 MBq,处方剂量120~160 Gy,均在1次手术内完成粒子植入,术前及术后经TPS制定计划和质量验证。随访评价肿瘤局部控制率、总生存时间、无进展生存期、剂量验证满意率及不良反应。结果 中位随访时间为25.1个月（范围4.4~72.7个月）。1、2、3年的原发肿瘤局部控制率分别为100%、95.2%、95.2%。所有患者的中位总生存期为48个月,中位无进展生存期为43.4个月。1、2、3年生存率分别为100%、91.7%、72.9%。3年无进展生存率为70.2%。术后质量验证满意率为100%。与治疗相关的不良事件包括：气胸、支气管出血、胸膜出血、咳嗽、肺部纤维化及粒子移位。其中7例患者发生1级不良事件（33.3%）;4例患者发生2级不良事件（19%）。无3级或更高级别不良事件发生。结论 CT联合模板引导放射性粒子植入治疗T_1-2N₀M₀的NSCLC肿瘤局部控制率较高,治疗相关不良反应较少,可作为不可手术的早期非小细胞肺癌治疗的一种选择。     

Upfront radiotherapy with brachytherapy for medically inoperable and unresectable patients with high-risk endometrial cancer

ObjectivesComprehensive surgery with adjuvant therapy is standard of care for high-risk endometrial cancers, whereas upfront radiotherapy with brachytherapy is indicated for inoperable/unresectable patients, irrespective of risk. We evaluated outcomes for inoperable/unresectable patients with high-risk endometrial cancer (HREC: stage III and/or grade 3) and low-risk endometrial cancer (LREC: stage I/II and grade 1/2) treated with upfront radiotherapy.MethodsTwenty-nine patients with inoperable/unresectable endometrial cancer were treated with upfront radiotherapy at an academic medical center from 2012 to 2019. Cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), and recurrence rates between patients with HREC and LREC were compared.ResultsMedian follow-up was 17.0 months (range 3.7–54.0). Twenty cancers were stage I + II and nine were stage III. Twenty-one cancers were grade 1 + 2 and eight were grade 3. Thirteen patients (45%) had HREC. Twenty-five patients received radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy for primary treatment, while 4 patients received chemoradiotherapy before surgery. All patients underwent high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) with 7 receiving HDR alone and 22 receiving external beam radiation and HDR. Two-year CSS was 100% for both HREC and LREC patients (log-rank p = 0.32). There was no OS difference between HREC and LREC patients (2-year: 73% vs. 77%; log-rank p = 0.33). Four HREC and 1 LREC patients recurred with one local recurrence in each group. There were no acute grade ≥3 and two late grade ≥3 gastrointestinal/genitourinary toxicities.ConclusionsUpfront radiotherapy for inoperable/unresectable HREC patients was well tolerated with high local control and CSS rates. Upfront radiotherapy with brachytherapy remains important even for high-risk inoperable and unresectable endometrial cancer patients.     

Safety and Efficacy of Arterially Directed Liver Therapies in the Treatment of Hepatic Metastatic Ovarian Cancer: A Retrospective Single-Institution Study

PurposeTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2 locoregional therapies (LRTs) including hepatic artery embolization (HAE) and transarterial radioembolization (TARE) in the treatment of patients with metastatic ovarian cancer to the liver.Material and MethodsFrom October 2010 to May 2019, the data of 15 consecutive patients (median age, 54 years ± 9.8; range, 35–78 years) with hepatic metastatic ovarian cancer who were treated with either HAE (n = 6; 40%) or TARE (n = 9; 60%) were reviewed. The most common histopathologic type was epithelial ovarian carcinoma (80%). The most common chemotherapy regimens used prior to embolization included carboplatin, paclitaxel, cisplatin, and bevacizumab. Patients received a mean of 4 lines ± 3 (range, 1–9) of chemotherapy. All patients with serous carcinoma were resistant to platinum at the time of embolization. Indications for embolization were progression of disease to the liver while receiving chemotherapy in 14 (93.3%) patients and palliative pain control in 1 patient.ResultsThe overall response rates at 1, 3, and 6 months were 92.4%, 85.6%, and 70%, respectively. Median overall survival from the time of LRT was 9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4–14) months. Median local tumor progression was 6.4 months ± 5.03 (95% CI, 3.3–9.5). No grade 3–5 adverse events were detected in either group.ConclusionsHAE and TARE were well tolerated in patients with metastatic ovarian cancer to the liver and possibly ensured prolonged disease control in heavily treated, predominantly in patients resistant to platinum. Larger numbers are needed to verify these data.     

CHARTWEL-Bronchus (ARO 97-1)

Background

The CHART-bronchus trial sponsored by the Medical Research Council showed an improvement in survival of 10% compared to conventional fractionation to 60 Gy when patients with inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated with CHART to 54 Gy. At present it is not known whether this survival advantage holds when the dose of conventional treatment is increased and whether CHART can be replaced by the more practicable CHARTWEL (CHART-weekend less).

Protocol of the Trial

A randomized multicenter trial of definite radiotherapy in locally advanced inoperable NSCLC was designed (ARO 97-1, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Radioonkologie der Deutschen Krebsgesellschaft). Conventional fractionation to 66 Gy (5 weekly fractions of 2 Gy) is compared with CHARTWEL to 60 Gy (15 weekly fractions of 1.5 Gy, Monday to Friday, interval between fractions ≥6 hours, overall treatment time 2.5 weeks). The main endpoint of the trial is overall survival. It was calculated that an entry of 665 patients is needed to detect an improvement in 2-year survival of 10%, the acrural time is estimated to be 5 years or less. The trial was activated on 1. 9. 1997.     

Computed tomography to assess pulmonary injury associated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize serial computed tomography (CT) findings of pulmonary injury after a uniform regimen of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer, and to compare the radiation-induced lung toxicity with other concurrent chemo-radiation regimens. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer received 2 induction cycles of cisplatin and vinblastine, followed by 2 further cycles of cisplatin and vinblastine, concurrent with 60 Gy radiation at 2 Gy per fraction. Radiation-induced lung injury in the acute and chronic phases was assessed by serial CT scans and compared with preradiation baseline scans. Acute radiation pneumonitis was evaluated using the Common Toxicity Criteria, and chronic radiation fibrosis was graded according to the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer--Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Scale. RESULTS: Seventeen (81%) patients had characteristic CT findings of radiation-induced pulmonary damage, which were confined to the radiation ports. Although patchy nonhomogeneous and air-space opacities characterized acute radiation pneumonitis, and homogeneous opacities with loss of volume were typical for chronic fibrosis, ground-glass opacities were found frequently in both phases. Acute radiation pneumonitis grade 1 was seen in 29% and grade 2 in 9.5%. Chronic radiation fibrosis grades 1, 2 and 3 were found in 14%, 33% and 19% of the patients respectively. Median survival time was 13 months. CONCLUSION: CT enables detailed evaluation of radiation-induced pulmonary injury after concurrent chemo-radiation for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer. Although survival time with the present regimen is comparable to other concurrent chemo-radiation regimens, a high incidence of radiation injury was found, though the severity was not life threatening.