Long-Term Clinical Outcomes and Sequelae of Therapy in Early-Stage Orbital Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma.

INTRODUCTION: Orbital mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, which are rare and indolent, often present at an early stage. We report the efficacy and safety outcomes of treatment in these patients. METHODS: We analyzed adult patients with stage IE or IIE orbital MALT lymphoma between 1999 and 2017 treated at our institute. We assessed local control (LC) rates, overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS) using Kaplan Meier method and the incidence of late toxicities. RESULTS: Seventy patients were analyzed for clinical outcomes. The median age at diagnosis was 52 years (IQR-45-62 years). Radiotherapy was offered to 97% of patients and the dose ranged from 36 to 45 Gy. Chemotherapy was administered in 5(7.1%) patients. Relapse occurred in 8 patients (local: 2, distant: 6). At a median follow-up of 101 months (IQR-47-146 months), the median OS and RFS was not reached. 8-year OS, RFS and LC rates were 96.5%, 88.5%, 96.7% respectively. Univariate analysis showed age ≤60 years and lacrimal involvement significantly correlated with better OS (P = .01 and .04, respectively). Cataract was the most common sequelae observed in 31 patients (44.3%). CONCLUSION: Moderate doses of radiotherapy are curative in early-stage orbital MALT lymphoma with favorable clinical outcomes. Lower doses of radiation can reduce the toxicity further, without compromising efficacy.

A phase III randomized controlled trial of radiation dose optimization in non-Hodgkin lymphoma-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DOBL study): Study protocol and design.

BACKGROUND: Radiation therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has shown improvement in progression free survival. There is uncertainty about the optimal radiation dose, with heterogeneous doses being used, ranging from 30 to 55 Gy. This trial tests the efficacy of using reduced radiation dose in DLBCL without compromising on long-term outcomes. AIMS: The primary aim is to assess the noninferiority, as assessed by 2-year event free survival (EFS), of a dose de-escalated dose (36 Gy) for DLBCL as compared with a standard dose (45 Gy). METHODS: The Dose Optimization in B cell Lymphomas (DOBL) study is a randomized phase-III noninferiority trial in a uniform cohort of DLBCL patients receiving immunochemotherapy (R-CHOP). Patients with stages I to IV of DLBCL eligible for radiotherapy (RT) after completion of at least four cycles of R-CHOP will be included in the study. Patients will be randomized to standard RT dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions or reduced dose of 36 Gy in 20 fractions using involved site radiotherapy (ISRT) technique. It is a noninferiority design using a 7% noninferiority margin with a hazard ratio of 1.3, α of 0.05, and ß of 0.80. A total of 760 patients will be accrued. Two-year EFS is the primary outcome measure that will be studied. The experimental arm will be stopped and switched over to control arm if on interim analysis, 25% events occur in the experimental arm. DISCUSSION: The study is designed to test the noninferiority of radiation dose de-escalation in a uniform cohort of patients diagnosed with DLBCL and treated with R-CHOP regimen in the post-positron emission tomography (PET) era. The trial is rigorously designed and is straightforward to implement. It is statistically powered to answer if reducing the radiation doses does not compromise the clinical outcome in the given patient cohort. This trial will effectively set the standards in radiotherapy doses for DLBCL in the contemporary era.

Twinning partnerships through International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to improve radiotherapy in common paediatric cancers in low- and mid-income countries.

PURPOSE: The article summarises the current use of radiotherapy (RT) in childhood cancer and suggests methods to improve current practice in regions where outcomes of paediatric cancer patients are inferior to those of high-income countries. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is supporting low- and mid-income countries (LMICs) in upgrading cancer care where nuclear applications, particularly RT, are used. A consensus meeting of experts was invited to advise IAEA on the needs for RT in paediatric cancer patients. The current indications for RT were reviewed, together with regional differences in access, practice and outcome. RESULTS: Regional variations in the use of evidence-based multidisciplinary care including RT were associated with varying outcomes of paediatric cancer patients. The contribution of modern and investigational technology to these differences is uncertain and should be determined in clinical trials. Adequate resources are required to support children through the acute phase of treatment and to permit early recognition and management of late effects. An IAEA sponsored project for prospective data collection to assess the current and future status of radiation treatment in childhood cancer in LMICs has commenced. CONCLUSION: RT remains an essential component of the multidisciplinary management of many paediatric cancers. Excessive variations in outcome are inappropriate and call for action on harmonising training programmes and compliance with evidence-based recommendations. Training projects targeting paediatric cancer care are being implemented and clinical studies comparing new technologies against evidence-based approaches are needed to achieve this goal. The IAEA has an important role in these activities and has commenced prospective data collection in 13 LMICs to monitor trends in treatment techniques and outcomes.