Involved-field irradiation in definitive chemoradiotherapy for T4 squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

A comparative study of elective nodal irradiation and involved field irradiation in elderly patients with advanced esophageal cancer

Objective

This comparative study aimed to explore the feasibility of involved field irradiation (IFI) in the radiotherapy of elderly patients with advanced esophageal cancer, compared with elective nodal irradiation (ENI).

Methods

A total of 245 elderly patients (age ≥70 years) with advanced esophageal cancer, who received radiotherapy in our department from January 2014 to December 2020, were divided into the ENI group (n=111) and the IFI group (n=134). Clinical efficacy, toxicities, survival rates, treatment failures, and multifactorial survival analyses were conducted for both groups.

Results

The ENI group and the IFI group showed no significant differences in terms of short-term efficacy (91.9% vs 91.0%, P=0.814), 1-year overall survival (OS) (81.1% vs 74.6%, P=0.228), 2-year OS (22.5% vs 25.4%, P= 0.603), 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) (56.8% vs 51.5%, P= 0.198), 2-year PFS (8.1% vs 9.0%, P=0.814), regional failures (38.7% vs 31.3%, P=0.226), and distant metastasis (21.6% vs 14.9%, P=0.174). The median overall survival (OS) was 19 months in the ENI group and 18 months in the IFI group (Log-rankχ 2 = 0.012, P=0.913). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 13 months in the ENI group and 11 months in the IFI group (Log-rankχ 2 = 1.834, P=0.176). There were no significant statistical differences in both OS and PFS (P>0.05). The incidence of grade ≥3 radiation pneumonia and grade ≥3 radiation esophagitis in the IFI group was 8.2% and 11.2%, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the ENI group (17.1%, P=0.034; 21.6%, P=0.026). Univariate analysis revealed that age, gender, T stage, N stage, and synchronous chemotherapy were factors affecting prognosis. Multivariate analysis showed that age, gender, T stage, and synchronous chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors, with hazard ratios of 1.227, 1.466, 2.441, and 2.714, and P values of <0.001, 0.006, <0.001, and<0.001, respectively.

Conclusion

IFI is a suitable choice for elderly patients with advanced esophageal cancer, as it yields similar efficacy to ENI while reducing toxicities. Age, gender, T stage, and synchronous chemotherapy are independent prognostic factors for elderly patients with esophageal cancer.

The role of involved field irradiation versus elective nodal irradiation in definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer- a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze whether involved field irradiation (IFI) is associated with improving survival outcomes and reducing adverse events compared with elective nodal irradiation (ENI) in patients of esophageal cancer who underwent definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Radiotherapy plays an important role for not surgery patients. However, the role of radiation target size is still uncertain.

METHODS

We searched Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Central for English and non-English publications comparing esophageal cancer patients who received radiotherapy with IFI with those with ENI. Primary outcomes included overall survival (OS) and adverse events related to radiotherapy. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized studies and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Standard for non-randomized studies. We evaluated the certainty of evidence by Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation.

RESULTS

Totally, 23 studies with 4120 patients were included. IFI group demonstrated significant improvement in the OS rates at 5 years, but not at 1, 2, and 3 years, compared with the ENI group (pooled Risk Ratio [RR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-0.90; P = 0.0004; high certainty). In addition, IFI demonstrated a significant decrease in the incidence of grade ≥2 acute esophagitis (AE) (pooled RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.69-0.90; P = 0.0005; high certainty) and grade ≥3 AE (pooled RR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.38-0.69; P < 0.00001; high certainty) compared with ENI, but not in the incidence of grades ≥3 acute pneumonia, late esophagitis, and late pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to ENI, IFI demonstrated significant improvement in OS at 5 years. The addition of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to IFI increased the 5-year OS; however, similar results were not observed with the addition of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy to IFI and ENI. Furthermore, IFI demonstrated a significant decrease in grade ≥2 and grade ≥3 AE, while IMRT demonstrated no difference in the incidence of grade ≥3 AE. IFI and ENI do not differ in the incidence of grades ≥3 acute pneumonia, late esophagitis, and late pneumonia.

Survival rates and safety associated with chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery and chemoradiotherapy alone for patients with T4 esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment approach for T4 esophageal cancer is not well established. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the survival rates and safety of chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery (CRT-S) and chemoradiotherapy alone (CRT) in patients with T4 N_any M0 esophageal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched databases for eligible prospective or retrospective studies. The outcomes of interest were overall survival (OS) at 1, 3 and 5 years, treatment-related fistula formation and mortality rates. Meta-analyses were performed using the random effects models separately for studies evaluating CRT-S and CRT. Subgroup analyses were performed based on histology, radiation dose, chemotherapy regimen and duration of the interval between CRT and surgery.

RESULTS

We identified 23 studies including 1,119 patients with predominantly squamous cell carcinoma (93%) and adenocarcinoma (3%) histology. The OS rates of patients receiving CRT-S were 65%, 36% and 20% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. The OS rates of patients receiving CRT were 30%, 11% and 10% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Treatment-related fistula formation rates were 4% for CRT-S and 9% for CRT. Treatment-related mortality rates were 3% for both groups. Subgroup analyses showed that the interval of >2 months between CRT and surgery was associated with significantly improved OS rates at 1, 3 and 5 years.

CONCLUSION

Chemoradiotherapy is an efficacious treatment approach for T4 esophageal cancer, with clinically acceptable rates of treatment-related fistula formation and mortality. Tri-modality approach with surgery can be considered in carefully selected patients. Our study findings should be interpreted with caution due to the lack of high-quality evidence. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings.

Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy-Driven Cell Plasticity by miR-200 Family Implicates the Therapeutic Response of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common and fatal malignancy with an increasing incidence worldwide. Over the past decade, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with or without surgery is an emerging therapeutic approach for locally advanced ESCC. Unfortunately, many patients exhibit poor response or develop acquired resistance to CCRT. Once resistance occurs, the overall survival rate drops down rapidly and without proper further treatment options, poses a critical clinical challenge for ESCC therapy. Here, we utilized lab-created CCRT-resistant cells as a preclinical study model to investigate the association of chemoradioresistantresistance with miRNA-mediated cell plasticity alteration, and to determine whether reversing EMT status can re-sensitize refractory cancer cells to CCRT response. During the CCRT treatment course, refractory cancer cells adopted the conversion of epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype; additionally, miR-200 family members were found significantly down-regulated in CCRT resistance cells by miRNA microarray screening. Down-regulated miR-200 family in CCRT resistance cells suppressed E-cadherin expression through snail and slug, and accompany with an increase in N-cadherin. Rescuing expressions of miR-200 family members in CCRT resistance cells, particularly in miR-200b and miR-200c, could convert cells to epithelial phenotype by increasing E-cadherin expression and sensitize cells to CCRT treatment. Conversely, the suppression of miR-200b and miR-200c in ESCC cells attenuated E-cadherin, and that converted cells to mesenchymal type by elevating N-cadherin expression, and impaired cell sensitivity to CCRT treatment. Moreover, the results of ESCC specimens staining established the clinical relevance that higher N-cadherin expression levels associate with the poor CCRT response outcome in ESCC patients. Conclusively, miR-200b and miR-200c can modulate the conversion of epithelial–mesenchymal phenotype in ESCC, and thereby altering the response of cells to CCRT treatment. Targeting epithelial–mesenchymal conversion in acquired CCRT resistance may be a potential therapeutic option for ESCC patients.

STAT3β Enhances Sensitivity to Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy by Inducing Cellular Necroptosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), especially platinum plus radiotherapy, is considered to be one of the most promising treatment modalities for patients with advanced esophageal cancer. STAT3β regulates specific target genes and inhibits the process of tumorigenesis and development. It is also a good prognostic marker and a potential marker for response to adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (ACRT). We aimed to investigate the relationship between STAT3β and CCRT. We examined the expression of STAT3α and STAT3β in pretreatment tumor biopsies of 105 ESCC patients who received CCRT by immunohistochemistry. The data showed that ESCC patients who demonstrate both high STAT3α expression and high STAT3β expression in the cytoplasm have a significantly better survival rate, and STAT3β expression is an independent protective factor (HR = 0.424, p = 0.003). Meanwhile, ESCC patients with high STAT3β expression demonstrated a complete response to CCRT in 65 patients who received platinum plus radiation therapy (p = 0.014). In ESCC cells, high STAT3β expression significantly inhibits the ability of colony formation and cell proliferation, suggesting that STAT3β enhances sensitivity to CCRT (platinum plus radiation therapy). Mechanistically, through RNA-seq analysis, we found that the TNF signaling pathway and necrotic cell death pathway were significantly upregulated in highly expressed STAT3β cells after CCRT treatment. Overall, our study highlights that STAT3β could potentially be used to predict the response to platinum plus radiation therapy, which may provide an important insight into the treatment of ESCC.

The Prognostic Significance of Metastatic Nodal Size in Non-surgical Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: The present study aimed to determine the prognostic value of the size of metastatic lymph node (LN) in non-surgical patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: Three hundred seventy-six ESCC patients treated with definitive (chemo-) radiotherapy from January 2013 to March 2016 were reviewed. We analyzed potential associations of metastatic nodal size with responses, patterns of failure, and survival. Log-rank testing and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the impact of the clinical factors on survival.

Results: The 3-years over survival (OS) rates following a median follow-up of 28.2 months were 53.2, 46.2, 35.5, and 22.7% for the N0 group, the >0.5 to ≤1 cm group, the >1 to ≤2 cm group, and the >2 cm group, respectively. The progression-free survival (PFS) rates for 2 years were 50.9, 44.2, 26.6, and 23.4% for the N0 group, the >0.5 to ≤1 cm group, the >1 to ≤2 cm group, and the >2 cm group, respectively. The objective response rates (ORR) for the 280 patients with metastatic LNs were 43.1% for the LN >0.5 to ≤1 cm group, 46.9% for the LN >1 to ≤2 cm group, and 25.5% for the LN ≥2 cm group. The LN >2 cm group had the worst ORR of the three groups with LNs. Gross tumor volume (GTV) failure was the most common failure pattern, followed by distant failure and out of GTV LN failure, with incidences of 47.9% (180 of 376), 42% (158 of 376), and 13.8% (52 of 376), respectively. Nodal size correlated statistically with GTV failure and distant failure but not with out-of-GTV nodal failure. After adjusting for age, sex, T category, Primary tumor location, and CRT, the size of metastatic LNs was an independent prognostic factor for OS and PFS in multivariate analyses.

Conclusions: Nodal size is one of prognostic factors for non-surgical patients with ESCC and correlated statistically with GTV failure and distant failure.

The impact of the nodal status on the overall survival of non-surgical patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of N categories for patients with non-surgical esophageal carcinoma based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes is controversial. The present study analyzes prognostic implications of the number, extent, and size of metastatic lymph nodes for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with definitive (chemo-)radiotherapy to provide more information on treatment strategy.

METHODS

We reviewed 357 ESCC patients treated with definitive radiotherapy between January 2013 and March 2016 retrospectively. We assessed potential associations between the involved extent (N0, 1 region, 2 regions, and 3 regions), number (N0, 1-2, 3-6, and ≥ 7), and size (N0, ≤2 cm, and > 2 cm) of metastatic lymph nodes and overall survival. Multivariate analyses of the clinicopathological factors were performed using the Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

5-year survival rates were 43.6% for patients in the N0 group and 29.3% in the N+ group (p = 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analyses for all cases revealed that there were significant differences in survival based on the extent (the OS rates at 3 years were 53.3% for patients in the N0 group, 45.7% in the 1 region-involved group, 28.0% in the 2 regions-involved group, and 13.3% in the 3 regions-involved group, P < 0.001), number (the OS rates at 3 years were 49.0% for patients in the 1-2 LNs group, 27.8% in the 3-6 LNs group, 0 in the ≥7LNs group, P < 0.001), and size (the OS rates at 3 years were 41.6% for patients in the LNs ≤2 cm group and 20.7% in the LNs > 2 cm group, P = 0.001) of metastatic LNs. One hundred seventy-two patients (48.2%) had experienced GTV failure, 157 (43.1%) had distant failure, 49 (13.7%) had out-of-GTV nodal failure, and 70 patients (19.6%) had no evidence of disease at the last follow-up. Nodal status correlated statistically with GTV failure. Patients with LN metastases in the abdominal region had worse survival rates than those with metastases in the other regions. The extent and number of metastatic LNs, T category, Primary tumor location, and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors of OS in multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with ESCC who received definitive (chemo-)radiotherapy, the number, extent, and size of metastatic LNs were prognostic factors, particularly of the T2/3 disease. Patients with LN metastases in the abdominal region had worse survival.

What Is the Optimal Radiotherapy Target Size for Non-Operable Esophageal Cancer? A Meta-Analysis

Definitive radiotherapy has an affirmative role in treating non-operable esophageal cancer; however, the controversy between elective lymph node irradiation (ENI) and involved-field irradiation (IFI) still remains. To ascertain the benefits and disadvantages of the two radiation target volumes, we performed a meta-analysis with 7 related publications. According to our findings, patients treated with ENI and IFI had nearly identical 1, 2, and 3-year survival rates (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 1.004, p = 0.980, and pooled OR = 1.15, p = 0.594, and pooled OR = 0.918, p = 0.679, respectively). Likewise, no significant differences were detected in local recurrence rates (pooled OR = 1.04, p = 0.883), regional recurrence rates (pooled OR = 0.65, p = 0.555), and distant metastasis rates (pooled OR = 1.29, p = 0.309) between the two treatment groups. However, IFI could significantly decrease the incidences of acute radiation esophagitis (pooled OR = 2.30, p = 0.001) and late pneumonia (pooled OR = 2.52, p = 0.04) compared with ENI. This meta-analysis provides evidence that IFI is more feasible for non-operable esophageal cancer than ENI.

Treatment and clinical outcome of clinical T4 esophageal cancer: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Survival of patients with cT4 esophageal cancer is dismal. Although the optimal treatment strategy remains to be established, two treatment options are available for cT4 esophageal cancers: definitive chemoradiation (dCRT) and induction treatment followed by conversion surgery (CS). However, little is known concerning the differences in clinical outcome between patients with T4 esophageal tumors treated with dCRT and those eventually treated with CS.

METHODS

A systematic search of the scientific literature on PubMed/MEDLINE was carried out using the keywords "T4 esophageal cancer," "invading (involving) adjacent organ," "definitive chemoradiation," "induction therapy," "salvage surgery," and "conversion surgery," obtaining 28 reports published up to July 2018.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

We found that CS was superior to dCRT with respect to local disease control and short-term survival; however, CS was associated with relatively higher perioperative mortality and morbidity. Alternatively, although dCRT might often cause fistula formation, a clinical complete response to dCRT is likely to lead to a better prognosis. Recent advances in chemotherapeutic agents have led to triple induction chemotherapy, with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF), which has shown promise as an initial induction treatment for cT4 esophageal cancer. Indeed, this regimen could control both local and systemic disease, which enables curative resection without preoperative CRT. Moreover, some appropriate changes in perioperative management and intensive systemic chemotherapy might enhance patient outcome. Randomized controlled trials with a large sample size are needed to establish the standard treatment for cT4 esophageal cancer.

Diagnostic value of PD-1 mRNA expression combined with breast ultrasound in breast cancer patients

Introduction

This study explored the value of measuring programmed death 1 (PD-1) in peripheral blood, combined with breast ultrasound using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification, for differentiation between benign and malignant breast tumors.

Materials and methods

We enrolled 113 patients with breast cancer and 66 patients with benign breast tumors who were admitted to Hangzhou First People’s Hospital from September 2014 to August 2017. The mRNA level of PD-1 was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The mRNA levels of PD-1 were significantly higher in the peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer than those in patients with benign breast tumors. The diagnostic sensitivity of PD-1 mRNA expression was 0.805, the specificity was 0.788, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.848 (P < 0.001); the sensitivity of breast ultrasound-based BI-RADS classification was 0.752, the specificity was 0.909, and the AUC was 0.906 (P < 0.001); and the combined sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of the two assays were 0.920, 0.879, and 0.938, respectively (P < 0.001). Progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer patients exhibited high levels of PD-1 expression (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study suggests that the measurement of PD-1 combined with breast ultrasound-based BI-RADS classification represents a significant improvement for breast cancer diagnosis compared with diagnoses based on either method alone.

Can involved-field irradiation replace elective nodal irradiation in chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Chemoradiotherapy is the most common treatment for inoperable esophageal cancer. However, there is no consensus on the delineation of the clinical target volume. Elective nodal irradiation (ENI) is recommended for inoperable esophageal cancer. A few studies have reported a decrease in the incidence of radiation-related toxicity of involved-field irradiation (IFI) for esophageal cancer. A systematic review and pooled analysis were performed to determine whether IFI in definitive chemoradiotherapy was more beneficial than ENI for esophageal cancer. The results showed no significant differences in the overall survival and local control rates between the IFI and ENI arms. Meanwhile, the incidences of esophageal and lung toxicities were significantly decreased in the IFI arm. These results suggest that IFI is a feasible treatment option for locally advanced esophageal cancer, especially to minimize irradiation-related toxicity.