Simultaneous Focal Boost With Stereotactic Radiation Therapy for Localized Intermediate- to High-Risk Prostate Cancer: Primary Outcomes of the SPARC Phase 2 Trial

PURPOSE

Dose-escalated radiation therapy is associated with better biochemical control at the expense of toxicity. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with dose escalation to the dominant intraprostatic lesion (DIL) provides a logical approach to improve outcomes in high-risk disease while limiting toxicity. This study evaluated the toxicity and quality of life (QoL) with CyberKnife-based SBRT and simultaneous integrated boost in localized prostate cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Eligible participants included newly diagnosed, biopsy-proven unfavorable intermediate- to high-risk localized prostate cancer (at least 1 of the following: Gleason ≥4+3, magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)-defined T3a N0, prostate-specific antigen ≥20) with up to 2 MRI-identified DILs. Participants received 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions on alternative days with a simultaneous boost to DIL up to 47.5 Gy as allowed by organ-at-risk constraints delivered by CyberKnife. All participants received androgen deprivation therapy. The primary outcome measure was acute grade 2+ genitourinary toxicity. Acute and late genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scoring, biochemical parameters, International Prostate Symptom Score, International Index of Erectile Function 5, and EQ-5D QoL outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

Between 2013 and 2023, 20 participants were enrolled with a median follow-up of 30 months. The median D95 dose to DIL was 47.43 Gy. Cumulative acute grade 2+ genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity were 25% and 30%, respectively. One patient developed acute grade 3 genitourinary toxicity (5%). There is no late grade 3 genitourinary or gastrointestinal toxicity to date. International Prostate Symptom Score and urinary QoL scores recovered to baseline by 6 months. Patient-reported outcomes showed no significant change in EQ-5D QoL scores at 12 weeks and 1 year. There are no cases of biochemical relapse reported to date.

CONCLUSIONS

CyberKnife SBRT-delivered dose of 36.25 Gy to the prostate with a simultaneous integrated boost up to 47.5 Gy is well tolerated. Acute and late genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity rates are comparable to other contemporary SBRT trials and series with focal boost.

Development of Prostate Bed Delineation Consensus Guidelines for Magnetic Resonance Image-Guided Radiotherapy and Assessment of Its Effect on Interobserver Variability

PURPOSE

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in radiotherapy planning is becoming more widespread, particularly with the emergence of MRI-guided radiotherapy systems. Existing guidelines for defining the prostate bed clinical target volume (CTV) show considerable heterogeneity. This study aimed to establish baseline interobserver variability (IOV) for prostate bed CTV contouring on MRI, develop international consensus guidelines, and evaluate its effect on IOV.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Participants delineated the CTV on 3 MRI scans, obtained from the Elekta Unity MR-Linac, as per their normal practice. Radiation oncologist contours were visually examined for discrepancies, and interobserver comparisons were evaluated against simultaneous truth and performance level estimation (STAPLE) contours using overlap metrics (Dice similarity coefficient and Cohen's kappa), distance metrics (mean distance to agreement and Hausdorff distance), and volume measurements. A literature review of postradical prostatectomy local recurrence patterns was performed and presented alongside IOV results to the participants. Consensus guidelines were collectively constructed, and IOV assessment was repeated using these guidelines.

RESULTS

Sixteen radiation oncologists' contours were included in the final analysis. Visual evaluation demonstrated significant differences in the superior, inferior, and anterior borders. Baseline IOV assessment indicated moderate agreement for the overlap metrics while volume and distance metrics demonstrated greater variability. Consensus for optimal prostate bed CTV boundaries was established during a virtual meeting. After guideline development, a decrease in IOV was observed. The maximum volume ratio decreased from 4.7 to 3.1 and volume coefficient of variation reduced from 40% to 34%. The mean Dice similarity coefficient rose from 0.72 to 0.75 and the mean distance to agreement decreased from 3.63 to 2.95 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

Interobserver variability in prostate bed contouring exists among international genitourinary experts, although this is lower than previously reported. Consensus guidelines for MRI-based prostate bed contouring have been developed, and this has resulted in an improvement in contouring concordance. However, IOV persists and strategies such as an education program, development of a contouring atlas, and further refinement of the guidelines may lead to additional improvements.

The peritoneal cancer index as a predictor of complete cytoreduction at primary and interval cytoreductive surgery in advanced ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

The peritoneal cancer index quantitatively assesses cancer distribution and tumor burden in the peritoneal cavity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between the peritoneal cancer index and completeness of surgical cytoreduction for ovarian cancer and to identify a cut-off above which complete cytoreduction is unlikely.

METHODS

This is a single-center prospective cohort observational study. A total of 100 consecutive patients who underwent ovarian cancer surgery were included. Peritoneal cancer index scores prior to and after surgery were calculated, and a cut-off value for incomplete cytoreduction was identified using a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Surgical complexity, blood loss, length of surgery, and complications were analyzed and associations with the peritoneal cancer index score were evaluated.

RESULTS

The overall median peritoneal cancer index score was 9.5 (range 0-36). The median age of the patients was 61 years (range 24-85). The most common stage was III (13% stage II, 53% stage III, 34% stage IV) and the most common histologic sub-type was high-grade serous (76% high-grade serous, 8% low-grade serous, 5% clear cell, 4% serous borderline, 2% endometrioid, 2% adult granulosa cell, 2% adenocarcinoma, 1% carcinosarcoma). Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 82% of patients, with a median score of 9 (range 0-30). The remaining 18% had a median score of 28.5 (range 0-36). The best predictor of incomplete cytoreduction was the peritoneal cancer index score, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.928 (95% CI 0.85 to 1.00). ROC curve analysis determined a peritoneal cancer index cut-off score of 20. Major complications occurred in 15% of patients with peritoneal cancer index scores >20 and in 2.5% of patients with scores ≤20, which was statistically significant (p=0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study we found that a peritoneal cancer index score of ≤20 was associated with a high likelihood of complete cytoreduction. Incorporating the peritoneal cancer index into routine surgical practice and research may impact treatment plans.

Diffusion-weighted MRI to determine response and long-term clinical outcomes in muscle-invasive bladder cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Objective

This study aims to determine local treatment response and long-term survival outcomes in patients with localised muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) using diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) analysis.

Methods

Patients with T2-T4aN0-3M0 bladder cancer suitable for NAC were recruited prospectively. DWI was performed prior to NAC and was repeated following NAC completion. Conventional response assessment was performed with cystoscopy and tumour site biopsy. Response was dichotomised into response (

Results

Forty-eight patients (96 DWI) were evaluated. NAC response was associated with significant increase in mean ΔADC and %ΔADC compared to poor response (ΔADCall 0.32×10-3 versus 0.11×10-3 mm2/s; p=0.009, and %ΔADCall 21.70% versus 8.23%; p=0.013). Highest specificity predicting response was seen at 75th percentile ADC (AUC, 0.8; p=0.01). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive power, and negative predictive power of %ΔADCb100 75th percentile was 73.7%, 90.0%, 96.6%, and 52.9%, respectively. %ΔADCb100 75th percentile >15.5% was associated with significant improvement in OS (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.19-0.86; p=0.0179), bCSS (HR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.08-0.82; p=0.0214), PFS (HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.05-0.48; p=0.0012), and time to cystectomy (HR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07-0.47; p=0.0004).

Conclusions

Quantitative ADC analysis can successfully identify NAC response and improved long-term clinical outcomes. Multi-centre validation to assess reproducibility and repeatability is required before testing within clinical trials to inform MIBC treatment decision making.

Advances in knowledge

We successfully demonstrated that measured change in DWI can successfully identify NAC response and improved long-term survival outcomes.

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Key Words

• MRI
• diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI)
• imaging biomakers
• muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)
• neoadjuavant chemotherapy

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MESH Headings Collapse

Grants

• 28724 Cancer Research UK

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Affiliation(s)

Shaista Hafeez Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom Urology Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom Department of Radiotherapy, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
Mu Koh Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
Kelly Jones Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom Urology Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
Amir El Ghzal Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom Urology Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
James D’Arcy Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
Pardeep Kumar Urology Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
Vincent Khoo Urology Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom Department of Radiotherapy, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
Susan Lalondrelle Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom Department of Radiotherapy, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
Fiona McDonald Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom Department of Radiotherapy, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
Alan Thompson Urology Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
Erica Scurr Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
Aslam Sohaib Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
Robert Anthony Huddart Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom Urology Unit, The Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom Department of Radiotherapy, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom

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Pharmacist-led multidisciplinary approach in preventing strokes in people with atrial fibrillation

Background/Introduction

Targets set by Public Health England (PHE) state that 90% of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are expected to receive anticoagulation by 2029. In 2019/2020, across three London boroughs serving a population of 770,000, the percentage of AF patients at high risk of stroke (CHA2DS2VASc>2) anticoagulated was below the target set by PHE. In addition, optimisation of risk factors can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and associated mortality in these patients.

Purpose

To provide specialist input from a cardiovascular pharmacist to prevent AF-related strokes through improvement of anticoagulation rates and optimisation of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with AF across three London boroughs over one year, as well as minimising bleed risk in patients on dual antithrombotic therapy.

Methods

A specialist cardiovascular pharmacist was commissioned to identify high-risk AF patients (CHA2DS2VASc>2) by working with primary care clinicians. Utilising “proactive care frameworks” created by UCLPartners and Clinical Effectiveness Group Queen Mary University of London, patients were stratified and prioritised for review. Patients not on anticoagulation were deemed to be at highest risk, requiring an urgent review to assess suitability for anticoagulation. A virtual multidisciplinary team (MDT) would review any complex patients and agree an action plan. Patients on dual antithrombotic therapy were also assessed to determine if antiplatelet therapy was indicated to minimise risk of major bleeding. All AF patients were reviewed for suitability of statin initiation to optimise cardiovascular risk prevention.

Results

At baseline, 86% (7581/8582) of AF patients with a CHA2DS2VASc>2 across the three boroughs were anticoagulated. 1001 patients were reviewed by a specialist pharmacist, with 84% (841/1001) of patients having a CHA2DS2VASc between 2–5, and 28% (280/1001) on antiplatelet monotherapy. Analysis at 12 months following intervention reported that 95% (7888/8280) of AF patients with a CHA2DS2VASc>2 were suitably anticoagulated, an improvement of 9%. 6% (61/1001) of patients were switched from antiplatelets and 25% (246/1001) were newly initiated on anticoagulation. 13% (130/1001) of patients required specialist MDT input to determine appropriateness for anticoagulation initiation. There was also a reduction in dual anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy from 429 to 252 patients (41% reduction). Lastly of those reviewed, 2609 patients received a recommendation to start a statin for either primary (n=1981) or secondary prevention (n=628).

Conclusion(s)

Provision of a specialist cardiovascular pharmacist supported a multidisciplinary workforce to significantly improve and optimise cardiovascular risk, and reduce the risk of stroke in this high-risk population for people with AF across all three boroughs. By extrapolating these results nationally, 3600 strokes could be averted over 18 months.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Assessing Bladder Radiotherapy Response With Quantitative Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis

AIMS

Radiotherapy with radiosensitisation offers opportunity for cure with organ preservation in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Treatment response assessment and follow-up are reliant on regular endoscopic evaluation of the retained bladder. In this study we aim to determine the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) analysis to assess bladder radiotherapy response.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with T2-T4aN0-3M0 MIBC suitable for radical radiotherapy were recruited prospectively to an ethics approved protocol. Following transurethral resection of the bladder tumour and prior to any treatment, magnetic resonance imaging including DWI was performed on a 1.5T system using b values of 0, 100, 150, 250, 500, 750 s/mm2. DWI was repeated 3 months after completing radiotherapy. Cystoscopy and tumour site biopsy were undertaken following this. The response was dichotomised into response (

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients were evaluated. Response was associated with a significant increase in ΔADC mean compared with poor response at ΔADCall (0.57 × 10-3 mm2/s versus -0.01 × 10-3 mm2/s; P < 0.0001) and ΔADCb100 (0.58 × 10-3 mm2/s versus -0.10 x 10-3 mm2/s; P = 0.007). A 48.50% increase in %ΔADCall mean was seen in response compared with a 1.37% decrease in poor response (P < 0.0001). This corresponded to a %ΔADCb100 mean increase of 50.34% in response versus a 7.36% decrease for poor response (P < 0.0001). Significant area under the curve (AUC) values predictive of radiotherapy response were identified at ΔADC and %ΔADC for ADCall and ADCb100 mean, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles (AUC >0.9, P < 0.01). ΔADCall mean of 0.16 × 10-3 mm2/s and ΔADCb100 mean 0.12 × 10-3 mm2/s predicted radiotherapy response with sensitivity/specificity/positive predictive value/negative predictive value of 92.9%/100.0%/100.0%/75.0% and 89.3%/100.0%/100.0%/66.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitative DWI analysis can successfully provide non-invasive assessment of bladder radiotherapy response. Multicentre validation is required before prospective testing to inform MIBC radiotherapy follow-up schedules and decision making.

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Key Words

• Bladder cancer
• Diffusion-weighted MRI
• MRI
• Radiotherapy

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MESH Headings

• Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Prospective Studies
• ROC Curve
• Urinary Bladder/diagnostic imaging
• Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging
• Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/pathology
• Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/radiotherapy

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Grants

• 28724 Cancer Research UK
• C33589/A19727 Cancer Research UK
• Department of Health
• C33589/A28284 Cancer Research UK

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Affiliation(s)

S Hafeez The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
M Koh The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
K Jones The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
A El Ghzal The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
J D'Arcy The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
P Kumar The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
V Khoo The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
S Lalondrelle The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
F McDonald The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
A Thompson The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
E Scurr The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
A Sohaib The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
R Huddart The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

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Pharmacist-led multidisciplinary approach in preventing strokes in people with atrial fibrillation

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background/Introduction

In England, 90% of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are expected to receive anticoagulation as part of targets set by Public Health England by 2029. In 2019/2020, across three London boroughs serving a population of 770,000, the percentage of AF patients at high risk of stroke (CHA2DS2VASc&gt;2) anticoagulated was 87%, 83% and 84%. This placed two of the three localities in the bottom 10% compared to others in England. In addition, optimising cholesterol and lifestyle choices can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and associated mortality in these patients.

Purpose

To prevent AF-related strokes by improving anticoagulation rates and optimising cardiovascular risk factors in patients with AF in all general practices across three London boroughs over one year, and to minimise risk of bleeding in patients on concurrent anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy.

Methods

A specialist cardiovascular pharmacist was commissioned to systemically identify high-risk AF patients (CHA2DS2VASc&gt;2) by working with primary care clinicians, including up-skilling of primary care pharmacists. Through utilisation of ‘proactive care frameworks’ created by the Clinical Effectiveness Group Queen Mary University of London and UCL Partners, patients were able to be stratified and prioritised for review. AF patients not on anticoagulation or on antiplatelet monotherapy were deemed to be at highest risk, and these patients were reviewed to assess suitability for anticoagulation. Subsequently, patients on concurrent anticoagulation and antiplatelets were assessed to determine if dual antithrombotic prescribing was still indicated to minimise risk of major bleeding. Lastly, to optimise cardiovascular risk prevention, all AF patients were reviewed for suitability of statin initiation for primary or secondary prevention. A virtual multidisciplinary team was convened for complex patients, which included a cardiologist, haematologist, general practitioner and pharmacist to review and agree an action plan.

Results

An interim analysis at 9 months reported that 94% (6745/7145) of patients with a CHA2DS2VASc&gt;2 across the three boroughs were suitably anticoagulated, an improvement of 6% on the initial 88% (6585/7391). There was a reduction in concurrent anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy from 381 to 262 patients (31.2% reduction) following specialist review. Lastly 2285 patients were reviewed with a recommendation to start a statin for either primary (n=1783) or secondary prevention (n=502).

Conclusion(s)

Provision of a specialist cardiovascular pharmacist supported a multidisciplinary workforce with significant improvement in anticoagulation rates across all three boroughs, reducing the risk of stroke in this high-risk population. In addition, we were able to reduce the risk of bleeding in this cohort of patients by stopping inappropriate antiplatelet therapy, and reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease through statin initiation.

Patient motivation and adherence to an on-demand app-based heart rate and rhythm monitoring infrastructure for atrial fibrillation management through teleconsultation. TeleCheck-AF project results

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

TeleCheck-AF is a mobile health (mHealth) infrastructure developed to provide remote management and comprehensive care to patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) during the Covid disease-19 pandemic lockdown within cardiology centers in Europe. TeleCheck-AF integrates an on-demand photoplethysmography-based heart rate/rhythm monitoring application supported a scheduled teleconsultation.

Purpose

The current sub-study of the TeleCheck-AF project aimed to provide the first real-world dataset on patient adherence and motivation to a standardized mHealth application integrated in remote AF management.

Methods

Patients were instructed to perform 60-second app-based heart rate/rhythm recordings three times daily and in case of symptoms for seven consecutive days prior to teleconsultation. Motivation was defined as number of days in which the expected number of measurements (≥three/day) were performed per number of days over the entire prescription period. Adherence was defined as number of performed measurements per number of expected measurements over the entire prescription period.

Results

Data from 990 consecutive patients with diagnosed AF (median age 64 [57-71] years, 39% female) from 10 centers that included the highest number of patients (≥25) were analyzed. Patients with both optimal motivation (100%) and adherence (≥100%) constituted 28% of the study population and had a lower percentage of recordings in sinus rhythm (90 [53-100%] vs 100 [64-100%], P&lt;0.001) compared to others. Age and diabetes were predictors of both optimal motivation and adherence (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, 95% coincidence interval [95% CI] 1.01-1.04, P&lt;0.001 and OR, 0.49, 95% CI 0.28-0.86, P=0.013, respectively). Patients with 100% motivation also had ≥100% adherence. Independent predictors for optimal adherence alone were age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04, P=0.014), female sex (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.29-2.23, P&lt;0.001), previous AF ablation (OR 1.35, 95%CI 1.03-1.07, P=0.028).

Conclusion

In the TeleCheck-AF project, older age and diabetes were predictors of optimal patient motivation and adherence to app-based heart rate/rhythm monitoring. Therefore, physicians, nurses and allied health specialists involved in the management and care for patients with AF should not be discouraged to provide a mHealth infrastructure to elderly patients. Patient engagement improves mHealth adherence/motivation, hence, it is crucial to tailor the mHelath intervention to the needs and preferences of the patient.

Observation versus screening spinal MRI and pre-emptive treatment for spinal cord compression in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and spinal metastases in the UK (PROMPTS): an open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

Early diagnosis of malignant spinal cord compression (SCC) is crucial because pretreatment neurological status is the major determinant of outcome. In metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, SCC is a clinically significant cause of disease-related morbidity and mortality. We investigated whether screening for SCC with spinal MRI, and pre-emptive treatment if radiological SCC (rSCC) was detected, reduced the incidence of clinical SCC (cSCC) in asymptomatic patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and spinal metastasis.

METHODS

We did a parallel-group, open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3, superiority trial. Patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer were recruited from 45 National Health Service hospitals in the UK. Eligible patients were aged at least 18 years, with an Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, asymptomatic spinal metastasis, no previous SCC, and no spinal MRI in the past 12 months. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1), using a minimisation algorithm with a random element (balancing factors were treatment centre, alkaline phosphatase [normal vs raised, with the upper limit of normal being defined at each participating laboratory], number of previous systemic treatments [first-line vs second-line or later], previous spinal treatment, and imaging of thorax and abdomen), to no MRI (control group) or screening spinal MRI (intervention group). Serious adverse events were monitored in the 24 h after screening MRI in the intervention group. Participants with screen-detected rSCC were offered pre-emptive treatment (radiotherapy or surgical decompression was recommended per treating physician's recommendation) and 6-monthly spinal MRI. All patients were followed up every 3 months, and then at month 30 and 36. The primary endpoint was time to and incidence of confirmed cSCC in the intention-to-treat population (defined as all patients randomly assigned), with the primary timepoint of interest being 1 year after randomisation. The study is registered with ISRCTN, ISRCTN74112318, and is now complete.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 26, 2013, and April 25, 2017, 420 patients were randomly assigned to the control (n=210) or screening MRI (n=210) groups. Median age was 74 years (IQR 68 to 79), 222 (53%) of 420 patients had normal alkaline phosphatase, and median prostate-specific antigen concentration was 48 ng/mL (IQR 17 to 162). Screening MRI detected rSCC in 61 (31%) of 200 patients with assessable scans in the intervention group. As of data cutoff (April 23, 2020), at a median follow-up of 22 months (IQR 13 to 31), time to cSCC was not significantly improved with screening (hazard ratio 0·64 [95% CI 0·37 to 1·11]; Gray's test p=0·12). 1-year cSCC rates were 6·7% (95% CI 3·8-10·6; 14 of 210 patients) for the control group and 4·3% (2·1-7·7; nine of 210 patients) for the intervention group (difference -2·4% [95% CI -4·2 to 0·1]). Median time to cSCC was not reached in either group. No serious adverse events were reported within 24 h of screening.

INTERPRETATION

Despite the substantial incidence of rSCC detected in the intervention group, the rate of cSCC in both groups was low at a median of 22 months of follow-up. Routine use of screening MRI and pre-emptive treatment to prevent cSCC is not warranted in patients with asymptomatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with spinal metastasis.

FUNDING

Cancer Research UK.

Diagnostic Accuracy of FEC-PET/CT, FDG-PET/CT, and Diffusion-Weighted MRI in Detection of Nodal Metastases in Surgically Treated Endometrial and Cervical Carcinoma

PURPOSE

Preoperative nodal staging is important for planning treatment in cervical cancer and endometrial cancer, but remains challenging. We compare nodal staging accuracy of ¹⁸F-ethyl-choline-(FEC)-PET/CT, ¹⁸F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose-(FDG)-PET/CT, and diffusion-weighted-MRI (DW-MRI) with conventional morphologic MRI.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

A prospective, multicenter observational study of diagnostic accuracy for nodal metastases was undertaken in 5 gyne-oncology centers. FEC-PET/CT, FDG-PET/CT, and DW-MRI were compared with nodal size and morphology on MRI. Reference standard was strictly correlated nodal histology. Eligibility included operable cervical cancer stage ≥ 1B1 or endometrial cancer (grade 3 any stage with myometrial invasion or grade 1-2 stage ≥ II).

RESULTS

Among 162 consenting participants, 136 underwent study DW-MRI and FDG-PET/CT and 60 underwent FEC-PET/CT. In 118 patients, 267 nodal regions were strictly correlated at histology (nodal positivity rate, 25%). Sensitivity per patient (n = 118) for nodal size, morphology, DW-MRI, FDG- and FEC-PET/CT was 40%*, 53%, 53%, 63%*, and 67% for all cases (*, P = 0.016); 10%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 25% in cervical cancer (n = 40); 65%, 75%, 70%, 80% and 88% in endometrial cancer (n = 78). FDG-PET/CT outperformed nodal size (P = 0.006) and size ratio (P = 0.04) for per-region sensitivity. False positive rates were all <10%.

CONCLUSIONS

All imaging techniques had low sensitivity for detection of nodal metastases and cannot replace surgical nodal staging. The performance of FEC-PET/CT was not statistically different from other techniques that are more widely available. FDG-PET/CT had higher sensitivity than size in detecting nodal metastases. False positive rates were low across all methods. The low false positive rate demonstrated by FDG-PET/CT may be helpful in arbitration of challenging surgical planning decisions.

The experience of cardiovascular professional training across europe: preliminary results from the ESC young cardiovascular professionals survey

Background and aim

There are differences in the training programs among European Countries and some sub-specialities are not even recognized in all the training programs. However, discrepancies amongst the Countries and the needs of the trainees are not well known. As such, a survey on the experience of Cardiovascular Professional Training across Europe was created by the ESC Board Committee for Young Cardiovascular professionals to provide a detailed picture of the training programs in the European Countries with deep insights into the needs and expectations of trainees

Methods

Between February and April 2021 a survey with 35 questions on the structure of the training program and on the expectations and needs of the young professionals was launched and advertised through all the official ESC social media and communications channels.

Results

643 under 40-year-old young professionals participated to the survey, 72% cardiologists, 14% other professionals, 3% nurses. The majority of the participants were in practice (59%) and male (57%), mean age was 33 year-old. The current working environment was university hospital (52%), local hospitals (18%), other tertiary locations (13%) and private sector (12%). The majority (54%) of the participants declared not being satisfied with the structure of their training programme and almost all would like a standardised European training programme (94%). The feeling was that more time should be allocated to active participation in interventions (currently 30%, suggested 46%) and that they do not have easy access to all subspecialities (52%). Only 39% of the participants were aware that a 2020 ESC Core curriculum exists and 36% declared that it used in their own Country. Nevertheless, the majority consult the ESC's online education contents (33%, 25% and 17% once per week, per month and per day respectively) and attend Congresses regularly (41% both national and international, 33% only national). Although the majority feel sufficiently recognized for their work by patients, supervisors and society (84%, 65% and 60% respectively), they are unsatisfied from a financial point of view (71%).

Conclusions

The majority of the young cardiovascular professionals feel that their training programme is not satisfactory and a standardised European programme should be implemented. However the ESC Core Curriculum is not well known among the young and not widely used in European Countries. These findings suggest more efforts will be needed to implement a standardized training programme by the ESC and national cardiac societies.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Interventional training needsRecognition feelings of the participants

Imaging features of the evolving patterns of metastatic prostate cancer

The pattern of metastases in prostate cancer (PC) is evolving. Increased use of imaging, newer imaging techniques with higher sensitivity for disease detection and patients receiving multiple lines of novel therapies with increased life expectancy are likely to be contributory. Awareness of metastatic disease patterns improves early diagnosis, accurate staging, and initiation of appropriate therapy, and can inform prognostic information and anticipate potential disease complications. The aim of this review is to document the spectrum of metastases in PC including emerging and unusual patterns, and to highlight the role of novel imaging including prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positron-emission tomography (PET) and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) to improve diagnostic and response assessment accuracy.

CT-Based Pelvic T1-Weighted MR Image Synthesis Using UNet, UNet++ and Cycle-Consistent Generative Adversarial Network (Cycle-GAN)

BACKGROUND

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the mainstay imaging modalities in radiotherapy planning. In MR-Linac treatment, manual annotation of organs-at-risk (OARs) and clinical volumes requires a significant clinician interaction and is a major challenge. Currently, there is a lack of available pre-annotated MRI data for training supervised segmentation algorithms. This study aimed to develop a deep learning (DL)-based framework to synthesize pelvic T1-weighted MRI from a pre-existing repository of clinical planning CTs.

METHODS

MRI synthesis was performed using UNet++ and cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (Cycle-GAN), and the predictions were compared qualitatively and quantitatively against a baseline UNet model using pixel-wise and perceptual loss functions. Additionally, the Cycle-GAN predictions were evaluated through qualitative expert testing (4 radiologists), and a pelvic bone segmentation routine based on a UNet architecture was trained on synthetic MRI using CT-propagated contours and subsequently tested on real pelvic T1 weighted MRI scans.

RESULTS

In our experiments, Cycle-GAN generated sharp images for all pelvic slices whilst UNet and UNet++ predictions suffered from poorer spatial resolution within deformable soft-tissues (e.g. bladder, bowel). Qualitative radiologist assessment showed inter-expert variabilities in the test scores; each of the four radiologists correctly identified images as acquired/synthetic with 67%, 100%, 86% and 94% accuracy. Unsupervised segmentation of pelvic bone on T1-weighted images was successful in a number of test cases.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic MRI synthesis is a challenging task due to the absence of soft-tissue contrast on CT. Our study showed the potential of deep learning models for synthesizing realistic MR images from CT, and transferring cross-domain knowledge which may help to expand training datasets for 21 development of MR-only segmentation models.

The TeleCheck-AF project on remote app-based management of atrial fibrillation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Patient experiences

Funding Acknowledgements

OnBehalf

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Laparoscopic assessment improves case selection for exenterative surgery in recurrent cervical and endometrial cancer

The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of laparoscopy in the case selection of patients for pelvic exenteration to treat recurrent cervical or endometrial cancer. Pelvic exenteration is a rare surgical procedure performed by specialised multidisciplinary surgical teams. We performed a review of 55 consecutive laparoscopies for patients being evaluated for possible exenterative surgery for recurrent cervical or endometrial cancer at a single centre in the UK with a significant exenterative surgical practice. All patients had no evidence of metastatic disease on imaging prior to the laparoscopy. Despite thorough radiological assessment laparoscopy detected peritoneal, nodal or extrapelvic metastases in 20.8% of cases. 5.6% of the patients who underwent exenterative surgery were found to have unresectable pelvic disease intraoperatively. In these cases, the extent of disease was not determined radiologically or during the initial exploratory laparotomy. In our view, laparoscopic assessment is an essential component of the pre-operative work up of patients with recurrent cervical or endometrial cancer being considered for exenterative surgery.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Pelvic exenteration is potentially curative in cases of recurrent pelvic malignancy. Case selection is essential to determine those patients without metastases and with resectable pelvic disease - this will improve patient outcomes, avoid the unnecessary morbidity of major surgery, as well as the psychological consequences of abandoned procedures. The only two previous studies, published in 1998 (Plante and Roy 1998) and 2002 (Köhler et al. 2002) have shown laparoscopic assessment to be safe and improve case selection.What do the results of this study add? This study provides evidence that in the context of modern imaging modalities, including PET-CT scans, laparoscopic assessment continues to improve case selection for exenterative surgery.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study provides further evidence of the benefit of laparoscopy in the assessment of patients being considered for exenterative surgery for recurrent pelvic cancer. Routine laparoscopy improves case selection and will enhance patient experiences and outcomes.

Stereotactic radiotherapy with focal boost for intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer: Initial results of the SPARC trial

INTRODUCTION

Dose escalation to dominant intraprostatic lesions (DILs) is a novel method to increase the therapeutic ratio in localised prostate cancer. The Stereotactic Prostate Augmented Radiotherapy with Cyberknife (SPARC) trial was designed to determine the feasibility of a focal boost defined with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) using stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were included with newly diagnosed intermediate to high risk prostate cancer with at least one of: Gleason score 4 + 3, stage T3a, or PSA > 20 ng/ml. Visible disease on mpMRI was mandatory and up to 2 separate nodules were allowed. All patients received androgen deprivation. Patients received 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions using CyberKnife® and the DIL received a simultaneous boost to a maximum of 47.5 Gy, as allowed by OAR constraints. Genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity was reported using the RTOG scoring criteria. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and EQ-5D global health scores were regularly captured.

RESULTS

An interim safety analysis was performed on the first 8 patients, recruited between July 2013 and December 2015. Median follow up was 56 months (range 50-74). Median D95 values for the prostate PTV and boost volume were 36.55 Gy (range 35.87-36.99) and 46.62 Gy (range 44.85-48.25) respectively. Of the dose constraints, 10/80 were not achieved but all were minor dose variations. Grade 2+ acute GU and GI toxicities were 37.5% respectively while grade 2+ late GU and GI toxicities were 12.5% and 0% respectively. IIEF and quality of life scores recovered over time and all patients remain in biochemical remission.

CONCLUSION

The first patients have been successfully treated with prostate SABR and focal boost on the SPARC trial, with excellent adherence to the planning protocol. Toxicity and efficacy results are promising and further recruitment is underway.

UKCGG Consensus Group guidelines for the management of patients with constitutional TP53 pathogenic variants

Constitutional pathogenic variants in TP53 are associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome or the more recently described heritable TP53-related cancer syndrome and are associated with increased lifetime risks of a wide spectrum of cancers. Due to the broad tumour spectrum, surveillance for this patient group has been limited. To date, the only recommendation in the UK has been for annual breast MRI in women; however, more recently, a more intensive surveillance protocol including whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) has been recommended by International Expert Groups. To address the gap in surveillance for this patient group in the UK, the UK Cancer Genetics Group facilitated a 1-day consensus meeting to discuss a protocol for the UK. Using a preworkshop survey followed by structured discussion on the day, we achieved consensus for a UK surveillance protocol for TP53 carriers to be adopted by UK Clinical Genetics services. The key recommendations are for annual WB-MRI and dedicated brain MRI from birth, annual breast MRI from 20 years in women and three-four monthly abdominal ultrasound in children along with review in a dedicated clinic.

Incidence and Survival Rates of Gynecological Malignancies in The United States Before and After the HPV Vaccine

Intoduction:

Gynecological malignancies are one of the most common cancers in women and have high mortality rates in the United States. In this study, we aimed to analyze the incidence and mortality rates of gynecological malignancies in 2011-2015 and compare these data with the corresponding parameters of 2001-2005. We chose these intervals of years for contrasting, as HPV vaccines have been actively used since 2006. HPV vaccine is known to prevent cervical cancer but has unknown impact on other gynecological malignancies. The aim of the is study is to check if incidence and survival of gynecological malignancies has changed before and after application of HPV vaccine

Material and Methods:

The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry 2005-2011 and 2011-2015 database was investigated and patients with gynecological malignancy were identified. Data were obtained using SEER*Stat version 8.3.5. A statistical analysis on the incidence rate and mortality rate was performed. Data were exported using case-listing session in SEER*Stat and were analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results:

Overall 125,357 cases with a gynecological malignancy were identified in 2011-2015 in comparison with 102,534 cases in the period of 2001-2005. The incidence of cervical cancer decreased in the period of 2011-2015 compared with the period from 2001 to 2005 (median incidence rates 3.9 and 4.3 per 100.000 persons, respectively, p < 0.05), while incidence of uterine (15.3 and 12.0 per 100.000 persons persons, respectively) and vulvar (1.55 and 1.86 per 100.000 persons, respectively) has increased ( p < 0.05). There was no change in the incidence rate of ovarian cancer (7.28 and 7.19 per 100.000 persons). Survival rates for cervix, uterine, ovarian and vulva cancer have increased. However, zero time error couldn’t be avoided in statistical analysis.

Conclusion:

As a result of widespread screening with Pap smear test and availability of human papilloma virus vaccine the incidence of cervix cancer has declined. Increase in vulvar and uterine cancer incidence may be attributed to lack of effective screening program for early detection of these type of cancers and most probably HPV vaccine has no effect on their incidence. Survival of gynecological malignancies has increased over years which may be explained by better treatment options or earlier detection.

Standard and Hypofractionated Dose Escalation to Intraprostatic Tumor Nodules in Localized Prostate Cancer: Efficacy and Toxicity in the DELINEATE Trial

PURPOSE

To report a planned analysis of the efficacy and toxicity of dose escalation to the intraprostatic dominant nodule identified on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging using standard and hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

DELINEATE is a single centre prospective phase 2 multicohort study including standard (cohort A: 74 Gy in 37 fractions) and moderately hypofractionated (cohort B: 60 Gy in 20 fractions) prostate image guided intensity modulated radiation therapy in patients with National Comprehensive Cancer Network intermediate- and high-risk disease. Patients received an integrated boost of 82 Gy (cohort A) and 67 Gy (cohort B) to lesions visible on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. Fifty-five patients were treated in cohort A, and 158 patients were treated in cohort B; the first 50 sequentially treated patients in cohort B were included in this planned analysis. The primary endpoint was late Radiation Therapy Oncology Group rectal toxicity at 1 year. Secondary endpoints included acute and late toxicity measured with clinician- and patient-reported outcomes at other time points and biochemical relapse-free survival for cohort A. Median follow-up was 74.5 months for cohort A and 52.0 months for cohort B.

RESULTS

In cohorts A and B, 27% and 40% of patients, respectively, were classified as having National Comprehensive Cancer Network high-risk disease. The cumulative 1-year incidence of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade 2 or worse rectal and urinary toxicity was 3.6% and 0% in cohort A and 8% and 10% in cohort B, respectively. There was no reported late grade 3 rectal toxicity in either cohort. Within cohort A, 4 of 55 (7%) patients had biochemical relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Delivery of a simultaneous integrated boost to intraprostatic dominant nodules is feasible in prostate radiation therapy using standard and moderately hypofractionated regimens, with rectal and genitourinary toxicity comparable to contemporary series without an intraprostatic boost.

ESMO Consensus Conference on testicular germ cell cancer: diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) consensus conference on testicular cancer was held on 3-5 November 2016 in Paris, France. The conference included a multidisciplinary panel of 36 leading experts in the diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer (34 panel members attended the conference; an additional two panel members [CB and K-PD] participated in all preparatory work and subsequent manuscript development). The aim of the conference was to develop detailed recommendations on topics relating to testicular cancer that are not covered in detail in the current ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and where the available level of evidence is insufficient. The main topics identified for discussion related to: (1) diagnostic work-up and patient assessment; (2) stage I disease; (3) stage II-III disease; (4) post-chemotherapy surgery, salvage chemotherapy, salvage and desperation surgery and special topics; and (5) survivorship and follow-up schemes. The experts addressed questions relating to one of the five topics within five working groups. Relevant scientific literature was reviewed in advance. Recommendations were developed by the working groups and then presented to the entire panel. A consensus vote was obtained following whole-panel discussions, and the consensus recommendations were then further developed in post-meeting discussions in written form. This manuscript presents the results of the expert panel discussions, including the consensus recommendations and a summary of evidence supporting each recommendation. All participants approved the final manuscript.

Realizing the potential of magnetic resonance image guided radiotherapy in gynaecological and rectal cancer

CT-based radiotherapy workflow is limited by poor soft tissue definition in the pelvis and reliance on rigid registration methods. Current image-guided radiotherapy and adaptive radiotherapy models therefore have limited ability to improve clinical outcomes. The advent of MRI-guided radiotherapy solutions provides the opportunity to overcome these limitations with the potential to deliver online real-time MRI-based plan adaptation on a daily basis, a true "plan of the day." This review describes the application of MRI guided radiotherapy in two pelvic tumour sites likely to benefit from this approach.

Contrast-Enhanced CT Density Predicts Response to Sunitinib Therapy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients

The first-line therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), sunitinib, exhibits an objective response rate of approximately 30%. Therapeutic alternatives such as other tyrosine kinase inhibitors, VEGF inhibitors, or mTOR inhibitors emphasize the clinical need to predict the patient's response to sunitinib therapy before treatment initiation. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of pretreatment portal venous phase contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) mean tumor density on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and tumor growth in 63 sunitinib-treated mRCC patients. Higher pretreatment CECT tumor density was associated with longer PFS and OS [hazard ratio (HR)=0.968, P=.002, and HR=0.956, P=.001, respectively], and CECT density was inversely correlated with tumor growth (P=.010). Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified two CECT density cut-off values (63.67 HU, sensitivity 0.704, specificity 0.694; and 68.67 HU, sensitivity 0.593, specificity 0.806) which yielded subpopulations with significantly different PFS and OS (P<.001). Pretreatment CECT is therefore a promising noninvasive strategy for response prediction in sunitinib-treated mRCC patients, identifying patients who will derive maximum therapeutic benefit.

Slice Encoding for Metal Artefact Correction in magnetic resonance imaging examinations for radiotherapy planning

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) images are degraded in the presence of metallic implants. We investigate whether SEMAC (Slice Encoding for Metal Artifact Correction) MR is advantageous for radiotherapy (RT) planning.

METHODS

Conventional and SEMAC MR protocols were compared (1.5T). A spine fixation device suspended in gelatine, two patients with spine fixation devices and six patients with bilateral hip replacements were scanned with both conventional and SEMAC protocols. In spine patients the visibility of the spinal canal and spinal cord was assessed; in prostate patients, the visibility of the prostate, pelvic structures and the pelvic girdle.

RESULTS

The signal loss volume surrounding the spine fixation device was reduced by approximately 20% when the SEMAC protocol was employed, and registration errors were reduced. For spine patients, the spinal canal was completely visible only using the SEMAC protocol. In hip replacement patients, metal artifacts were local; the signal loss extended to the internal surface of the acetabulum in eight implants with conventional protocols, but only in four using SEMAC.

CONCLUSIONS

SEMAC MR contributes towards correct co-registration of MR and CT images for RT planning, and is particularly relevant when the TV or OARs are close to implants.

Consensus Guidelines and Contouring Atlas for Pelvic Node Delineation in Prostate and Pelvic Node Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to establish reproducible guidelines for delineating the clinical target volume (CTV) of the pelvic lymph nodes (LN) by combining the freehand Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH) and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) vascular expansion techniques.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Seven patients with prostate cancer underwent standard planning computed tomography scanning. Four different CTVs (RMH, RTOG, modified RTOG, and Prostate and pelvIs Versus prOsTate Alone treatment for Locally advanced prostate cancer [PIVOTAL] trial) were created for each patient, and 6 different bowel expansion margins (BEM) were created to assess bowel avoidance by the CTV. The resulting CTVs were compared visually and by using Jaccard conformity indices. The volume of overlap between bowel and planning target volume (PTV) was measured to aid selection of an appropriate BEM to enable maximal LN yet minimal normal tissue coverage.

RESULTS

In total, 84 nodal contours were evaluated. LN coverage was similar in all groups, with all of the vascular-expansion techniques (RTOG, modified RTOG, and PIVOTAL), resulting in larger CTVs than that of the RMH technique (mean volumes: 287.3 cm(3), 326.7 cm(3), 310.3 cm(3), and 256.7 cm(3), respectively). Mean volumes of bowel within the modified RTOG PTV were 19.5 cm(3) (with 0 mm BEM), 17.4 cm(3) (1-mm BEM), 10.8 cm(3) (2-mm BEM), 6.9 cm(3) (3-mm BEM), 5.0 cm(3) (4-mm BEM), and 1.4 cm(3) (5-mm BEM) in comparison with an overlap of 9.2 cm(3) seen using the RMH technique. Evaluation of conformity between LN-CTVs from each technique revealed similar volumes and coverage.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular expansion techniques result in larger LN-CTVs than the freehand RMH technique. Because the RMH technique is supported by phase 1 and 2 trial safety data, we proposed modifications to the RTOG technique, including the addition of a 3-mm BEM, which resulted in LN-CTV coverage similar to that of the RMH technique, with reduction in bowel and planning target volume overlap. On the basis of these findings, recommended guidelines including a detailed pelvic LN contouring atlas have been produced and implemented in the PIVOTAL trial.

The role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the management of testicular cancers

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the utility of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) in managing testicular cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-two patients (29 seminoma, 28 nonseminoma and five mixed) underwent 75 (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans (16 scans for primary staging, 44 for residual masses and 15 for rising tumour markers). Follow-up histology, clinical scans and tumour marker results were included for retrospective analysis.

RESULTS

(i) Primary staging: eight of 11 patients with equivocal CT scans had true-negative (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans. Five high-risk patients with normal stage 1 CT scans had negative (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans, but two subsequently relapsed. (ii) Residual masses: of the 20 scans interpreted as showing viable disease, five were false positive. Nineteen scans were negative (18 true negative and one false negative). (iii) Rising tumour markers: of the 15 scans, two were false negative and 13 were true positive.

CONCLUSION

(18)F-FDG PET/CT is helpful when primary staging CT scans are equivocal but insufficiently sensitive to predict relapse in high-risk patients with normal CT scans. With residual masses, a negative scan is rarely associated with relapse. (18)F-FDG PET/CT is helpful in defining recurrent disease in the majority of patients with rising tumour markers and negative CT scans.

Diffusion-weighted MR neurography for the assessment of brachial plexopathy in oncological practice

BACKGROUND

To evaluate diffusion-weighted MR neurography (DW-MRN) for visualizing the brachial plexus and for the assessment of brachial plexopathy.

METHODS

40 oncological patients with symptoms of brachial plexopathy underwent 1.5 T MRI using conventional MR sequences and unidirectional DW-MRN. The images were independently reviewed by two radiologists. Anatomic visualization of the brachial plexus was scored using a 5 point scale on conventional MR sequences and then combined with DW-MRN. A brachial plexus abnormality was also scored using a 5 point scale and inter-observer agreement determined by kappa statistics. Diagnostic accuracy for brachial plexopathy assessed by conventional MRI alone versus conventional MRI combined with DW-MRN was compared by ROC analysis using reference standards.

RESULTS

DW-MRN significantly improved visualization of the brachial plexus compared with conventional MRI alone (P<0.001). When assessing brachial plexopathy, inter-observer agreement was moderate for conventional MRI (kappa=0.48) but good for conventional MRI with DW-MRN (kappa=0.62). DW-MRN combined with conventional MRI significantly improved diagnostic accuracy in one observer (P<0.05) but was similar in the other observer.

CONCLUSION

DW-MRN improved visualization of the brachial plexus. Combining DW-MRN with conventional MRI can improve inter-observer agreement and detection of brachial plexopathy in symptomatic oncological patients.

Utility of preoperative ferumoxtran-10 MRI to evaluate retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis in advanced cervical cancer: Results of ACRIN 6671/GOG 0233

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To assess if ferumoxtran-10 (f-10) improves accuracy of MRI to detect lymph node (LN) metastasis in advanced cervical cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

F-10 MRI component of an IRB approved HIPAA compliant ACRIN/GOG trial was analyzed. Patients underwent f-10 MRI followed by extra-peritoneal or laparoscopic pelvic and abdominal lymphadenectomy. F-10-sensitive sequences were T2* GRE sequences with TE of 12 and 21. Seven independent blinded readers reviewed f-10-insensitive sequences and all sequences in different sessions. Region correlations were performed between pathology and MRI for eight abdomen and pelvis regions. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated at participant level. Reference standard is based on pathology result of surgically removed LNs.

RESULTS

Among 43 women enrolled in the trial between September 2007 and November 2009, 33 women (mean age 49 ±11 years old) with advanced cervical cancer (12 IB2, 3 IIA, 15 IIB and 3 IIIB, 29 squamous cell carcinomas, 32 grade 2 or 3) were evaluable. Based on histopathology, LN metastasis was 39% in abdomen and 70% in pelvis. Sensitivity of all sequence review in pelvis, abdomen, and combined were 83%, 60%, and 86%, compared with 78%, 54%, and 80% for f-10 insensitive sequences (P: 0.24, 0.44 and 0.14, respectively). Mean diameter of the largest positive focus on histopathology was 13.7 mm in abdomen and 18.8 mm in pelvis (P = 0.018). Specificities of all sequence review in pelvis, abdomen, and combined were 48%, 75%, and 43%, compared with 75%, 83%, and 73% (P: 0.003, 0.14, 0.002 respectively) for f-10 insensitive sequences.

CONCLUSION

Addition of f-10 increased MRI sensitivity to detect LN metastasis in advanced cervical cancer. Increased sensitivity did not reach statistical significance and was at the expense of lower specificity.

Revised Choi imaging criteria correlate with clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib

PURPOSE

To compare revised Choi criteria that incorporate concurrent size and attenuation changes at early follow-up imaging with Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors ( RECIST Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors ) 1.1 and original Choi criteria in stratification of clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma ( mRCC metastatic renal cell carcinoma ) treated with sunitinib.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Institutional review board approved this retrospective study and waived informed consent. Baseline and first follow-up computed tomographic scans in 69 patients (50 men, 19 women; mean age, 60.3 years; range, 19-83 years) with mRCC metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib from October 1, 2008, to March 1, 2013, were evaluated for tumor response by using RECIST Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1, original Choi criteria, and revised Choi criteria. Correlations with overall survival ( OS overall survival ) and progression-free survival ( PFS progression-free survival ) were compared and stratified according to each radiologic criteria with Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Median follow-up time was 29.7 months (95% confidence interval [ CI confidence interval ]: 18.9, 45.9). Response according to revised Choi criteria was independently correlated with OS overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.47 [95% CI confidence interval : 0.23, 0.99]; P = .046) and PFS progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.53 [95% CI confidence interval : 0.29, 0.99]; P = .047). Response according to RECIST Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors was not significantly correlated with OS overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.65 [95% CI confidence interval : 0.27, 1.58]; P = .344) or PFS progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.89 [95% CI confidence interval : 0.42, 1.91]; P = .768). Response according to original Choi criteria was not significantly correlated with OS overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.60 [95% CI confidence interval : 0.32, 1.11]; P = .106) or PFS progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.59 [95% CI confidence interval : 0.34, 1.02]; P = .060). Median OS overall survival and PFS progression-free survival in responders according to revised Choi criteria was 39.4 months (95% CI confidence interval : 9.1, upper limit not estimated) and 13.7 months (95% CI confidence interval : 6.4, 24.6), respectively, compared with 12.8 months (95% CI confidence interval : 8.7, 18.0) and 5.3 months (95% CI confidence interval : 3.9, 8.4), respectively, in nonresponders.

CONCLUSION

Contemporaneous reduction in tumor size and attenuation were correlated with favorable clinical outcomes. Response according to revised Choi criteria showed better correlation with clinical outcomes compared with that according to RECIST Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors or original Choi criteria in patients with mRCC metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sunitinib.

Prostate stereotactic body radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost: which is the best planning method?

Background

The delivery of a simultaneous integrated boost to the intra-prostatic tumour nodule may improve local control. The ability to deliver such treatments with hypofractionated SBRT was attempted using RapidArc (Varian Medical systems, Palo Alto, CA) and Multiplan (Accuray inc, Sunnyvale, CA).

Materials and methods

15 patients with dominant prostate nodules had RapidArc and Multiplan plans created using a 5 mm isotropic margin, except 3 mm posteriorly, aiming to deliver 47.5 Gy in 5 fractions to the boost whilst treating the whole prostate to 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions. An additional RapidArc plan was created using an 8 mm isotropic margin, except 5 mm posteriorly, to account for lack of intrafraction tracking.

Results

Both RapidArc and Multiplan can produce clinically acceptable boost plans to a dose of 47.5 Gy in 5 fractions. The mean rectal doses were lower for RapidArc plans (D50 13.2 Gy vs 15.5 Gy) but the number of missed constraints was the same for both planning methods (11/75). When the margin was increased to 8 mm/5 mm for the RapidArc plans to account for intrafraction motion, 37/75 constraints were missed.

Conclusions

RapidArc and Multiplan can produce clinically acceptable simultaneous integrated boost plans, but the mean rectal D50 and D20 with RapidArc are lower. If the margins are increased to account for intrafraction motion, the RapidArc plans exceed at least one dose constraint in 13/15 cases. Delivering a simultaneous boost with hypofractionation appears feasible, but requires small margins needing intrafraction motion tracking.