Research productivity of RANZCR radiation oncology trainees from 2014 to 2023.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to describe the research productivity among RANZCR Radiation Oncology (RO) trainees.

Methods: Publicly available data on RO fellows, who were awarded the RANZCR fellowship between July 2014 and June 2023, was extracted from the RANZCR Annual Reports. Fellows who had qualified overseas and did not undertake full RANZCR training were excluded.

Single vs. multiple fraction non-inferiority trial of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for the comprehensive treatment of oligo-metastases/progression: SIMPLIFY-SABR-COMET.

Background: Radiotherapy delivery regimens can vary between a single fraction (SF) and multiple fractions (MF) given daily for up to several weeks depending on the location of the cancer or metastases. With limited evidence comparing fractionation regimens for oligometastases, there is support to explore toxicity levels to nearby organs at risk as a primary outcome while using SF and MF stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) as well as explore differences in patient-reported quality of life and experience.

Methods: This study will randomize 598 patients in a 1:1 ratio between the standard arm (MF SABR) and the experimental arm (SF SABR).

Management and outcomes of glioblastoma: 20-year experience in a single Australian institution.

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the changing patterns in the management of glioblastoma (GBM) and impact on survival outcomes over a 20-year period.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with GBM between 2001 and 2020, who had radiation therapy (RT) in an Australian institution. The primary outcomes were changes in treatment modalities (including surgery, RT, and chemotherapy) over time and overall survival (OS).

Design, optimisation and standardisation of a high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry workflow assessing T-cell immunophenotype in patients with melanoma.

Objectives: Despite the success of immune checkpoint blockade, most metastatic melanoma patients fail to respond to therapy or experience severe toxicity. Assessment of biomarkers and immunophenotypes before or early into treatment will help to understand favourable responses and improve therapeutic outcomes.

Methods: We present a high-dimensional approach for blood T-cell profiling using three multi-parameter cytometry panels: (1) a TruCount panel for absolute cell counts, (2) a 27-colour spectral panel assessing T-cell markers and (3) a 20-colour spectral panel evaluating intracellular cytokine expression.

Real-world data on patterns and outcomes of radiation therapy for brain metastases in a population-based cohort of lung cancer patients in Victoria.

Introduction: We evaluated real-world data on the patterns and outcomes of radiotherapy (RT) for brain metastases (BM) in a population-based cohort of patients with lung cancer (LC) in Victoria.

Methods: The Victorian Radiotherapy Minimum Data set (VRMDS) and the Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR) were linked to identify patients with LC who underwent RT for BM between 2013 and 2016. We determined: (i) proportion of patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS); (ii) overall survival (OS); and (iii) 30-day mortality (30M) following RT for BM.

Persisting Gaps in Optimal Care of Stage III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: An Australian Patterns of Care Analysis.

Background: Wide variation exists globally in the treatment and outcomes of stage III patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We conducted an up-to-date patterns of care analysis in the state of Victoria, Australia, with a particular focus on the proportion of patients receiving treatment with radical intent, treatment trends over time, and survival.

Materials And Methods: Stage III patients with NSCLC were identified in the Victorian Lung Cancer Registry and categorized by treatment received and treatment intent.

Blood T-cell profiling in metastatic melanoma patients as a marker for response to immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with radiotherapy.

Background: The addition of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has the potential to significantly improve outcomes in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. We analysed peripheral blood immune cells of patients receiving combination SABR and ICI to detect the effect of treatment and identify potential biomarkers that predict outcome.

Methods: 24 polymetastatic melanoma patients participated in the SABR IMPACT trial, receiving standard dose immunotherapy with anti-PD-1 and/or anti-CTLA-4 and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy to one site.

Stereotactic Radiation for the Comprehensive Treatment of Oligometastases (SABR-COMET): Extended Long-Term Outcomes.

Purpose: Long-term randomized data assessing the effect of ablative therapies in patients with oligometastases are lacking. The Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for the Comprehensive Treatment of Oligometastases (SABR-COMET) randomized phase 2 trial was originally designed with 5 years of follow-up, but the trial was amended in 2016 to extend follow-up to 10 years. Herein we report oncologic outcomes beyond 5 years.

MArkerless image Guidance using Intrafraction Kilovoltage x-ray imaging (MAGIK): study protocol for a phase I interventional study for lung cancer radiotherapy.

Introduction: In radiotherapy, tumour tracking leads the radiation beam to accurately target the tumour while it moves in a complex and unpredictable way due to respiration. Several tumour tracking techniques require the implantation of fiducial markers around the tumour, a procedure that involves unnecessary risks and costs. Markerless tumour tracking (MTT) negates the need for implanted markers, potentially enabling accurate and optimal radiotherapy in a non-invasive way.

Oesophageal IGRT considerations for SBRT of LA-NSCLC: barium-enhanced CBCT and interfraction motion.

Background: To determine the optimal volume of barium for oesophageal localisation on cone-beam CT (CBCT) for locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) and quantify the interfraction oesophageal movement relative to tumour.

Methods: Twenty NSCLC patients with mediastinal and/or hilar disease receiving radical radiotherapy were recruited. The first five patients received 25 ml of barium prior to their planning CT and alternate CBCTs during treatment.

Is SABR Cost-Effective in Oligometastatic Cancer? An Economic Analysis of the SABR-COMET Randomized Trial.

Purpose: The phase 2 randomized study SABR-COMET demonstrated that in patients with controlled primary tumors and 1 to 5 oligometastatic lesions, SABR was associated with improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with standard of care (SoC), but with higher costs and treatment-related toxicities. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of SABR versus SoC in this setting.

Methods And Materials: A Markov model was constructed to perform a cost-utility analysis from the Canadian health care system perspective.

Stereotactic Radiation Therapy Combined With Immunotherapy Against Metastatic Melanoma: Long-Term Results of a Phase 1 Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) in combination with immunotherapy for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma. The study also investigates the effects of timing and dosing of SABR on clinical efficacy.

Methods: Metastatic melanoma patients with at least 2 metastases received SABR to a single metastatic site.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for the comprehensive treatment of 1-3 Oligometastatic tumors (SABR-COMET-3): study protocol for a randomized phase III trial.

Background: A recent randomized phase II trial evaluated stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in a group of patients with a small burden of oligometastatic disease (mostly with 1-3 metastatic lesions), and found that SABR was associated with a significant improvement in progression-free survival and a trend to an overall survival benefit, supporting progression to phase III randomized trials.

Methods: Two hundred and ninety-seven patients will be randomized in a 1:2 ratio between the control arm (consisting of standard of care [SOC] palliative-intent treatments), and the SABR arm (consisting of SOC treatment + SABR to all sites of known disease). Randomization will be stratified by two factors: histology (prostate, breast, or renal vs.

Contrast enhanced oesophageal avoidance for stereotactic body radiotherapy: Barium vs. Gastrografin.

Introduction: SABR may facilitate treatment in a greater proportion of locally-advanced NSCLC patients, just as it has for early-stage disease. The oesophagus is one of the key dose-limiting organs and visualization during IGRT would better ensure toxicity is avoided. As the oesophagus is poorly seen on CBCT, we assessed the extent to which this is improved using two oral contrast agents.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for the comprehensive treatment of 4-10 oligometastatic tumors (SABR-COMET-10): study protocol for a randomized phase III trial.

Background: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has emerged as a new treatment option for patients with oligometastatic disease. SABR delivers precise, high-dose, hypofractionated radiotherapy, and achieves excellent rates of local control for primary tumors or metastases. A recent randomized phase II trial evaluated SABR in a group of patients with a small burden of oligometastatic disease (mostly with 1-3 metastatic lesions), and found that SABR was associated with benefits in progression-free survival and overall survival.

Identifying optimal clinical scenarios for synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy: A treatment planning study.

Purpose: Synchrotron Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) is a pre-clinical modality characterised by spatial dose fractionation on a microscopic scale. Treatment planning studies using clinical datasets have not yet been conducted. Our aim was to investigate MRT dose-distributions in scenarios refractory to conventional treatment and to identify optimal settings for a future Phase I trial.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy versus standard of care palliative treatment in patients with oligometastatic cancers (SABR-COMET): a randomised, phase 2, open-label trial.

Background: The oligometastatic paradigm suggests that some patients with a limited number of metastases might be cured if all lesions are eradicated. Evidence from randomised controlled trials to support this paradigm is scarce. We aimed to assess the effect of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) on survival, oncological outcomes, toxicity, and quality of life in patients with a controlled primary tumour and one to five oligometastatic lesions.

Oral health, academic performance, and school absenteeism in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide a summary estimate of the association between oral health and academic performance.

Types Of Studies Reviewed: The authors conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar for studies on oral health, school absence, and academic achievement published in English from January 1945 through December 2017. Exposures included subjectively or objectively measured caries, oral pain, and periodontitis.

Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Cavernous Venous Malformations of the Orbital Apex.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy in the treatment of cavernous venous malformation of the orbital apex.

Methods: The authors reviewed a prospective database from a single center of patients with cavernous venous malformation of the orbital apex who had treatment with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy. The authors compared the symptoms, visual function and the size of the tumor pre- and posttreatment as well as reviewed the treatment details and the incidence of complications.