Yttrium-90 Glass Microspheres Research Articles

Optimal patient selection for yttrium-90 glass plus chemotherapy in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases: additional quality of life, efficacy, and safety analyses from the EPOCH study.

Evaluating transarterial radioembolization (TARE) in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma of the liver who have progressed on first-line chemotherapy (EPOCH) demonstrated superior outcomes using yttrium-90 glass microspheres plus chemotherapy (TARE/Chemo) vs chemotherapy (Chemo) to treat colorectal liver metastases. Additional exploratory analyses were undertaken to assess the impact of TARE/Chemo on efficacy, safety, time to subsequent therapy, time to deterioration in quality of life (QoL), and identify criteria for improved patient selection. Time to deterioration in QoL was analyzed for the primary study population. Subsequently, a post hoc analysis was undertaken to identify subgroups for which time to deterioration in QoL was improved with TARE/Chemo vs Chemo. Progression-free survival (PFS), hepatic (h)PFS, time to subsequent therapy, and safety outcomes were compared between treatments. The primary population showed no significant difference in time to deterioration in QoL between treatment arms; however, significance was seen in 2 identified subgroups, namely: Subgroup A (N = 303) which excluded patients with both Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 1 and baseline CEA ≥ 35ng/mL from both treatment arms; subgroup B (N = 168) additionally excluded patients with KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma) mutation. In subgroup A, TARE/Chemo patients (N = 143) demonstrated superior outcomes vs Chemo (N = 160): PFS (9.4 vs. 7.6 months, hazard ratio (HR): 0.64; 1-sided P = .0020), hPFS (10.8 vs. 7.6 months, HR: 0.53; 1-sided P < .0001), time to deterioration in QoL (5.7 vs. 3.9 months, HR: 0.65; 1-sided P = .0063), and time to subsequent therapy (21.2 vs. 10.5 months, HR: 0.52; 1-sided P < .0001). Subgroup B patients showed similar but larger significant differences between treatment arms. Median PFS, hPFS, and time to deterioration in QoL were numerically greater for TARE/Chemo in both subgroups vs the primary population, with the greatest magnitude of difference in subgroup B. Both subgroups exhibited higher percentage of CEA responders and improved ORR with TARE/Chemo vs chemo alone. Safety (reported as event rate/100 patient-years) was higher with Chemo in all populations. Additional efficacy analyses in the primary population are also reported. Careful patient selection, including consideration of the prognostic factors ECOG, baseline CEA, and KRAS status, sets outcome expectations in patients with colorectal liver metastases suitable for TARE/Chemo as second-line treatment (Trial Registry Number: NCT01483027).

Optimal patient selection for yttrium-90 glass plus chemotherapy in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases: additional quality of life, efficacy, and safety analyses from the EPOCH study.

Evaluating transarterial radioembolization (TARE) in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma of the liver who have progressed on first-line chemotherapy (EPOCH) demonstrated superior outcomes using yttrium-90 glass microspheres plus chemotherapy (TARE/Chemo) vs chemotherapy (Chemo) to treat colorectal liver metastases. Additional exploratory analyses were undertaken to assess the impact of TARE/Chemo on efficacy, safety, time to subsequent therapy, time to deterioration in quality of life (QoL), and identify criteria for improved patient selection. Time to deterioration in QoL was analyzed for the primary study population. Subsequently, a post hoc analysis was undertaken to identify subgroups for which time to deterioration in QoL was improved with TARE/Chemo vs Chemo. Progression-free survival (PFS), hepatic (h)PFS, time to subsequent therapy, and safety outcomes were compared between treatments. The primary population showed no significant difference in time to deterioration in QoL between treatment arms; however, significance was seen in 2 identified subgroups, namely: Subgroup A (N = 303) which excluded patients with both Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 1 and baseline CEA ≥ 35ng/mL from both treatment arms; subgroup B (N = 168) additionally excluded patients with KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma) mutation. In subgroup A, TARE/Chemo patients (N = 143) demonstrated superior outcomes vs Chemo (N = 160): PFS (9.4 vs. 7.6 months, hazard ratio (HR): 0.64; 1-sided P = .0020), hPFS (10.8 vs. 7.6 months, HR: 0.53; 1-sided P < .0001), time to deterioration in QoL (5.7 vs. 3.9 months, HR: 0.65; 1-sided P = .0063), and time to subsequent therapy (21.2 vs. 10.5 months, HR: 0.52; 1-sided P < .0001). Subgroup B patients showed similar but larger significant differences between treatment arms. Median PFS, hPFS, and time to deterioration in QoL were numerically greater for TARE/Chemo in both subgroups vs the primary population, with the greatest magnitude of difference in subgroup B. Both subgroups exhibited higher percentage of CEA responders and improved ORR with TARE/Chemo vs chemo alone. Safety (reported as event rate/100 patient-years) was higher with Chemo in all populations. Additional efficacy analyses in the primary population are also reported. Careful patient selection, including consideration of the prognostic factors ECOG, baseline CEA, and KRAS status, sets outcome expectations in patients with colorectal liver metastases suitable for TARE/Chemo as second-line treatment (Trial Registry Number: NCT01483027).

The Influence of Additional Treatments on the Survival of Patients Undergoing Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE).

The aim of this study was to present our preliminary experience with transarterial radioembolization (TARE) using Yttrium-90 (90Y), compare the cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases undergoing TARE, and investigate the influence of additional treatments on CSS. Our database was interrogated to retrieve patients who had undergone TARE using Yttrium-90 (90Y) glass or resin microspheres. Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test were employed to conduct survival analysis for the different groups (p < 0.05). Thirty-nine patients were retrieved (sex: 27 M, 12 F; mean age: 63.59 ± 15.66 years): twenty-three with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and sixteen with CRC liver metastasis. Globally, the patients with HCC demonstrated a significantly longer CSS than those with CRC liver metastasis (22.64 ± 2.7 vs. 7.21 ± 1.65 months; p = 0.014). Among the patients with CRC liver metastasis, those receiving TARE and additional concomitant treatments (n = 10) demonstrated a longer CSS than the CRC patients receiving only TARE (9.97 ± 2.21 vs. 2.59 ± 0.24 months; p = 0.06). In the HCC group, there was a trend of a longer CSS in patients (n = 8) receiving TARE and additional treatments (27.89 ± 3.1 vs. 17.69 ± 3.14 months; p = 0.15). Patients with HCC seem to achieve a longer survival after TARE compared to patients with CRC liver metastases. In patients with CRC liver metastases, the combination of TARE and additional concomitant treatments may improve survival.

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics, dosimetry, and therapeutic efficacy for the α-particle-emitting transarterial radioembolization (αTARE) agent [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-TDA-Lipiodol® against hepatic tumors

BackgroundThe liver is a common site for metastatic disease for a variety of cancers, including colorectal cancer. Both primary and secondary liver tumors are supplied through the hepatic artery while the healthy liver is supplied by the portal vein. Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) using yttrium-90 glass or resin microspheres have shown promising results with reduced side-effects but have similar survival benefits as chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This highlights the need for new novel agents against HCC. Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) is highly potent treatment due to the short range (sparing adjacent normal tissue), and densely ionizing track (high linear energy transfer) of the emitted α-particles. The incorporation of α-particle-emitting radioisotopes into treatment of HCC has been extremely limited, with our recent publication pioneering the field of α-particle-emitting TARE (αTARE). This study focuses on an in-depth evaluation of the αTARE-agent [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-TDA-Lipiodol® as an effective therapeutic agent against HCC regarding pharmacokinetics, dosimetry, stability, and therapeutic efficacy.Results[225Ac]Ac-DOTA-TDA was shown to be a highly stable with bench-top stability at ≥ 95% radiochemical purity (RCP) over a 3-day period and serum stability was ≥ 90% RCP over 5-days. The pharmacokinetic data showed retention in the tumor of [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-TDA-Lipiodol® and clearance through the normal organs. In addition, the tumor and liver acted as suppliers of the free daughters, which accumulated in the kidneys supplied via the blood. The dose limiting organ was the liver, and the estimated maximum tolerable activity based on the rodents whole-body weight: 728–3641 Bq/g (male rat), 396–1982 Bq/g (male mouse), and 453–2263 Bq/g (female mouse), depending on an RBE-value (range 1–5). Furthermore, [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-TDA-Lipiodol® showed significant improvement in survival for both the male and female mice (median survival 47-days) compared with controls (26-days untreated, and 33–35-days Lipiodol® alone).ConclusionsThis study shows that [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-TDA-Lipiodol® is a stable compound allowing for centralized manufacturing and distribution world-wide. Furthermore, the result of this study support the continue development of evaluation of the αTARE-agent [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-TDA-Lipiodol® as a potential treatment option for treating hepatic tumors.

TIPS-17 A FIRST-IN-HUMAN FEASIBILITY STUDY TO EVALUATE THE SAFETY OF SELECTIVE INTRA-ARTERIAL YTTRIUM-90 MICROSPHERE TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA (THE FRONTIER TRIAL)

Abstract BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor that virtually always recurs with no established standard therapy at recurrence. Median survival after recurrence is 7-12 months. Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with Yttrium-90 (Y90) glass microspheres (TheraSphere™, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA) is an FDA approved standard treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, and represents a novel strategy to treat regionally localized brain tumors. We are conducting a first-in-human clinical trial (under IDE) using Y90 microspheres modified to treat tumors in the brain. The goal of selectively delivering Y90 intra-arterially is to achieve higher tumoral absorbed doses while limiting non-target exposure. DESIGN: The primary objective is to evaluate the safety of Y90 microspheres treatment. Target enrollment is 12 patients at 5 participating medical centers. Key inclusion criteria include: 1st or 2nd recurrence of GBM , size 1-5cm, located in the non-dominant hemisphere in a non-eloquent region, accessible neurovascular anatomy for single intra-arterial treatment based on a diagnostic cerebral angiogram. After consent, patients will undergo screening angiography and imaging that be reviewed by the trial steering committee to determine treatment suitability. Treatment consists of Y90 microspheres administered intra-arterially to deliver 40Gy ± 10% to the treatment volume. Post-administration Y90 PET and MRI images allow assessment of dose distribution and acute safety. Following overnight admission, patients will be followed as outpatients weekly x 4, and then monthly up to month 6. Primary endpoints include treatment-related limiting toxicities, dose limiting toxicity defined as non-hematological toxicities ≥ grade 3, CNS toxicity ≥ grade 3 (eg. symptomatic ischemia or edema) related to non-target embolization, occurring through 30 days post procedure. Secondary endpoints include: treatment-related serious adverse events, change in post-treatment neurological function, technical success, objective response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival. The study is registered with clinicaltrials.gov, number: NCT05303467.

Segmental Yttrium-90 Radioembolization Using Glass Microspheres Greater than 400 Gray for the Treatment of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Preliminary Experience

Radiation segmentectomy with a dose of >190 Gy using yttrium-90 (90Y) glass microspheres for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) has been shown to be safe and effective. The present study further increased the dose to >400 Gy for treatment of iCCA as complete pathologic necrosis has been shown in hepatocellular carcinoma using this ablative approach. A total of 10 patients with 13 tumors (median size, 5.3 cm; range, 1.5–13.6 cm) at a single institution underwent >400-Gy segmental radioembolization. Objective response was achieved in all tumors (13 of 13, 100%). One patient developed a Grade 3 or greater major adverse event (stroke and hepatic decompensation). One patient was bridged to transplant (>95% pathologic necrosis), whereas another underwent resection (>99% necrosis). Contralateral hypertrophy was observed in 6 out of 6 patients treated with modified lobectomy dosing, with a functional liver reserve increase from a median of 31.5% to 57.1%. The present report suggests that segmental transarterial radioembolization with >400 Gy is feasible in terms of safety and effectiveness for treating iCCA.

Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 Glass Microspheres as a First-Line Treatment for Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma—A Prospective Feasibility Study

PurposeTo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of yttrium-90 (90Y) radioembolization as first-line treatment for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Materials and MethodsThis prospective study enrolled patients who had never received chemotherapy, liver embolization, and radiation therapy. The tumors were solitary in 16 patients, multiple in 8 patients, unilobar in 14 patients, and bilobar in 10 patients. Patients underwent transarterial radioembolization with 90Y-labeled glass microspheres. The primary end point was hepatic progression-free survival (HPFS). Secondary end points were overall survival (OS), tumor response, and toxicity. ResultsTwenty-four patients (age, 72.3 years ± 9.3; 12 women) were included in the study. The median delivered radiation dose was 135.5 Gy (interquartile range, 77.6 Gy). The median HPFS was 5.5 months (95% CI, 3.9–7.0 months). Analysis failed to identify any prognostic factor associated with HPFS. Imaging response at 3 months showed 56% disease control, and the best radiographic response was 71% disease control. The median OS from the radioembolization treatment was 19.4 months (95% CI, 5.0–33.7). Patients with solitary ICC had significantly longer median OS than patients with multifocal ICC: 25.9 months (95% CI, 20.8–31.0 months) versus 10.7 months (95% CI, 8.0–13.4 months) (P = .02). Patients with progression on the 3-month imaging follow-up had significantly shorter median OS than patients who had stable disease at 3 months: 10.7 months (95% CI, 0.7–20.7 months) versus 37.3 months (95% CI, 16.5–58.1 months) (P = .003). Two (8%) Grade 3 toxicities were reported. ConclusionsFirst-line treatment of ICC with radioembolization showed promising OS and minimal toxicity, especially in patients with solitary tumor. Radioembolization may be considered as a first-line treatment option for unresectable ICC.

Abstract No. 268 Modified Radiation Lobectomy as Bridge to Liver Resection: A Single-Center Experience

To investigate outcomes of patients who received modified radiation lobectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Institutional review board approved this retrospective study of patients who underwent modified radiation lobectomy with yttrium-90 (90Y) glass microspheres for HCC or ICC with intent to grow the future liver remanent (FLR) between 2019-2022. Outcome measures included tumor response according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST), FLR kinetics, tumor progression, and surgical resection or liver transplantation. Adverse events were assessed according to the Society of Interventional Radiology classification. Descriptive statistics were used to assess data. Fifteen patients (7 women, 8 men; mean age 66 ± 11 years) with HCC (n = 7) and ICC (n = 8) underwent modified radiation lobectomy of left (n = 1) or right (n = 14) sided tumors. Mean index tumor size was 7.8 ± 3.7 cm (range, 2.4-16.2). HCC patients were intermediate stage BCLC B (n = 6), or advanced stage BCLC C (n = 1) due to portal vein tumor invasion. Six patients had cirrhosis. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was concurrently given to 4/8 (50%) of the ICC patients. The average lobar dose was 198 ± 58 Gy and the average segmental boost dose was 186 ± 81 Gy, with an average of 1.6 segmental doses per patient. No severe adverse event from 90Y treatment occurred. Mean bilirubin was unchanged at 30-days. All patients had objective response at 30 days, including 6/15 (40%) with complete response and 9/15 (60%) with partial response. FLR increased by an average of 16.8% ± 14.6% at 30 days (n = 15), and 42.1% ± 22.8% at 90 days (n = 9). A total of 12/15 (80%) were eligible for surgical resection after treatment. One patient refused surgery and another developed concurrent breast cancer, thus 10/15 (67%) went on to hepatectomy (n = 9) or transplant (n = 1) with negative margins at a mean 122 ± 77 days post-treatment. Surgical resection included right (n = 4), extended right (n = 4), or extended left (n = 1) hepatectomies. The remaining 3 patients were ineligible for resection due to new disease progression in the contralateral liver lobe (n = 2) or to lungs (n = 1) at 1-, 2- and 3-months post-treatment. This study demonstrates that modified radiation lobectomy is safe and effective for treatment of HCC and ICC, with a high number of patients going on to definitive surgical management. This is an effective method to attain liver remnant hypertrophy while maintaining control over tumor progression.

The ROWAN study: Safety and efficacy of transarterial radioembolization with Y-90 glass microspheres and the STRIDE regimen in hepatocellular carcinoma.

TPS622 Background: In patients with early and intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are ineligible for resection, thermal ablation, or liver transplant, transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 glass microspheres has shown superior efficacy compared to transarterial chemoembolization; a subset of patients progress despite effective local therapy. Immunotherapy using the single tremelimumab regular interval durvalumab (STRIDE) regimen has demonstrated superior overall survival to sorafenib in advanced HCC. Recent work showed that TARE upregulates both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The possibility for TARE and STRIDE to have additive or synergistic effects when combined is of current scientific and clinical interest. The primary objective of the Phase II ROWAN Study is to assess the objective response rate and durability of local tumor control with TARE followed by STRIDE vs. TARE alone. Methods: ROWAN is a global, open-label, prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing treatment with TARE using glass microspheres followed by the STRIDE regimen (a single dose of 300 mg tremelimumab combined with 1500 mg monthly dose of durvalumab for 18 months) to TARE alone in HCC. ROWAN will include 150 patients across approximately 20 study sites in North America and Europe. Key inclusion criteria: HCC, diagnosed by radiographic imaging or histology; ineligible for or declined liver resection, thermal ablation, or transplantation; Child-Pugh A; ECOG 0; life expectancy ≥6 months; treatment naïve; unilobar tumor; measurable by mRECIST; tumor volume ≤25% of whole liver volume; and untreated future liver remnant volume ≥30% of whole liver volume. Key exclusion criteria: extrahepatic metastases; shunt fraction with a lung dose of &gt;30 Gy; macrovascular invasion; infiltrative disease not evaluable by mRECIST; history of any organ allograph; autoimmune or inflammatory disorder; current use of immunosuppressive medication; history of malignancy other than HCC within past 3 years; and active infection. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to two study arms (TARE followed by STRIDE or TARE alone) using two stratification factors (TARE treatment goal [ablative vs. non-ablative] and alpha fetoprotein level [&gt;400 vs. ≤400 ng/mL]). Tumor and blood samples will be collected for correlative studies. Co-primary efficacy endpoints are objective response rate and duration of response (localized mRECIST). The primary safety endpoint is the number of adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs. Interim statistical analyses will be conducted after 25 patients have been randomized to each arm and completed the second imaging assessment 6 months post-randomization; final analysis will be after the last evaluable patient has completed the 18 months follow-up visit post-randomization or discontinued treatment. Clinical trial information: 05063565 .

The EPOCH trial: Identifying key patient subgroups to optimize treatment planning.

130 Background: The primary objective of the original EPOCH trial was to evaluate the potential benefit of adding transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 glass microspheres to second-line chemotherapy (chemo) versus chemo alone in patients with liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Randomization was stratified by key prognostic factors, including KRAS status; however, it did not account for ECOG status and baseline CEA levels. We present post-hoc analyses investigating the impact of prognostic factors on primary and secondary endpoints to help optimize patient selection. Methods: EPOCH was a 1:1 randomized, open-label, global, multicenter Phase 3 trial. Primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and hepatic PFS (hPFS). Overall survival (OS) and time to deterioration of quality of life (TTDQOL) were secondary. Post-hoc analyses of the following subgroups were performed: Subgroup A (excluding patients with both ECOG=1 and CEA≥35ng/mL) and Subgroup B (patients with KRAS wild-type and either ECOG=0 or CEA&lt;35ng/mL). Kaplan-Meier analyses, hazard ratios (HRs) and log-rank tests were used to compare outcomes between TARE plus chemo and chemo only groups. Results: In Subgroup A, 160 (75.1%) patients were randomized to chemo only, versus 143 (66.5%) to the TARE arm. In Subgroup B, 91 (42.7%) patients were randomized to chemo only, versus 77 (35.8%) to the TARE arm. Results are shown for PFS, hPFS, OS, and TTDQOL in the intent-to-treat population. In both subgroups A and B, PFS, hPFS, and TTDQOL were significantly improved for the TARE plus chemo arm as compared to the chemo only arm; no OS difference was found. Conclusions: Careful patient selection using multiple prognostic factors is necessary to identify those who will benefit most from TARE with second-line chemo. Prognostic factors were important in identifying the level of benefit seen in patients treated with TARE and chemo versus chemo alone. Clinical trial information: NCT01483027 . [Table: see text]

S3546 Transcatheter Arterial Radioembolization (TARE)-Induced Gastric Ulcer in an Excluded Stomach After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Introduction: Transcatheter arterial radioembolization (TARE) is a commonly utilized locoregional treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and confers lower risk of hepatic ischemia owing to the safety profile of Yttrium-90 glass microspheres used in TARE. However, peptic ulcer disease occurs in 1-5% of TARE treatments. Here we describe a unique case of a TARE-induced gastric ulcer in an excluded stomach after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Case Description/Methods: 70-year-old male with RYGB in 2012 and hepatitis C/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis complicated by HCC treated with TARE and liver transplant six months earlier was evaluated for melena. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, and an antegrade double balloon-assisted enteroscopy (DBE) found no obvious source. The excluded stomach could not be reached during DBE. Due to continued melena and transfusion dependence, he underwent a laparoscopic assisted gastroduodenoscopy (GD) to evaluate the excluded stomach. This revealed a 3 cm gastric ulcer in the pre-pylorus with biopsies showing radiation induced ulcer without evidence of malignancy, viral infection, or helicobacter pylori (Figure 1a). Gastrostomy tube (G-tube) access was maintained in the excluded stomach to administer twice daily liquid proton pump inhibitor (PPI) via the G-tube. Repeat GD after eight weeks of treatment showed a well-healing gastric ulcer (Figure 1b). Patient’s hemoglobin also stabilized and had no further transfusion requirement. Discussion: Gastric ulcers in the excluded stomach after RYGB are rare, especially 10 years after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first reported incident of radiation induced ulcer in an excluded stomach. For treatment, G-tube access was maintained to the excluded stomach for administration of liquid PPI with excellent ulcer healing and resolution of melena and anemia. This treatment approach was selected based on previous data demonstrating benefit of open capsule PPI to treat marginal ulcers following RYGB1. Open capsule PPI administration is thought to enhance healing in these cases as this bypasses the need for capsular breakdown in the stomach for absorption, but it is unclear if a similar mechanism is true for an excluded stomach and warrants further studies to better understand its pharmacokinetics. This case highlights a unique case of a TARE-induced gastric ulcer in the RYGB excluded stomach that was successfully treated with liquid PPI.Figure 1.: (a) High power view of the ulcer slough shows fibrosis with prominent atypical fibroblasts consistent with radiation enteritis (H&E, 400×) (b) Repeat gastroduodenoscopy showing healing ulcer.

Clinical, dosimetric, and reporting considerations for Y-90 glass microspheres in hepatocellular carcinoma: updated 2022 recommendations from an international multidisciplinary working group

PurposeIn light of recently published clinical reports and trials, the TheraSphere Global Dosimetry Steering Committee (DSC) reconvened to review new data and to update previously published clinical and dosimetric recommendations for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsThe TheraSphere Global DSC is comprised of health care providers across multiple disciplines involved in the treatment of HCC with yttrium-90 (Y-90) glass microsphere–based transarterial radioembolization (TARE). Literature published between January 2019 and September 2021 was reviewed, discussed, and adjudicated by the Delphi method. Recommendations included in this updated document incorporate both the results of the literature review and the expert opinion and experience of members of the committee.ResultsCommittee discussion and consensus led to the expansion of recommendations to apply to five common clinical scenarios in patients with HCC to support more individualized efficacious treatment with Y-90 glass microspheres. Existing clinical scenarios were updated to reflect recent developments in dosimetry approaches and broader treatment paradigms evolving for patients presenting with HCC.ConclusionUpdated consensus recommendations are provided to guide clinical and dosimetric approaches for the use of Y-90 glass microsphere TARE in HCC, accounting for disease presentation, tumor biology, and treatment intent.

Understanding of Flow Allows Better Tumor Microsphere Coverage

In this issue of the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Miller et al (1) developed an in vitro platform that consisted of a hepatic arterial tree and a tumor vascular model to compare 2 different methods for the administration of yttrium-90 glass microspheres: conventional bolus delivery (BD) and dual-syringe delivery (DSD). The authors concluded that the latter resulted in a more uniform and deeper distribution of the microspheres in their platform, potentially portending more effective deposition in actual tumors.

Yttrium-90 Radioembolization for Liver-Dominant Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Case Series

Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 glass microspheres is widely used to treat primary and secondary malignancies in the liver. However, the safety and efficacy of TARE in patients with liver-dominant metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is unknown. A proof-of-concept, retrospective analysis of 7 consecutive patients with liver-dominant mCRPC who were treated with TARE was performed. The median overall survival was 27.2, 32.1, and 108.1 months from the time of TARE, the diagnosis of liver metastases, and initial cancer diagnosis, respectively. The median liver progression-free survival was 7.3 months. No grade 3 or higher adverse effects were noted. TARE was found to be a safe and effective tool for treating patients with liver-dominant mCRPC in this limited cohort.

Radiation Segmentectomy for the Treatment of Primary Hepatic Malignancies of the Caudate Lobe: A Case Series.

Tumors involving the caudate lobe present a unique therapeutic challenge due to their complex anatomy and the safety and efficacy of locoregional therapy can be variable. The purpose of this study is to analyze the outcomes of radiation segmentectomy for primary caudate lobe tumors. Eight patients [5 women and 3 men; median age = 69y (range 50-79)] that underwent transarterial radioembolization (TARE) using yttrium-90 (Y90) glass microspheres for primary caudate lobe tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma = 6, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma = 2) from August 2017 to March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Descriptive statistics, treatment parameters, tumor response (using modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors), adverse events [using common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE)], and survival outcomes were evaluated. Eight primary caudate lobe tumors with a median size of 2.2cm [interquartile range (IQR), 1.7-3.3] and Child-Pugh class A liver function underwent TARE of the caudate lobe. The median radiation dose was 596Gy (IQR 356-1585), median total activity was 0.84GBq (IQR 0.56-1.31), median specific activity was 473Bq/sphere (IQR 226-671), and the median number of Y90 microspheres used was 1.4 million (IQR 1.2-3.4). All complications were CTCAE grade 1, and no clinically significant hilar plate complications were observed. In targeted tumors, complete response was seen in all patients. At amedian follow-upperiod of16.6 months (IQR6.6-21.6)75% (6/8) ofpatientswerealive withno in-field progression. Radiation segmentectomy of primary caudate lobe tumors appears effective and is well tolerated in this limited case series within the described treatment parameters. Level 4, Case Series.

Conversion to resection post radioembolization in patients with HCC: recommendations from a multidisciplinary working group

Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 (90Y) glass microspheres is an efficacious option for converting appropriately selected patients with borderline-resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to surgical candidacy.In 2018 and 2019, a diverse multidisciplinary group of surgical and interventional experts with experience using 90Y for downstaging and bridging to liver transplant convened to review peer-reviewed literature and personal experience in the use of 90Y to convert borderline resectable liver cancer patients to surgical candidacy. The working group included surgical oncologists specializing in liver cancer, liver transplant surgeons with experience in complex hepatobiliary surgery, and interventional radiologists with experience using 90Y.This document presents expert recommendations based upon the group's experience and consensus.By combining related evidence from the literature with expert experiences with TARE in surgical candidates, these recommendations aim to demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of TARE in converting borderline-resectable patients to surgical options. The document also addresses the concerns about potential complications associated with TARE during the surgical intervention.

Toxicity comparison of yttrium-90 resin and glass microspheres radioembolization.

To investigate the clinical, hematological and biochemical toxicity differences between glass and resin yttrium-90 (90Y)-microspheres radioembolization treatment of primary and metastatic liver disease. Between May 2014 and November 2016 all consecutive glass and resin 90Y microspheres radioembolization treatments were retrospectively analyzed. Biochemical, hematological and clinical data were collected at treatment day, two weeks, one month and three months follow-up. Post-treatment 90Y PET/CTs were assessed for the absorbed doses in non-tumorous liver volume (DNTLV) and tumor volume (DTV). Biochemical, hematological and clinical toxicity were compared between glass and resin using chi square tests and repeated ANOVA measures. Biochemical and clinical toxicity was correlated with DNTLV,total by means of Pearson correlation and independent T-tests. A total of 85 patients were included (n=44 glass, n=41 resin). Clinical toxicity the day after treatment (i.e. abdominal pain (p=0.000), nausea (p=0.000) and vomiting (p=0.003)) was more prevalent for resin. Biochemical and hematological toxicities were similar for both microspheres. The DNTLV,total was significantly higher in patients with REILD grade ≥3 in the resin group (43.5 versus 33.3 Gy (p=0.050)). A similar non-significant trend was seen in the glass group: 95.0 versus 69.0 Gy (p=0.144). The clinical, hematological and biochemical toxicity of radioembolization treatment with glass and resin is comparable, however, post-embolization syndrome related complaints are more common for resin.

Abstract No. 4 ▪ ABSTRACT OF THE YEAR Radioembolization with yttrium-90 glass microspheres as first-line treatment for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a prospective phase 2 clinical trial

For patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC), the current standard of care first-line treatment is gemcitabine with cisplatin, based on the ABC-02 trial which demonstrated a median OS of 11.7 months. This therapy is complicated by severe (grade 3-4) adverse events in 70% of patients. A recent phase 2 trial demonstrated 22 months median OS when cisplatin-gemcitabine chemotherapy was used with concomitant radioembolization as first line treatment, but 71% of patients had grades 3-4 toxicities, which were mostly related to the chemotherapy. The purpose of our trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of yttrium-90 (Y-90) glass microsphere radioembolization as first-line treatment without chemotherapy for unresectable IHC.

Abstract No. 243 Treatment Timing and Overall Survival of Liver-Dominant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with Glass Transarterial Radioembolization: Analyses from the EPOCH Trial

The EPOCH trial investigated the potential benefit of adding transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 glass microspheres to second-line chemotherapy in patients with liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Post-hoc analyses evaluated the effect of TARE treatment day post calibration on clinical and safety outcomes.

Abstract No. 197 Predictors of complete pathologic necrosis in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with yttrium-90 radiation segmentectomy prior to liver transplantation: an explant analysis of 75 tumors

To analyze yttrium-90 glass microsphere radiation segmentectomy treatment parameters predictive of complete pathological necrosis (CPN) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prior to liver transplantation.