Dosimetric Predictors of Toxicities and Quality of Life Following Two-Fraction Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

There is emerging interest in two-fraction stereotactic body radiotherapy (2#SBRT) for localized prostate cancer. However, there is limited data to guide organs at risk (OAR) dose constraints in 2#SBRT. We aim to identify dosimetric predictors of toxicities and quality of life (QoL) using real life patient data from two prospective 2#SBRT trials.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We included 60 patients who had 2#SBRT in the 2STAR (NCT02031328) and 2SMART (NCT03588819) phase 2 trials. The prescribed dose was 26Gy to the prostate +/- focal boost of 32Gy to the dominant intraprostatic lesions. Toxicities and QoL data were prospectively collected using CTCAEv4 and EPIC26 questionnaires. For QoL, we reported the minimal clinical important changes (MCIC), defined as changes in QoL score of >0.5 standard deviation from baseline QoL score. We evaluated the bladder, urethra, rectum, and penile bulb dosimetry (urethra dosimetry only available in 30 patients in 2SMART trial). Some of the dosimetric parameters were log-transformed to normalize the distribution. Cox regression was used to identify dosimetric predictors for acute and late grade ≥2 GU toxicities. Logistic regression was used to identify dosimetric predictors for late MCIC in urinary, bowel and sexual QoL domains. Backward stepwise selection was used to identify significant dosimetric parameters. For GU toxicities and urinary QoL, three additional clinical factors (age, prostate volume and IPSS) were included in the final model as confounding factors. Receiver operating characteristics curve was used to identify cut-off for significant dosimetric parameters.

RESULTS

The median follow-up for the cohort was 56 months (range: 39-78 months). The cumulative acute and late grade ³2 GU toxicities were 62% (37/60) and 57% (34/60) respectively. No bladder or urethra dosimetric parameter was associated with acute grade ≥2 GU toxicities. Bladder D0.5cc was significant predictor of late grade ≥2 GU toxicities in univariate model (P = 0.05), but not in multivariate model. Baseline IPSS score was the single strongest predictor for late grade ≥2 GU toxicities (HR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.1-3.4; P = 0.03). For late QoL outcomes, there were 36% (21/58), 28% (16/58), and 29% (17/58) of patients with MCIC in urinary, bowel and sexual QoL domains respectively. Bladder V10Gy was associated with late urinary MCIC in multivariate model after adjusting for clinical confounders (HR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.1-6.6; P = 0.04). 48% (14/29) and 24% (7/29) of patients with bladder V10Gy>13.9% and V10Gy≤13.9% respectively had late urinary MCIC. No rectum and penile bulb dosimetry parameters was identified to be associated with late bowel or sexual QoL.

CONCLUSION

Using real life patient data from prospective clinical trials with medium term follow-up, we identified statistically significant bladder dosimetry parameter predictive of late urinary QoL. This finding could be useful to guide OAR dose constraints in prostate 2#SBRT trials.

Prostate-specific Antigen Bounce After Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of Four Prospective Trials

AIMS

We conducted a pooled analysis of four prospective stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) trials of low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer to evaluate the incidence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) bounce and its correlation with the time-dose-fraction schedule. The correlation between bounce with PSA response at 4 years (nadir PSA < 0.4 ng/ml) and biochemical failure-free survival (BFFS) was also explored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included four treatment groups: 35 Gy/five fractions once per week (QW) (TG-1; n = 84); 40 Gy/five fractions QW (TG-2; n = 100); 40 Gy/five fractions every other day (TG-3; n = 73); and 26 Gy/two fractions QW (TG-4; n = 30). PSA bounce was defined as a rise in PSA by 0.2 ng/ml (nadir + 0.2) or 2 ng/ml (nadir + 2.0) above nadir followed by a decrease back to nadir. Patients with fewer than three follow-up PSA tests were excluded from the pooled analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 287 patients were included, with a median follow-up of 5.0 years. The pooled 5-year cumulative incidence of bounce by nadir + 2.0 was 8%. The 2-year cumulative incidences of PSA bounce by nadir + 0.2 were 28.9, 21, 19.6 and 16.7% (P = 0.12) and by nadir + 2.0 were 7.2, 8, 2.7 and 6.7% (P = 0.32) for TG-1 to TG-4, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that for nadir + 2.0, pre-treatment PSA (odds ratio 0.49; 95% confidence interval 0.26-0.97) correlated with PSA bounce. Although PSA bounce by nadir + 0.2 (odds ratio 0.10; 95% confidence interval 0.04-0.24) and nadir + 2.0 (odds ratio 0.29; 95% confidence interval 0.09-0.93) was associated with a lower probability of PSA response at 4 years, there was no association between bounce by nadir + 0.2 (hazard ratio 0.36; 95% confidence interval 0.08-1.74) or nadir + 2 (hazard ratio 1.77; 95% confidence interval 0.28-11.07) with BFFS.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of PSA bounce was independent of time-dose-fraction schedule for prostate SBRT. One in 13 patients experienced a bounce high enough to be misinterpreted as biochemical failure, and clinicians should avoid early salvage interventions in these patients. There was no association between PSA bounce and BFFS.

Accelerated hypofractioned postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a prospective phase I/II study

AIMS

To present the initial findings of a single institution, phase I/II study investigating hypofractionated radiotherapy in patients undergoing post-prostatectomy treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients requiring postoperative radiotherapy were prospectively enrolled. Dose was prescribed to the prostate bed with 51 Gy in 17 daily fractions. Androgen deprivation was optional. Acute and late gastrointestinal/genitourinary toxicity were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0 and quality of life was assessed using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite evaluation tool. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was evaluated at every follow-up.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were enrolled between 2009 and 2011. The median age was 65 years and most had Gleason 7 disease (86%) with pT2c or pT3a (82%). Positive margins were documented in 67% of the patients. The median pre-treatment PSA was 0.12 ng/ml. The median follow-up was 24 months. Overall toxicity was low, with >80% of patients having ≤ grade 1 acute toxicity in both genitourinary and gastrointestinal realms. Similarly, only two patients (6%) experienced grade 2/3 late gastrointestinal/genitourinary toxicity. Quality of life scores were also indicative of a well-tolerated treatment. PSA failure was seen in five patients (17%).

CONCLUSIONS

We present a hypofractionated schedule of postoperative prostate radiotherapy that is both well tolerated in terms of both toxicity and quality of life measures. Initial PSA control is encouraging. Further evaluation with a longer follow-up and a larger cohort is warranted.

Predicting intrafraction displacement of the prostate during a five-fraction radiotherapy regimen: Implications for stereotactic body radiotherapy

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Background: Accurate characterization of prostate displacement during stereotactic body radiotherapy (RT) may help optimize margins to maximize complication and disease-free survival. Also, if individual patients with large intrafraction displacement can be identified, additional interventions can be undertaken.

Methods: Fifty-three men treated on a phase I/II study of extreme hypofractionation were selected for the study. A total dose of 35 Gy in 5 fractions was delivered with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Daily image guidance was performed using gold seed fiducials. Position verification was obtained with orthogonal electronic portal images taken immediately before and after each fraction. Prostate shifts were recorded in 3 dimensions.

Results: The mean intrafraction prostate displacements were -0.03 ± 0.61 mm (1SD), 0.21 ± 1.50 mm, and -0.86 ± 1.73 mm in the lateral, superior-inferior, and anterior-posterior directions, respectively. The mean intrafraction displacement during the first two fractions is moderately correlated with the displacement in the remaining 3 fractions, with correlation coefficients of 0.63 and 0.47 in the SI and AP directions, respectively.

Conclusions: The mean intrafraction prostate displacement during a course of extreme hypofractionated radiotherapy is small. A strategy using the first two fractions to predict future displacements >5mm shows promise and warrants further validation.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Quality of life after pelvic radiotherapy with hypofractionated IMRT boost and long-term hormone therapy for locally advanced prostate cancer

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Background: Combined radiotherapy (RT) and long-term hormonal therapy (HT) is a standard treatment option for high-risk prostate cancer. Dose escalated RT alone has been shown to improve disease free survival. Increased sensitivity of prostate cancer to high doses per fraction has led to hypofractionation as a method to radiobiologically escalate dose.We report on the quality of life of patients treated with combined hypofractionated RT and HT.

Methods: A prospective phase I/II study enrolling patients with any of: clinical T3, PSA ≥20, or Gleason 8-10. Forty-five Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction) was delivered to the pelvic nodes with a concomitant 22.5 Gy intensity-modulated RT boost to the prostate, for a total of 67.5 Gy (2.7 Gy/fraction) in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. Hormonal therapy was administered for 2-3 years. Patient reported outcomes were measured at baseline and every 6 months using the validated Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) questionnaire, which measures urinary, bowel, sexual, and hormonal domains.

Results: Sixty patients with a minimum 24 months of patient-reported outcomes were analyzed. Mean scores comparing baseline to 24 month values are reported. There were no statistically significant changes in the urinary summary scores (86.3 vs. 86.0, p=0.45) or any of the urinary subscales (function, bother, incontinence, irritative/obstructive). Domain summary score decreases were observed in: bowel by 4.4% (94.7 vs. 90.3, p<0.01), sexual by 27% (44.5 vs. 17.5, p<0.01), and hormonal by 11.9% (93.1 vs. 81.2, p<0.01). Examining time trends in outcomes, most changes occurred within the first 6 months with smaller changes thereafter.

Conclusions: Hypofractionated RT combined with long-term HT is associated with good patient-reported urinary and bowel outcomes at 24 months. Sexual and hormonal summary scores are affected, largely due to continued androgen deprivation therapy. Further follow-up is needed to document patient reported outcomes after testosterone recovery.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.