Thymidine phosphorylase induction by ionizing radiation antagonizes 5-fluorouracil resistance in human ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) frequently contributes to failure of systemic therapy. While the radiosensitizing properties of 5-fluorouracil (FU) are well known, it is unknown whether ionizing radiation (IR) sensitizes towards FU cytotoxicity. Here, we hypothesize that upregulation of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) by IR reverses FU chemoresistance in PDAC cells.

Radiation necrosis after a combination of external beam radiotherapy and iodine-125 brachytherapy in gliomas.

Purpose: Frequency and risk profile of radiation necrosis (RN) in patients with glioma undergoing either upfront stereotactic brachytherapy (SBT) and additional salvage external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) after tumor recurrence or vice versa remains unknown.

Methods: Patients with glioma treated with low-activity temporary iodine-125 SBT at the University of Munich between 1999 and 2016 who had either additional upfront or salvage EBRT were included. Biologically effective doses (BED) were calculated.

Stereotactic radiosurgery combined with targeted/ immunotherapy in patients with melanoma brain metastasis.

Background: There is limited data on the use of targeted or immunotherapy (TT/IT) in combination with single fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients with melanoma brain metastasis (MBM). Therefore, we analyzed the outcome and toxicity of SRS alone compared to SRS in combination with TT/IT.

Methods: Patients with MBM treated with single session SRS at our department between 2014 and 2017 with a minimum follow-up of 3 months after first SRS were included.

Brachytherapy of Intracranial Gliomas.

Interstitial implantation of radioactive materials (brachytherapy [BT]) has been designed to protractedly deliver a high radiation dose to a well-defined target volume, while minimizing irradiation of the adjacent normal tissues. Even though promising results have been reported over time, the role of this treatment modality in the management of brain tumors is still poorly defined, and only a few centers worldwide apply it in clinical practice. Nevertheless, temporary or permanent interstitial implantation of low activity (<20 mCi) and low dose rate (≤10 cGy/h) iodine-125 (125I) seeds as possible therapy of intracranial gliomas is currently undergoing a definite revival, and several indications for its use have been identified.

Medulloblastoma in adults : A retrospective single institution analysis.

Purpose: Adult medulloblastoma is a rare disease treated according to the current pediatric treatment guidelines. This retrospective analysis investigated the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of adult medulloblastoma patients, who received multimodal therapy at our institution.

Methods: Treatment charts of all patients over the age of 15 years of age with de novo medulloblastoma, who had been treated at our institution between 2001 and 2014, were retrospectively analyzed.

Temozolomide during radiotherapy of glioblastoma multiforme : Daily administration improves survival.

Background: Temozolomide-(TMZ)-based chemoradiotherapy defines the current gold standard for the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Data regarding the influence of TMZ dose density during chemoradiotherapy are currently not available. We retrospectively compared outcomes in patients receiving no TMZ, TMZ during radiotherapy on radiotherapy days only, and TMZ constantly 7 days a week.

Iodine-125 brachytherapy as upfront and salvage treatment for brain metastases : A comparative analysis.

Background: Outcome and toxicity profiles of salvage stereotactic ablative radiation strategies for recurrent pre-irradiated brain metastases are poorly defined. This study compared risk-benefit profiles of upfront and salvage iodine-125 brachytherapy (SBT) for small brain metastases. As the applied SBT treatment algorithm required histologic proof of metastatic brain disease in all patients, we additionally aimed to elucidate the value of biopsy before SBT.

Suspected recurrence of brain metastases after focused high dose radiotherapy: can [F]FET- PET overcome diagnostic uncertainties?

Background: After focused high dose radiotherapy of brain metastases, differentiation between tumor recurrence and radiation-induced lesions by conventional MRI is challenging. This study investigates the usefulness of dynamic O-(2-F-Fluoroethyl)-L-Tyrosine positron emission tomography (F-FET PET) in patients with MRI-based suspicion of tumor recurrence after focused high dose radiotherapy of brain metastases.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with 34 brain metastases (median age 61.

Early treatment of complex located pediatric low-grade gliomas using iodine-125 brachytherapy alone or in combination with microsurgery.

To analyze efficacy, functional outcome, and treatment toxicity of low-dose rate I-125 brachytherapy (SBT) alone or in combination with best safe resection (in case of larger tumor volumes) as first-line treatment for pediatric low-grade gliomas (PLGGs) not suitable for complete resection. Consecutively treated (2000-2014) complex located circumscribed WHO grade I/II PLGGs were included. For small tumors (≤4 cm in diameter) SBT alone was performed; for larger tumors best safe resection and subsequent SBT was chosen.

Outcome and toxicity profile of salvage low-dose-rate iodine-125 stereotactic brachytherapy in recurrent high-grade gliomas.

Background: The aim of this study was to provide an outcome and toxicity profile of salvage low-dose-rate iodine-125 (I-125) stereotactic brachytherapy (SBT) in patients with small, circumscribed malignant glioma recurrences.

Methods: Patients with malignant glioma recurrences consecutively undergoing salvage SBT from 2003 to 2011 were identified from our prospective tumor database. SBT was considered a potentially suitable treatment strategy for adult mostly multimodally pretreated patients (Karnofsky score of ≥ 70) with biopsy-proven, circumscribed, small (diameter ≤ 3.

Excellent local control and survival after postoperative or definitive radiation therapy for sarcomas of the head and neck.

Background: To report our results with postoperative or definitive radiation therapy in head and neck sarcomas.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 26 patients suffering from head and neck sarcomas, who received postoperative or definitive radiation therapy between 2003 and 2012. Median age was 64 years (19-88) and 69 % were male.

Hippocampal EUD in primarily irradiated glioblastoma patients.

Background: Radiation delivery for malignant brain tumors is gradually becoming more precise. Particularly the possibilities of sparing adjacent normal structures such as the hippocampus are increasing. To determine its radiation exposure more exactly, the equivalent uniform dose (EUD) of the hippocampus was compared with further treatment parameters.

Prognostic factors for survival and radiation necrosis after stereotactic radiosurgery alone or in combination with whole brain radiation therapy for 1-3 cerebral metastases.

Background: In the present study factors affecting survival and toxicity in cerebral metastasized patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) were analyzed with special focus on radiation necrosis.

Patients And Methods: 340 patients with 1-3 cerebral metastases having been treated with SRS were retrospectively analyzed. Radiation necrosis was diagnosed by MRI und PET imaging.

Analysis of equivalent uniform dose (EUD) and conventional radiation treatment parameters after primary and re-irradiation of malignant glioma.

Background: Re-irradiation is a reasonable second treatment option for patients with recurrent malignant glioma (MG) after previous radio(chemo)therapy. However, only limited data is available allowing for a precise selection of patients suitable for re-treatment in regard to safety and efficacy.

Methods: Using the department database, 58 patients with two courses of percutaneous radiation were identified.