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Intensity-modulated radiotherapy for lung cancer: current status and future developments. J Thorac Oncol 2015; 9:1598-608. [PMID: 25436795 DOI: 10.1097/jto.0000000000000346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy plays an important role in the management of lung cancer, with over 50% of patients receiving this modality at some point during their treatment. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is a technique that adds fluence modulation to beam shaping, which improves radiotherapy dose conformity around the tumor and spares surrounding normal structures. Treatment with IMRT is becoming more widely available for the treatment of lung cancer, despite the paucity of high level evidence supporting the routine use of this more resource intense and complex technique. In this review article, we have summarized data from planning and clinical studies, discussed challenges in implementing IMRT, and made recommendations on the minimum requirements for safe delivery of IMRT.
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Simeonova AO, Fleckenstein K, Wertz H, Frauenfeld A, Boda-Heggemann J, Lohr F, Wenz F. Are three doses of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) more effective than 30 doses of conventional radiotherapy? Transl Lung Cancer Res 2015; 1:45-53. [PMID: 25806154 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2218-6751.10.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2011] [Accepted: 10/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) definitive radiation therapy is an appropriate alternative to surgery. Recent studies show, that in such patients hypofractionation schedules (for example 3 times 18 Gy or 5 times 12 Gy), can be safely applied, without causing severe toxicities and achieving high local control rates of up to 90% and more. In the last couple of years a lot of knowledge about the cancer biology, technical aspects, clinical outcomes and toxicities has been accumulated from different clinical trials. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent outcomes and developments in stereotactic radiation therapy for patients with early stage NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna O Simeonova
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Katharina Fleckenstein
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hansjörg Wertz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anian Frauenfeld
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Judit Boda-Heggemann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frank Lohr
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frederik Wenz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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Zhao Y, Qi G, Yin G, Wang X, Wang P, Li J, Xiao M, Li J, Kang S, Liao X. A clinical study of lung cancer dose calculation accuracy with Monte Carlo simulation. Radiat Oncol 2014; 9:287. [PMID: 25511623 PMCID: PMC4276018 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-014-0287-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The accuracy of dose calculation is crucial to the quality of treatment planning and, consequently, to the dose delivered to patients undergoing radiation therapy. Current general calculation algorithms such as Pencil Beam Convolution (PBC) and Collapsed Cone Convolution (CCC) have shortcomings in regard to severe inhomogeneities, particularly in those regions where charged particle equilibrium does not hold. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the PBC and CCC algorithms in lung cancer radiotherapy using Monte Carlo (MC) technology. Methods and materials Four treatment plans were designed using Oncentra Masterplan TPS for each patient. Two intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans were developed using the PBC and CCC algorithms, and two three-dimensional conformal therapy (3DCRT) plans were developed using the PBC and CCC algorithms. The DICOM-RT files of the treatment plans were exported to the Monte Carlo system to recalculate. The dose distributions of GTV, PTV and ipsilateral lung calculated by the TPS and MC were compared. Result For 3DCRT and IMRT plans, the mean dose differences for GTV between the CCC and MC increased with decreasing of the GTV volume. For IMRT, the mean dose differences were found to be higher than that of 3DCRT. The CCC algorithm overestimated the GTV mean dose by approximately 3% for IMRT. For 3DCRT plans, when the volume of the GTV was greater than 100 cm3, the mean doses calculated by CCC and MC almost have no difference. PBC shows large deviations from the MC algorithm. For the dose to the ipsilateral lung, the CCC algorithm overestimated the dose to the entire lung, and the PBC algorithm overestimated V20 but underestimated V5; the difference in V10 was not statistically significant. Conclusions PBC substantially overestimates the dose to the tumour, but the CCC is similar to the MC simulation. It is recommended that the treatment plans for lung cancer be developed using an advanced dose calculation algorithm other than PBC. MC can accurately calculate the dose distribution in lung cancer and can provide a notably effective tool for benchmarking the performance of other dose calculation algorithms within patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqun Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Guohai Qi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Gang Yin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Xianliang Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Pei Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Mingyong Xiao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Shengwei Kang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Xiongfei Liao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
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Ayadi M, Zahra N, Thariat J, Bouilhol G, Boissard P, Van Houtte P, Claude L, Mornex F. Radiothérapie conformationnelle avec modulation d’intensité dans les carcinomes bronchiques non à petites cellules. Cancer Radiother 2014; 18:406-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canrad.2014.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Revised: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Kaster TS, Yaremko B, Palma DA, Rodrigues GB. Radical-intent hypofractionated radiotherapy for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review of the literature. Clin Lung Cancer 2014; 16:71-9. [PMID: 25450876 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2014.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify survival and toxicity characteristics associated with radical-intent hypofractionated radiotherapy for the treatment of stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Relevant studies were identified from a systematic PubMed search of articles published between January 1990 and January 2014. All studies were peer reviewed and included both retrospective and prospective studies of NSCLC patients being treated with radical hypofractionated radiotherapy. Data on overall survival (OS) and toxicity were extracted from each of the studies where available. RESULTS Of 685 studies initially identified by the search, a total of 33 studies were found to be relevant and were included in this systematic review. The number of fractions ranged from 15 to 35, the dose per fraction ranged from 2.3 to 3.5 Gy, and the delivered dose ranged from 45.0 to 85.5 Gy. Fifteen of the studies included concurrent chemotherapy, while 18 did not. OS was found to be associated with tumor biological effective dose, with the Pearson correlation coefficient ranging from 0.34 to 0.48. For both concurrent and nonconcurrent chemoradiotherapy acute pulmonary, late esophageal and late pulmonary incidences of toxicity ranged from 1.2% to 12.2%, but had 95% confidence intervals that included zero. The greatest incidence of toxicity was acute esophageal toxicity at 14.9% (95% confidence interval, 0.7%, 29.1%). CONCLUSIONS There is a moderate linear relationship between biological effective dose and OS, and greater acute esophageal toxicity with concurrent chemotherapy. Improving outcomes in stage III NSCLC may involve some form of hypofractionation in the context of systemic concurrent therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler S Kaster
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Western University, London, Ontario; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
| | - Brian Yaremko
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Western University, London, Ontario
| | - David A Palma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Western University, London, Ontario
| | - George B Rodrigues
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Western University, London, Ontario; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario.
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Boda-Heggemann J, Frauenfeld A, Weiss C, Simeonova A, Neumaier C, Siebenlist K, Attenberger U, Heußel CP, Schneider F, Wenz F, Lohr F. Clinical outcome of hypofractionated breath-hold image-guided SABR of primary lung tumors and lung metastases. Radiat Oncol 2014; 9:10. [PMID: 24401323 PMCID: PMC3909294 DOI: 10.1186/1748-717x-9-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Stereotactic Ablative RadioTherapy (SABR) of lung tumors/metastases has been shown to be an effective treatment modality with low toxicity. Outcome and toxicity were retrospectively evaluated in a unique single-institution cohort treated with intensity-modulated image-guided breath-hold SABR (igSABR) without external immobilization. The dose–response relationship is analyzed based on Biologically Equivalent Dose (BED). Patients and methods 50 lesions in 43 patients with primary NSCLC (n = 27) or lung-metastases of various primaries (n = 16) were consecutively treated with igSABR with Active-Breathing-Coordinator (ABC®) and repeat-breath-hold cone-beam-CT. After an initial dose-finding/-escalation period, 5x12 Gy for peripheral lesions and single doses of 5 Gy to varying dose levels for central lesions were applied. Overall-survival (OS), progression-free-survival (PFS), progression pattern, local control (LC) and toxicity were analyzed. Results The median BED2 was 83 Gy. 12 lesions were treated with a BED2 of <80 Gy, and 38 lesions with a BED2 of >80 Gy. Median follow-up was 15 months. Actuarial 1- and 2-year OS were 67% and 43%; respectively. Cause of death was non-disease-related in 27%. Actuarial 1- and 2-year PFS was 42% and 28%. Progression site was predominantly distant. Actuarial 1- and 2 year LC was 90% and 85%. LC showed a trend for a correlation to BED2 (p = 0.1167). Pneumonitis requiring conservative treatment occurred in 23%. Conclusion Intensity-modulated breath-hold igSABR results in high LC-rates and low toxicity in this unfavorable patient cohort with inoperable lung tumors or metastases. A BED2 of <80 Gy was associated with reduced local control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Boda-Heggemann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
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Lievens Y, Nulens A, Gaber MA, Defraene G, De Wever W, Stroobants S, Van den Heuvel F. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a dose-escalation planning study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2010; 80:306-13. [PMID: 20888706 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2010.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2009] [Revised: 06/15/2010] [Accepted: 06/18/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the potential for dose escalation with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in positron emission tomography-based radiotherapy planning for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS For 35 LA-NSCLC patients, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and IMRT plans were made to a prescription dose (PD) of 66 Gy in 2-Gy fractions. Dose escalation was performed toward the maximal PD using secondary endpoint constraints for the lung, spinal cord, and heart, with de-escalation according to defined esophageal tolerance. Dose calculation was performed using the Eclipse pencil beam algorithm, and all plans were recalculated using a collapsed cone algorithm. The normal tissue complication probabilities were calculated for the lung (Grade 2 pneumonitis) and esophagus (acute toxicity, grade 2 or greater, and late toxicity). RESULTS IMRT resulted in statistically significant decreases in the mean lung (p <.0001) and maximal spinal cord (p = .002 and 0005) doses, allowing an average increase in the PD of 8.6-14.2 Gy (p ≤.0001). This advantage was lost after de-escalation within the defined esophageal dose limits. The lung normal tissue complication probabilities were significantly lower for IMRT (p <.0001), even after dose escalation. For esophageal toxicity, IMRT significantly decreased the acute NTCP values at the low dose levels (p = .0009 and p <.0001). After maximal dose escalation, late esophageal tolerance became critical (p <.0001), especially when using IMRT, owing to the parallel increases in the esophageal dose and PD. CONCLUSION In LA-NSCLC, IMRT offers the potential to significantly escalate the PD, dependent on the lung and spinal cord tolerance. However, parallel increases in the esophageal dose abolished the advantage, even when using collapsed cone algorithms. This is important to consider in the context of concomitant chemoradiotherapy schedules using IMRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolande Lievens
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Pediatric Craniospinal Axis Irradiation With Helical Tomotherapy: Patient Outcome and Lack of Acute Pulmonary Toxicity. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2009; 75:1155-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.12.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2008] [Revised: 12/16/2008] [Accepted: 12/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Court LE, Ching D, Schofield D, Czerminska M, Allen AM. Evaluation of the dose calculation accuracy in intensity-modulated radiation therapy for mesothelioma, focusing on low doses to the contralateral lung. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2009; 10:34-42. [PMID: 19458589 PMCID: PMC5720454 DOI: 10.1120/jacmp.v10i2.2850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2008] [Accepted: 02/03/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This study compares Monte Carlo (MC) with conventional treatment planning system (TPS) calculations. The EGS4nrc MC code, BEAMnrc, was commissioned to simulate a Varian 21Ex Linac. The accuracy of the simulations, including points blocked by the jaws, was evaluated by comparing MC with ion chamber and MOSFET measurements. Eight mesothelioma IMRT cases were planned using Eclipse (pencil beam and superposition convolution algorithms). Dose distributions were recalculated using BEAMnrc/DOSxyz, and compared with TPS. MC agreed with experimental results for IMRT fields within 3% (96% of points). For regions blocked by the jaws, average agreement between MC and experiment was better than 5% up to 20 cm from isocenter. The pencil beam algorithm underestimated lung MLD, V20, and V5, compared with MC, by a mean (range) of 16% (11-22%), 9.0% (2.4-30.1%), and 11.8% (2-30%), respectively. The superposition convolution algorithm gave better agreement of 8.5% (0-17%), 4% (0-12%) and 0% (-6-6%). Mean dose to the targets was better than +/- 5% in all cases. In conclusion, there is excellent correlation between TPS and MC calculations for the target doses. The pencil beam algorithm and superposition convolution algorithms both underestimate lung dose parameters, but the superposition convolution dose offers improvements in dose calculation accuracy for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence E Court
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Ching
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deborah Schofield
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Czerminska
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aaron M Allen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Radiotherapy for lung cancer: clinical impact of recent technical advances. Lung Cancer 2008; 64:1-8. [PMID: 18771814 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2008.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2008] [Revised: 07/07/2008] [Accepted: 07/21/2008] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Radiation oncology plays an important role in the curative treatment of patients with lung cancer. New technological developments have enabled delivery of higher radiation doses while better sparing surrounding normal tissues, thereby increasing the likelihood of local control without increased toxicity. Multi-modality imaging enables better target definition, improved planning software allows for correct calculation of delivered doses, and tools to verify accurate treatment delivery are now available. A good example of the results of applying these developments is the high local control rates achieved in stage I NSCLC with stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). These advances are rapidly becoming available outside academic institutions, and pulmonologists, surgeons and medical oncologists need to understand and critically assess the potential impact of such developments in the routine care of their patients. Aspects of cost-effectiveness of technical innovations, as well as the level of evidence required before widespread clinical implementation, will be addressed.
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Modern Radiotherapy as Part of Combined Modality Treatment in Locally Advanced Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer: Present Status and Future Prospects. Oncologist 2008; 13:700-8. [DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2007-0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Allen AM, Schofield D, Hacker F, Court LE, Czerminska M. Restricted Field IMRT Dramatically Enhances IMRT Planning for Mesothelioma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2007; 69:1587-92. [PMID: 17892915 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.06.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2007] [Revised: 06/26/2007] [Accepted: 06/29/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To improve the target coverage and normal tissue sparing of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for mesothelioma after extrapleural pneumonectomy. METHODS AND MATERIALS Thirteen plans from patients previously treated with IMRT for mesothelioma were replanned using a restricted field technique. This technique was novel in two ways. It limited the entrance beams to 200 degrees around the target and three to four beams per case had their field apertures restricted down to the level of the heart or liver to further limit the contralateral lung dose. New constraints were added that included a mean lung dose of <9.5 Gy and volume receiving >or=5 Gy of <55%. RESULTS In all cases, the planning target volume coverage was excellent, with an average of 97% coverage of the planning target volume by the target dose. No change was seen in the target coverage with the new technique. The heart, kidneys, and esophagus were all kept under tolerance in all cases. The average mean lung dose, volume receiving >or=20 Gy, and volume receiving >or=5 Gy with the new technique was 6.6 Gy, 3.0%, and 50.8%, respectively, compared with 13.8 Gy, 15%, and 90% with the previous technique (p < 0.0001 for all three comparisons). The maximal value for any case in the cohort was 8.0 Gy, 7.3%, and 57.5% for the mean lung dose, volume receiving >or=20 Gy, and volume receiving >or=5 Gy, respectively. CONCLUSION Restricted field IMRT provides an improved method to deliver IMRT to a complex target after extrapleural pneumonectomy. An upcoming Phase I trial will provide validation of these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M Allen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Madani I, De Ruyck K, Goeminne H, De Neve W, Thierens H, Van Meerbeeck J. Predicting Risk of Radiation-Induced Lung Injury. J Thorac Oncol 2007; 2:864-74. [PMID: 17805067 DOI: 10.1097/jto.0b013e318145b2c6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is the most common, dose-limiting complication of thoracic radio- and radiochemotherapy. Unfortunately, predicting which patients will suffer from this complication is extremely difficult. Ideally, individual phenotype- and genotype-based risk profiles should be able to identify patients who are resistant to RILI and who could benefit from dose escalation in chemoradiotherapy. This could result in better local control and overall survival. We review the risk predictors that are currently in clinical use--dosimetric parameters of radiotherapy such as normal tissue complication probability, mean lung dose, V20 and V30--as well as biomarkers that might individualize risk profiles. These biomarkers comprise a variety of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines and molecules including transforming growth factor beta1 that are implicated in development and persistence of RILI. Dosimetric parameters of radiotherapy show a low negative predictive value of 60% to 80%. Depending on the studied molecule, negative predictive value of biomarkers is approximately 50%. The predictive power of biomarkers might be increased if they are coupled with radiogenomics, e.g., genotyping analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in transforming growth factor beta1, transforming growth factor beta1 pathway genes, and other cytokines. Genetic variability and the complexity of RILI and its underlying molecular mechanisms make identification of biological risk predictors challenging. Further investigations are needed to develop more effective risk predictors of RILI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Madani
- Department of Radiotherapy, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
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Novakova-Jiresova A, van Luijk P, van Goor H, Kampinga HH, Coppes RP. Changes in Expression of Injury After Irradiation of Increasing Volumes in Rat Lung. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2007; 67:1510-8. [PMID: 17394947 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2006.11.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2006] [Revised: 09/22/2006] [Accepted: 11/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To improve the cure rates of thoracic malignancies by radiation dose escalation, very accurate insight is required in the dose delivery parameters that maximally spare normal lung function. Radiation-induced lung complications are classically divided into an early pneumonitic and a late fibrotic phase. This study investigated the relative dose-volume sensitivity, underlying pathologic findings, and consequentiality of early to late pathologic features. METHODS AND MATERIALS We used high-precision, graded dose-volume lung irradiations and followed the time dependency of the morphologic sequelae in relation to overall respiratory function. RESULTS Two distinct pathologic lesions were identified in the early postirradiation period (6-12 weeks): vascular inflammation and parenchymal inflammation. Vascular inflammation occurred at single doses as low as 9 Gy. This translated into early respiratory dysfunction only when a large lung volume had been irradiated and was reversible with time. Parenchymal inflammation was seen after higher doses only (onset at 16 Gy), progressed into later fibrotic remodeling but did not translate into dysfunction at a 25% lung volume even after single doses up to 36 Gy. CONCLUSION Our data imply that a low dose scattered over a large lung volume causes more early toxicity than an extreme dose confined to a small volume. Such findings are crucial for clinical treatment planning of dose escalations and choices for modern radiotherapy techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Novakova-Jiresova
- Department of Cell Biology, Section of Radiation and Stress Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Madani I, Vanderstraeten B, Bral S, Coghe M, De Gersem W, De Wagter C, Thierens H, De Neve W. Comparison of 6MV and 18MV photons for IMRT treatment of lung cancer. Radiother Oncol 2007; 82:63-9. [PMID: 17182143 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2006.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2006] [Revised: 11/11/2006] [Accepted: 11/24/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To compare 6 MV and 18 MV photon intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Doses for a cohort of 10 patients, typical for our department, were computed with a commercially available convolution/superposition (CS) algorithm. Final dose computation was also performed with a dedicated IMRT Monte Carlo dose engine (MCDE). RESULTS CS plans showed higher D(95%) (Gy) for the GTV (68.13 vs 67.36, p=0.004) and CTV (67.23 vs 66.87, p=0.028) with 18 than with 6 MV photons. MCDE computations demonstrated higher doses with 6 MV than 18 MV in D(95%) for the PTV (64.62 vs 63.64, p=0.009), PTV(optim) (65.48 vs 64.83, p=0.014) and CTV (66.22 vs 65.64, p=0.027). Dose inhomogeneity was lower with 18 than with 6 MV photons for GTV (0.08 vs 0.09, p=0.007) and CTV (0.10 vs 0.11, p=0.045) in CS but not MCDE plans. 6 MV photons significantly (D(33%); p=0.045) spared the esophagus in MCDE plans. Observed dose differences between lower and higher energy IMRT plans were dependent on the individual patient. CONCLUSIONS Selection of photon energy depends on priority ranking of endpoints and individual patients. In the absence of highly accurate dose computation algorithms such as CS and MCDE, 6 MV photons may be the prudent choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Madani
- Department of Radiotherapy, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
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Fujita S, Nagamachi S, Nishii R, Wakamatsu H, Futami S, Tamura S, Matsuzaki Y, Onizuka T, Hatakeyama K, Asada Y. Relationship between cancer cell proliferation, tumour angiogenesis and 201Tl uptake in non-small cell lung cancer. Nucl Med Commun 2006; 27:989-97. [PMID: 17088685 DOI: 10.1097/01.mnm.0000243371.26507.3c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether 201Tl uptake is associated with cell proliferation and angiogenesis in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). METHODS Eighty-four patients with scheduled NSCLC underwent 201Tl single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging: 15 min (early scan) and 240 min (delayed scan) after intravenous injection of 111 MBq of 201Tl chloride. 201Tl indices were calculated on early images (early ratio: ER) and delayed images (delayed ratio: DR). The retention index (RI) was also calculated from these two parameters. Using surgically resected cancer specimens (54 adenocarcinoma, 24 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), six large-cell carcinoma), immunohistochemical stains for both Ki-67 (MIB-1 index) and CD34 were performed to examine the proliferative activity and the micro-vessel density (MVD), respectively. RESULTS The mean value of 201Tl index was 1.69+/-0.77 (ER) and 2.31+/-1.08 (DR). The average RI was 42.6+/-42.9%, respectively. Both DR and RI positively correlated with MIB-1 index (r = 0.68, P < 0.05 and r = 0.52, P < 0.05). When we analyse adenocarcinoma and SCC separately, there was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.62, P < 0.05) between RI and MIB-1 index in adenocarcinoma but not in SCC (r = 0.20, P = NS). The value of ER positively correlated with MVD (r = 0.75, P < 0.05). It demonstrated strong positive correlation with both histological types (adenocarcinoma: r = 0.80, P < 0.05, SCC: r = 0.66, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION 201Tl SPECT imaging is effective non-invasive method for assessing both the proliferation and the angiogenesis in NSCLC. Both DR and RI are useful indicators for assessing cancer cell proliferation in lung adenocarcinoma. ER is a useful marker for assessing the tumour angiogenesis in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seigo Fujita
- Department of Radiology, Miyazaki Medical College, Japan.
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Vanderstraeten B, Reynaert N, Paelinck L, Madani I, De Wagter C, De Gersem W, De Neve W, Thierens H. Accuracy of patient dose calculation for lung IMRT: A comparison of Monte Carlo, convolution/superposition, and pencil beam computations. Med Phys 2006; 33:3149-58. [PMID: 17022207 DOI: 10.1118/1.2241992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The accuracy of dose computation within the lungs depends strongly on the performance of the calculation algorithm in regions of electronic disequilibrium that arise near tissue inhomogeneities with large density variations. There is a lack of data evaluating the performance of highly developed analytical dose calculation algorithms compared to Monte Carlo computations in a clinical setting. We compared full Monte Carlo calculations (performed by our Monte Carlo dose engine MCDE) with two different commercial convolution/superposition (CS) implementations (Pinnacle-CS and Helax-TMS's collapsed cone model Helax-CC) and one pencil beam algorithm (Helax-TMS's pencil beam model Helax-PB) for 10 intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) lung cancer patients. Treatment plans were created for two photon beam qualities (6 and 18 MV). For each dose calculation algorithm, patient, and beam quality, the following set of clinically relevant dose-volume values was reported: (i) minimal, median, and maximal dose (Dmin, D50, and Dmax) for the gross tumor and planning target volumes (GTV and PTV); (ii) the volume of the lungs (excluding the GTV) receiving at least 20 and 30 Gy (V20 and V30) and the mean lung dose; (iii) the 33rd percentile dose (D33) and Dmax delivered to the heart and the expanded esophagus; and (iv) Dmax for the expanded spinal cord. Statistical analysis was performed by means of one-way analysis of variance for repeated measurements and Tukey pairwise comparison of means. Pinnacle-CS showed an excellent agreement with MCDE within the target structures, whereas the best correspondence for the organs at risk (OARs) was found between Helax-CC and MCDE. Results from Helax-PB were unsatisfying for both targets and OARs. Additionally, individual patient results were analyzed. Within the target structures, deviations above 5% were found in one patient for the comparison of MCDE and Helax-CC, while all differences between MCDE and Pinnacle-CS were below 5%. For both Pinnacle-CS and Helax-CC, deviations from MCDE above 5% were found within the OARs: within the lungs for two (6 MV) and six (18 MV) patients for Pinnacle-CS, and within other OARs for two patients for Helax-CC (for Dmax of the heart and D33 of the expanded esophagus) but only for 6 MV. For one patient, all four algorithms were used to recompute the dose after replacing all computed tomography voxels within the patient's skin contour by water. This made all differences above 5% between MCDE and the other dose calculation algorithms disappear. Thus, the observed deviations mainly arose from differences in particle transport modeling within the lungs, and the commissioning of the algorithms was adequately performed (or the commissioning was less important for this type of treatment). In conclusion, not one pair of the dose calculation algorithms we investigated could provide results that were consistent within 5% for all 10 patients for the set of clinically relevant dose-volume indices studied. As the results from both CS algorithms differed significantly, care should be taken when evaluating treatment plans as the choice of dose calculation algorithm may influence clinical results. Full Monte Carlo provides a great benchmarking tool for evaluating the performance of other algorithms for patient dose computations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Vanderstraeten
- Department of Medical Physics, Ghent University, Proeftuinstraat 86, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Chapet O, Fraass BA, Ten Haken RK. Multiple fields may offer better esophagus sparing without increased probability of lung toxicity in optimized IMRT of lung tumors. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2006; 65:255-65. [PMID: 16618580 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2005.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2005] [Revised: 12/17/2005] [Accepted: 12/19/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate whether increasing numbers of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) fields enhance lung-tumor dose without additional predicted toxicity for difficult planning geometries. METHODS AND MATERIALS Data from 8 previous three dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) patients with tumors located in various regions of each lung, but with planning target volumes (PTVs) overlapping part of the esophagus, were used as input. Four optimized-beamlet IMRT plans (1 plan that used the 3D-CRT beam arrangement and 3 plans with 3, 5, or 7 axial, but predominantly one-sided, fields) were compared. For IMRT, the equivalent uniform dose (EUD) in the whole PTV was optimized simultaneously with that in a reduced PTV exclusive of the esophagus. Normal-tissue complication probability-based costlets were used for the esophagus, heart, and lung. RESULTS Overall, IMRT plans (optimized by use of EUD to judiciously allow relaxed PTV dose homogeneity) result in better minimum PTV isodose surface coverage and better average EUD values than does conformal planning; dose generally increases with the number of fields. Even 7-field plans do not significantly alter normal-lung mean-dose values or lung volumes that receive more than 13, 20, or 30 Gy. CONCLUSION Optimized many-field IMRT plans can lead to escalated lung-tumor dose in the special case of esophagus overlapping PTV, without unacceptable alteration in the dose distribution to normal lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Chapet
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0010, USA
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Yartsev S, Chen J, Yu E, Kron T, Rodrigues G, Coad T, Trenka K, Wong E, Bauman G, Dyk JV. Comparative planning evaluation of intensity-modulatedradiotherapy techniques for complex lung cancer cases. Radiother Oncol 2006; 78:169-76. [PMID: 16413621 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2005.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2005] [Revised: 11/28/2005] [Accepted: 12/20/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Lung cancer treatment can be one of the most challenging fields in radiotherapy. The aim of the present study was to compare different modalities of radiation delivery based on a balanced scoring scheme for target coverage and normal tissue avoidance. PATIENTS AND METHODS Treatment plans were developed for 15 patients with stage III inoperable non-small cell lung cancer using 3D conformal technique and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Elective nodal irradiation was included for all cases to create the most challenging scenarios with large target volumes. A 2 cm margin was used around the gross tumour volume (GTV) to generate PTV2 and 1cm margin around elective nodes for PTV1 resulting in PTV1 volumes larger than 1000 cm(3) in 13 of the 15 patients. 3D conformal and IMRT plans were generated on a commercial treatment planning system (TheraPlan Plus, Nucletron) with various combinations of beam energies and gantry angles. A 'dose quality factor' (DQF) was introduced to correlate the plan quality with patient specific parameters. RESULTS A good correlation was found between the quality of the plans and the overlap between PTV1 and lungs. The patient feature factor (PFF), which is a product of several pertinent characteristics, was introduced to facilitate the choice of a particular technique for a particular patient. CONCLUSIONS This approach may allow the evaluation of different treatment options prior to actual planning, subject to validation in larger prospective data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slav Yartsev
- Department of Physics and Engineering, London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
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De Neve W, Madani I. The role of modern radiation therapy in treating lung cancer. EJC Suppl 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(05)80318-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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21
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Murray B, Holloway C, Robinson D, Roa W. Letter to the Editor. Radiother Oncol 2005; 76:362. [PMID: 16169623 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2005.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2005] [Accepted: 05/09/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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