Development of Radiographic Radiation Pneumonitis (RP) in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) May Be Protective Against Further Disease Progression.

Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is a local inflammatory response, and we hypothesize that RP serves as an immune stimulator and is a protective factor against disease progression.  Methods: We analyzed patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) at two institutions. Radiographic RP (RRP) was evaluated and maximal axial dimensions were measured at three-, six-, and twelve-month timepoints with surveillance CT.

Impact of Concurrent Coincident Use of Metformin During Lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy.

Introduction Recent data suggest synergy of chemoradiotherapy and metformin in locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It remains unclear if similar synergy exists with stereotactic lung body radiation therapy (SBRT) and metformin. We analyzed the role of metformin on progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity in the setting of lung SBRT.

Cervical cancer in Eastern Europe: review and proceedings from the Cervical Cancer Research Conference.

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women worldwide, with a disproportionately high burden of disease in less-developed regions of the world. The Cervix Cancer Research Network was founded by the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup with a mission to improve outcomes in cervical cancer by enhancing international access to clinical trials, specifically in under-represented, underdeveloped areas. The Cervix Cancer Research Network held its third international educational symposium in Bucharest in 2018 and is the subject of this report.

Pretreatment Factors Influencing Radiation Pneumonitis after Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Lung Cancer.

Objective Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is a dose-limiting toxicity that affects the treatment of lung cancer. Data on factors predictive of developing symptomatic RP after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) are limited. We reviewed data to identify pretreatment factors predictive of the development of symptomatic RP in patients' lung cancer treated with SBRT.

Predictors of Distant Failure After Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Stages I to IIA Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose: The use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as an effective treatment modality for patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with excellent local control rates. Despite this, there is a predominant pattern of distant failure. We sought to identify factors that help predict which patients with stages I to IIA NSCLC treated with SBRT are at highest risk of distant failure, so that we may utilize these factors in the future to help determine which patients may benefit from the addition of systemic therapies.

Local control dependence on consecutive vs. nonconsecutive fractionation in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Background: Recent reports demonstrate impaired tumor re-oxygenation 24-48h after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), suggesting that non-consecutive treatment delivery may be advantageous. To test this hypothesis clinically, we compared local control in patients treated in consecutive daily fractions vs. nonconsecutive fractions.

Leukemia Cutis of the Face, Scalp, and Neck Treated with Non-coplanar Split Field Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy: A Case Report.

Malignancies with a superficial involvement of the scalp present a unique technical challenge for radiation treatment planning. As an example of this, leukemic infiltration of the superficial skin as the only presentation of the disease is a rare entity. For such cases, radiation oncologists have typically treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy with matched electron fields, a technique that can lead to significant dose inhomogeneity.

Daily isoflurane exposure increases barbiturate insensitivity in medullary respiratory and cortical neurons via expression of ε-subunit containing GABA ARs.

The parameters governing GABAA receptor subtype expression patterns are not well understood, although significant shifts in subunit expression may support key physiological events. For example, the respiratory control network in pregnant rats becomes relatively insensitive to barbiturates due to increased expression of ε-subunit-containing GABAARs in the ventral respiratory column. We hypothesized that this plasticity may be a compensatory response to a chronic increase in inhibitory tone caused by increased central neurosteroid levels.

Increased GABA(A) receptor ε-subunit expression on ventral respiratory column neurons protects breathing during pregnancy.

GABAergic signaling is essential for proper respiratory function. Potentiation of this signaling with allosteric modulators such as anesthetics, barbiturates, and neurosteroids can lead to respiratory arrest. Paradoxically, pregnant animals continue to breathe normally despite nearly 100-fold increases in circulating neurosteroids.

The effect of age and tongue exercise on BDNF and TrkB in the hypoglossal nucleus of rats.

Age-associated changes in tongue musculature may contribute to dysphagia. One possible treatment is tongue exercise. Exercise induces synaptic plasticity by increasing neurotrophic factors in spinal cord and limb musculature.