Tomotherapy In Patients Research Articles

A Comparison of Thyroid Dose Distribution in 3-D Conformal Radiotherapy and Tomotherapy in Patients with Breast Cancer

Background and purpose: During the radiotherapy of breast cancer, especially when the supraclavicular lymph nodes are planned to be treated, a portion of thyroid gland may also be included in the treatment field. In this study we compared thyroid gland dose volume histograms (DVHs) of breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy, planned in both CT-based three-dimensional planning system and MVCT-based image guidance aspect of helical tomotherapy system. Material and method: 20 breast carcinoma patients who were treated with 3-D conformal radiotherapy technique were evaluated concerning their thyroid gland dose distribution. The estimated minimum, mean and maximum thyroid gland doses were calculated for both 3-D conformal radiothreapy and tomothreapy planning systems. Additionally the volume of thyroid gland that received less than 30 Gy and more than 30 Gy were determined. Results: The maximum, mean and minimum doses of thyroid glands supposed to receive were found to be better with tomotherapy comparing to 3-D conformal therapy plans. The thyroid gland volume that receives more than 30 Gy was smaller in tomothreapy planning system comparing to 3-D conformal therapy planning system. Conclusion: Lower doses of radiation exposure to thyroid gland is possible with Tomotherapy.

Half-Body Irradiation With Tomotherapy for Pain Palliation in Metastatic Breast Cancer

ContextHalf-body irradiation (HBI) is the fastest and most effective tool against uncontrolled pain from widespread bone metastases but is somewhat toxic. ObjectivesTo assess the feasibility of lower HBI with helical tomotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer in terms of acute toxicity and delay in chemotherapy administration. MethodsThirteen breast cancer patients with multiple painful bone metastases to the lower half of the body were enrolled in this prospective trial. Eight patients were receiving chemotherapy. Target volume included all bones from the L3–L4 interface to the femoral shafts. Radiation consisted of 8 Gy in one fraction, delivered with helical tomotherapy. Patients were premedicated only with oral steroids. Pain intensity was scored using the Numeric Rating Scale from 0 to 10. Toxicity was scored using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0. Quality of life was scored with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30, before and 21 days after the radiation course. This trial was approved by the local review board. ResultsMedian follow-up was at seven months (range 2–12 months). All but two patients had pain relief in the radiated field. Six patients stopped their analgesic drug consumption. Toxicity was acceptable: two Grade 3 hematologic toxicities were registered (anemia and leukopenia). Grade 1–2 toxicities were hematologic = 13, fever = 3, nausea = 2, and diarrhea = 1. Three of the eight patients had a delay in chemotherapy administration because of leukopenia or anemia. Twelve patients answered to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30, and an improved quality of life was documented in eight cases. ConclusionLower HBI delivered with helical tomotherapy resulted in a well-tolerated regimen, without significant delay in chemotherapy schedule.

EP-0996: Simultaneous in field boost helical tomotherapy for patients with 1-3 brain metastases.

EP-0996: Simultaneous in field boost helical tomotherapy for patients with 1-3 brain metastases.

Hypofractionated radiotherapy with Tomotherapy for patients with hepatic oligometastases: retrospective analysis of two institutions

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity for patients with hepatic oligometastases, receiving hypofractionated radiotherapy with Tomotherapy to the liver. A total of 42 patients with 54 hepatic lesions, who had been treated from 2007 to 2011 at two institutions, were retrospectively reviewed for this study. All the patients received radical resections of the primary tumor, and had been presented with one to two hepatic lesions. The radiation dose of 40-75 Gy in 10-20 fractions (median, 50 Gy in 10 fractions) was delivered for the planning target volume. At a median follow-up time of 15 months, 1- and 2-year local control (LC) rates were 59.9 and 49.0 %, respectively. The 1- and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates were 60.0 and 44.0 %, respectively. Maximal tumor diameter of <3 cm and biologically effective dose (BED) of ≥100 Gyα/β=10 were significantly associated with higher LC and OS. Primary colorectal cancer tended to be associated with higher LC (P = 0.075), and was significantly associated with higher OS (P = 0.037). 12 (28.6 %) of the 42 patients had grade 1-2 toxicities, and grade 3 or higher toxicity did not occur. Hypofractionated radiotherapy with Tomotherapy was safe for patients with hepatic oligometastases. The maximal tumor diameter of <3 cm and BED of ≥100 Gyα/β=10 were significant prognostic factors for higher local control and survival, and primary colorectal cancer patients had statistically higher overall survival than the others.

PO-057: SIB-IMRT Delivered By Helical Tomotherapy for Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

PO-057: SIB-IMRT Delivered By Helical Tomotherapy for Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Dosimetric parameter predicting the deterioration of hepatic function after helical tomotherapy in patients with unresectable locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to identify parameters capable of predicting the deterioration of hepatic function after helical tomotherapy in patients with unresectable locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsBetween March 2006 and February 2012, 72 patients were eligible for this study. All patients received hypofractionated radiotherapy using the TomoTherapy Hi-Art (TomoTherapy, Madison, WI, USA) at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital and Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, the Catholic University of Korea. The radiation dose was a median 50 Gy (range: 40–50 Gy) in 10 fractions to 95% of the planning target volume. Radiation-induced hepatic toxicity was defined as an increase of at least 2 points in the Child-Pugh (CP) score within 3 months after completion of helical tomotherapy.ResultsAn increase of at least 2 points in the CP score occurred in 32 of the 72 patients (44.4%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that pretreatment CP class and V15Gy were significant parameters associated with an increase in CP score (p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.863 for V15Gy (p < 0.001). For V15Gy, with a cutoff value of 43.2%, the accuracy was 0.806 (58/72) with a sensitivity of 0.938 and a specificity of 0.725.ConclusionsAn increase of at least 2 points in the CP score is a radiation dose-limiting factor, and the non-target normal liver receiving a dose more than 15 Gy (V15Gy) should be <43.2% to reduce the risk of the deterioration of hepatic function.

High-dose Radiation Therapy Delivered With Tomotherapy to the Intact Lung for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

To assess the efficacy and morbidity of radical radiation therapy to the intact lung delivered with Tomotherapy in patients affected by malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) who underwent radical pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) or surgical staging.

Prostate treatment with helical TomoTherapy in patients with bilateral hip prostheses—Two case studies

Prostate cancer patients with bilateral hip prostheses require additional planning and treatment considerations. Visualization of the organs at risk (OAR) and the planning target volume (PTV) is hindered by the large amount of artifact streaking between the metallic implants. The density of this area must be accounted for when using heterogeneity correction. Fusion of a megavolt computed tomography (MVCT) to the planning CT aids in viewing the prostate, bladder, and rectum, and implantation of 6 fiducial markers along the posterior border of the prostate helps with the delineation between it and the rectum. When planning, the amount of beam entry angles is limited because of the position of the prostheses and prevents the use of any lateral beams. Therefore, TomoTherapy presents an effective option for these patients because of the ability to use a directional block, which prevents any primary beams from entering through the bilateral hip prostheses (but the beams may exit through the structures), use of MVCT for daily localization, and delivery of radiation with intensity modulation allows for effective sparing of the OAR.

Is There a Clinical Benefit to Adaptive Planning During Tomotherapy in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer at Risk for Xerostomia?

To evaluate the necessity of adaptive planning in helical tomotherapy (TOMO) for head and neck cancer in terms of dosimetric influence on the parotid gland. Thirty-one patients underwent curative TOMO for head and neck cancer from April 2006 to April 2007. For each patient, neck diameter was monitored together with body weight at first cervical spine level through mega-voltage computed tomography during the TOMO course. Ten of 31 patients, with significant weight loss (>5%) and/or neck diameter decrease (>10%), were selected for dosimetric analysis, and parotid dose was recalculated at the fourth and last week of TOMO. Xerostomia was estimated by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. The median dose was 69.96 Gy (range, 54 to 69.96 Gy) and there was no grade 3 or greater complication. Ten patients with significant neck diameter decrease and/or weight loss showed frequent grade 2 acute xerostomia (P=0.02). The volume percentage of daily fractional dose over 0.75 Gy for the parotid gland (V0.75 Gy) increased by 23.6% at the end of TOMO. For patients with significant anatomic contour change; neck diameter decrease (>10%) or weight loss (>5%), adaptive planning using mega-voltage computed tomography can identify dosimetric changes and reduce deleterious side effects such as xerostomia.

Megavoltage Computed Tomography Image Guidance With Helical Tomotherapy in Patients With Vertebral Tumors: Analysis of Factors Influencing Interobserver Variability

To evaluate megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT)-based image guidance with helical tomotherapy in patients with vertebral tumors by analyzing factors influencing interobserver variability, considered as quality criterion of image guidance. Five radiation oncologists retrospectively registered 103 MVCTs in 10 patients to planning kilovoltage CTs by rigid transformations in 4 df. Interobserver variabilities were quantified using the standard deviations (SDs) of the distributions of the correction vector components about the observers' fraction mean. To assess intraobserver variabilities, registrations were repeated after ≥4 weeks. Residual deviations after setup correction due to uncorrectable rotational errors and elastic deformations were determined at 3 craniocaudal target positions. To differentiate observer-related variations in minimizing these residual deviations across the 3-dimensional MVCT from image resolution effects, 2-dimensional registrations were performed in 30 single transverse and sagittal MVCT slices. Axial and longitudinal MVCT image resolutions were quantified. For comparison, image resolution of kilovoltage cone-beam CTs (CBCTs) and interobserver variability in registrations of 43 CBCTs were determined. Axial MVCT image resolution is 3.9 lp/cm. Longitudinal MVCT resolution amounts to 6.3 mm, assessed as full-width at half-maximum of thin objects in MVCTs with finest pitch. Longitudinal CBCT resolution is better (full-width at half-maximum, 2.5 mm for CBCTs with 1-mm slices). In MVCT registrations, interobserver variability in the craniocaudal direction (SD 1.23 mm) is significantly larger than in the lateral and ventrodorsal directions (SD 0.84 and 0.91 mm, respectively) and significantly larger compared with CBCT alignments (SD 1.04 mm). Intraobserver variabilities are significantly smaller than corresponding interobserver variabilities (variance ratio [VR] 1.8-3.1). Compared with 3-dimensional registrations, 2-dimensional registrations have significantly smaller interobserver variability in the lateral and ventrodorsal directions (VR 3.8 and 2.8, respectively) but not in the craniocaudal direction (VR 0.75). Tomotherapy image guidance precision is affected by image resolution and residual deviations after setup correction. Eliminating the effect of residual deviations yields small interobserver variabilities with submillimeter precision in the axial plane. In contrast, interobserver variability in the craniocaudal direction is dominated by the poorer longitudinal MVCT image resolution. Residual deviations after image guidance exist and need to be considered when dose gradients ultimately achievable with image guided radiation therapy techniques are analyzed.

Dose-escalated simultaneous integrated-boost treatment of prostate cancer patients via helical tomotherapy

The goal of this work was to assess the feasibility of moderately hypofractionated simultaneous integrated-boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT) with helical tomotherapy in patients with localized prostate cancer regarding acute side effects and dose-volume histogram data (DVH data). Acute side effects and DVH data were evaluated of the first 40 intermediate risk prostate cancer patients treated with a definitive daily image-guided SIB-IMRT protocol via helical tomotherapy in our department. The planning target volume including the prostate and the base of the seminal vesicles with safety margins was treated with 70Gy in 35 fractions. The boost volume containing the prostate and 3mm safety margins (5mm craniocaudal) was treated as SIB to a total dose of 76Gy (2.17Gy per fraction). Planning constraints for the anterior rectal wall were set in order not to exceed the dose of 76Gy prescribed to the boost volume. Acute toxicity was evaluated prospectively using a modified CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) score. SIB-IMRT allowed good rectal sparing, although the full boost dose was permitted to the anterior rectal wall. Median rectum dose was 38Gy in all patients and the median volumes receiving at least 65Gy (V65), 70Gy (V70), and 75Gy (V75) were 13.5%, 9%, and 3%, respectively. No grade4 toxicity was observed. Acute grade3 toxicity was observed in 20% of patients involving nocturia only. Grade2 acute intestinal and urological side effects occurred in 25% and 57.5%, respectively. No correlation was found between acute toxicity and the DVH data. This institutional SIB-IMRT protocol using daily image guidance as a precondition for smaller safety margins allows dose escalation to the prostate without increasing acute toxicity.

PET-guided dose escalation tomotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma

To test the feasibility of salvage radiotherapy using PET-guided helical tomotherapy in patients with progressive malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). A group of 12 consecutive MPM patients was treated with 56 Gy/25 fractions to the planning target volume (PTV); FDG-PET/CT simulation was always performed to include all positive lymph nodes and MPM infiltrations. Subsequently, a second group of 12 consecutive patients was treated with the same dose to the whole pleura adding a simultaneous integrated boost of 62.5 Gy to the FDG-PET/CT positive areas (BTV). Good dosimetric results were obtained in both groups. No grade 3 (RTOG/EORTC) acute or late toxicities were reported in the first group, while 3 cases of grade 3 late pneumonitis were registered in the second group: the duration of symptoms was 2-10 weeks. Median overall survival was 8 months (1.2-50.5 months) and 20 months (4.3-33.8 months) from the beginning of radiotherapy, for groups I and II, respectively (p=0.19). A significant impact on local relapse from radiotherapy was seen (median time to local relapse: 8 vs 17 months; 1-year local relapse-free rate: 16% vs 81%, p=0.003). The results of this pilot study support the planning of a phase III study of combined sequential chemoradiotherapy with dose escalation to BTV in patients not able to undergo resection.

Helical Tomotherapy With Simultaneous Integrated Boost After Laparoscopic Staging in Patients With Cervical Cancer: Analysis of Feasibility and Early Toxicity

To demonstrate the feasibility and safety of the simultaneous integrated boost technique for dose escalation in combination with helical tomotherapy in patients with cervical cancer. Forty patients (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage IB1 pN1-IVA) underwent primary chemoradiation with helical tomotherapy. Before therapy, 29/40 patients underwent laparoscopic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. In 21%, 31%, and 3% of the patients, pelvic, pelvic and para-aortic, and skip metastases in the para-aortic region could be confirmed. All patients underwent radiation with 1.8-50.4 Gy to the tumor region and the pelvic (para-aortic) lymph node region (planning target volume-A), and a simultaneous boost with 2.12-59.36 Gy to the boost region (planning target volume-B). The boost region was defined using titan clips during laparoscopic staging. In all other patients, standardized borders for the planning target volume-B were defined. High-dose-rate brachytherapy was performed in 39/40 patients. The mean biologic effective dose to the macroscopic tumor ranged from 87.5 to 97.5 Gy. Chemotherapy consisted of weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m(2). Dose-volume histograms and acute gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and hematologic toxicity were evaluated. The mean treatment time was 45 days. The mean doses to the small bowel, rectum, and bladder were 28.5 ± 6.1 Gy, 47.9 ± 3.8 Gy, and 48 ± 3 Gy, respectively. Hematologic toxicity Grade 3 occurred in 20% of patients, diarrhea Grade 2 in 5%, and diarrhea Grade 3 in 2.5%. There was no Grade 3 genitourinary toxicity. All patients underwent curettage 3 months after chemoradiation, which confirmed complete pathologic response in 38/40 patients. The concept of simultaneous integrated boost for dose escalation in patients with cervical cancer is feasible, with a low rate of acute gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity. Whether dose escalation can be translated into improved outcome will be assessed after a longer follow-up time.

Helical tomotherapy in patients with breast cancer and complex treatment volumes

To describe early clinical results of tomotherapy treatment in patients with breast cancer and complex treatment volumes. Ten patients were treated with tomotherapy between January 2009 and March 2010. Treatment planning objectives were to cover at least 95% of the planning target volume with the 95% isodose; to have a minimum dose of 90% and a maximum dose of 105%. All treatments included daily CT/megavoltage image guidance. Acute toxicity was recorded weekly. Six patients were treated because constraints were not accomplished for heart, lung or contralateral breast in a previous three-dimensional conformal plan; two for preexisting cardiac or pulmonary disease, and two more for bilateral breast irradiation. Treatment volumes included the whole breast in the majority of patients, as well as the supraclavicular and the internal mammary chain nodes when indicated. Most patients were older than 50 years, and had an early breast cancer, with positive oestrogen receptors, negative HER2 expression and a poorly differentiated, infiltrating ductal carcinoma. The majority of patients had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy associated to breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant hormonotherapy. Median homogeneity index was 1.09; median coverage index was 0.81. Median V20Gy and V10Gy for ipsilateral lung was 20% and 37.1% respectively. Median V25 and V35 for heart was 15% and 4% respectively. Median dose for contralateral breast was 7 Gy. Skin acute toxicity was grade 1 in 41.7% and grade 2 in 58.3%. Tomotherapy is a technique capable of delivering a well tolerated treatment with high homogeneity and coverage indexes and high capabilities for sparing the organs at risk in patients with anatomically complex breast cancer, bilateral breast cancer, indication for internal mammary chain node irradiation, cardiac toxicity derived from chemotherapy, or preexisting cardiac or pulmonary disease. Further studies are required to evaluate local control and late toxicity.

Preliminary Results of Helical Tomotherapy in Patients with Complex-Shaped Meningiomas Close to the Optic Pathway

Meningiomas are the most common benign intracranial tumor. Meningiomas close to the optic pathway represent a treatment challenge both for surgery and radiotherapy. The aim of this article is to describe early results of helical tomotherapy treatment in complex-shaped meningiomas close to the optic pathway. Twenty-eight patients were consecutively treated. All patients were immobilized with a thermoplastic head mask and planned with the aid of a magnetic resonance imaging–computed tomography fusion. All treatments included daily image guidance. Pretreatment symptoms and acute toxicity were recorded. Median age was 57.5 years, and 92.8% patients had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status scale ≤1. The most common localizations were the sella turcica, followed by the cavernous sinus and the sphenoid. The most common symptoms were derived from cranial nerve deficits. Tomotherapy was administered as primary treatment in 35.7% of patients, as an adjuvant treatment in 32.4%, and as a rescue treatment after postsurgical progression in 32.1% patients. Most patients were either inoperable or Simpson IV. Total dose varied between 5000 and 5400 cGy; fractionation varied between 180 and 200 cGy. Median dose to the planning target volume was 51.7 Gy (range, 50.2–55.9 Gy). Median coverage index was 0.89 (range, 0.18–0.97). Median homogeneity index was 1.05 (range, 1–1.12). Acute transient toxicity was grade 1 and included headache in 35.7% patients, ocular pain/dryness in 28.5%, and radiation dermatitis in 25%. Thus far, with a maximal follow-up of 3 years, no late effects have been seen and all patients have a radiological stabilization of the disease. Helical tomotherapy offered a safe and effective therapeutic alternative for patients with inoperable or subtotally resected complex-shaped meningiomas close to the optic pathway. Acceptable coverage and homogeneity indexes were achieved with appropriate values for maximal doses delivered to the eyes, lenses, and chiasm, despite the proximity of the tumor to these structures.

Total Marrow Irradiation: A New Ablative Regimen as Part of Tandem Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with Multiple Myeloma

To establish feasibility, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and potential efficacy of ablative dose total marrow irradiation (TMI) delivered by helical tomotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Patients with responding or stable MM received tandem autologous stem cell transplants, first with melphalan 200 mg/m(2), and 60 days or later with TMI. TMI doses were to be escalated from 1,000 cGy by increments of 200 cGy. All patients received thalidomide and dexamethasone maintenance. Twenty-two of 25 enrolled patients (79%) received tandem autologous stem cell transplantation (TASCT): TMI was administered at a median of 63.5 days (44-119) after melphalan. Dose-limiting toxicities at level 5 (1,800 cGy) included reversible grade 3 pneumonitis, congestive heart failure, and enteritis (1), and grade 3 hypotension (1). The estimated median radiation dose to normal organs was 11% to 81% of the prescribed marrow dose. Late toxicities included reversible enteritis (1), and lower extremity deep venous thrombosis during maintenance therapy (2). The complete and very good partial response rates were 55% and 27% following TASCT and maintenance therapy. At a median of 35 months of follow-up (21-50+ months), progression-free and overall survival for all patients were 49% (95% CI, 0.27-0.71) and 82% (0.67-1.00). Ablative dose TMI as part of TASCT is feasible, and the complete response rate is encouraging. Careful monitoring of late toxicities is needed. Further assessment of this modality is justified at the 1,600 cGy MTD level in MM patients who are candidates for ASCT.

Actual dose variations of the parotid glands and spinal cord during helical tomotherapy for patients with loco-regional advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective To quantify dose variations of the parotid glands and spinal cord in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients during helical tomotherapy (HT) by using megavolt (MV) CT and planned adaptive application. Methods Five patients with advanced local-regional NPC were treated by HT with a prescription dose of 70 Gy in 35 fractions in primary tumor and involved lymph nodes. Daily MV CT scans were registered with the planning CT images. The parotid glands were re-contoured every 4 fractions to a total of 45 times, and location of the spinal cord were corrected by MVCT IGRT system every 2 fractions to a total of 85 times. The actual doses delivered to these organs were evaluated by using the planned adaptive application software of HT system. Results At the end of therapy, the mean volume of the parotid gland was decreased by 42% (left) and 33% (right) , respectively. The average V1 of the parotid was increased by 26. 0% (left) and 31.4% (right), and the D50 increased by 15. 8% (left) and 17. 3% (right), respectively. The average Dmax of the spinal cord was increased by 1.3%. Conclusions During HT, the parotid glands receive a higher actual dose due to the volume shrinkage, while the Dmax of the spinal cord changes little. By using adaptive radiation therapy technique, constant monitoring anatomic changes of organs at risk and selective replanning are necessary during radiation therapy for NPC. Key words: Nasopharyngeal neoplasms/radiotherapy; Radiotherapy, helical tomotherapy; Radiotherapy, adaptive; Radiotherapy,image guided

Helical tomotherapy with concurrent capecitabine for the treatment of inoperable pancreatic cancer

BackgroundHelical tomotherapy, an advanced intensity-modulated radiation therapy with integrated CT imaging, permits highly conformal irradiation with sparing of normal tissue. Capecitabine, a pro-drug of 5-FU that induces thymidine phosphorylase can achieve higher levels of intracellular 5-FU when administered concurrently with radiation. We evaluated the feasibility as well as the clinical outcome of concurrent administration of capecitabine with tomotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.MethodsNineteen patients with advanced pancreatic cancer including primarily unresectable disease and recurrence after curative surgery were included in the study. Two planning target volumes (PTV) were entered: PTV1 is gross tumor volume; and PTV2, the volume of the draining lymph nodes. The total doses to target 1 and target 2 were 55 and 50 Gy, respectively. Capecitabine at 1600 mg/m2/day was administered on each day of irradiation.ResultsTwenty six measurable lesions were evaluated. Overall in-field response rate was 42.3%; partial responses were achieved in 53.3% of the pancreatic masses, 28.6% of distant metastatic lesions and 25.0% of regional lymph nodes. The median duration of follow-up after tomotherapy was 6.5 months. None of the lesions showed in-field progression. Treatment was well tolerated with only minor toxicities such as grade 1 nausea (one patient), grade 1 hand-foot syndrome (one patient) and grade 1/2 fatigue (three patients).ConclusionsHelical tomotherapy with concurrent capecitabine is a feasible option without significant toxicities in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. We achieved excellent conformal distribution of radiation doses and minimal treatment-related toxicities with promising target volume responses.

Angiogenic Blockade and Radiotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

We report our preliminary experience of combining sunitinib and helical tomotherapy in patients with advanced HCC. Records of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with helical tomotherapy and sunitinib after radiation therapy (RT) from March 2007 to August 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. We report acute toxicities, radiologic response, serial alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) kinetics, and survival. Of 23 evaluable patients, 60% had >or=2 hepatic lesions, extrahepatic disease was present in 5 (21.7%), and all received 2 tablets (25 mg) of sunitinib at least 1 week before, during, and 2 weeks after RT. Thirteen patients continued maintenance sunitinib after RT until disease progression. Hypofractionated RT with a median target dose of 52.5 Gy/15 fractions was delivered. An objective response was achieved in 74% of patients. The 1-year survival rate was 70%, with median survival of 16 months. Multivariate analysis showed that maintenance sunitinib was the most significant factor for survival. The time to progression was 10 months in the maintenance group compared with 4 months in the control group. Eighteen out of 21 patients with elevated AFP (85.7%) had >or=50% decline of AFP within 2 months after RT. There were three episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and one episode of pancreatitis; 10 patients had >or=Grade 2 elevation of liver enzymes, and 15 had >or=Grade 2 thrombocytopenia. These preliminary results suggest that sunitinib and helical tomotherapy yield high Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and AFP response rates in advanced HCC with an acceptable safety profile. Maintenance sunitinib after RT potentially prolongs survival. A randomized trial is warranted.

Toxicity and Outcome Results of a Class Solution With Moderately Hypofractionated Radiotherapy in Inoperable Stage III Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Using Helical Tomotherapy

To prospectively assess the feasibility, toxicity, and local control of a class solution protocol of moderately hypofractionated tomotherapy in Stage III, inoperable, locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Eligible patients were treated according to a uniform class solution (70.5 Gy in 30 fractions) with fixed constraints and priorities using helical tomotherapy. Toxicity monitoring was performed using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria and the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria and Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 3.0. Pulmonary function tests were performed at the start and repeated at 3 months after treatment. Our class solution resulted in a deliverable plan in all 40 consecutive patients. Acute Grade 3 lung toxicity was seen in 10% of patients. Two patients died during acute follow-up with pulmonary toxicity. Correlations were found between changes in pulmonary function test results and mean lung dose or the lung volume receiving 20 Gy (V(20)). The correlation was strongest for lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide. A V(20) of >27% and >32% were predictive for Grades 2 and 3 acute lung toxicity respectively (p < 0.05). Late Grade 3 toxicity was exclusively pulmonary, with an incidence of 16%. Overall Grade 3 lung toxicity correlated with a mean lung dose of >18 Gy and a median lung dose of >5 Gy (p < 0.05). Median survival was 17 months, and the 1-year and 2-year local progression-free survivals were 66% and 50%, respectively. The current class solution using moderately hypofractionated helical tomotherapy in patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer is feasible. Toxicity was acceptable and in line with other reports on intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The local progression-free survival was encouraging considering the unselected population.