复发性卵巢癌患者放疗联合热疗的临床观察

目的:探讨热疗联合放疗在复发性卵巢癌治疗中的协同增敏作用。方法:68例晚期复发性卵巢癌患者,将其随机分为单纯放疗组(对照组)和热疗联合放疗组(实验组)。两组盆腔三维适形放疗单次剂量为200 c Gy,1次/日,5次/周。实验组在放疗结束后2小时内进行热疗,2次/周,共5周。治疗前及治疗结束后1个月均通过超声及CT检查对两组患者肿瘤体积的变化进行疗效评估,同时观察两组患者治疗后3年的生存情况。结果:近期疗效中发现,实验组11例完全缓解,17例部分缓解,对照组3例完全缓解,15例部分缓解,两组总有效率及完全缓解率差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。实验组3年总的生存率明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:热疗联合放疗可有效的杀灭复发的卵巢恶性肿瘤细胞,可缓解放疗副反应,明显提高患者的生存率。     

调强适形放疗联合化疗治疗局部晚期食管癌的疗效观察

目的:观察调强适形放疗(intensity modulated radiation therapy,IMRT)联合多西他赛、奈达铂方案化疗同步治疗局部晚期食管癌的疗效及安全性。方法:选择66例局部晚期食管癌患者为研究对象,将其随机分为2组,其中常规放疗组(A组)共30例,采用常规照射方法,6/8 MV高能X线,2.0 Gy/次,5次/周;40 Gy/20次后再次定位剂量达60~66 Gy,强调放疗组(B组)共36例,采用强调适应性放疗,6/8MV-X射线照射,以95%等剂量线包绕PTV(计划靶区),处方剂量GTV(肿瘤区)66 Gy/30次,CTV(临床靶区)60 Gy/30次,PTV 60 Gy/30次,每天1次,每周5次。强调放疗组同期接受IMRT和多西他赛、柰达伯化疗,21天1个周期,连续2个周期。治疗结束后根据实体瘤疗效评价标准(RECIST)评定临床疗效;参照WHO毒性反应分度标准评价毒副反应。结果:常规放疗组和强调放疗组的总有效率分别为46.66%和91.67%(x2=17.26,P0.05);常规放疗组的毒副反应发生率显著高于强调放疗组,包括骨髓抑制、放射性食管炎和消化道反应的发生率存在显著差异(P0.05)。结论:调强适形放疗联合多西他赛、奈达铂化疗同步治疗局部晚期食管癌疗效较好,毒副反应可耐受,具有潜在的推广应用价值,值得临床进一步研究。     

多西紫杉醇与紫杉醇联合顺铂同步放化疗治疗晚期宫颈癌的疗效比较

目的:比较多西紫杉醇与紫杉醇联合顺铂同步放化疗治疗晚期宫颈癌的疗效。方法:选择2006年6月至2012年6月我院收治的宫颈癌晚期患者180例作为研究对象,依据随机数字表将患者分为紫杉醇组(n=90)和多西紫杉醇组(n=90),两组患者在放疗基础上分别接受紫杉醇135 mg/m~2,每周1次,多西紫杉醇25 mg/m~2,每周1次,4周一疗程,维持两个疗程,比较两组患者的近期疗效、生存时间和毒副作用发生情况。结果:紫杉醇和多西紫杉醇组近期治疗的总有效率分别为81.11%和87.78%,差异无统计学意义(P=0.217);且均未出现进展期的病例。紫杉醇组3年生存率为58.89%,明显低于多西紫杉醇组的75.56%,差异有统计学意义(P=0.017);紫杉醇组骨髓抑制和消化道反应的发生率分别为35.56%和37.78%,明显高于多西紫杉醇组的22.22%和26.67%,差异有统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论:多西紫杉醇联合顺铂同步放化疗治疗晚期宫颈癌能显著提高患者3年生存率,降低毒副作用发生率,且用药量更少,相对安全、合理,患者可耐受,值得进一步临床研究。     

食管癌三维适形放疗和常规放疗比较

目的对比研究三维适形放疗（3DCRT）和常规模拟机定位放疗两种不同方法在食管癌放射治疗中的优缺点。方法 20例食管癌患者采用3DCRT方法进行治疗,应用同一治疗计划系统,制定适形放疗和常规模拟机定位放疗方案。结果与常规模拟定位机定位放疗相比,食管癌照射中3DCRT有最好的剂量分布,既可明显提高靶区的剂量,同时能较好地保护正常组织。结论食管癌的适形放疗技术能降低正常组织的放射损伤和并发症,提高放疗治疗的适形度,改善靶区的剂量分布。     

三维适形放疗治疗32例食管癌γ-刀放疗后复发的近期疗效分析

目的:研究三维适形放疗治疗32例食管癌γ-刀放疗后复发的可行性,观察其近期疗效与安全性.方法:对32例食管癌γ-刀放疗后复发患者实施三维适形放疗,评价急性放疗反应及近期疗效.结果:28例患者顺利完成放疗计划,初次放疗与再次放疗中位间隔时间7月,再次放疗中位剂量57.6Gy,近期完全缓解率9％,部分缓解率69％,稳定9％,进展13％,总治疗总有效率为78％.患者急性放射性食管炎发生率1-2级16％(5/32),3-4级31％(10/32);急性放射性肺炎发生率1-2级16％(5/32),3-4级9％(3/32);骨髓抑制的发生率为47％,1-2级37.5％(12/32),3-4级9.5％(3/32),急性心脏损伤发生率3％,1-2级3％(1/32),3-4级0％(0/32).结论:三维适形放疗治疗γ-刀放疗后复发食管癌的近期疗效较好,患者可耐受,晚期并发症及疗效有待进一步观察.     

GEMOX栓塞化疗联合三维适形放疗治疗局部晚期原发性肝癌临床研究

目的:比较GEMOX方案(吉西他滨、奥沙利铂)与FAM方案(氟尿嘧啶、阿霉素、丝裂霉素)肝动脉化疗栓塞TACE联合三维适形放疗(3DCRT)治疗局部晚期原发性肝癌的疗效和不良反应。方法:经病理或影像学明确诊断的138例晚期原发性肝癌患者随机分为:研究组70例,采用GEMOX方案(吉西他滨0.8-1.0 g/m~2、奥沙利铂85-100 mg/m~2加入超液化碘油10~30 mL)TACE治疗,每月1次,连用2-3次,经TACE治疗后3-4周行3DCRT,总剂量DT48~60Gy,每次4~5Gy,隔天1次,每周3次,连续4周;对照组68例,采用FAM方案(5-氟尿嘧啶500-1000 mg注入靶动脉,然后将阿霉素50 mg/m~2,丝裂霉素12 mg/m~2与超液化碘油10-30 mL充分混合后缓慢注入,再用明胶海绵颗粒栓塞靶动脉)TACE治疗,每月1次,连用2-3次;经TACE治疗后3-4周行3DCRT,方案同研究组。结果:治疗中研究组2例、对照组1例患者于3DCRT后3-4个月死亡,未进行即期疗效评价。研究组68例患者中CR3例(4.4%),PR 48例(70.6%),SD10例(14.7%),PD7例(10.3%),总有效率(CR+PR)为75.0%(51/67);对照组67例患者中CR1例(1.5%),PR36例(53.7%),SD13例(19.4%),PD17例(25.4%),总有效率(CR+PR)为55.2%(37/67);总有效率研究组明显优于对照组,两组比较有显著统计学意义(X~2=20.973,P0.001)。总生存时间中位数研究组14.0月(95%CI 11.5~16.5)优于对照组的11.0月(95%CI 9.7~12.3),两组比较有显著统计学意义(X~2=6.093,P=0.014);无进展生存时间中位数研究组7.0月(95%CI,5.6~8.3),对照组6.0月(95%CI 5.1~6.8),两组比较有显著统计学意义(X~2=5.460,P=0.019)。1、2、3年生存率研究组分别为63.4%、39.7%、23.5%,明显高于对照组的46.3%、23.9%、10.5%;两组比较有显著统计学意义(P0.05)。两组常见的不良反应主要表现为白细胞减少、血小板减少、贫血、恶心、呕吐和发热等,患者均可耐受。结论:TACE联合3DCRT治疗晚期原发性肝癌疗效GEMOX方案明显优于FAM方案,不良反应可相当,有待进一步研究。     

奥利沙铂、多西紫杉醇化疗方案联合同步三维适形放疗治疗晚期非小细胞癌的近期临床疗效观察

目的:观察并探讨奥利沙铂(Oxaliplatin,L-OHP)与多西紫杉醇(Docetaxel,DXL)化疗方案联合同步三维适形放疗(three dimensional conformal radiotherapy,3DCRT)治疗晚期局限性非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)的近期临床效果并安全性。方法:将2010年1月-2012年2月间入选的94例局限性NSCLC患者随机单盲分为观察组(48例)与对照组(46例),观察组给予L-OHP、DXL化疗方案并联合同步3DCRT治疗方案,对照组予3DCRT治疗方案,对比两组治疗后临床疗效、生命质量改善情况及治疗期间毒副反应。结果:①两组患者疗效构成不同,观察组完全缓解率(12.5%)与总有效率(81.3%)均高于对照组(6.5%、58.7%),且后者差异具有统计学意义(X2=5.713,P=0.017);②观察组、对照组治疗后生活质量改善比例分别为56.6%、33.3%,两组生活质量具有显著性差异(Z=-2.101,P=0.036);③治疗期间观察组、对照组分别死亡2例(4.2%)、1例(2.2%),观察组骨髓抑制、胃肠道反应、末梢神经损害、放射性肺损伤发生率高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:L-OHP与DXL化疗联合同步3DCRT放疗治疗NSCLC可提高后者对原发病灶的近期控制率、改善患者生活质量,但也应注意对联合放化疗期间出现毒副反应的对症处置。     

三维适形放疗技术的治疗原发性肝癌的影响因素分析

目的:探讨影响三维适形放疗(3-Dimensional conformal radiotherapy,3DCRT)治疗原发性肝癌的影响因素.方法:收集2008年1月到2010年12月间58例我院原发性肝癌病人,先通过CT扫描定位勾画靶区,经实时验证参数后实施适形放射治疗.观察疗效.并运用Cox回归模型对肿瘤大小、肿瘤分期、肝功能和甲胎蛋白(AFP)水平和照射剂量因素进行分析.结果:完全缓解(CR)13例,部分缓解(PR)35例,总有效(CR+PR)率为82.76％,1、2、3年生存率分别为69.5％、43.10％、27.57％.肿瘤大小、肿瘤分期、甲胎蛋白水平和照射剂量可影响3DCRT效果(P小于0.05),肝功能对3DCRT效果(P小于0.05).结论:肿瘤分期、肝功能和甲胎蛋白(AFT)水平,分割方式、照射剂量和效应可影响三维适形放疗治疗原发性肝癌的效果.     

周剂量奈达铂联合调强放疗对复发鼻咽癌的近期疗效分析

目的:探讨周剂量奈达铂化疗联合调强放疗对于复发鼻咽癌患者的近期疗效及安全性.方法:将2009年2月至2012年2月本院收治的56例鼻咽癌复发患者随机分为联合治疗组与单纯放疗组,两组患者均给予适形调强放疗,联合治疗组患者在此基础上给予周剂量奈达铂化疗治疗,比较两组患者的临床疗效、并发症的发生情况及近期生存情况.结果:联合治疗组和单纯放疗组的有效率分别为78.6％和50.0％,联合治疗组有效率显著高于单纯放疗组(P＜0.05);联合治疗组白细胞减少发生率显著高于单纯放疗组(P＜0.05),其他并发症的发生率比较无显著差异(P＞o.05);联合治疗组1年、2年生存率分别为85.7％、64.3％,显著高于单纯放疗组的60.7％、42.9％(P＜0.05).结论:联合周剂量奈达铂化疗能够显著提高复发鼻咽癌患者调强放疗的临床疗效,且未增加严重并发症风险,值得临床推广应用.     

贝伐珠单抗联合化疗二线及以上治疗晚期非鳞型非小细胞肺癌的临床观察

目的：考察贝伐珠单抗联合化疗二线及以上治疗晚期非鳞型非小细胞肺癌的疗效和安全性。方法：28 例经病理组织学或细胞学证实的晚期非鳞型非小细胞肺癌患者接受贝伐珠单抗联合化疗的二线及以上治疗,其间,贝伐珠单抗所用剂量为7.5 mg ? kg -1,在化疗第1 d 静滴给予;化疗方案包括培美曲塞加或不加铂类、白蛋白结合型紫杉醇加或不加铂类及替吉奥以及吉西他滨/ 紫杉醇/ 多西紫杉醇加或不加铂类。各治疗方案每3 周为1 个周期,持续4 个周期,然后维持治疗,直至受试者不能耐受或疾病进展。按RECIST 1.1 版评价疗效,按NCI-CTC 4.0版评价不良反应。结果：28 例受试者中,无完全缓解病例,部分缓解11 例(39.3％ ),稳定16 例（57.1％ ),进展1 例(3.6％ );客观缓解率为39.3％ (11/28),疾病控制率为96.4％ (27/28);中位无进展生存期为5 个月,中位总生存期为10 个月。亚组数据分析可见,贝伐珠单抗联合化疗各方案亚组中,培美曲塞方案受试者的中位无进展生存期为6 个月,疗效最好,较其他各方案亚组有统计学差异（P=0.028）。安全性数据分析显示,与贝伐珠单抗相关的主要不良反应有Ⅰ ~ Ⅲ度高血压以及Ⅰ / Ⅱ度蛋白尿/ 出血/ 发热。结论：贝伐珠单抗联合化疗用于二线及以上治疗晚期非鳞型非小细胞肺癌的疗效较单纯化疗有一定改善,且毒副反应可耐受,对经济上可以接受的患者值得推荐使用。     

Clinical Outcomes for Gastric Cancer following Adjuvant Chemoradiation Utilizing Intensity Modulated versus Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy

Purpose/Objective(s)

To determine if intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in the post-operative setting for gastric cancer was associated with reduced toxicity compared to 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT).

Materials/Methods

This retrospective study includes 24 patients with stage IB-IIIB gastric cancer consecutively treated from 2001–2010. All underwent surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiation. Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of 5-FU/leucovorin (n = 21), epirubicin/cisplatin/5FU (n = 1), or none (n = 2). IMRT was utilized in 12 patients and 3DCRT in 12 patients. For both groups, the target volume included the tumor bed, anastomosis, gastric stump, and regional lymphatics.

Results

Median follow-up for the entire cohort was 19 months (range 0.4–8.5 years), and 49 months (0.5–8.5 years) in surviving patients. The 3DCRT group received a median dose of 45 Gy, and the IMRT group received a median dose of 50.4 Gy (p = 0.0004). For the entire cohort, 3-year overall survival (OS) was 40% and 3-year disease free survival (DFS) was 41%. OS and DFS did not differ significantly between the groups. Acute toxicity was similar. Between 3DCRT and IMRT groups, during radiotherapy, median weight lost (3.2 vs. 3.3 kg, respectively; p = 0.47) and median percent weight loss were similar (5.0% vs. 4.3%, respectively; p = 0.43). Acute grade 2 toxicity was experienced by 8 patients receiving 3DCRT and 11 receiving IMRT (p = 0.32); acute grade 3 toxicity occurred in 1 patient receiving 3DCRT and none receiving IMRT (p = 1.0). No patients in either cohort experienced late grade 3 toxicity, including renal or gastrointestinal toxicity. At last follow up, the median increase in creatinine was 0.1 mg/dL in the IMRT group and 0.1 mg/dL in the 3DCRT group (p = 0.78).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that adjuvant chemoradiation for gastric cancer with IMRT to 50.4 Gy was well-tolerated and compared similarly in toxicity with 3DCRT to 45 Gy.     

Comparison of efficacy of different route of administration of chemotherapy on unresectable, advanced gastric cancer

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two neoadjuvant chemotherapies (FLEEOX and XELOX) with different routes of administration for unresectable gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 85 patients with unresectable gastric cancer hospitalized from January 2007 to December 2009 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The FLEEOX group (48 patients) received the FLEEOX regimen(fluorouracil, leucovorin, epirubicin, epotoside, and oxaliplatin), which combined arterial with venous administration for one or two cycles, while the XELOX group (37 patients) received XELOX (capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) via venous administration for two to four cycles. The clinical response and overall survival of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: In the FLEEOX group, the clinical response rate (RR) of chemotherapy was 85.4% (41 of 48 patients) and the median survival time was 25 months. The 1-year and 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 85.4% and 45.8%, respectively. In the XELOX group, the clinical RR was 59.5% and the median survival time was 9 months, while the 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 35.2% and 8.3%, respectively. The clinical RR, the R0 resection rate, the median survival time, and the 1-year and 2-year DFS rates were significantly better (P <0.05) in the FLEEOX group than in the XELOX group. In addition, there were no significant differences in the rates of toxic and adverse reactions or post-operative complications between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with a preoperative diagnosis of unresectable gastric cancer, the efficacy of the FLEEOX regimen, which combines arterial with venous administration, was better than that of the XELOX regimen, using venous administration only. This combination of arterial and venous administration could be useful for improving the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer.     

A Phase II Clinical Trial of Concurrent Helical Tomotherapy plus Cetuximab Followed by Adjuvant Chemotherapy with Cisplatin and Docetaxel for Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Purpose: The present clinical trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of concurrent helical tomotherapy (HT) with cetuximab followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin (TP) in the treatment of patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Materials and Methods: This phase II clinical trial included 43 patients with Stage III/IV LANC (33 Stage III and 10 Stage IV). The treatment consisted of concurrent HT with cetuximab (400 mg/m² loading dose and weekly 250mg/m²), followed by four cycles of chemotherapy [docetaxel (70 mg/m² on Day 1) and cisplatin (40 mg/m² on Days 1 and 2 every 3 weeks). Side effects were evaluated with CTCAE criteria (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 3.0).Results: The median follow-up duration was 48.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 41.7-58.0 months], the 2-year locoregional failure-free rate (LFFR), progression-free survival (PFS), distant failure-free rate (DFFR) and overall survival (OS) were 95.2%, 79.1%, 88.1% and 93.0% respectively; the 3-year LFFR, DFFR, PFS and OS were 92.7%, 85.6%, 72.0% and 85.7% respectively. The most common grade 3 toxicities were oropharyngeal mucositis (81.4%) and RT-related dermatitis (7.0%). No patients had more than grade 3 radiation related toxicities and no patients required nasogastric feeding. One patient experienced grade 3 osteonecrosis at 18 months after treatment.Conclusions: Concurrent HT with cetuximab followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with TP is an effective strategy for the treatment of LANC with encouraging survival rates and minimal side effects.     

Proton re-irradiation of unresectable recurrent head and neck cancers

BackgroundThis study presents a retrospective analysis (efficacy and toxicity) of outcomes in patients with unresectable recurrence of previously irradiated head and neck (H&N) cancers treated with proton therapy. Locoregional recurrence is the main pattern of failure in the treatment of H&N cancers. Proton re-irradiation in patients with relapse after prior radiotherapy might be valid as promising as a challenging treatment option.Materials and methodsFrom November 2015 to January 2020, 30 patients with in-field recurrence of head and neck cancer, who were not suitable for surgery due to medical contraindications, tumor localization, or extent, received re-irradiation with intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT). Sites of retreatment included the aerodigestive tract (60%) and the base of skull (40%). The median total dose of prior radiotherapy was 55.0 Gy. The median time to the second course was 38 months. The median re-irradiated tumor volume was 158.1 cm³. Patients were treated with 2.0, 2.4, and 3.0 GyRBE per fraction, with a median equivalent dose (EQD₂) of 57.6 Gy (α/β = 10). Radiation-induced toxicity was recorded according to the RTOG/EORTC criteria.ResultsThe 1- and 2-year local control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were 52.6/21.0, 21.9/10.9, and 73.4/8.4%, respectively, with a median follow-up time of 21 months. The median overall survival was 16 months. Acute grade 3 toxicity was observed in one patient (3.3%). There were five late severe side effects (16.6%), with one death associated with re-irradiation.ConclusionRe-irradiation with a proton beam can be considered a safe and efficient treatment even for a group of patients with unresectable recurrent H&N cancers.     

多西他赛与BRCA-1在胃癌个体化治疗中的相关性研究

目的：探讨以多西他赛为基础的化疗药物与BRCA-1 mRNA在胃癌个体化治疗中的相关性。方法：采用实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应检测74例胃癌患者组织标本中BRCA-1 mRNA的表达水平,比较其与接受不同化疗方案患者生存情况之间的关联。结果：BRCA-1 mRNA低表达者42例（56.76%）,高表达者32例（43.24%）,BRCA-1 mRNA表达水平与临床病理特征无关（P＞0.05）。BRCA-1 mRNA高表达者经多西他赛辅助化疗后其中位总生存期显著长于低表达者（48.1 vs 11.1个月,P=0.009）;高表达者的无疾病生存期长于低表达患者（25.1 vs 7.1个月,P=0.038）。Cox多因素回归分析显示,BRCA-l mRNA表达水平是影响胃癌患者预后的独立因素。在使用奥沙利铂的22例患者中,BRCA-1 mRNA低表达患者中位总生存期长于高表达患者（40.8 vs 17.3个月,P=0.556）;低表达患者无疾病生存期长于高表达患者（33.1 vs 10.5个月,P=0.345）。结论：BRCA-1 mRNA表达水平可作为接受多西他赛化疗的胃癌患者预后的独立预测因素。     

Low-dose Taxol radiosensitization in locally advanced head and neck cancers

INTRODUCTION: Combined modality treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancers is an effective and often the only treatment with a chance of cure. An alternative is to use chemotherapeutic agents at low doses as radiosensitizers. In this study we examined the radiosensitizing effect of low dose Taxol in locally advanced head and neck cancer. Patients and methods: 26 patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and the oropharynx were treated with external beam radiotherapy up to doses of 66-70 Gy and received concomitantly 2 mg/m(2) Taxol intravenously three times a week. Response rates according to WHO criteria, side effects according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria, overall and progression-free survival were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients completed the therapy. Median radiation dose was 66 Gy, Taxol dose 40 mg/m(2) and treatment duration 54 days. 8 weeks after completion of therapy complete response was 30.8%, partial response 34.6%, stable disease 11.5% and progressive disease 23.1%. The median follow-up time was 25 months (9-36). At the cloes- out date 12 (46,1%) of the patients were alive, 9 without evidence of disease. The estimated median overall survival was 22 months (CI 14.2-34.6), the median progression-free survival 12 months (CI 5.2-18.8). We observed four grade 4, fourteen grade 3 and numerous grade 1-2 side effects. There was no treatment related death. DISCUSSION: Our regimen resulted in a worse response rate than the aggressive chemoradiation protocols treating the same disease. However, the two-year survival was comparable with the results of other studies. The advantages of our schedule are that it is well tolerated, easy to perform on an outpatient basis, resource effective and does not deteriorate the general condition of the patients, therefore successive therapy can be carried out immediately if necessary. We intend to evaluate the effectivity of this treatment in a study comparing radiotherapy with Taxol sensitization versus radiotherapy alone.     

Vaccination of castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with TroVax (MVA–5T4) in combination with docetaxel: a randomized phase II trial

The attenuated vaccinia virus, modified vaccinia Ankara, has been engineered to deliver the tumor antigen 5T4 (TroVax^®). Here, we report results from a randomized open-label phase II trial in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients in which TroVax was administered in combination with docetaxel and compared against docetaxel alone. The aim was to recruit 80 patients (40 per arm), but the study was terminated early due to recruitment challenges. Therefore, this paper reports the comparative safety and immunological and clinical efficacy in 25 patients, 12 of whom were treated with TroVax plus docetaxel and 13 with docetaxel alone. 5T4-specific immune responses were monitored throughout the study. Clinical responses were assessed by measuring changes in tumor burden by CT and bone scan and by quantifying PSA concentrations. TroVax was well tolerated in all patients. Of 10 immunologically evaluable patients, 6 mounted 5T4-specific antibody responses. Patients treated with TroVax plus docetaxel showed a greater median progression-free survival of 9.67 months compared with 5.10 months for patients on the docetaxel alone arm (P = 0.097; HR = 0.31; 95 % CI 0.08–1.24). Importantly, a pre-treatment biomarker previously demonstrated to predict 5T4 immune response and treatment benefit showed a strong association with 5T4 antibody response and a statistically significant association with progression-free survival in patients treated with TroVax plus docetaxel, but not docetaxel alone.     

Radiation therapy with curative intention in men with de novo metastatic prostate carcinoma: shoot‘em all!

BackgroundAbout 5% of prostate cancer cases are metastatic at diagnoses. Radiotherapy of both primary tumor and secondary lesions can be, in addition to systemic treatments, a radical alternative for selected patients.Materials and methodsPatients with de novo prostate carcinoma with bone or lymph node metastases were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received moderate hypofractionated IMRT/VMAT up to 63 Gy in 21 daily fractions of 3 Gy to prostate and metastases with neoadjuvant and concurrent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). According to known advances some patients also received abiraterone, enzalutamide, or docetaxel.ResultsBetween 2015–2020, we attended 26 prostate cancer patients (median age 69.5 years, range 52–84) with simultaneous oligometastases [mean 2.1 metastases, median 1.5 metastases (range 1–6)]. Eighteen patients (69%) presented lymph node metastases, 4 (15.5%) bone metastases and 4 (15.5%) both lymph node and bone metastases. With a median follow-up of 15.5 months (range 3–65 months), 16 patients (62%) are alive and tumor free while 10 (38%) are alive with tumor. Four patients (17%) developed tumor progression, out of irradiated area in all cases, with a median time to progression of 43.5 months (range 27–56 months). Actuarial progression-free survival (PFS) rates at 12 and 24 months were 94.1% and 84.7%, respectively. No grade > 2 acute or late complications were recorded.ConclusionsSimultaneous directed radical hypofractionated radiation therapy for prostate and metastases is feasible, well tolerated and achieves an acceptable PFS rate. However, further studies with longer follow-up are necessary to definitively address these observations.     

Comparison of a Concurrent Fluorouracil-Based Regimen and a Taxane-Based Regimen Combined with Radiotherapy in Elderly Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Elderly patients with esophageal carcinoma may benefit from concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). However, the optimal concurrent chemotherapy regimen has not been determined. The aim of our study was to assess the efficiency and tolerance of treatment with a concurrent 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu)–based regimen and a taxane-based regimen combined with radiotherapy in elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). A total of 46 patients with ESCC aged older than 65 years were included in this study. The patient population was divided into two treatment groups: 24 patients who received CCRT with a 5-Fu–based regimen were allocated to the PF group, and 22 patients who received CCRT with a taxane-based regimen were allocated to the DP group. The median overall survival (OS), median progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate, and treatment-related toxicity were assessed. For patients in the PF group, the median OS time was 27.8 ± 9.1 months, and the median PFS time was 12.5 ± 2.7 months. Patients in the DP group had comparable survival outcomes, with a median OS time of 34.4 ± 6.4 months and a median PFS time of 21.1 ± 6.4 months (P = .296 and P = .115, respectively). Grade ≥3 leukocytopenia and grade ≥2 anemia occurred in 63.6% and 59.1% of patients in the DP group, respectively, and in 25.0% and 16.7% of patients in the PF group, respectively. Our results suggest that CCRT with a taxane-based regimen results in a higher incidence of treatment-related toxicity than CCRT with a 5-Fu–based regimen but comparable survival outcomes.     

A randomized clinical trial on the antitumoral effects of low molecular weight heparin in the treatment of esophageal cancer

The current treatment approaches for esophageal cancer are associated with poor survival, and there are ongoing efforts to find new and more effective therapeutic strategies. There are several reports on the antitumoral effects of low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs). We have assessed the possible survival benefit of LMWHs in esophageal malignancies. This was a randomized, single-blind, multicenter, Phase II clinical trial on nonmetastatic esophageal cancer candidate for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Patients were randomly assigned to the chemoradiotherapy-only arm or chemoradiotherapy plus enoxaparin arm using 1:1 allocation. Radiotherapy was delivered in 1.8-Gy daily fractions to a dose of 50.4 Gy in both groups. Paclitaxel 50 mg/m² and carboplatin (AUC 2) were administered weekly, concurrent with radiotherapy. In the intervention group, patients received enoxaparin (40 mg) and chemoradiation daily. 4–6 weeks after treatment, all patients underwent esophagectomy. After a median follow up of 7 months, estimated 1 year disease-free survival (DFS) in the intervention group was 78.9% and was 70% in the control groups ( p = 0.5). Toxicity from the experimental treatment was minimal, and there were no treatment-related deaths. A pathologically complete response in intervention and control group was 64.8% and 62.5%, respectively ( p = 0.9). There was a nonsignificant trend toward improved survival by the addition of enoxaparin to the concurrent chemoradiotherapy regimen. However, 1 y DFS of both groups were high as expected. A longer follow-up and a larger sample size are required.