Impact of Myc-Altered Pathology on Radiation Therapy Efficacy Among Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Large-B Cell Lymphoma: A Collaborative Study by ILROG.

Purpose: The presence of MYC and BCL2 translocations (ie, double-hit lymphoma, DHL) in large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) is associated with reduced chemosensitivity, but less is known on its impact on radiotherapy (RT) efficacy.

Methods And Materials: Patients with LBCL who received their first course of RT for relapsed/refractory disease between 2008 and 2020 were eligible if there was adequate pathologic evaluation to be categorized as DHL versus non-DHL as per the World Health Organization (fifth edition). Separate analyses were conducted by treatment intent.

Proton pencil beam scanning radiotherapy in the postoperative treatment of p16 positive squamous cell tonsillar cancer - evaluation of toxicity and effectivity.

Purpose: Patients with p16 positive tonsillar cancer (p16 + TC) have an excellent prognosis and long-life expectancy. Deintensification of therapy is a prevalent topic of discussion. Proton radiotherapy is one way to reduce radiation exposure and thus reduce acute and late toxicity.

5-Years Analysis of Effectivity and Toxicity of Ultra-Hypofractionated Proton Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Low- and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer-A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: We retrospectively analyzed the 5-year biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS) and occurrence of late toxicity in prostate cancer patients treated with pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton radiotherapy.

Methodology: In the period from January 2013 to June 2018, 853 patients with prostate cancer were treated with an ultra-hypofractionated schedule (36.25 GyE/five fractions).

Radiation induced lymphopenia - a possible critical factor in current oncological treatment.

Background: The effect of ionizing radiation on the immune system during the treatment of malignant tumors has long remained a point of great interest. This issue is currently gaining importance, especially in connection with the advancing development and availability of immunotherapeutic treatment. During cancer treatment, radiotherapy has the ability to influence the immunogenicity of the tumor by increasing the expression of certain tumor-specific antigens.

Pencil-beam scanning proton therapy for the treatment of glomus jugulare tumours.

Introduction: Glomus jugulare tumours (GJT) are benign tumours that arise locally and destructively in the base of the skull and can be successfully treated with radiotherapy. Patients have a long-life expectancy and the late effects of radiotherapy can be serious. Proton radiotherapy reduces doses to critical organs and can reduce late side effects of radiotherapy.

Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) Chemoradiotherapy for Anal Canal Cancer-Single Institution Experience.

A favourable dose distribution has been described for proton beam therapy (PBT) of anal cancer in dosimetric studies. The relationship between dosimetric parameters in bone marrow and haematologic toxicity, treatment interruptions, and treatment efficacy has also been documented. There are only few references on clinical results of PBT for anal cancer.

Proton Therapy in Supradiaphragmatic Lymphoma: Predicting Treatment-Related Mortality to Help Optimize Patient Selection.

Purpose: In some patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), proton beam therapy (PBT) may reduce the risk of radiation-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) and second cancers (SC) compared with photon radiation therapy (RT). Our aim was to identify patients who benefit the most from PBT in terms of predicted 30-year absolute mortality risks (AMR) from CVD and SC, taking into account individual background, chemotherapy, radiation, and smoking-related risks.

Methods And Materials: Eighty patients with supradiaphragmatic HL treated with PBT between 2015 and 2019 were replanned using optimal photon RT.

Ultrahypofractionated Proton Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Low and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer-5-Year Outcomes.

Purpose: To analyze the 5-year biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS) and late toxicity profile in patients with prostate cancer treated with pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton radiation therapy.

Methods And Materials: Between January 2013 and March 2016, 284 patients with prostate cancer were treated using intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), with an ultrahypofractionated schedule (36.25 GyE in 5 fractions).

Risk of Pneumonitis and Outcomes After Mediastinal Proton Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Lymphoma: A PTCOG and PCG Collaboration.

Purpose: Despite high response rates, there has been reluctance to use radiation therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) Hodgkin (HL) or aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) given concerns for subacute and late toxicities. Symptomatic pneumonitis, a subacute toxicity, has an incidence of 17% to 24% (≥grade 2) even with intensity modulated radiation therapy. Proton therapy (PT), which has no exit radiation dose, is associated with a lower dose to lung compared with other radiation techniques.

Extreme hypofractionated proton radiotherapy for prostate cancer using pencil beam scanning: Dosimetry, acute toxicity and preliminary results.

Introduction: Extreme hypofractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer is a common modality in photon therapy. Pencil beam scanning (PBS) in similar fractionation allows better dose distribution and makes proton therapy more available for such patients. The purpose of this study is the feasibility of extreme proton hypofractionated radiotherapy and publication of early clinical results.

Clinical Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma: Which Patients Benefit the Most?

Purpose: Radiation therapy (RT) improves control of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), but patients who undergo RT are at risk for late effects, including cardiovascular disease and second cancers, because of radiation doses to organs at risk (OARs). Proton therapy (PT) can reduce OAR doses compared with conventional photon RT. However, access to PT is currently limited, so referrals must be appropriately selective.

Cost-of-illness analysis and regression modeling in cystic fibrosis: a retrospective prevalence-based study.

Background: Economic data pertaining to cystic fibrosis (CF), is limited in Europe generally, and completely lacking in Central and Eastern Europe. We performed an analysis of all direct costs associated with CF relative to key disease features and laboratory examinations.

Methods: A retrospective prevalence-based cost-of-illness (COI) study was performed in a representative cohort of 242 CF patients in the Czech Republic, which represents about 65 % of all Czech CF patients.

[Very late effects of radiotherapy - limiting factor of current radiotherapy techniques].

Background: Very late effects of radiotherapy occur within decades after the initial exposure. Their development is induced by low doses of ionizing radiation (from 4 Gy per radiation series) and their clinical manifestations are difficult to distinguish from other independent diseases diagnosed in individuals not formerly treated with radiation. A long time period from the exposure confounds any causal relationships between radiation and adverse events.

Treatment of high risk prostate cancer with combined radiotherapy and hormonal treatment- results and identification of factors influencing outcome.

Purpose: The aim of this work was to prospectively analyze the outcome of combined hormonal treatment and radical radiotherapy in high risk non metastatic prostate cancer patients (T1=4, N0-1, M0).

Methods: Between April 2003 and December 2007 196 patients with high risk prostate cancer were treated with curative intent. The treatment consisted of 2-month neoadjuvant hormonal treatment (LHRH analog), radical radiotherapy (68-78 Gy, conformal technique) and an optional 2-year adjuvant hormonal treatment.

[The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of malignant lymphomas - recommendations of the Czech Lymphoma Study Group].

Background: Indication of radiotherapy in lymphoma treatment is an important strategic decision requiring comprehensive expertise. It also calls for a better definition of the position of radiotherapy in clinical practice.

Design: This position paper represents a consensus between hematooncologists and radiation oncologists on the role of RT in treatment of different histological types and stages of malignant lymphomas.

Novel diagnostic PCR assay for Burkholderia cenocepacia epidemic strain ST32 and its utility in monitoring infection in cystic fibrosis patients.

Background: A highly transmissible Burkholderia cenocepacia sequence type (ST) 32 strain caused a major outbreak at the Prague Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Centre in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Because a large number of CF patients were affected by ST32, a rapid and easy-to-use diagnostic tool for ST32 infection was urgently needed for the detection of new cases as well as for long-term surveillance. The present study sought to identify unique DNA sequences within the ST32 genome to develop an ST32 strain-specific PCR assay.

PCR detection of Burkholderia cepacia complex as one of key factors to handle a long-term outbreak.

Background: Once the outbreak with Burkholderia cenocepacia ST32 was identified in the Prague cystic fibrosis (CF) centre, molecular tools were implemented into diagnostic routine in order to complement infection control measures with as accurate as possible microbiological service. In addition, genotyping techniques were applied as part of an infection surveillance program to assign species and strain status in samples positive for Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). We sought to evaluate a usefulness of Bcc-specific PCR in infection control and to map evolution of the outbreak.

Role of [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography in early and late therapy assessment of patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma treated with bleomycin, etoposide, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone.

The prognostic value of positron emission tomography (PET) in early therapy response assessment, after completion of chemotherapy and 3 months after the end of treatment in advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) remains to be defined. We report the results of 69 patients with first presentation of advanced HL. [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG)-PET scan was performed after four cycles (PET-4), on completion of chemotherapy after 6/8 cycles (PET-6/8) and 3 months after the completion of chemotherapy (PET 3-months).

Direct culture-independent Strain typing of Burkholderia cepacia complex in sputum samples from patients with cystic fibrosis.

We examined if multilocus sequence typing (MLST), a method for genotyping and species identification of Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria, could be applied directly to cystic fibrosis sputum. The redesigned nested-PCR MLST format was successfully used to accurately identify strains in 23 sputum samples, of which 8 were culture negative.

FDG-PET for assessment of early treatment response after four cycles of chemotherapy in patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma has a high negative predictive value.

Background: As positron emission tomography (PET) seems to be a powerful prognostic marker in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), we analysed the prognostic value of PET after four cycles of combination therapy with bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone (BEACOPP) in patients with advanced-stage HL.

Patients And Methods: From January 2004 to March 2007, 50 patients with newly diagnosed HL in clinical stages IIB with large mediastinal mass or extranodal disease, III and IV were treated according to the HD15 protocol of the German Hodgkin Study Group. All patients received a PET scan after four cycles of BEACOPP (PET-4).

Prognostic impact of bone involvement in Hodgkin lymphoma.

The purpose of the study is to determine incidence and prognostic impact of osseous Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Between 1997 and 2004, 198 patients with HL were treated at our institution. Advanced stages and nodular sclerosis histology prevailed.