Optimization and validation of low-field MP2RAGE T mapping on 0.35T MR-Linac: Toward adaptive dose painting with hypoxia biomarkers.

Background: Stereotactic MR-guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy (SMART) dose painting for hypoxia has potential to improve treatment outcomes, but clinical implementation on low-field MR-Linac faces substantial challenges due to dramatically lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) characteristics. While quantitative MRI and T mapping of hypoxia biomarkers show promise, T-to-noise ratio (TNR) optimization at low fields is paramount, particularly for the clinical implementation of oxygen-enhanced (OE)-MRI. The 3D Magnetization Prepared (2) Rapid Gradient Echo (MP2RAGE) sequence stands out for its ability to acquire homogeneous T-weighted contrast images with simultaneous T mapping.

Treatments affecting splenic function as a risk factor for valvular heart disease in Childhood Cancer Survivors: A DCCSS-LATER study.

Purpose: Splenectomy might be a risk factor for valvular heart disease (VHD) in adult Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. As this risk is still unclear for childhood cancer survivors (CCS), the aim of this study is to evaluate the association between treatments affecting splenic function (splenectomy and radiotherapy involving the spleen) and VHD in CCS.

Methods: CCS were enrolled from the DCCSS-LATER cohort, consisting of 6,165 five-year CCS diagnosed between 1963 and 2002.

Evolution of Proton Radiation Therapy Brainstem Constraints on the Pediatric Proton/Photon Consortium Registry.

Purpose: Increasing concern that brainstem toxicity incidence after proton radiation therapy might be higher than with photons led to a 2014 University of Florida (UF) landmark paper identifying its risk factors and proposing more conservative dose constraints. We evaluated how practice patterns changed among the Pediatric Proton/Photon Consortium Registry (PPCR).

Material And Methods: This prospective multicenter cohort study gathered data from patients under the age of 22 years enrolled on the PPCR, treated between 2002 and 2019 for primary posterior fossa brain tumors.

Planned Dental Extractions After Radiation Therapy.

Importance: Nonrestorable teeth are recommended to be extracted prior to radiation therapy (RT). Occasionally, preradiation extractions introduce unacceptable delays in treatment initiation. Planned dental extractions immediately postradiation presents an alternative strategy, though outcomes are uncertain.

Lung-MAP Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis of Advanced Squamous Cell Lung Cancers (SWOG S1400).

Introduction: Squamous cell cancer (SqCC) is a lung cancer subtype with few targeted therapy options. Molecular characterization, that is, by next-generation sequencing (NGS), is needed to identify potential targets. Lung Cancer Master Protocol Southwest Oncology Group S1400 enrolled patients with previously treated stage IV or recurrent SqCC to assess NGS biomarkers for therapeutic sub-studies.

Safety of combined ablative radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors in three phase I trials.

Background: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is safe and effective for treatment of extracranial metastatic disease, but its safety when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has not yet been comprehensively reported. Here we report adverse events (AEs) associated with combined SBRT and ICI using prospectively-collected data on patients in three trials investigating multi-site SBRT combined with ICI.

Methods: Patients were included from three prospective trials of ICI (pembrolizumab; nivolumab/urelumab or nivolumab/cabiralizumab; nivolumab/ipilimumab) with SBRT to 1-4 sites.

Changes in Merkel cell oncoprotein antibodies after radiation therapy in curatively treated Merkel cell carcinoma and association with recurrence.

Background: Serum antibodies to the Merkel oncoprotein (AMERK) are detectable in approximately 50% of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and can be used to monitor for recurrence. The objective of this study was to characterize AMERK levels in patients receiving curative-intent radiation therapy (RT) for MCC and identify associations between AMERK and recurrence.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with MCC who had baseline AMERK measurements before they received curative-intent RT from 2010 to 2020.

Determinants of cerebral radionecrosis in animal models: A systematic review.

Background: Radionecrosis is a common complication in radiation oncology, while mechanisms and risk factors have yet to be fully explored. We therefore conducted a systematic review to understand the pathogenesis and identify factors that significantly affect the development.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search based on the PRISMA guidelines using PubMed, Ovid, and Web of Science databases.

Comparison of infection risk between enzalutamide and abiraterone in patients with prostate cancer.

Background: Enzalutamide and abiraterone may differ in their immunomodulatory effects, and the prednisone coadministered with abiraterone can be immunosuppressive. This study aimed to compare the risk of different types of infection in patients with prostate cancer receiving enzalutamide or abiraterone in combination with androgen deprivation therapy.

Methods: Patients with prostate cancer receiving enzalutamide or abiraterone in addition to androgen deprivation therapy in Hong Kong between December 1999 to March 2021 were identified in this retrospective cohort study and followed up until September 2021, death, or crossover.

Association of low adherence to weekly cisplatin with outcomes in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline recommends consideration of weekly cisplatin as an alternative option for patients with head and neck cancer undergoing definitive chemoradiation. However, in a recent phase III trial (ConCERT), 20% of patients treated with weekly cisplatin could not receive a total of 200 mg/m, and the association of low adherence to weekly cisplatin and cancer control outcomes remains unclear. To fill this knowledge gap, we performed an observational cohort study of patients with head and neck cancer undergoing definitive chemoradiation with weekly cisplatin.

Effect of Radical Prostatectomy on Survival for Men with High-risk Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer Features Selected According to STAMPEDE Criteria: An EMPaCT Study.

Background And Objective: A meta-analysis of two randomized STAMPEDE platform trials revealed that 3 yr of abiraterone acetate in addition to androgen deprivation therapy and radiation therapy significantly improved metastasis-free and overall survival (OS) in high-risk nonmetastatic prostate cancer (PCa) and should be considered a new standard of care. The aim of our study was to assess long-term cancer-specific survival (CSS) and OS for surgically treated patients with newly diagnosed nonmetastatic node-negative PCa meeting the STAMPEDE criteria for high risk.

Methods: This was a retrospective, multicenter cohort study of patients with European Association of Urology (EAU) high-risk PCa who underwent radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection.

Evaluation of the Immunomodulatory Effects of Radiation for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy in Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Standard-of-care treatment for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is comprised of surgery and adjuvant chemoradiation. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has demonstrated disease-modifying activity in GBM and holds great promise. Radiation, a standard-of-care treatment for GBM, has well-known immunomodulatory properties and may overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME); however, radiation dose optimization and integration with CAR T cell therapy is not well defined.

Implementation of ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy schedules for breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands.

Background And Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an accelerated recommendation to use five-fraction radiotherapy schedules, according to the FAST- and FAST-Forward trial. In this study, trends in the use of different radiotherapy schedules in the Netherlands were studied, as well as the likelihood of receiving five fractions.

Materials And Methods: Data from the NABON Breast Cancer Audit-Radiotherapy and Netherlands Cancer Registry was used.

Intensifying Salvage Therapy in Prostate-specific Antigen Recurrent Prostate Cancer After Radical Prostatectomy with Apalutamide, Salvage Radiation, and Docetaxel: The Phase 2 STARTAR Trial.

Background And Objective: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with salvage radiation therapy (RT) improves survival for patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer (PC), but many patients suffer further relapse. This study aims to determine the benefit of the combination of ADT, apalutamide, salvage RT, and docetaxel for high-risk PSA recurrent PC.

Methods: STARTAR is a multicenter, investigator-initiated phase 2 trial of men with PSA recurrent PC after RP.

Ovarian function recovery in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant anastrozole treatment: updated results from the phase 3 DATA trial.

Purpose: Patients with chemotherapy-induced ovarian function failure (CIOFF) may experience ovarian function recovery (OFR). Earlier, we showed that OFR during treatment with anastrozole impacted the prognosis of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC) patients with CIOFF. Here, we present the long-term follow-up results.

Clinical Outcomes of 3 Versus 4 Fractions of Magnetic Resonance Image-Guided Brachytherapy in Cervical Cancer.

Purpose: Magnetic resonance image-guided brachytherapy is essential in the management of locally advanced cervical cancer. This study compares disease and toxicity outcomes in cervical cancer patients treated with 24 Gy/3 fractions (Fr) versus the conventional 28 Gy/4 Fr.

Methods And Materials: This retrospective study included 241 consecutive patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018 stage IB to IVA cervical cancer treated with definitive chemoradiation between April 2014 and March 2021.

Radiomics-based hybrid model for predicting radiation pneumonitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study reviewed and meta-analyzed evidence on radiomics-based hybrid models for predicting radiation pneumonitis (RP). These models are crucial for improving thoracic radiotherapy plans and mitigating RP, a common complication of thoracic radiotherapy. We examined and compared the RP prediction models developed in these studies with the radiomics features employed in RP models.

Patterns of recurrence after radiotherapy for high-risk neuroblastoma: Implications for radiation dose and field.

Background: Prognosis for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NBL) is guarded despite aggressive therapy, and few studies have characterized outcomes after radiotherapy in relation to radiation treatment fields.

Methods: Multi-institutional retrospective cohort of 293 patients with HR-NBL who received autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and EBRT between 1997-2021. LRR was defined as recurrence at the primary site or within one nodal echelon beyond disease present at diagnosis.

Second primary non-breast cancers in young breast cancer survivors.

Purpose: We evaluated the incidence, timing, and risk factors for second primary non-breast cancers (SPNBC) among young breast cancer (BC) survivors.

Methods: This study included participants of the Young Women's BC Study (YWS) who were diagnosed with stage 0-III BC between 2006 and 2016 and age 40 or younger at diagnosis (N = 1,230). Patient characteristics, treatment information, and clinical events were collected via serial surveys.

Cerebral Gray Matter May Not Explain Sleep Slow-Wave Characteristics after Severe Brain Injury.

Sleep slow waves are the hallmark of deeper non-rapid eye movement sleep. It is generally assumed that gray matter properties predict slow-wave density, morphology, and spectral power in healthy adults. Here, we tested the association between gray matter volume (GMV) and slow-wave characteristics in 27 patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI, 32.

Neoadjuvant Nivolumab Plus Chemotherapy Followed By Response-Adaptive Therapy for HPV+ Oropharyngeal Cancer: OPTIMA II Phase 2 Open-Label Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

Importance: Immune checkpoint inhibitors improve survival in recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck cancer, yet their role in curative human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal cancer (HPV+ OPC) remains undefined. Neoadjuvant nivolumab and chemotherapy followed by response-adaptive treatment in HPV+ OPC may increase efficacy while reducing toxicity.

Objective: To determine the deep response rate and tolerability of the addition of neoadjuvant nivolumab to chemotherapy followed by response-adapted locoregional therapy (LRT) in patients with HPV+ OPC.

Comparative evaluation of outcomes amongst different radiosurgery management paradigms for patients with large brain metastasis.

Introduction: This study compares four management paradigms for large brain metastasis (LMB): fractionated SRS (FSRS), staged SRS (SSRS), resection and postoperative-FSRS (postop-FSRS) or preoperative-SRS (preop-SRS).

Methods: Patients with LBM (≥ 2 cm) between July 2017 and January 2022 at a single tertiary institution were evaluated. Primary endpoints were local failure (LF), radiation necrosis (RN), leptomeningeal disease (LMD), a composite of these variables, and distant intracranial failure (DIF).