Safety and outcome of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with rectal hydrogel spacer for prostate cancer.

Abstract

76 Background: Ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy delivered using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a cost-effective treatment for localized prostate cancer. Optimal dosing remains unclear, as commonly used 30-40Gy/5fx regimens appear to overestimate hypofractionation’s control benefits. Here, we report the largest experience of 45Gy/5Fx of SBRT for prostate cancer patients treated with hydrogel peri-rectal spacer (‘hydrogel’). Methods: An IRB-approved retrospective protocol was used to conduct a registry search identifying all patients with prostate cancer who received 45Gy/5Fx between 2015-2019 with hydrogel. Genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities were defined using the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v.5.0. The ASTRO-Phoenix failure definition of Nadir+2 ng/mL was used for biochemical failure. Results: We analyzed 250 low (9.2%), intermediate (85.2%), and high-risk (5.6%) prostate cancer patients with a median follow-up of 9.9 months (range: 0-45.7 months). Acute GU and GI grade ≥ II toxicities were noted in 15.2% and 7.2% of patients, respectively. Late GU grade II and III toxicities occurred in 24.0% and 1.2% of patients, respectively, while late GI grade II and III toxicities occurred in 4.0% and 0.4% of patients, respectively. In patients (N=44) with follow-up >2 years, late GU and GI grade III toxicities occurred in 4.55% and 2.27% of patients, respectively. A significant correlation was noted for acute GI and GU toxicity predicting the respective late GI and GU toxicity (p-value < 0.001 for both). Physician-reported Grade ≥ II new onset erectile dysfunction was 17.2%. A gradual decline in prostate-specific antigen with a mean nadir of 0.04 (95% CI: [0.018, 0.067]) at 36 months was noted. The actuarial freedom from biochemical failure was 96.33% at 3 years. Overall survival was 94.09% at 3 years with no deaths attributed to prostate cancer. Conclusions: SBRT treatment of 45Gy/5Fx with hydrogel is well tolerated with GU/GI toxicities comparable to those reported for conventional fractionation. Although short, the 3-year biochemical control rate is encouraging. Longer follow-up and prospective evaluation are warranted.