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. 2020 Nov 6;7(2):1-10.
doi: 10.14338/IJPT-20-00013.1. eCollection 2020 Fall.

Image-Guided Hypofractionated Proton Therapy in Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase 2 Study

Shivam M Kharod  1 , R Charles Nichols  1 , Randal H Henderson  1 , Christopher G Morris  1 , Dat C Pham  2 , Vandana K Seeram  3 , Lisa M Jones  3 , Maria Antonio-Miranda  4 , Daniel A Siragusa  5 , Zuofeng Li  1 , Stella Flampouri  6 , Bradford S Hoppe  7
Affiliations

Image-Guided Hypofractionated Proton Therapy in Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase 2 Study

Shivam M Kharod et al. Int J Part Ther. .

Abstract

Purpose: Due to the excellent outcomes with image-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the low treatment-related toxicities using proton therapy (PT), we investigated treatment outcomes and toxicities when delivering hypofractionated PT.

Materials and methods: Between 2009 and 2018, 22 patients with T1 to T2 N0M0 NSCLC (45% T1, 55% T2) received image-guided hypofractionated PT. The median age at diagnosis was 72 years (range, 58-90). Patients underwent 4-dimensional computed tomography simulation following fiducial marker placement, and daily image guidance was performed. Nine patients (41%) were treated with 48 GyRBE in 4 fractions for peripheral lesions, and 13 patients (59%) were treated with 60 GyRBE in 10 fractions for central lesions. Patients were assessed for CTCAEv4 toxicities with computed tomography imaging for tumor assessment. The primary endpoint was grade 3 to 5 toxicity at 1 year.

Results: The median follow-up for all patients was 3.5 years (range, 0.2-8.8 years). The overall survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 81% and 49%, respectively. Cause-specific survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 100% and 75%, respectively. The 3-year local, regional, and distant control rates were 86%, 85%, and 95%, respectively. Four patients experienced in-field recurrences between 18 and 45 months after treatment. One patient (5%) developed a late grade 3 bronchial stricture requiring hospitalization and stent.

Conclusion: Image-guided hypofractionated PT for early-stage NSCLC provides promising local control and long-term survival with a low likelihood of toxicity. Regional nodal and distant relapses remain a problem.

Keywords: adverse events; hypofractionated radiotherapy; outcomes; radiation therapy; toxicity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: Bradford S. Hoppe, MD, MPH, is an associate editor of the International Journal of Particle Therapy and a scientific consultant for Merck & Co., Inc., and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Figures

Figure.
Figure.
Cumulative incidence rates of (A) overall survival, (B) cause-specific survival, (C) local control, (D) regional control, (E) freedom from distant metastasis, and (F) freedom from lung cancer after adjusting for competing risk events.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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