Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose was to retrospectively evaluate the effect of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) on gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities and outcomes compared to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).MethodsWe included 107 consecutive patients who underwent CRT for LAPC from September 2001 to March 2015; 80 patients underwent 3DCRT and 27 patients underwent IMRT. They were compared for GI toxicities, locoregional progression free survival (LRPFS), distant metastasis free survival (DMS), and overall survival (OS).ResultsMedian radiation dose and fractions for 3DCRT and IMRT were 54 Gy/30 fr. and 48 Gy/15 fr. The regimens of CRT consisted of weekly gemcitabine 250 mg/m2 (for 3DCRT) or 1000 mg/m2 (for IMRT). Acute GI toxicity ≥grade 2 occurred in 32 patients (40%) treated with 3DCRT compared with five patients (19%) treated with IMRT. Late GI toxicity of grade 3 occurred in 10 patients (12%) treated with 3DCRT and one patient (4%) treated with IMRT. Patients who underwent IMRT had superior 1-year LRPFS (73.1% vs. 63.2%, p = 0.035) and 1-year OS (92.3% vs. 68.2%, p = 0.037) as compared with those treated with 3DCRT. Multivariate analysis showed that in IMRT patients, higher dose (≥45 Gy) was an independent factor for better LRPFS and OS.ConclusionsLAPC patients treated with hypofractionated full-dose gemcitabine IMRT had improved OS and LRPFS without increased GI toxicities when compared to those of patients treated with conventionally fractionated low dose gemcitabine 3DCRT. In IMRT patients, higher dose was an independent favorable prognostic factor for better LRPFS and OS, which suggests that dose escalation with IMRT for LAPC is a promising strategy.
Highlights
The purpose was to retrospectively evaluate the effect of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) on gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities and outcomes compared to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC)
Patient and tumor characteristics In total, 107 consecutive patients who underwent CRT for LAPC from September 2001 to March 2015 were included in this analysis; 80 patients were treated with 3DCRT (75%), and 27 patients with IMRT (25%)
This study revealed that patients treated with IMRT showed significantly improved locoregional progression free survival (LRPFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with those treated with 3DCRT, whereas there was no significant difference in DMFS between the two groups
Summary
The purpose was to retrospectively evaluate the effect of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) on gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities and outcomes compared to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). The results of a recently published randomized LAP07 trial demonstrated no significant survival benefits with the addition of radiotherapy to chemotherapy for LAPC patients [8]. More intensive regimens of chemotherapy, such as FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel, are reported to improve survival of metastatic pancreatic cancer patients, and are expected to be effective for LAPC patients [9,10,11]. This raises serious questions about the role of radiotherapy in the management of LAPC patients
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