Long-term cause-specific mortality of patients treated for Hodgkin's disease

Response-Adapted Treatment Strategies in Hodgkin Lymphoma Using PET Imaging

Hodgkin lymphoma, a B-cell malignancy, is most common in patients younger than 55 years. Between 70% and 90% are cured with standard approaches. The high cure rate and long-term survival resulted in a need to minimize therapy toxicity. Response-adapted approaches have been developed to de-escalate therapy in those likely to be cured and intensifying therapy in those not responding to initial treatment. FDG-PET after chemotherapy is highly predictive of outcome. Thus, FDG-PET has been incorporated into response-adapted treatments. Use of FDG-PET to guide treatment in Hodgkin lymphoma has been recommended. We summarize literature and discuss challenges and future directions.

Use of recommended posttreatment services for adolescent and young adult survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a leading cancer diagnosis for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), with an overall 5-year survival rate of >80%. However, to the authors' knowledge, little is known regarding posttreatment patterns of care. In the current study, the authors characterized the use of guideline-recommended services in a cohort of AYA survivors of HL in Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

METHODS

Patients with HL who were diagnosed between ages 15 and 39 years between 2000 and 2010 were identified. The authors calculated the number of patients who received recommended short-term care within 2 years after treatment cessation for those who remained enrolled and alive from 2001 through 2015. Use of recommended late-effects screening for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease was examined. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between receipt of recommended care and patient, cancer, and treatment characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 354 patients were identified, with a mean age at the time of diagnosis of 26 years (standard deviation, 6.9 years). Approximately 12% of patients had stage I disease, 59% had stage II disease, 17% had stage III disease, and 13% of patients had stage IV disease. Nearly all patients received chemotherapy (95%), 51% received radiotherapy, and 5% received care from a pediatric oncologist. Overall, approximately 49% of patients received recommended short-term care. Of those patients eligible for cardiovascular screening at 10 years posttreatment (60 patients), 53% received at least 1 screening. Of those patients eligible for breast cancer screening (21 patients), approximately 50% underwent at least 1 screening. Regression results indicated that those patients treated by a pediatric oncologist were >3 times as likely to receive recommended short-term care.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study highlight gaps in the delivery of posttreatment care to AYA survivors of HL. By determining areas in need of improvement, these findings can guide the development of tailored interventions with which to improve care.

PET-adapted therapy after three cycles of ABVD for all stages of Hodgkin lymphoma: results of the GATLA LH-05 trial

The role of Ann Arbor staging in determining treatment intensity after achieving a negative positron emission tomography (PET) has not been established in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Patients with stage I-IV cHL, received three cycles of ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) and an interim PET scan (PET3). PET3-negative patients received no further therapy. PET3-positive patients received three additional cycles of ABVD plus involved-field radiation therapy or salvage chemotherapy, if refractory to ABVD, and were re-evaluated by PET scan (PET6). Study endpoints were 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates. Two hundred and thirty-nine patients with early-stage and 138 with advanced-stage were evaluable. Overall, 260 patients (70%) were PET3-negative and had higher 3-year PFS (90% vs. 65%; P < 0·0001) and OS (98% vs. 92%; P = 0·007) rates than PET3-positive patients. All PET3-negative patients, regardless of disease stage at diagnosis, achieved similarly good PFS (90-91%; P = 0·76) and OS (97-99%). The only independent prognostic factor for PFS was PET3-negativity (Hazard ratio 3·8; 95% confidence interval 2·4-6·3; P < 0·0001). This study suggests that cHL patients who achieve a negative PET3 following ABVD have an excellent outcome, regardless of stage at diagnosis. An appropriately powered, phase III trial will be necessary to confirm these findings.

Heart valve injury due to radiation therapy

RELEVANCE

Radiation therapy (RT) plays an important role in oncology, improving the immediate and long-term results of treatment of a number of tumors. One of the most significant complications of RT are lesions of the heart valves.

OBJECTIVE

To study the variants of valve damage that occur in patients who received radiation therapy for cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A group of patients who, during the period from 1978 to 2002, underwent chemo-radiation therapy (CRT) for Hodgkin's lymphoma (LH) of 2-4 stages with damage to the intrathoracic lymph nodes: 71 patients, 60 of whom did not go to the cardiologist and were invited to be examined, 11 were hospitalized due to clinically significant cardiovascular pathology (CHF, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, valvular defect, AV block). The study methods included: standard clinical and laboratory examination, spirometry, 24‑hour ECG monitoring, echocardiography, in some patients single-photon myocardial emission tomoscintigraphy (SPECT), and CT scan of the chest organs. In 60 patients, a stress test on an ECG-controlled treadmill was performed, in 18 patients - a maximum stress test on a treadmill with a gas analysis - ergospirometry.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Valve pathology was detected in 49.3 % of cases, most often (in 46.5 %) mitral regurgitation (MR) occurred, primarily due to MR of the 1 st degree, which had no clinical significance. Pathology of the aortic valve (12.7 % of patients) was represented mainly by mild regurgitation (11.3 %). Aortic stenosis was diagnosed in 4.2 % of patients. In the studied cohort of patients, predominantly non-severe valve lesions were detected. In addition, examples of patients with clinically significant valve valvular lesions are presented.

Family History of Breast Cancer Associated with Breast Cancer in Survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Introduction

Advances in treatments for Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) have significantly increased survival of childhood and adult patients; however, the leading cause of death in HL survivors is due to secondary malignancy following HL treatment [1,2]. Among women treated for HL, breast cancer (BC) is the most common secondary malignancy [3]. We explored if an association exists between HL and BC exists within families.

Methods

Utilizing the Utah Population Database and the Utah Cancer Registry, we identified 988 women with HL, and no history of BC prior to HL, diagnosed in Utah from 1966-2014. We examined if women with HL were at greater risk of developing BC based on the presence or absence of family history of BC. We also examined the familial recurrence risk of BC among female FDRs of women with HL and BC using Cox regression methods.

Result

Among 988 female HL patients, 42 (4.3%) were diagnosed with subsequent BC while among 9,876 matched controls, 280 controls (2.8%) were diagnosed with BC from 1966-2014 (P < 0.05). We observed a significant 3-fold increased risk of BC in the first-degree relatives (parent, full sibling, or child of patient) of female HL patients with subsequent BC, compared to FDR in controls (HR = 2.8, 95%CI 1.4-5.6; P = 0.005). Female HL patients who had a family history of BC were significantly more likely to develop BC, compared to HL patients with no history of BC among relatives (HR = 3.3, 95%CI 1.6-7.1; P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Women with HL and a family history of BC are at even higher than anticipated risk of BC, as are their female relatives. Obtaining a thorough family history for a woman preparing to undergo therapy for HL is important for treatment decisions for HL and maintaining an up to date family history over time is also important for the management of a woman's ongoing cancer risks and her surveillance strategy following survival of HL.

Distinct vascular genomic response of proton and gamma radiation-A pilot investigation

The cardiovascular biology of proton radiotherapy is not well understood. We aimed to compare the genomic dose-response to proton and gamma radiation of the mouse aorta to assess whether their vascular effects may diverge. We performed comparative RNA sequencing of the aorta following (4 hrs) total-body proton and gamma irradiation (0.5–200 cGy whole body dose, 10 dose levels) of conscious mice. A trend analysis identified genes that showed a dose response. While fewer genes were dose-responsive to proton than gamma radiation (29 vs. 194 genes; q-value ≤ 0.1), the magnitude of the effect was greater. Highly responsive genes were enriched for radiation response pathways (DNA damage, apoptosis, cellular stress and inflammation; p-value ≤ 0.01). Gamma, but not proton radiation induced additionally genes in vasculature specific pathways. Genes responsive to both radiation types showed almost perfectly superimposable dose-response relationships. Despite the activation of canonical radiation response pathways by both radiation types, we detected marked differences in the genomic response of the murine aorta. Models of cardiovascular risk based on photon radiation may not accurately predict the risk associated with proton radiation.

Relapse Risk and Loss of Lifetime After Modern Combined Modality Treatment of Young Patients With Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Nordic Lymphoma Epidemiology Group Study

PURPOSE

Estimates of short- and long-term survival for young patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) are of considerable interest. We investigated cHL prognosis in the era of contemporary treatment at different milestones during the follow-up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

On the basis of a Nordic cohort of 2,582 patients diagnosed at ages 18 to 49 years between 2000 and 2013, 5-year relapse risks and 5-year restricted losses in expectation of lifetime were estimated for all patients and for patients who achieved event-free survival (EFS) for 12 (EFS12), 24 (EFS24), 36 (EFS36) or 60 (EFS60) months. The median follow-up time was 9 years (range, 2.9 to 16.8 years).

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival was 95% (95% CI, 94% to 96%). The 5-year risk of relapse was 13.4% (95% CI, 12.1% to 14.8%) overall but decreased to 4.2% (95% CI, 3.8% to 4.6%) given that patients reached EFS24. Relapse risk for patients treated with six to eight courses of bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (BEACOPP) was comparable to that of patients treated with six to eight courses of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) despite more adverse risk criteria among patients treated with BEACOPP. Both from diagnosis and if EFS24 was reached, the losses in expectation of lifetime during the following 5 years were small (from diagnosis, 45 days [95% CI, 35 to 54 days] and for patients who reached EFS24, 13 days [95% CI, 7 to 20 days]). In stage-stratified analyses of 5-year restricted loss in expectation of lifetime, patients with stages I to IIA disease had no noteworthy excess risk of death after they reached EFS24, whereas risk remained measurable for patients with stages IIB to IV cHL.

CONCLUSION

Real-world data on young patients with cHL from the Nordic countries show excellent outcomes. The outlook is particularly favorable for patients who reach EFS24, which supports limited relapse-oriented clinical follow-up.

Cost-effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin plus chemotherapy as frontline treatment of stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma

OBJECTIVE

The ECHELON-1 trial demonstrated efficacy and safety of brentuximab vedotin plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A + AVD) vs doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) as frontline therapy for stage III/IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma. This analysis evaluated the cost-effectiveness of A + AVD from a US healthcare payer perspective.

METHODS

The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), defined as the incremental costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, was estimated using a non-homogenous semi-Markov cohort model with health states defined on progression following frontline treatment, and for those with progression, receipt of autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT), and progression after ASCT. Patients undergoing ASCT were classified as refractory or relapsed based on timing of progression. Probabilities of progression/death with frontline therapy were based on parametric survival distributions fit to data on modified progression-free survival (mPFS) from ECHELON-1. Duration of frontline treatment and incidence of adverse events were from ECHELON-1. Utility values for patients in the frontline mPFS state were based on EQ-5D data from ECHELON-1. Other inputs were from published sources. A lifetime time horizon was used. Costs and QALYs were discounted at 3%. Analyses were conducted alternately using data on mPFS for the overall and North American populations of ECHELON-1.

RESULTS

The ICER for A + AVD vs ABVD was $172,074/QALY gained in the analysis using data on mPFS for the overall population and $69,442/QALY gained in the analysis using data on mPFS for the North American population of ECHELON-1. The ICER is sensitive to estimated costs of ASCT and frontline failure.

CONCLUSION

The ICER for A + AVD vs ABVD based on ECHELON-1 is within the range of threshold values for cost-effectiveness in the US. A + AVD is, therefore, likely to be a cost-effective frontline therapy for patients with stage III/IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma from a US healthcare payer perspective.

Comparative treatment planning study for mediastinal Hodgkin's lymphoma: impact on normal tissue dose using deep inspiration breath hold proton and photon therapy

BACKGROUND

Late effects induced by radiotherapy (RT) are of great concern for mediastinal Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients and it is therefore important to reduce normal tissue dose. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact on the normal tissue dose and target coverage, using various combinations of intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and 3-dimensional conformal RT (3D-CRT), planned in both deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) and free breathing (FB).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighteen patients were enrolled in this study and planned with involved site RT. Two computed tomography images were acquired for each patient, one during DIBH and one during FB. Six treatment plans were created for each patient; 3D-CRT in FB, 3D-CRT in DIBH, VMAT in FB, VMAT in DIBH, IMPT in FB and IMPT in DIBH. Dosimetric impact on the heart, left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, lungs, female breasts, target coverage, and also conformity index and integral dose (ID), was compared between the different treatment techniques.

RESULTS

The use of DIBH significantly reduced the lung dose for all three treatment techniques, however, no significant difference in the dose to the female breasts was observed. Regarding the heart and LAD doses, large individual variations were observed. For VMAT, the mean heart and LAD doses were significantly reduced using DIBH, but no significant difference was observed for 3D-CRT and IMPT. Both IMPT and VMAT resulted in improved target coverage and more conform dose distributions compared to 3D-CRT. IMPT generally showed the lowest organs at risk (OAR) doses and significantly reduced the ID compared to both 3D-CRT and VMAT.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients benefited from treatment in DIBH, however, the impact on the normal tissue dose was highly individual and therefore comparative treatment planning is encouraged. The lowest OAR doses were generally observed for IMPT in combination with DIBH.

Overall and disease-specific survival of Hodgkin lymphoma survivors who subsequently developed gastrointestinal cancer

Background

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors have an increased risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. This study aims to evaluate whether survival of patients who survived HL and developed GI cancer differs from survival of first primary GI cancer patients.

Methods

Overall and cause‐specific survival of GI cancer patients in a HL survivor cohort (GI‐HL, N = 104, including esophageal, gastric, small intestinal, and colorectal cancer) was compared with survival of a first primary GI cancer patient cohort (GI‐1, N = 1025, generated by case matching based on tumor site, gender, age, and year of diagnosis). Cox proportional hazards regression was used for survival analyses. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for GI cancer stage, grade of differentiation, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Results

GI‐HL cancers were diagnosed at a median age of 54 years (interquartile range 45‐60). No differences in tumor stage or frequency of surgery were found. GI‐HL patients less often received radiotherapy (8% vs 23% in GI‐1 patients, P < 0.001) and chemotherapy (28% vs 41%, P = 0.01) for their GI tumor. Compared with GI‐1 patients, overall and disease‐specific survival of GI‐HL patients was worse (univariable hazard ratio (HR) 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03‐1.65, P = 0.03; and HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.00‐1.67, P = 0.049, respectively; multivariable HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.05‐1.68, P = 0.02; and HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03‐1.72, P = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusions

Long‐term overall and disease‐specific survival of GI cancer in HL survivors is worse compared with first primary GI cancer patients. Differences in tumor stage, grade of differentiation, or treatment could not explain this worse survival.

Dysfunctional endothelial progenitor cells in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma in complete remission

Background

Patients with a history of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) are at increased long‐term risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Studies report an association between the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD) and levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), which play an essential role in vascular injury repair. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential involvement of abnormal EPC level or function in the CAD risk of survivors of HL in remission.

Methods

EPCs were isolated from peripheral blood samples drawn from 4 groups of patients aged 20‐50 years with no history of CAD: 17 patients with HL who had been in complete remission for at least 2 years, four newly diagnosed patients with HL before treatment, 28 patients with diabetes all attending a tertiary medical center, and 16 healthy individuals. Levels of EPC surface markers were measured by flow cytometry, and EPC function was evaluated by the number of colony‐forming units (CFUs) and MTT assay.

Results

Levels of circulating CD34(+)/VEGFR2(+) and CD133(+)/VEGFR2(+) were significantly higher in the newly diagnosed untreated patients with HL compared to the patients with HL in remission (P = 0.03 and P = 0.005, respectively), in the patients in remission compared to the patients with diabetes (P = 0.011 and P < 0.001, respectively), and in the patients in remission compared to the healthy individuals (P = 0.08 and P = 0.003, respectively). The analysis of cell viability and the number of colony‐forming units in the patients with HL in remission yielded significant differences from the healthy group (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively) but not from either the newly diagnosed patients with HL or the diabetic patients.

Conclusions

These results suggest that patients in complete remission of HL for at least 2 years have an abnormal EPC profile characterized by high circulating levels but attenuated function.

Therapeutic recommendations for early stage Hodgkin lymphomas

Combined modality treatment has been the standard option for the treatment of early stage Hodgkin lymphoma for several decades. Because of the high success rate and the risk of late toxicities, recent clinical trials have focused on reducing the treatment burden. Field and dose of radiotherapy, and number of cycles of chemotherapy have been successfully reduced, particularly for favourable early stage patients. However, the impact of these treatment reductions on the rate of secondary malignancies remains still unclear. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scanning has emerged as a very important tool for disease staging and end of treatment assessment. Interestingly, a PET performed after 2 cycles of ABVD (adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) has been correlated with final outcome and was recently evaluated in a randomized clinical trial to evaluate individualized therapy based on PET response after 2 or 3 cycles of ABVD. These trials aimed to identify good prognosis (early PET-negative) patients who could be spared radiotherapy, but also patients with a bad prognosis (early PET-positive) who need more intensive treatment. More recently, new drugs, such as brentuximab vedotin and checkpoint inhibitors, have shown efficacy in relapsed/refractory patients and are currently under evaluation in early stage patients.

An increase in myocardial 18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake is associated with left ventricular ejection fraction decline in Hodgkin lymphoma patients treated with anthracycline

Background

Doxorubicin (DOX)-based chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) yields excellent disease-free survival, but poses a substantial risk of subsequent left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and heart failure, typically with delayed onset. At the cellular level, this cardiotoxicity includes deranged cardiac glucose metabolism.

Methods

By reviewing the hospital records from January 2008 through December 2016, we selected HL patients meeting the following criteria: ≥ 18 year-old; first-line DOX-containing chemotherapy; no diabetes and apparent cardiovascular disease; 18-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸FDG-PET) scans before treatment (PET^STAGING), after 2 cycles (PET^INTERIM) and at the end of treatment (PET^EOT); at least one echocardiography ≥ 6 months after chemotherapy completion (ECHO^POST). We then evaluated the changes in LV ¹⁸FDG standardized uptake values (SUV) during the course of DOX therapy, and the relationship between LV-SUV and LV ejection fraction (LVEF), as calculated from the LV diameters in the echocardiography reports with the Teicholz formula.

Results

Forty-three patients (35 ± 13 year-old, 58% males) were included in the study, with 26 (60%) also having a baseline echocardiography available (ECHO^PRE). LV-SUV gradually increased from PET^STAGING (log-transformed mean 0.20 ± 0.27) to PET^INTERIM (0.27 ± 0.35) to PET^EOT (0.30 ± 0.41; P for trend < 0.001). ECHO^POST was performed 22 ± 17 months after DOX chemotherapy. Mean LVEF was normal (68.8 ± 10.3%) and only three subjects (7%) faced a drop below the upper normal limit of 53%. However, when patients were categorized by median LV-SUV, LVEF at ECHO^POST resulted significantly lower in those with LV-SUV above than below the median value at both PET^INTERIM (65.5 ± 11.8% vs. 71.9 ± 7.8%, P = 0.04) and PET^EOT (65.6 ± 12.2% vs. 72.2 ± 7.0%, P = 0.04). This was also the case when only patients with ECHO^PRE and ECHO^POST were considered (LVEF at ECHO^POST 64.7 ± 8.9% vs. 73.4 ± 7.6%, P = 0.01 and 64.6 ± 9.3% vs. 73.5 ± 7.0%, P = 0.01 for those with LV-SUV above vs. below the median at PET^INTERIM and PET^EOT, respectively). Furthermore, the difference between LVEF at ECHO^PRE and ECHO^POST was inversely correlated with LV-SUV at PET^EOT (P < 0.01, R² = − 0.30).

Conclusions

DOX-containing chemotherapy causes an increase in cardiac ¹⁸FDG uptake, which is associated with a decline in LVEF. Future studies are warranted to understand the molecular basis and the potential clinical implications of this observation.

Comparing causes of death of Hodgkin lymphoma and breast cancer patients between medical records and cause-of-death statistics

OBJECTIVE

Obtaining accurate data about causes of death may be difficult in patients with a complicated disease history, including cancer survivors. This study compared causes of death derived from medical records (CODMR) with causes of death derived from death certificates (CODDC) as processed by Statistics Netherlands of patients primarily treated for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) or breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

Two hospital-based cohorts comprising 1,215 HL patients who died in the period 1980-2013 and 714 BC patients who died in the period 2000-2013 were linked with cause-of-death statistics files. The level of agreement was assessed for common underlying causes of death using Cohen's kappa, and original death certificates were reviewed when CODDC and CODMR showed discrepancies. We examined the influence of using CODDC or CODMR on standardized mortality ratio (SMR) estimates.

RESULTS

Agreement for the most common causes of death, including selected malignant neoplasms and circulatory and respiratory diseases, was 81% for HL patients and 97% for BC patients. HL was more often reported as CODDC (CODDC=33.1% vs. CODMR=23.2%), whereas circulatory disease (CODDC=15.6% vs. CODMR=20.9%) or other diseases potentially related to HL treatment were more often reported as CODMR. Compared to SMRs based on CODDC, SMRs based on CODMR complemented with CODDC were lower for HL and higher for circulatory disease.

CONCLUSION

Overall, we observed high levels of agreement between CODMR and CODDC for common causes of death in HL and BC patients. Observed discrepancies between CODMR and CODDC frequently occurred in the presence of late effects of treatment for HL.

Long-term risk of cardiovascular mortality in lymphoma survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cardiovascular disease has been identified as one of the late complications of cancer therapy. The purpose of this study was to quantify the long-term risk of cardiovascular mortality among lymphoma survivors relative to that of the general population. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Articles were identified in November 2016 by searching EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CINAHL databases. Observational studies were included if they assessed cardiovascular mortality in patients with lymphoma who survived for at least 5 years from time of diagnosis or if they had a median follow-up of 10 years. A pooled standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was estimated using a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. The Q and I2 statistics were used to assess heterogeneity. Funnel plots and Begg's and Egger's tests were used to evaluate publication bias. Of the 7450 articles screened, 27 studies were included in the systematic review representing 46 829 Hodgkin and 14 764 non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. The pooled number of deaths attributable to cardiovascular disease among Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin disease was estimated to be 7.31 (95% CI: 5.29-10.10; I2  = 95.4%) and 5.35 (95% CI: 2.55-11.24; I2  = 94.0%) times that of the general population, respectively. This association was greater among Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated before the age of 21 (pooled SMR = 13.43; 95% CI: 9.22-19.57; I2  = 78.9%). There was a high degree of heterogeneity and a high risk of bias due to confounding in this body of literature. Lymphoma survivors have an increased risk of fatal cardiovascular events compared to the general population and should be targeted for cardiovascular screening and prevention campaigns.

A comparison of selected dosimetric parameters of two Hodgkin Lymphoma radiotherapy techniques with reference to potential risk of radiation induced heart disease

Purpose: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most frequent malignancies among pediatric patients. One of the common causes of death in HL survivors after radiation therapy (RT), is radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD). The aim of this study was to compare several dosimetric parameters for two methods of early stage Hodgkin lymphoma radiotherapy with reference to potential risk of RIHD.

Materials and Methods: Using a series of computed tomography slices of 40 young patients, treatment planning was done in two methods of HL RT, including involved field (IFRT) and involved site (ISRT) in doses of 20, 30, and 35 Gy. Contouring of clinical target volume as well as the organs at risk, including the heart, was performed by a radiation oncologist. The mean and maximum dose of heart (Dheart-mean and Dheart-max), the volume of heart receiving a dose more than 25 Gy (V25), and the standard deviation of dose as a dose homogeneity index in heart, were used to compare the RIHD risk.

Results: The mean value for Dheart-mean in ISRT method in all doses was less compare to IFRT. Maximum reduction in mean value of Dheart-mean occurred at moving from 30 Gy IFRT to ISRT by 9.53 Gy (p < 0.001) and minimum was between 35 Gy IFRT and ISRT. The mean value for Dheart-max was fewer in IFRT rather than ISRT and the maximum difference was between 35 Gy IFRT and ISRT (1.35 Gy). The mean of V25 of heart was 26.66% and 23.74% in 35 Gy IFRT and ISRT, respectively, and dose distribution was more homogeneous in IFRT.

Conclusions: If Dheart-max and V25 of heart or homogeneity of dose distribution in heart are considered as determining factors in RIHD, then IFRT can be considered optimum, especially in 35 Gy IFRT; while, assuming the Dheart-mean as the most important factor in RIHD, superiority of ISRT over IFRT is observed.

[Radiation therapy planning for Hodgkin lymphoma: Focus on intensity-modulated radiotherapy, gating, protons. Which techniques to best deliver radiation?]

The optimization of radiotherapy in these young and long-lived survivors raises the question about the interest of using modern techniques to allow a better distribution of the dose. The choice of the irradiation technique must take into account the incidence of side effects related to radiation. In this context, the definition of the target volumes as well as the verification and monitoring of the delivered processing are essential. International recommendations for treatment fields are based on the "involved node radiotherapy" concept. The best irradiation technique to use remains to be defined. The use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy improves the coverage and reduces the dose to the organs at risk with a variable gain depending on the topography of the lymph nodes: upper or lower mediastinum, right or left lateralization, the techniques used. The deep inspiration breath-hold technique allows an increase of the pulmonary volume, extension of the mediastinum with an up down of the heart which make possible to move the planning target volume away from the cardiac structures. The volumetric-modulated arctherapy technique with several arches can be particularly interesting to reduce the dose to the breasts, as well as tomotherapy when bulky disease. Proton therapy with the Bragg peak specificity can play a key role in limiting doses to organs at risk, when robust planning that will take into account geometric and physical uncertainties is available. The heterogeneity of Hodgkin lymphomas in terms of volume, shape and initial location are the key elements to take into account when choosing the preferred radiotherapy technique.

Development and Validation of a Clinical Score for Cardiovascular Risk Stratification of Long-Term Childhood Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND

Long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events; however, there is a paucity of risk-stratification tools to identify those at higher-than-normal risk.

SUBJECTS, MATERIALS, AND METHODS

This was a population-based study using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (1973-2013). Long-term CCS (age at diagnosis ≤19 years, survival ≥5 years) were followed up over a median time period of 12.3 (5-40.9) years. Independent predictors of cardiovascular mortality (CVM) were combined into a risk score, which was developed in a derivation set (n = 22,374), and validated in separate patient registries (n = 6,437).

RESULTS

In the derivation registries, older age at diagnosis (≥10 years vs. reference group of 1-5 years), male sex, non-white race, a history of lymphoma, and a history of radiation were independently associated with an increased risk of CVM among long-term CCS (p < .05). A risk score derived from this model (Childhood and Adolescence Cancer Survivor CardioVascular score [CHACS-CV], range: 0-8) showed good discrimination for CVM (Harrell's C-index [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 0.73 [0.68-0.78], p < .001) and identified a high-risk group (CHACS-CV ≥6), with cumulative CVM incidence over 30 years of 6.0% (95% CI: 4.3%-8.1%) versus 2.6% (95% CI: 1.8%-3.7%), and 0.7% (95% CI: 0.5%-1.0%) in the mid- (CHACS-CV = 4-5) and low-risk groups (CHACS-CV ≤3), respectively (plog-rank < .001). In the validation set, the respective cumulative incidence rates were 4.7%, 3.1%, and 0.8% (plog-rank < .001).

CONCLUSION

We propose a simple risk score that can be applied in everyday clinical practice to identify long-term CCS at increased cardiovascular risk, who may benefit from early cardiovascular screening, and risk-reduction strategies.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are known to be at increased cardiovascular risk. Currently available prognostic tools focus on treatment-related adverse events and late development of congestive heart failure, but there is no prognostic model to date to estimate the risk of cardiovascular mortality among long-term CCS. A simple clinical tool is proposed for cardiovascular risk stratification of long-term CCS based on easily obtainable information from their medical history. This scoring system may be used as a first-line screening tool to assist health care providers in identifying those who may benefit from closer follow-up and enable timely deployment of preventive strategies.

15O-H2O PET/CT as a tool for the quantitative assessment of early post-radiotherapy changes of heart perfusion in breast carcinoma patients

OBJECTIVE

Studies examining radiation-induced heart toxicity in breast cancer patients are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to prospectively and quantitatively asses myocardial blood flow (MBF) with, for the first time, ¹⁵O-H₂O PET/CT as a marker of heart damage in irradiated breast cancer patients.

METHODS

15 breast cancer patients receiving intact breast or chest wall irradiation were included in the analysis (six with right-sided and nine with left-sided breast cancer). They underwent ¹⁵O-H₂O PET/CT before radiotherapy (RT) and 2 and 8 months after RT. MBF was quantitatively assessed at rest and under stress conditions in 17 heart segments distinguished according to the American Ultrasound Association classification. Regional MBF values were derived in each of the coronary artery territories.

RESULTS

MBF decreased in 53% and increased in 33% of cases 2 months after RT in both left-sided and right-sided breast cancer patients. Stress testing was more sensitive than at-rest testing, demonstrating decreased perfusion in the segments supplied by the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) [5.41 ± 1.74 vs 4.52 ± 1.82 ml (g*min)^-1; p = 0.018], which persisted at 6 months [5.41 ± 1.74 vs 4.40 ± 1.38 ml (g*min)^-1; p = 0.032] and a decrease in global heart perfusion [5.14 ± 1.49 vs 4.46 ± 1.73 ml (g*min)^-1; p = 0.036]. A minimal radiation dose applied to the LAD correlated with MBF changes observed 2 months after RT (r = -0.57; p = 0.032). Radiological findings were not correlated with clinical symptoms of heart toxicity.

CONCLUSION

¹⁵O-H₂O PET/CT is safe and effective for the early detection and quantitative analysis of subclinical post-RT changes in heart perfusion in breast cancer patients. The LV segments supplied by the LAD are the main site of MBF changes. A minimum radiation dose deposited in the LAD may be a predictor of radiation-induced heart toxicity. Advances in knowledge: This is the first time that ¹⁵O-H₂O PET/CT has been used to assess MBF after RT and the first granular description of the distribution of blood flow changes after breast cancer RT.

Second cancers in Hodgkin's lymphoma long-term survivals: A 60-year single institutional experience with real-life cohort of 871 patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Appropriate surveillance guidelines for patients after successful treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) are needed to reduce mortality of iatrogenic secondary cancers (SC). This large single institutional retrospective study analyses the risk of SC in HL patients treated outside of clinical trials over past decades.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Consecutive series of HL patients were analysed with median follow-up 12 years. Standardised incidence ratio (SIR) and absolute excess risk (AER) were calculated for site-specific risk of SC.

RESULTS

In total of 871 patients (491 men; median age 34 years), chemotherapy alone, radiotherapy alone, and combined treatment underwent 36%, 40%, and 24% patients. 154 SC were found with significantly increased SIR = 2.9 and AER = 80.8 for all cancers except of nonmelanoma-skin cancer. SC-related death occurred in 71 patients (15% of those who died, 8% of whole cohort). The most common SC were lung (17.5% of all malignancies, SIR = 3.2), breast carcinoma (15.6%, SIR = 4.4), and haematological malignancy (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma SIR = 13.1; leukaemia SIR = 5.8). For SC within radiation field, the highest AER was in breast (AER = 46.9), colorectal (AER = 22.8), and lung cancer (AER = 17).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with HL are generally at great risk of developing SC, which is significantly increased especially by the use of radiotherapy. We suggested special follow-up schema for patients after initial HL treatment suitable for daily real-world clinical practice. The system depends on gender, form of HL treatment and especially the form of radiation therapy in terms of location of radiation fields.

Proton versus photon deep inspiration breath hold technique in patients with hodgkin lymphoma and mediastinal radiation : A PLANNING COMPARISON OF DEEP INSPIRATION BREATH HOLD INTENSITY MODULATION RADIOTHERAPY AND INTENSITY MODULATED PROTON THERAPY

BACKGROUND

The benefits of proton therapy in the treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are controversially discussed. Therefore we compared intensitiy modulated proton therapy (IMPT) with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), in the form of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), through a comparative treatment planning study.

METHODS

Radiation plans for 21 patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) were computed for IMPT and deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) VMAT. Plans were optimized and computed assuming deep inspiration breath holding conditions. Dosimetric comparison on standard metrics from dose volume histograms was performed to appraise the relative merits of the two techniques, while proton plan robustness was assessed by re-computing the dose distribution of each plan by varying the Hounsfield Units to stopping power calibration by applying a ± 3 and 4% error.

RESULTS

DIBH-VMAT and IMPT both provided excellent coverage, conformity and heterogeneity of the clinical target volume (CTV) and planning target volume (PTV). IMPT reduced mean doses to the breasts, lungs, heart and normal tissue by 38-83%. IMPT significantly reduced mean doses to the heart to < 5 Gy despite bulky mediastinal disease and decreased breast doses in female patients to < 1 Gy. Despite the simulated 3 and 4% miscalibration errors, no remarkable or measurable impact was observed on the organs at risk (OARs).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first comparison between DIBH-VMAT and IMPT in HL treatment. We could demonstrate statistically significant decreases in all dose/volume metrics of the OARs. Regardless of the planning paradigm used, range uncertainties can substantially under dose the PTV, while perhaps not leading to clinically significant deterioration of CTV coverage. With the geometry applied no impact was observed for OARs, suggesting IMPT as a superior technique for potentially reducing future health risks for HL patients.

Radiotherapeutic implications of the updated ICRP thresholds for tissue reactions related to cataracts and circulatory diseases

Radiation therapy of cancer patients involves a trade-off between a sufficient tumour dose for a high probability of local control and dose to organs at risk that is low enough to lead to a clinically acceptable probability of toxicity. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) reviewed epidemiological evidence and provided updated estimates of 'practical' threshold doses for tissue injury, as defined at the level of 1% incidence, in ICRP Publication 118. Particular attention was paid to cataracts and circulatory diseases. ICRP recommended nominal absorbed dose threshold for these outcomes as low as 0.5 Gy. Threshold doses for tissue reactions can be reached in some patients during radiation therapy. Modern treatment planning systems do not account for such low doses accurately, and doses to therapy patients from associated imaging procedures are not generally accounted for. While local control is paramount, the observations of ICRP Publication 118 suggest that radiation therapy plans and processes should be examined with particular care. The research needs are discussed in this paper.

Association between radiation heart dosimetric parameters, myocardial infarct and overall survival in stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer treated with definitive thoracic radiotherapy

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this retrospective observational study is to assess the association between various radiation heart dosimetric parameters (RHDPs) and acute myocardial infarct (AMI) and overall survival (OS) outcomes in stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified eligible patients treated at two institutions from 2007 to 2014. We linked their electronic medical records to the national AMI and death registries. We performed univariable and multivariable Cox regressions analysis to assess the association between various RHDPs, AMI and OS.

RESULTS

120 eligible patients were included with a median follow-up of 17.6 months. Median age was 65.5 years. Median prescription dose was 60 Gy. Median mean heart dose (MHD) was 12.6 Gy. Univariable analysis showed that higher MHD (hazard ratio (HR), 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.06; P = .008) and volume of heart receiving at least 5 Gy (V5) (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; P = .042) were associated with increased hazards for AMI. Univariable analysis showed that higher MHD, V5, V25, V30, V40, V50 and dose to 30% of heart volume were associated with increased hazards for death. Multivariable analysis showed that there was no statistically significant association between various RHDPs and OS.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of AMI is low among stage III NSCLC treated with definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. There is insufficient evidence to conclude that RHDPs are associated with AMI or OS in our study.

Hodgkin lymphoma: A review and update on recent progress

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a unique hematopoietic neoplasm characterized by cancerous Reed-Sternberg cells in an inflammatory background. Patients are commonly diagnosed with HL in their 20s and 30s, and they present with supradiaphragmatic lymphadenopathy, often with systemic B symptoms. Even in advanced-stage disease, HL is highly curable with combination chemotherapy, radiation, or combined-modality treatment. Although the same doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine chemotherapeutic regimen has been the mainstay of therapy over the last 30 years, risk-adapted approaches have helped de-escalate therapy in low-risk patients while intensifying treatment for higher risk patients. Even patients who are not cured with initial therapy can often be salvaged with alternate chemotherapy combinations, the novel antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab, or high-dose autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The programmed death-1 inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab have both demonstrated high response rates and durable remissions in patients with relapsed/refractory HL. Alternate donor sources and reduced-intensity conditioning have made allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation a viable option for more patients. Future research will look to integrate novel strategies into earlier lines of therapy to improve the HL cure rate and minimize long-term treatment toxicities. CA Cancer J Clin 2018;68:116-132. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Double somatic mutations in mismatch repair genes are frequent in colorectal cancer after Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment

OBJECTIVE

Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors who were treated with infradiaphragmatic radiotherapy or procarbazine-containing chemotherapy have a fivefold increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aims to provide insight into the development of therapy-related CRC (t-CRC) by evaluating histopathological and molecular characteristics.

DESIGN

54 t-CRCs diagnosed in a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor cohort were analysed for mismatch repair (MMR) proteins by immunohistochemistry, microsatellite instability (MSI) and KRAS/BRAF mutations. MSI t-CRCs were evaluated for promoter methylation and mutations in MMR genes. Pathogenicity of MMR gene mutations was evaluated by in silico predictions and functional analyses. Frequencies were compared with a general population cohort of CRC (n=1111).

RESULTS

KRAS and BRAF mutations were present in 41% and 15% t-CRCs, respectively. Compared with CRCs in the general population, t-CRCs had a higher MSI frequency (24% vs 11%, p=0.003) and more frequent loss of MSH2/MSH6 staining (13% vs 1%, p<0.001). Loss of MLH1/PMS2 staining and MLH1 promoter methylation were equally common in t-CRCs and the general population. In MSI CRCs without MLH1 promoter methylation, double somatic MMR gene mutations (or loss of heterozygosity as second hit) were detected in 7/10 (70%) t-CRCs and 8/36 (22%) CRCs in the general population (p=0.008). These MMR gene mutations in t-CRCs were classified as pathogenic. MSI t-CRC cases could not be ascribed to Lynch syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated a higher frequency of MSI among t-CRCs, which results from somatic MMR gene mutations. This suggests a novel association of somatic MMR gene mutations with prior anticancer treatment.

Long-term follow up of Hodgkin lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is the paradigm of curable disease. This study analyzed the overall survival (OS) of patients with HL and compared their survival between decades and with the expected survival of a general population.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 22 years. The median OS was 33 years. The incidence mortality rate for all causes is 2 per every 100 patients per year. The OS of our cohort at 10 years from diagnosis was 76% (95% CI: 72-79) and 52% at 30 years (95% CI: 48-57). Overall SMR (1980-2013) was 2,943 (95% CI: 2,518-3,439). Excluding the primary tumor as the cause of death, the SMR obtained is 2,266 (95% CI: 1,895-2,710). The SMR for those patients diagnosed before the year 2000 was 2,097 (95% CI: 1,732-2,539); and for those diagnosed after 2000 was 5,218 (95% CI: 8,655). The group of patients diagnosed after 2000 had statistically significant more advanced stages, were older and less responsive to treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the advances achieved, the risk of death remains higher than in the general population, mainly for those patients diagnosed after year 2000, even after almost 40 years of follow-up. This data might suggest a shift to more aggressive forms of disease in recent years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 595 patients diagnosed with HL were included between January 1966 and February 2014. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was analyzed using the annual rate of mortality in the general Spanish population, adjusted for age, sex and time period.

Acquired Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction in the Tumor Microenvironment of Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma

An understanding of interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) of classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) has helped pave the way to novel immunotherapies that have enabled dormant and tumor-tolerant immune cells to be reactivated. The immunosuppressive nature of the TME in cHL specifically inhibits the proliferation and activity of natural killer (NK) cells, which contributes to tumor immune-escape mechanisms. This deficiency of NK cells begins at the tumor site and progresses systemically in patients with advanced disease or adverse prognostic factors. Several facets of cHL account for this effect on NK cells. Locally, malignant Reed-Sternberg cells and cells from the TME express ligands for inhibitory receptors on NK cells, including HLA-E, HLA-G, and programmed death-ligand 1. The secretion of chemokines and cytokines, including soluble IL-2 receptor (sCD25), Transforming Growth Factor-β, IL-10, CXCL9, and CXCL10, mediates the systemic immunosuppression. This review also discusses the potential reversibility of quantitative and functional NK cell deficiencies in cHL that are likely to lead to novel treatments.

Excess mortality among 10-year survivors of classical Hodgkin lymphoma in adolescents and young adults

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) surviving classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) risk long term fatal treatment-related toxicities. We utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program to compare excess mortality rate (EMR-observed minus expected mortality) for 10-year survivors of AYA cHL diagnosed in 1973-1992 and 1993-2003 eras. The 15-year EMR reduced from 4.88% to 2.19% while the 20-year EMR reduced from 9.46% to 4.07% between eras. Survivors of stages 1-2 had lower EMR than survivors of stages 3-4 cHL in the 1993-2003 but not in the 1973-1992 era. There was an overall decline in risk of death between 10 and 15 years from diagnosis, driven mostly by second neoplasms and cardiovascular mortality. Despite reduction in fatal second neoplasms and cardiovascular disease with more current therapy, long term survivors of AYA cHL still have a higher risk of death than the general population highlighting the need for safer therapies.

High burden of subsequent malignant neoplasms and cardiovascular disease in long-term Hodgkin lymphoma survivors

Background:

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients are at an increased risk of late adverse treatment effects. While published studies focussed on the risk of either subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs) or cardiovascular disease (CVD), we examined the combined burden from SMN and CVD.

Methods:

In 2908 5-year HL survivors treated between 1965 and 2000, the burden from SMN and/or CVD was assessed using cumulative incidences (CIs) and the mean cumulative count (MCC).

Results:

We identified 888 SMNs and 1153 CVDs in 1247 patients (median follow-up 22 years). At 40 years, the CI for developing either SMN or CVD was 68% and the CI for developing both SMN and CVD was 17%, and an average of 1.2 events per patient (MCC) was observed. HL patients who developed a solid malignancy had similar 15-year risks to develop another subsequent malignancy or CVD (15%), whereas patients who developed a CVD after HL had a higher 15-year risk to develop another CVD compared with a subsequent malignancy (46 vs 15%). Radiotherapy was the strongest risk factor for developing both SMN and CVD in multivariable Cox regression models.

Conclusions:

Treating physicians should be aware of the increased risk of both SMN and CVD in patients treated for HL until 2000.

Long-Term Complications in Hodgkin's Lymphoma Survivors

Background

Although patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) achieve prolonged survival, long-term complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among long-term survivors of HL.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated long-term complications in 336 HL survivors treated between January 1990 and January 2006 at the Department of Medical Oncology of the Hacettepe University Institute of Oncology who were >16 years old at presentation. All patients were regularly followed up every 3 months for the first 2 years after complete response, biannually for 3 years, and annually after 5 years.

Results

Median follow-up was 8.5 years. The mean age (±SD) of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 35.7 ± 13.1 years. The male to female ratio was 61%/39%. During follow-up, 29 second malignancies (8.6%) were diagnosed in 28 patients with HL; 22 were solid tumors and 7 were hematological malignancies. Forty-seven (14.0%) of all patients with HL were found to have thyroid abnormalities. During follow-up, 54 (16.1%) patients developed cardiovascular complications. Overall, 29 (8.6%) patients developed late pulmonary toxicities. The cumulative number of chronic viral infections was 13 (3.9%).

Conclusions

Long-term survivors of HL need to be properly followed up not only for disease control but also for evaluation of possible late morbidities to minimize the consequences.

Cardiovascular effects of Hodgkin's lymphoma: a review of literature

Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) constitutes 0.6% of all the cancers diagnosed worldwide and 10% of all lymphomas. Ten-year survival rate for HL is estimated to be 80% and cardiovascular death is the prevalent cause for a non-malignant death among these HL survivors. We are reviewing the cardiovascular morbidities associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma from the available literature. We performed a systematic review of all articles published from January 1, 1960 to October 1, 2016 on the MEDLINE database using PubMed search engine. Key factors in the diagnosis and management of these conditions are discussed in individual sections.

Cardio-oncology: a multidisciplinary approach for detection, prevention and management of cardiac dysfunction in cancer patients

Cardiac dysfunction that develops during or after completion of cancer therapy is a growing health concern that should be addressed in a multidisciplinary setting. Cardio-oncology is a new discipline that focuses on screening, monitoring and treating cardiovascular disease during and after cancer treatment. A baseline cardiovascular risk assessment is essential. For high-risk patients, a tailored and detailed plan for cardiovascular management throughout treatment and beyond should also be established. Anthracycline and/or trastuzumab-containing chemotherapy and chest-directed radiation therapy are well known cardiotoxic cancer therapies. Monitoring for the development of subclinical cardiotoxicity is crucial for the prevention of clinical heart failure. Detecting a decreased left ventricular ejection fraction after cancer therapy might be a late finding; therefore, earlier markers of cardiac injury are being actively explored. Abnormal myocardial strain and increased serum cardiac biomarkers (e.g. troponins and natriuretic peptides) are possible candidates for this purpose. An important method for preventing heart failure is the avoidance or minimization of the use of cardiotoxic therapies. Decisions must balance the anti-tumor efficacy of the treatment with its potential cardiotoxicity. If patients develop cardiac dysfunction or heart failure, they should be treated in accordance with established guidelines for heart failure. Cancer survivors who have been exposed to cardiotoxic cancer therapies are at high risk of developing heart failure. The management of cardiovascular risk factors and periodic screening with cardiac imaging and biomarkers should be considered in high-risk survivors.

Heart irradiation reduces microvascular density and accumulation of HSPA1 in mice

PURPOSE

Improvement of radiotherapy techniques reduces the exposure of normal tissues to ionizing radiation. However, the risk of radiation-related late effects remains elevated. In the present study, we investigated long-term effects of radiation on heart muscle morphology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We established a mouse model to study microvascular density (MVD), deposition of collagen fibers, and changes in accumulation of heat shock 70 kDa protein 1 (HSPA1) in irradiated heart tissue. Hearts of C57BL/6 mice received a single dose of X‑ray radiation in the range 0.2-16 Gy. Analyses were performed 20, 40, and 60 weeks after irradiation.

RESULTS

Reduction in MD was revealed as a long-term effect observed 20-60 weeks after irradiation. Moreover, a significant and dose-dependent increase in accumulation of HSPA1, both cytoplasmic and nuclear, was observed in heart tissues collected 20 weeks after irradiation. We also noticed an increase in collagen deposition in hearts treated with higher doses.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that some changes induced by radiation in the heart tissue, such as reduction in microvessel density, increase in collagen deposition, and accumulation of HSPA1, are observed as long-term effects which might be associated with late radiation cardiotoxicity.

Reduced Mortality Risk in the Recent Era in Early-Stage Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients Treated With Radiation Therapy With or Without Chemotherapy

PURPOSE

To determine the effect of treatment changes over time on all-cause mortality risk in patients with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after radiation therapy. The long-term survivorship of those with HL necessitates quantification of the late risk of mortality from HL and other causes.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

An institutional review board-approved retrospective study was conducted using a multi-institutional database of 1541 stage I and II HL patients treated from 1968 to 2007 with radiation therapy alone or combined-modality treatment. The analytic methods included cumulative incidence function, Kaplan-Meier estimates and log-rank tests for overall survival (OS) differences, and Cox proportional hazards modeling.

RESULTS

The median age at diagnosis was 27 years. At a median follow-up of 15.2 years (35% of patients with >20 years of follow-up), 395 patients had died of all causes, including 85 HL, 168 second malignancy (25 hematologic and 143 nonhematologic), 70 cardiovascular, and 21 pulmonary deaths. The cumulative incidence of non-HL mortality had surpassed HL mortality at 8.3 years. For patients treated from 1968 to 1982, 1983 to 1992, and 1993 to 2007, the 15-year OS rates were 78%, 85%, and 88%, respectively (P=.0016). On Cox proportional hazards analysis, age, B symptoms, and number of disease sites were significantly associated with all-cause mortality in the first decade of follow-up, with a trend toward significance for radiation field extent.

CONCLUSIONS

The all-cause mortality risk was significantly lower for patients treated in the most recent era during the first decade of follow-up, likely due to improved HL therapy resulting in a higher cure rate and lower treatment-related toxicity from smaller radiation fields. Current efforts toward radiation treatment reduction might further reduce the long-term mortality risk for these patients.

Optimisation of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for untreated Hodgkin lymphoma patients with respect to second malignant neoplasms, overall and progression-free survival: individual participant data analysis

BACKGROUND

Efficacy and the risk of severe late effects have to be well-balanced in treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Late adverse effects include secondary malignancies which often have a poor prognosis. To synthesise evidence on the risk of secondary malignancies after current treatment approaches comprising chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, we performed a meta-analysis based on individual patient data (IPD) from patients treated for newly diagnosed HL.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated several questions concerning possible changes in the risk of secondary malignancies when modifying chemotherapy or radiotherapy (omission of radiotherapy, reduction of the radiation field, reduction of the radiation dose, use of fewer chemotherapy cycles, intensification of chemotherapy). We also analysed whether these modifications affect progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

SEARCH METHODS

We searched MEDLINE and Cochrane CENTRAL trials databases comprehensively in June 2010 for all randomised trials in HL since 1984. Key international trials registries were also searched. The search was updated in March 2015 without collecting further IPD (one further eligible study found) and again in July 2017 (no further eligible studies).

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for untreated HL patients which enrolled at least 50 patients per arm, completed recruitment by 2007 and performed a treatment comparison relevant to our objectives.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Study groups submitted IPD, including age, sex, stage and the outcomes secondary malignant neoplasm (SMN), OS and PFS as time-to-event data. We meta-analysed these data using Petos method (SMN) and Cox regression with inverse-variance pooling (OS, PFS) for each of the five study questions, and performed subgroup and sensitivity analyses to assess the applicability and robustness of the results.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 21 eligible trials and obtained IPD for 16. For four studies no data were supplied despite repeated efforts, while one study was only identified in 2015 and IPD were not sought. For each study question, between three and six trials with between 1101 and 2996 participants in total and median follow-up between 6.7 and 10.8 years were analysed. All participants were adults and mainly under 60 years. Risk of bias was assessed as low for the majority of studies and outcomes. Chemotherapy alone versus same chemotherapy plus radiotherapy. Omitting additional radiotherapy probably reduces secondary malignancy incidence (Peto odds ratio (OR) 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23 to 0.82, low quality of evidence), corresponding to an estimated reduction of eight-year SMN risk from 8% to 4%. This decrease was particularly true for secondary acute leukemias. However, we had insufficient evidence to determine whether OS rates differ between patients treated with chemotherapy alone versus combined-modality (hazard ratio (HR) 0.71, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.11, moderate quality of evidence). There was a slightly higher rate of PFS with combined modality, but our confidence in the results was limited by high levels of statistical heterogeneity between studies (HR 1.31, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.73, moderate quality of evidence). Chemotherapy plus involved-field radiation versus same chemotherapy plus extended-field radiation (early stages) . There is insufficient evidence to determine whether smaller radiation field reduces SMN risk (Peto OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.16, low quality of evidence), OS (HR 0.89, 95% C: 0.70 to 1.12, high quality of evidence) or PFS (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.21, high quality of evidence). Chemotherapy plus lower-dose radiation versus same chemotherapy plus higher-dose radiation (early stages). There is insufficient evidence to determine the effect of lower-radiation dose on SMN risk (Peto OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.50, low quality of evidence), OS (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.28, high quality of evidence) or PFS (HR 1.20, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.48, high quality of evidence). Fewer versus more courses of chemotherapy (each with or without radiotherapy; early stages). Fewer chemotherapy courses probably has little or no effect on SMN risk (Peto OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.62), OS (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.73 to1.34) or PFS (HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.45).Outcomes had a moderate (SMN) or high (OS, PFS) quality of evidence. Dose-intensified versus ABVD-like chemotherapy (with or without radiotherapy in each case). In the mainly advanced-stage patients who were treated with intensified chemotherapy, the rate of secondary malignancies was low. There was insufficient evidence to determine the effect of chemotherapy intensification (Peto OR 1.37, CI 0.89 to 2.10, low quality of evidence). The rate of secondary acute leukemias (and for younger patients, all secondary malignancies) was probably higher than among those who had treatment with standard-dose ABVD-like protocols. In contrast, the intensified chemotherapy protocols probably improved PFS (eight-year PFS 75% versus 69% for ABVD-like treatment, HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.7 to 0.95, moderate quality of evidence). Evidence suggesting improved survival with intensified chemotherapy was not conclusive (HR: 0.85, CI 0.70 to 1.04), although escalated-dose BEACOPP appeared to lengthen survival compared to ABVD-like chemotherapy (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.79, moderate quality of evidence).Generally, we could draw valid conclusions only in terms of secondary haematological malignancies, which usually occur less than 10 years after initial treatment, while follow-up within the present analysis was too short to record all solid tumours.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The risk of secondary acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS) is increased but efficacy is improved among patients treated with intensified chemotherapy protocols. Treatment decisions must be tailored for individual patients. Consolidating radiotherapy is associated with an increased rate of secondary malignancies; therefore it appears important to define which patients can safely be treated without radiotherapy after chemotherapy, both for early and advanced stages. For early stages, treatment optimisation methods such as use of fewer chemotherapy cycles and reduced field or reduced-dose radiotherapy did not appear to markedly affect efficacy or secondary malignancy risk. Due to the limited amount of long-term follow-up in this meta-analysis, further long-term investigations of late events are needed, particularly with respect to secondary solid tumours. Since many older studies have been included, possible improvement of radiotherapy techniques must be considered when interpreting these results.