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Bach SP. STAR-TREC: An International Three-arm Multicentre, Partially Randomised Controlled Trial Incorporating an External Pilot. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2023; 35:e107-e109. [PMID: 36577551 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM Organ saving treatment for early-stage rectal cancer can reduce patient reported side effects compared to standard total mesorectal excision (TME) and preserve quality of life (QOL). An optimal strategy for achieving organ preservation and longer-term oncological outcomes are unknown, thus there is a need for high quality trials. METHOD Can we Save the rectum by watchful waiting or TransAnal surgery following (chemo)Radiotherapy versus Total mesorectal excision for early REctal Cancer (STAR-TREC) is an international 3-arm multi-centre, partially randomised controlled trial incorporating an external pilot. In phase III, patients with cT1-3b N0 tumours, ≤40mm in diameter, who prefer organ preservation are randomised 1:1 between mesorectal long course chemoradiation versus mesorectal short course radiotherapy, with selective transanal microsurgery. Patients preferring radical surgery receive TME. STAR-TREC aims to recruit 380 patients to organ preservation and 120 to TME surgery. The primary outcome is the rate of organ preservation at 30 months. Secondary clinician reported outcomes include acute treatment-related toxicity, rate of non-operative management, non-regrowth pelvic tumour control at 36 months, non-regrowth disease free survival at 36 months, and overall survival at 60 months and patient reported toxicity, health related QOL at baseline, 12 and 24 months. Exploratory biomarker research uses circulating tumour DNA to predict response and relapse. DISCUSSION STAR-TREC will prospectively evaluate contrasting therapeutic strategies and implement new measures including a smaller mesorectal target volume, 2-step response assessment and non-operative management for complete response. The trial will yield important information to guide routine management of patients with early-stage rectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Bach
- Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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Bach SP. Can we Save the rectum by watchful waiting or TransAnal surgery following (chemo)Radiotherapy versus Total mesorectal excision for early REctal Cancer (STAR-TREC)? Protocol for the international, multicentre, rolling phase II/III partially randomized patient preference trial evaluating long-course concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus short-course radiotherapy organ preservation approaches. Colorectal Dis 2022; 24:639-651. [PMID: 35114057 PMCID: PMC9311773 DOI: 10.1111/codi.16056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIM Organ-saving treatment for early-stage rectal cancer can reduce patient-reported side effects compared to standard total mesorectal excision (TME) and preserve quality of life. An optimal strategy for achieving organ preservation and longer-term oncological outcomes are unknown; thus there is a need for high quality trials. METHOD Can we Save the rectum by watchful waiting or TransAnal surgery following (chemo)Radiotherapy versus Total mesorectal excision for early REctal Cancer (STAR-TREC) is an international three-arm multicentre, partially randomized controlled trial incorporating an external pilot. In phase III, patients with cT1-3b N0 tumours, ≤40 mm in diameter, who prefer organ preservation are randomized 1:1 between mesorectal long-course chemoradiation versus mesorectal short-course radiotherapy, with selective transanal microsurgery. Patients preferring radical surgery receive TME. STAR-TREC aims to recruit 380 patients to organ preservation and 120 to TME surgery. The primary outcome is the rate of organ preservation at 30 months. Secondary clinician-reported outcomes include acute treatment-related toxicity, rate of non-operative management, non-regrowth pelvic tumour control at 36 months, non-regrowth disease-free survival at 36 months and overall survival at 60 months, and patient-reported toxicity, health-related quality of life at baseline, 12 and 24 months. Exploratory biomarker research uses circulating tumour DNA to predict response and relapse. DISCUSSION STAR-TREC will prospectively evaluate contrasting therapeutic strategies and implement new measures including a smaller mesorectal target volume, two-step response assessment and non-operative management for complete response. The trial will yield important information to guide routine management of patients with early-stage rectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon P. Bach
- D3B [Drugs, Devices, Diagnostics and Biomarkers]Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials UnitBirminghamUK
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Hudson EM, Noutch S, Brown S, Adapala R, Bach SP, Burnett C, Burrage A, Gilbert A, Hawkins M, Howard D, Jefford M, Kochhar R, Saunders M, Seligmann J, Smith A, Teo M, Webb EJ, Webster A, West N, Sebag-Montefiore D, Gollins S, Appelt AL. A Phase II trial of Higher RadiOtherapy Dose In The Eradication of early rectal cancer (APHRODITE): protocol for a multicentre, open-label randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e049119. [PMID: 35487526 PMCID: PMC9052059 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The standard of care for patients with localised rectal cancer is radical surgery, often combined with preoperative neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy. While oncologically effective, this treatment strategy is associated with operative mortality risks, significant morbidity and stoma formation. An alternative approach is chemoradiotherapy to try to achieve a sustained clinical complete response (cCR). This non-surgical management can be attractive, particularly for patients at high risk of surgical complications. Modern radiotherapy techniques allow increased treatment conformality, enabling increased radiation dose to the tumour while reducing dose to normal tissue. The objective of this trial is to assess if radiotherapy dose escalation increases the cCR rate, with acceptable toxicity, for treatment of patients with early rectal cancer unsuitable for radical surgery. METHODS AND ANALYSIS APHRODITE (A Phase II trial of Higher RadiOtherapy Dose In The Eradication of early rectal cancer) is a multicentre, open-label randomised controlled phase II trial aiming to recruit 104 participants from 10 to 12 UK sites. Participants will be allocated with a 2:1 ratio of intervention:control. The intervention is escalated dose radiotherapy (62 Gy to primary tumour, 50.4 Gy to surrounding mesorectum in 28 fractions) using simultaneous integrated boost. The control arm will receive 50.4 Gy to the primary tumour and surrounding mesorectum. Both arms will use intensity-modulated radiotherapy and daily image guidance, combined with concurrent chemotherapy (capecitabine, 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin or omitted). The primary endpoint is the proportion of participants with cCR at 6 months after start of treatment. Secondary outcomes include early and late toxicities, time to stoma formation, overall survival and patient-reported outcomes (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaires QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29, low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) questionnaire). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The trial obtained ethical approval from North West Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee (reference number 19/NW/0565) and is funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research. The final trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and adhere to International Committee of Medical Journal Editors guidelines. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN16158514.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor M Hudson
- Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Samantha Noutch
- Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Sarah Brown
- Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Ravi Adapala
- Department of Radiology, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham, UK
| | - Simon P Bach
- Academic Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Carole Burnett
- Leeds Cancer Centre, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Alexandra Gilbert
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Maria Hawkins
- Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Debra Howard
- National Radiotherapy Trials QA (RTTQA) Group, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood, UK
| | | | - Rohit Kochhar
- Department of Radiology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Mark Saunders
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Jenny Seligmann
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Alexandra Smith
- Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Mark Teo
- Leeds Cancer Centre, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Edward Jd Webb
- Academic Unit of Health Economics, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Amanda Webster
- National Radiotherapy Trials QA (RTTQA) Group, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood, UK
| | - Nicholas West
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Simon Gollins
- North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, UK
| | - Ane L Appelt
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Sluckin TC, Couwenberg AM, Lambregts DM, Hazen SMJ, Horsthuis K, Meijnen P, Beets-Tan RG, Tanis PJ, Marijnen CA, Kusters M. Lateral lymph nodes in rectal cancer: do we all think the same? A review of multidisciplinary obstacles and treatment recommendations. Clin Colorectal Cancer 2022; 21:80-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clcc.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: What We Learned in the Last Two Decades and the Future Perspectives. J Gastrointest Cancer 2022; 54:188-203. [PMID: 34981341 DOI: 10.1007/s12029-021-00794-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The advancement in surgical techniques, optimization of systemic chemoradiotherapy, and development of refined diagnostic and imaging modalities have brought a phenomenal shift in the treatment of the locally advanced rectal cancer. Although each therapeutic option has shown substantial progress in their field, it is finding their ideal amalgamation which has baffled the clinician and researchers alike. In the effort to identifying the perfect salutary treatment plan, we have even shifted our attention from the trimodal approach to non-operative "watchful waiting" to more recent individualized care. In this article, we acknowledge the scientific progress in the management of locally advanced rectal cancer and compare the opportunities as well as the obstacles while implementing them clinically. We also explore the current challenges and controversies surrounding the multidisciplinary approach and highlight the new trends and recent advances with an ultimate goal to improve the patients' quality of life.
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Pacevicius J, Petrauskas V, Pilipavicius L, Dulskas A. Local Excision ± Chemoradiotherapy vs. Total Mesorectal Excision for Early Rectal Cancer: Case-Matched Analysis of Long-Term Results. Front Surg 2021; 8:746784. [PMID: 34733880 PMCID: PMC8558343 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2021.746784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Our aim was to compare the bowel function and oncologic outcomes following these two treatment modalities. Materials and methods: This was a single-center study with 67 patients included between 2009 and 2018. A total of 32 patients underwent total mesorectal excision (TME) group and 35 transanal local excisions (LE) ± chemoradiation. We performed a case-matched analysis: we matched the patients by age, cancer stage, and comorbidities. Duration of operation, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and long-term functional and oncological outcomes were compared. We calculated oncological outcomes using Kaplan-Meier Cox diagrams. In addition, we used a low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score for the bowel function assessment. Results: Mean operation time in the LE group was 58.8 ± 45 min compared with the TME group that was 121.1 ± 42 min (p = 0.032). Complications were seen in 5.7% in LE group and 15.62% in TME group (p = 0.043). ~85.2% of the patients had no LARS in LE group compared with 54.5% in TME group (p = 0.018). Minor LARS was 7.4% in LE group compared with 31.8% in TME group (p = 0.018); major LARS was 7.4 and 13.7%, respectively (p = 0.474). Hospital stay was 2.77 days in LE group compared with 9.21 days in TME group (p = 0.036). The overall survival was 68.78 months in LE group compared with 74.81 months in TME group (p = 0.964). Conclusion: Our results of a small sample size showed that local excision ± chemoradiation is a rather safe method for early rectal cancer compared with gold standard treatment. In addition, better bowel function is preserved with less postoperative complications and shorter hospital stays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Pacevicius
- Department of Abdominal and General Surgery and Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vidas Petrauskas
- Department of Abdominal and General Surgery and Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Lukas Pilipavicius
- Department of Abdominal and General Surgery and Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Audrius Dulskas
- Department of Abdominal and General Surgery and Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Iorio GC, Spieler BO, Ricardi U, Dal Pra A. The Impact of Pelvic Nodal Radiotherapy on Hematologic Toxicity: A Systematic Review with Focus on Leukopenia, Lymphopenia and Future Perspectives in Prostate Cancer Treatment. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 168:103497. [PMID: 34666186 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hematologic toxicity (HT), particularly leukopenia, is a common side-effect of oncologic treatments for pelvic malignancies. Pelvic nodal radiotherapy (PNRT) has been associated with HT development mainly through incidental bone marrow (BM) irradiation; however, several questions remain about the clinical impact of radiotherapy-related HT. Herein, we perform a systematic review of the available evidence on PNRT and HT. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive systematic literature search was performed through EMBASE. Hand searching and clinicaltrials.gov were also used. RESULTS While BM-related dose-volume parameters and BM-sparing techniques have been more thoroughly investigated in pelvic malignancies such as cervical, anal, and rectal cancers, the importance of BM as an organ-at-risk has received less attention in prostate cancer treatment. CONCLUSIONS We examined the available evidence regarding the impact of PNRT on HT, with a focus on prostate cancer treatment. We suggest that BM should be regarded as an organ-at-risk for patients undergoing PNRT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Oren Spieler
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Umberto Ricardi
- Department of Oncology, Radiation Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alan Dal Pra
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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[Organ preservation after short-course radiotherapy and transanal endoscopic microsurgery for early-stage rectal cancer (TREC)]. Strahlenther Onkol 2021; 197:749-751. [PMID: 34089100 PMCID: PMC8292244 DOI: 10.1007/s00066-021-01795-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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van den Ende RPJ, Peters FP, Harderwijk E, Rütten H, Bouwmans L, Berbee M, Canters RAM, Stoian G, Compagner K, Rozema T, de Smet M, Intven MPW, Tijssen RHN, Theuws J, van Haaren P, van Triest B, Eekhout D, Marijnen CAM, van der Heide UA, Kerkhof EM. Radiotherapy quality assurance for mesorectum treatment planning within the multi-center phase II STAR-TReC trial: Dutch results. Radiat Oncol 2020; 15:41. [PMID: 32070386 PMCID: PMC7027245 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-020-01487-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The STAR-TReC trial is an international multi-center, randomized, phase II study assessing the feasibility of short-course radiotherapy or long-course chemoradiotherapy as an alternative to total mesorectal excision surgery. A new target volume is used for both (chemo)radiotherapy arms which includes only the mesorectum. The treatment planning QA revealed substantial variation in dose to organs at risk (OAR) between centers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the treatment plan variability in terms of dose to OAR and assess the effect of a national study group meeting on the quality and variability of treatment plans for mesorectum-only planning for rectal cancer. METHODS Eight centers produced 25 × 2 Gy treatment plans for five cases. The OAR were the bowel cavity, bladder and femoral heads. A study group meeting for the participating centers was organized to discuss the planning results. At the meeting, the values of the treatment plan DVH parameters were distributed among centers so that results could be compared. Subsequently, the centers were invited to perform replanning if they considered this to be necessary. RESULTS All treatment plans, both initial planning and replanning, fulfilled the target constraints. Dose to OAR varied considerably for the initial planning, especially for dose levels below 20 Gy, indicating that there was room for trade-offs between the defined OAR. Five centers performed replanning for all cases. One center did not perform replanning at all and two centers performed replanning on two and three cases, respectively. On average, replanning reduced the bowel cavity V20Gy by 12.6%, bowel cavity V10Gy by 22.0%, bladder V35Gy by 14.7% and bladder V10Gy by 10.8%. In 26/30 replanned cases the V10Gy of both the bowel cavity and bladder was lower, indicating an overall lower dose to these OAR instead of a different trade-off. In addition, the bowel cavity V10Gy and V20Gy showed more similarity between centers. CONCLUSIONS Dose to OAR varied considerably between centers, especially for dose levels below 20 Gy. The study group meeting and the distribution of the initial planning results among centers resulted in lower dose to the defined OAR and reduced variability between centers after replanning. TRIAL REGISTRATION The STAR-TReC trial, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02945566. Registered 26 October 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02945566).
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy P. J. van den Ende
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600 2300, RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Femke P. Peters
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600 2300, RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ernst Harderwijk
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600 2300, RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Heidi Rütten
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Liza Bouwmans
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike Berbee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Richard A. M. Canters
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Georgiana Stoian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, the Netherlands
| | - Kim Compagner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, the Netherlands
| | - Tom Rozema
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Verbeeten Institute, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Mariska de Smet
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Verbeeten Institute, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn P. W. Intven
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rob H. N. Tijssen
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline Theuws
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Paul van Haaren
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Baukelien van Triest
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dave Eekhout
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Corrie A. M. Marijnen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600 2300, RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Uulke A. van der Heide
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600 2300, RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ellen M. Kerkhof
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600 2300, RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
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