Stereotactic gamma-ray body radiation therapy for asynchronous bilateral renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To preliminarily evaluate the feasibility, therapeutic effect and toxicity of stereotactic gamma-ray body radiation therapy (γ-SBRT) for asynchronous bilateral renal cell carcinoma (bRCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of nine patients with asynchronous bRCC who were unable to undergo surgery and received γ-SBRT between February 2002 and May 2012. A total dose of 36-51 Gy was delivered to the 50 % isodose line covering the planning target volume at 3-5 Gy/fraction, whereas a total dose of 60-85 Gy was delivered at 5-7 Gy/fraction to the gross target volume. The local control rate (LC) and overall survival rate (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Patient follow-up ended in March 2013 and the follow-up rate was 100 %. Of the nine patients, none presented with complete remission and five (55.6 %) achieved partial remission. The objective response rate was 55.6 %. The 1-, 3- and 5-year LC rates were 64.8, 43.2 and 43.2 %, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates were 66.7, 53.3 and 35.6 %, respectively. Four (44.4 %) patients had an acute radiation reaction; there were two cases of grade I leukocytopenia and two cases of grade I gastrointestinal reactions. Late radiation-induced toxicity consisted of grade II gastrointestinal reactions in two patients. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic gamma-ray body radiation therapy was found to be safe and effective in the treatment of asynchronous bRCC. Improved prognosis will require individualised treatment and a combination of multiple therapeutic approaches; this will be a primary research trend in the future.

Prospective study of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors concurrent with individualized radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To establish the safety profile and efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) concurrent with individualized radiotherapy (RT) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2007 and January 2010, 26 patients with Stage III/IV NSCLC were enrolled in this prospective study. These patients were treated with EGFR-TKIs (gefitinib 250 mg or erlotinib 150 mg, oral daily) concurrent with individualized RT with curative intent. The thoracic RT plans were individually designed on the basis of tumor size and normal tissue volume constraints. All patients were assessed for toxicity, and 25 patients were available for efficacy. The primary endpoints were acute toxicity, overall survival, and median survival time. The secondary endpoints included local control rate, time to tumor progression, and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Median gross tumor volume, mean lung dose, and lung V20 were 56 cm(3), 8.6 Gy, and 14%, respectively. Median thoracic radiation dose was 70 Gy at a margin of gross tumor volume (range, 42-82 Gy), and median biological equivalent dose was 105 Gy (range, 60-119 Gy). Acute skin, hematologic, esophageal, and pulmonary toxicities were acceptable and manageable. Severe adverse events included neutropenia (Grade 4, 4%) and thrombocytopenia (Grade 4, 8%), esophagitis (Grade 3, 4%), and pneumonitis (Grade 3, 4%). With a median follow-up of 10.2 months, a local control rate of 96% was achieved for thoracic tumor. Median time to progression, median PFS, and median survival time were 6.3, 10.2, and 21.8 months, respectively. The 1- and 2-year PFS rates were both 42%, and 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 57%, 45%, and 30%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Concurrent EGFR-TKIs with individualized RT shows a favorable safety profile and promising outcome, therefore serving as a therapeutic option for patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.