Predicting cisplatin tolerability in older adults with head and neck cancer - Insights for improved chemoradiation outcomes.

Purpose: Cumulative cisplatin doses of ≥ 200 mg/m improve survival in adults with head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoing chemoradiation, but many older adults with HNSCC cannot receive this prognostically relevant dose due to toxicities. This study aims to develop predictive models to assess the likelihood of older adults with HNSCC receiving ≥ 200 mg/m cisplatin during chemoradiation.

Methods: 366 patients from the SENIOR database, an international cohort of adults ≥ 65 years with HNSCC, received definitive chemoradiation with single-agent cisplatin and were analyzed.

Homozygous CDKN2A/B deletions in low- and high-grade glioma: a meta-analysis of individual patient data and predictive values of p16 immunohistochemistry testing.

CDKN2A/B deletions are prognostically relevant in low- and high-grade gliomas. Data on this is derived from heterogeneous series, an accurate estimation of survival risk from homozygous CDKN2A/B deletion is missing. Besides genetic testing, p16-immunohistochemistry (IHC) as a less cost intensive means for indirect detection of CDKN2A/B alterations is possible but not validated in larger datasets.

The role of ALBI score in patients treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy for locally advanced primary liver tumors: a pooled analysis of two prospective studies.

Introduction: To evaluate the outcomes after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for locally advanced primary liver cancer.

Materials And Methods: Patients with locally advanced liver cancer unsuitable for other loco-regional treatments were treated with SBRT with 50-60 Gy in 3-12 fractions in two consecutive prospective trials.

Results: A total of 83 patients were included, of whom 14 were excluded, leaving 69 evaluable patients with 74 treated lesions.

[Surgical Treatment of Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma, Neck Dissection and Adjuvant Postoperative Therapy of Oropharyngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer: Recommendations of the current S3 Guideline - Part II].

Part II of the S3 guideline report deals with the surgical treatment of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, neck dissection for oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas and adjuvant therapy options. Primary surgical therapy ± adjuvant radio- or radiochemotherapy and primary radio- or radiochemotherapy are established as primary therapies for local-regional hypopharyngeal carcinomas. Direct randomized comparisons of both basic therapeutic procedures were never conducted.

The European Larynx Organ Preservation Study [MK-3475-C44].

Unlabelled: The European Larynx Organ Preservation Study (ELOS; NCT06137378) is a prospective, randomized, open-label, two-armed parallel group controlled, phase II multicenter larynx organ preservation (LOP) trial in locoregionally advanced (LA) stage III, IVA/B head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx or hypopharynx (LHSCC) amenable for total laryngectomy (TL) with PD-L1 expression within tumor tissue biopsy, calculated as CPS ≥ 1. Induction chemotherapy (IC) with docetaxel and cisplatin (TP) followed by radiation will be compared to TP plus PD-1 inhibition by pembrolizumab (MK-3475; 200 mg i.v.

Planning Benchmark Study for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy of Pancreas Carcinomas With Simultaneously Integrated Boost and Protection: Results of the DEGRO/DGMP Working Group on Stereotactic Radiation Therapy and Radiosurgery.

Purpose: The proximity or overlap of planning target volume (PTV) and organs-at-risk (OARs) poses a major challenge in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) of pancreatic cancer (PACA). This international treatment planning benchmark study investigates whether simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) and simultaneous integrated protection (SIP) concepts in PACA SBRT can lead to improved and harmonized plan quality.

Methods And Materials: A multiparametric specification of desired target doses (gross target volume [GTV], GTV, PTV, and PTV) with 2 prescription doses of GTV = 5 × 9.

Implementation of PET/CT in radiation oncology-a patterns-of-care analysis of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine and the German Society of Radiation Oncology.

Background: The use of positron-emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in radiation therapy (RT) has increased. Radiation oncologists (RadOncs) have access to PET/CT with a variety of tracers for different tumor entities and use it for target volume definition. The German Society of Nuclear Medicine (DGN) and the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) aimed to identify current patterns of care in order to improve interdisciplinary collaboration.

Improved survival of locoregional-advanced larynx and hypopharynx cancer patients treated according to the DeLOS-II protocol.

Introduction: Larynx organ preservation (LOP) in locoregional-advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-LHSCC) being only R0-resectable (clear margins > 5 mm) by total laryngectomy (TL) is desirable. Based on tumor-specific survival (TSS) and overall survival (OS) data from the RTOG 91-11 trial and meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs), cisplatin-based concurrent radiochemotherapy (CRT) is discussed being superior to cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (IC+RT) and TL followed by postoperative RT (TL+PORT) or radiochemotherapy (TL+PORCT). Outside of RCTs, T4 LHSCC treated with TL+PORCT demonstrated improved OS and TSS compared to CRT alone; comparisons with docetaxel plus cisplatin (TP)-based IC+RT are unpublished.

Effects of tumor treating fields (TTFields) on human mesenchymal stromal cells.

Purpose: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) within the glioblastoma microenvironment have been shown to promote tumor progression. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are alternating electric fields with low intensity and intermediate frequency that exhibit anti-tumorigenic effects. While the effects of TTFields on glioblastoma cells have been studied previously, nothing is known about the influence of TTFields on MSCs.

The significance of partial volume effect on the estimation of hypoxic tumour volume with [F]FMISO PET/CT.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how a retrospective correction of the partial volume effect (PVE) in [F]fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) PET imaging, affects the hypoxia discoverability within a gross tumour volume (GTV). This method is based on recovery coefficients (RC) and is tailored for low-contrast tracers such as FMISO. The first stage was the generation of the scanner's RC curves, using spheres with diameters from 10 to 37 mm, and the same homogeneous activity concentration, positioned in lower activity concentration background.

The role of the soft palate dose regarding normal tissue toxicities in older adults with head and neck cancer undergoing definitive radiotherapy.

Purpose: The number of older adults with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is continuously increasing. Older HNSCC patients may be more vulnerable to radiotherapy-related toxicities, so that extrapolation of available normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models to this population may not be appropriate. Hence, we aimed to investigate the correlation between organ at risk (OAR) doses and chronic toxicities in older patients with HNSCC undergoing definitive radiotherapy.

Patient-Relevant Costs for Organ Preservation versus Radical Resection in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) is an evolving treatment schedule for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), allowing for organ preservation in a relevant number of patients in the case of complete response. Patients who undergo this so-called "watch and wait" approach are likely to benefit regarding their quality of life (QoL), especially if definitive ostomy could be avoided. In this work, we performed the first cost-effectiveness analysis from the patient perspective to compare costs for TNT with radical resection after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) in the German health care system.

Decision regret of cancer patients after radiotherapy: results from a cross-sectional observational study at a large tertiary cancer center in Germany.

Purpose: The decision-making process regarding cancer treatment is emotionally challenging for patients and families, harboring the risk of decision regret. We aimed to explore prevalence and determinants of decision regret following radiotherapy.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary cancer center to assess decision regret following radiotherapy.

Multicenter analysis on the value of standard (chemo)radiotherapy in elderly patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction.

Background: To assess the tolerability and oncological results of chemoradiation in elderly patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction.

Methods: This multi-center retrospective analysis included 86 elderly patients (≥ 65 years) with esophageal or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (median age 73 years; range 65-92 years) treated with definitive or neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy. The treatment was performed at 3 large comprehensive cancer centers in Germany from 2006 to 2020.

Excellent long-term pain response and local control following postoperative radiotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma.

Purpose: Multiple myeloma is associated with osteolytic bone lesions, often requiring surgery of the spine and postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Although common, data for clinical and informed decision-making are sparse. In this monocentric retrospective study, we aim to report the outcome of patients who underwent spinal surgery and postoperative RT due to multiple myeloma.

A prospective study of immune responses in patients with lung metastases treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy with or without concurrent systemic treatment.

We prospectively evaluated the effects of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) on circulating immune cells. Patients with oligo-metastatic and oligo-progressive pulmonary lesions were treated with SBRT with (cSBRT) or without (SBRT group) concurrent systemic treatment (chemotherapy or immune checkpoint blockade) using different fractionation regimes. Immunoprofiling of peripheral blood cells was performed at baseline, during, at the end of SBRT, and at the first and second follow-ups.

Satisfaction with radiotherapy care among cancer patients treated in Germany-secondary analysis of a large multicenter study.

Purpose: Patient satisfaction with healthcare has been linked to clinical outcomes and regulatory agencies demand its regular assessment. Therefore, we aimed to investigate patient satisfaction with radiotherapy care and its determinants.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective cross-sectional study.

Oncologic treatment support via a dedicated mobile app: a prospective feasibility evaluation (OPTIMISE-1).

Background: Mobile health (mhealth) is gaining interest, with mobile devices and apps being ever more available among medical facilities and patients. However, in the field of radiation oncology, the medical benefits of mhealth apps are still underexplored. As an additional approach to patient care during radiotherapy, we designed a mobile treatment surveillance app based on patient-reported outcomes.

A Multicenter Evaluation of Different Chemotherapy Regimens in Older Adults With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Definitive Chemoradiation.

Purpose: The number of older adults with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is increasing, and treatment of these patients is challenging. Although cisplatin-based chemotherapy concomitantly with radiation therapy is considered the standard regimen for patients with locoregionally advanced HNSCC, there is substantial real-world heterogeneity regarding concomitant chemotherapy in older patients with HNSCC.

Methods And Materials: The SENIOR study is an international multicenter cohort study including older patients (≥65 years) with HNSCC treated with definitive radiation therapy at 13 academic centers in the United States and Europe.

App-Controlled Treatment Monitoring and Support for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy: Results From a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are very common malignancies, and treatment often requires multimodal approaches, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Patients with HNC often display a high symptom burden, both due to the disease itself and the adverse effects of the multimodal therapy. Close telemonitoring of symptoms and quality of life during the course of treatment may help to identify those patients requiring early medical support.