Abstract

BackgroundRadiationtherapy (RT) provide pain reduction in about 60% of patients with painful bone metastases. Studies have identified demographic and clinical characteristics to predict RT response, but no model is clinical useful. Tumor characteristics and inflammation can influence cancer induced bone pain, but the association with RT response are not studied. We test if tumor characteristics and the inflammation marker CRP improve prediction of RT response. MethodsWe included adult patients receiving RT for painful bone metastases in a multicenter, multinational longitudinal observational study. The primary endpoint was analgesic response within 8 weeks after RT defined according to current guidelines. Seventeen independent potential predictor variables assessed at baseline included patient demographics, RT administration, pain characteristics and treatment, cancer diagnosis, tumor characteristics, depression and inflammation (CRP). Multivariate logistic regression analysis with multiple imputation of missing data were applied to identify predictors of RT response. Results are reported as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results565 eligible patients were enrolled, 424 patients (75%) had complete data on the variables of interest and multiple imputation allowed the final regression models to be carried out on 513 patients (91%). 232 patients (41%, CI 37%-45%) responded to RT. Higher Karnofsky performance status (OR 1.45, CI 1.21-1.73), breast cancer (OR 2.61, CI 1.20-5.69) and prostate cancer (OR 2.64, CI 1.24-5.63) (compared to GI cancer), presence of soft tissue expansion (OR 1.78, CI 1.13-2.81) and higher maximum pain intensity at the radiated site (OR 1.1, CI 1.00-1.21) were significant predictors of positive RT response, while the use of steroids was a negative predictor (OR 0.62, CI 0.42-0.93). The discriminative ability of the model was moderate, with C-statistics 0.70. ConclusionsThis study supports previous findings that higher performance status, cancer diagnosis and higher baseline pain intensity predict analgesic RT response. The study presents new data showing that presence of soft tissue expansion predicts RT response and that CRP is not significantly associated with analgesic RT response. Clinical trial identificationNCT02107664 (Date of registration April 8, 2014). Legal entity responsible for the studyPål Klepstad. FundingThe European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC). DisclosureAll authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Highlights

  • IntroductionBone metastases are the cause of pain in in up to 45 % of patients with cancer pain.[1,2] Treatment of painful bone metastases include analgesic medications combined with anti-cancer treatment including radiotherapy (RT)

  • Pain is a frequent and feared consequence of cancer

  • Performance status, cancer diagnosis and soft tissue expansions predicted RT response, while use of corticosteroids was a negative predictor. These results may be helpful in selecting patients for palliative RT

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Summary

Introduction

Bone metastases are the cause of pain in in up to 45 % of patients with cancer pain.[1,2] Treatment of painful bone metastases include analgesic medications combined with anti-cancer treatment including radiotherapy (RT). RT is well-established for painful bone metastases with about 60% of patients that respond to treatment. In the nonresponders other pain reliving interventions may be delayed waiting for a potential RT response that can occur weeks after treatment.[3] Many patients with bone metastases have a short life expectancy, and it is important to avoid ineffective treatments that are time-consuming and have a risk of adverse effects. Radiotherapy (RT) reduces pain in about 60% of patients with painful bone metastases, leaving many patients without clinical benefit. This study assesses predictors for RT effectiveness in patients with painful bone metastases

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