Authored by Mariana Perez De Antueno*
Abstract
Background: External beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy are very efficient treatment modalities for localized prostate cancer, although more than 30% of the patients would experience a biochemical recurrence within 10 years. Among these patients, about 20% would present a local recurrence, and optimal management of locally recurrent prostate cancer after definitive radiation therapy is still challenging. In this scenario the most common retreatment option is androgen deprivation therapy, which cannot be considered as a radical treatment. Surgery, as a radical salvage modality and other focal treatments such as cryotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and brachytherapy can be offered to highly selected patients. More recently, the development of SBRT (stereotactic body radiation therapy), allows to deliver higher ablative dose of radiation to a smaller target volume with better sparing of surrounding critical organs at risk and can be an encouraging alternative for patients with a postirradiation relapse of prostate cancer. To date, the number of publications in this fields considerably low, and results are inconclusive mainly due to the limited number of patients treated and the lack of randomized clinical trials.
Hypothesis: The intensification of focal doses of radiation with SBRT, in a rescue scenario after a post-irradiation relapse of prostate cancer, can be a safe and effective local treatment.
Objectives: Primary: The purpose of this research study is to implement SBRT for the treatment of post- irradiated local recurrence prostate cancer. Secondary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerance and the effectiveness (biochemical control, disease free survival and survival) of SBRT in previously irradiated prostate cancer relapses.
Material, Methods and Stages of development: A) Selection of the patients at the multidisciplinary tumor board. Eligibility criteria: Patients with a biochemical recurrence (PSA level > 2 ng/ml) and a proven local recurrence of prostate cancer previously irradiated (proven by biopsy or positive 18 F-Choline- PET- CT or PSMA PET-TC). With good performance status and absence of previous rectal or urinary radiation induced toxicity (normal cystoscopy and rectoscopy).
B) Establish treatment protocol: CT simulation and immobilization will be described. GTV, CTV and PTV margins, total dose, fractionation and constraints of organs at risk will be defined. IMRT or VMAT will be performed with daily IGRT.
C) Follow up to evaluate toxicity, local control and survival will be performed every 3 months during the first 2 years. Evaluation of clinical tolerance and clinical response will be performed, with a quality of life questionnaire, and PSA levels. 18 F-Choline PET-CT or PSMA PET-TC will be performed in case of biochemical failure (PSA levels> 2 ng/ml)
D) Previous approval of the Local Research Ethics Committee.
Background
Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy diagnosed in men. Treatment options for prostate cancer are based on staging the risk score with Gleason, clinical stage, and PSA. These treatment options are varied, one of which is radiation therapy [1]. These therapies offer excellent long-term cure rates in men with localized prostate cancer, but 30% to 50% of men will have evidence of biochemical recurrence of PSA disease 10 years after treatment by any form of therapy [2]. Recurrence of the disease occurs most frequently in the form of biochemical recurrence, with an isolated, detectable increasing PSA level and no other clinical evidence of the disease [2,3] (Figure 1).
In those patients who were previously irradiated as primary therapy for localized prostate cancer and who unfortunately have local prostatic relapse, there are different alternatives for retreatment. The most common is probably Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT), which cannot be considered as radical treatment. When we consider radical rescue modalities, surgery seems to be the treatment of choice and for a considerable period of time it was the only option. Later, new possibilities such as cryotherapy, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and brachytherapy (BT) appeared [4]. All the aforementioned modalities have yielded promising but inconsistent results, mainly due to limited availability, the state of performance of the patient and/or comorbidities, local anatomical conditions, and lack of patient agreement [4]. More recently, the development of SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy) which allows a higher ablative dose of radiation to be delivered at a smaller target volume, with better preservation of the surrounding critical organs at risk, could be an encouraging alternative, for patients with a local prostate relapse who has already received prior radiant treatment in that organ [5]. Of interest to the radiation oncologist, prostate cancer has an α / β ratio <2 that offers potential therapeutic benefit for hypofractionation such as SBRT, which may be more advantageous compared to conventional regimens because this low α / β ratio prostate cancer thus offers high dose sensitivity per fraction. Furthermore, the higher estimated α / β ratio of the rectum and a smaller, tighter margin with SBRT provide acceptable toxicity despite the higher dose per fraction [1-6].
Although rethinking irradiation for local recurrence in patients who have already received primary radiation therapy represents a challenging option, since a basic and long-lasting principle of radiation therapy is that once definitive RT has been administered, additional RT cannot be administered. because it would probably exceed normal tissue tolerances. The enormous technological advances from diagnosis to treatment planning and administration of radiotherapy have sparked interest in evaluating the suitability of re-irradiation in the treatment of recurrent PCa. In this context, brachytherapy allows a flexible radiation dose, it is expected to deliver a relatively small dose to the surrounding tissues, which has the potential for better rectal savings compared to conventional external radiation therapy (EBRT). This has recently prompted the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) to evaluate the role of brachytherapy for locally recurrent prostate adenocarcinoma in an ongoing prospective phase II trial (RTOG 0526). However, the main drawback is that brachytherapy is an invasive procedure associated with not insignificant risks of infection and thromboembolism, which makes its choice not suitable for many patients. Meanwhile, early data consistently shows that stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a safe and effective treatment modality in the reirradiation situation for various anatomical sites [7]. SBRT allows for steep dose gradients that resemble those brachytherapy dose distributions, with the added benefits of avoiding hospitalization, catheterization, and discomfort from inserted needles over a long period of time (in the case of LDR implants) or the need to monitor permanent transperineal HDR catheters and dealing with its accompanying pain. Therefore, highly focused radiation beams can minimize radiation-associated rectal toxicity by reducing the volume of the rectum receiving high doses of radiation [7]. Furthermore, taking advantage of the favorable therapeutic ratio offered by the low α / β ratio of prostate cancer, SBRT enables a dramatic reduction in the number of fractions and overall treatment time, making irradiation possible with few dose fractions. very big. Delivering such a treatment regimen certainly requires the adoption of techniques with multiple non-coplanar fields or intensity modulated arcotherapy [7] (Figure 2).
Regarding toxicity, the study by Stefano Arcangeli, which attempts to investigate predictors of acute gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity after a short-cycle hypofractionated radiotherapy regimen for prostate cancer, three institutions included 102 patients with T1-T3N0M0 prostate cancer in a phase II study. The patients were treated with 56 Gy in 16 fractions for 4 weeks. Acute toxicity was rated weekly during treatment and 1 and 2 months after treatment using the criteria of the Extended Radiation Oncology Group / European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer with additional symptoms and the International Prostate Symptom Index (IPSS). They observed no grade 3 or 4 gastrointestinal side effects. Grades 1 and 2 of rectal GI toxicity occurred in 36% and 38%, respectively. The corresponding figures for GU toxicity grades 1 and 2 were 42% and 39%, respectively. GU toxicity grade 3 or higher was detected in 4% of patients. In multivariate analysis, percentage rectal volumes greater than 8% receiving doses ≥53 Gy (V 53) were statistically correlated with Grade 2 acute rectal reaction (p = 0.006). For GU morbidity, only the IPSS pretreatment score was independently associated (p = 0.0036) with increased acute effects of GU. In conclusion they mention that the acute toxicity GU and GI were comparable with other series. Their data shows that the increased incidence and intensity of acute toxicity is a transient effect related to a shorter overall treatment time rather than a greater effect on the biological equivalent dose over a conventional fractionation regimen. In patients previously irradiated and with local prostate relapse, where SBRT was used as a reirradiation technique, it is reported that urinary toxicity included five acute events (only one grade 3) and three late events (only one grade 3) and consider SBRT As a feasible approach for isolated intraprostatic ecurrence, which offers excellent control in previously irradiated patients with local prostate relapse, where SBRT was used as a reirradiation technique, it states that urinary toxicity included five acute events (only one grade 3) and three late events (only one grade 3) and consider SBRT as a feasible approach to isolated intraprostatic recurrence, offering excellent local tumor control and a low toxicity profile [7-13].
In addition, re-irradiation of the prostate with the SBRT technique allows reducing the dose to the ectum, which has already received high doses with primary treatment. In the study carried out by Jereczek Fossa, from the Italian group of the European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, the acute and chronic toxicity of gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) events of 64 patients, who received a mean total dose of 30 Gy, were evaluated in 5 fractions, with a BED of 150Gy, objectifying 1 acute G3 genitourinary (GU) event and 1 late GU G3 event [14]. There was no G≥3 intestinal toxicity. At the mean follow-up of 26.1 months, progression was observed in 41 patients (64%) and 18 patients (28%) experienced a local relapse. Two-year local control, biochemical and clinical relapse-free survival rates were 75%, 40%, and 53%, respectively. With BED ≥130Gy, the one-year clinical and biochemical progression-free survival rate was 85% and 90%, respectively [14]. Retrospective cohort studies report favorable morbidity to SBRT re-irradiation of the prostate, but the studies are small and the follow-up is short. These studies indicate that the risk lies in GU side effects, rather than gastrointestinal effects, and that careful selection of patients without pre-existing morbidity GU and tight dose restrictions to the urethra and bladder neck are important for limit the risk of GU morbidity. Therefore, more studies and prolonged follow-ups are necessary to conclude on the effect of SBRT re-irradiation in the control of local recurrence of prostate cancer after irradiation.
Proposal of the Study
1. In this observational and prospective study, SBRT (body stereotactic radiotherapy) will be developed as a rescue technique for reirradiation, in patients with local relapse of prostate cancer (PCa), in the Radiotherapy Service of the Hospital in Argentina , with the goal of being able to achieve this goal, safely and precisely, with s
2. The secondary objective will be to review tolerance and effectiveness (biochemical control, disease-free survival and survival) in patients with previously irradiated prostate cancer relapse who were treated with SBRT as a re-irradiation technique.
Selection of Patients
The selection of the patients is made in the Committee of Experts in SBRT and Radiosurgery of the Hospital where each case is presented and reviewed in a particular way.
Eligibility criteria
1. Patients with a biochemical relapse, that is, PSA nadir +2 ng / ml, according to what is established by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Phoenix Consensus [8] and evidence of isolated local recurrence proven, of prostate cancer, by biopsy or positivity of multiparametric prostate NMR (mp NMR) or PET-TC 18 F-choline or PET -TC PSMA. (Biopsy is not mandatory if all the diagnostic elements were unambiguous, such as the evolution of prostate-specific antigen and imaging study such as mpRMN or PET-CT).
2. Patient previously irradiated with external radiotherapy or brachytherapy
3. Good functional state and absence of toxicity induced by previous rectal or urinary radiation (normal cystoscopy and rectoscopy).
4. Completion of the IPSS prior to the start of the practice
5. Signature of written informed consent for re-irradiation with SBRT technique.
Exclusion criteria
1. Patients with biopsy and mpRMN, choline PET-TC or PSMA-negative PET, which does not allow locating the focus of relapse.
2. Pathologies in the bladder, urethra or rectum, either as a base or as a sequel to previously received radiotherapy, such as urethral stricture due to previous transurethral resection (TURP), proctitis, radioinduced rectitis, diverticulitis, among others.
Radiotherapy Treatment
Preparation and conditioning of the patient
All patients will be asked orally and in writing for the following rectal and bladder preparation.
1. Instructions for low residue diet
2. The taking of simethicone suspension from 48 hours prior to the simulation CT will be indicated.
3. A sodium phosphate enema (250 ml) will be placed to clean the rectum before the simulation and before each treatment fraction.
4. It will be requested to have the complete urinary bladder, for this it is indicated that the patients drink 600-700 cc of water (approximately 3 full glasses of water) half an hour before the tomography.
5. Every day of treatment, the same preparation is requested.
Simulation Tomography (CAT)
1. It will be carried out with the above preparation the patient will be placed in a supine position on an immobilizer for the pelvis and lower extremities to perform the SBRT technique. Thermoplastic immobilization and respiratory control system are not required.
2. The patient will be aligned with the 3 corresponding lasers, one located on the ceiling and two on the patient’s left and right sides.
3. The requested tomographic cuts are made every 3 mm.
4. These characteristics performed in the Simulation CT are specified and explained in the patient’s medical history in order to have these data in each of the treatment sessions.
Volume contouring
1. The outline of the gross tumor volume (GTV) will be based on mpMRI or PET-CT, images that must be merged, thanks to the Eclipse ™ Treatment Planning System ((Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, California, distributed by Photonix, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires - Argentina) with simulation tomography.
2. The clinical target volume (CTV) will include the area of recurrence of intraprostatic lesion with margins.
3. The margins of CTV to plan the target volume (PTV) will be 5 mm in all directions except the posterior margin where the margin is corrected to 3 mm. For treatments in which the interval between both RT courses is short, comorbidities or unfavorable patient anatomy, or unfavorable dose volume histograms (DVH) data, margins can be reduced to 1 mm or 2 mm in all directions. . This decision is supported by the strong dose gradient that can be achieved with the VMAT dosimetry and with the verification using the CT cone-beam image of the Trilogy® accelerator, which is performed prior to each of the treatment applications. It helps determine the positioning of the internal organs.
4. Planning of the volume of organs at risk (PRV). A urethral PRV is performed: 3mm extension around the urethra (i.e. urethra + PRV)
5. Organs at risk (OAR) included the rectum (and its posterior part), urinary bladder, urethra, penis bulb, penis, testis, femoral heads, cavity peritoneal and cauda equina which, thanks to the fusion performed with the mpMRI, are delimited with greater accuracy. OARs should be contoured following the consensus of RTOG contouring of the normal tissue of the male pelvis [12].
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