Alexander F. DeVries

Management of Atypical and Malignant Meningiomas: Role of High-dose, 3D-conformal Radiation Therapy

AbstractObjective Atypical and malignant meningiomas are at high risk for local failure. The role of radiation therapy (RT) and dose levels required to improve tumor control are poorly defined. This study reviews our experience with RT. Material and methods Thirty-one patients underwent fractionated RT for atypical (AM, 15 patients) or malignant meningioma (MM, 16 patients) of the cranium. Sixteen patients presented with primary and 15 with recurrent disease. Eight patients received RT following total resection, 21 patients after subtotal resection and 2 patient following biopsy only. RT was given using megavoltage photons in 15 patients and combined photons and 160 MeV protons in 16 patients. Total target doses ranged from 50 to 68 (AM, mean 62) and from 40 to 72 (MM, mean 58) Gy or CGE (= cobalt-gray-equivalent). Results With mean observation time of 59 months (range: 7–155 months) actuarial local control rates at 5- and 8-years were similar for both histologies (38% and 19% for AM and 52 and 17% for MM). However, significantly improved local control was observed for proton versus photon RT (80% versus 17% at 5 years, p = 0.003) and target doses ≥60 Gy for both, atypical (p = 0.025) and malignant meningioma (p = 0.0006).At time of analysis, 14/15 patients (93%) with AM and 6/16 (38%) with MM were alive. Three patients (19%) with MM developed distant metastasis. Actuarial 5- and 8-year survival rates for MM were significantly improved by use of proton over photon RT and radiation doses ≥60 CGE. Three patients developed symptomatic radiation damage after 59.3, 68.4 and 72 Gy/CGE. Conclusion Conformal, high dose RT resulted in significant improvement of local control for atypical and malignant meningiomas. Increased local control resulted also in improved rates of survival for patients with malignant meningioma.

Tumor microcirculation and diffusion predict therapy outcome for primary rectal carcinoma

PURPOSE The aim of our study was to correlate perfusion indices and apparent diffusion coefficients with therapy outcome after chemoradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS In 34 patients with primary rectal carcinoma (cT3) undergoing preoperative chemoradiation, pretherapeutic perfusion indices and apparent diffusion coefficients were obtained by dynamic or diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Therapy response was defined if the pathologic observation revealed no invasion into the perirectal fat after chemoradiation. RESULTS In 18 patients, a response and in 16, no response was observed. Statistically significant differences were found for the mean perfusion index (p < 0.001; 7.5 +/- 1.5 mL/min/100 g vs. 10.7 +/- 2.7 mL/min/100 g) and for the intratumoral cumulative fraction of pixels with perfusion-indices > 12 mL/min/100 g (p < 0.001, 3.7 +/- 4.0% vs. 24.7 +/- 17.9%). A three-way ANOVA resulted in significant effects for therapy responder/nonresponder (p < 0.001) and for apparent diffusion coefficient and the individual patients. CONCLUSION Perfusion indices and apparent diffusion coefficients inside the tumor region seem to be of predictive value for therapy outcome of preoperative therapy in patients with primary rectal carcinoma. Higher parameter levels in the nonresponding group could be explained by increased shunt flow or increased angiogenic activity in aggressive tumor cell clusters resulting in reduced nutrients supply and higher fraction of intratumoral necrosis respectively.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for monitoring diffusion changes in rectal carcinoma during combined, preoperative chemoradiation: preliminary results of a prospective study.

PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) to monitor response of primary carcinoma of the rectum to preoperative chemoradiation by measuring tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Diffusion data of nine patients undergoing preoperative combined chemoradiation for clinical staged T3, N(0-2), M(0) carcinoma of the rectum were analyzed. Diffusion-weighted echo-planar MR images were obtained prior to and at specified intervals during chemoradiation and ADCs calculated from acquired tumor images. RESULTS Comparison of mean ADC and cumulative radiation dose showed a significant decrease of mean ADC at the 2nd (P = 0.028), 3rd (P = 0.012), and 4th (P = 0.008) weeks of treatment. Cytotoxic edema and fibrosis were considered as reasons for ADC decrease. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated tumor ADC changes via detection of therapy-induced alterations in tumor water mobility. Our results indicate that diffusion-weighted imaging may be a valuable clinical tool to diagnose the early stage of radiation-induced fibrosis.

Selenium in the treatment of radiation-associated secondary lymphedema

PURPOSE The aim of this explorative study was to evaluate the impact of selenium in the treatment of lymphedema after radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between June 1996 and June 2001, 12 patients with edema of the arm and 36 patients with edema of the head-and-neck region were treated with selenium for therapy-related lymphedema. Of these 36 patients, 20 had interstitial endolaryngeal edema associated with stridor and dyspnea. All patients received sodium selenite over 4 to 6 weeks. RESULTS Self-assessment using a visual analog scale (n = 48) showed a reduction of 4.3 points when comparing pre- and posttreatment values (p < 0.05). Of 20 patients with endolaryngeal edema, 13 underwent no tracheostomy, 5 underwent a temporary tracheostomy, and only 2 underwent a permanent tracheostomy. Ten of 12 patients with arm edema showed a circumference reduction of the edematous limb and improvement in the Skin-Fold Index by 23.3 points. An improvement of one stage or more was shown by the Földi or the Miller score (n = 28) in 22 (Földi score) and in 24 (Miller score) patients. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with sodium selenite is well tolerated and easy to deliver. Additionally, our results suggest that sodium selenite has a positive effect on secondary-developing lymphedema caused by radiation therapy alone or by irradiation after surgery.

Predictive value of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in pancreatic cancer treated with radiochemotherapy

PURPOSE To determine the predictive value of carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 in pancreatic cancer treated with radiochemotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS Ninety-five patients with locally advanced unresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were treated with hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy to a total dose of 44.8 Gy combined with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid. CA 19-9 was measured before therapy, each week during therapy, and every 4 weeks during the follow-up period. RESULTS The median CA 19-9 before treatment was 420 U/mL; in the responder group it was 117 U/mL, and in the nonresponder group it was 806 U/mL. Patients with a pretreatment CA 19-9 less than the median had not only a significantly better tumor response (45.8%) but also a better survival prognosis (median survival 12.3 months) than those with a level higher than the median (tumor response 12.8%; median survival 7.1 months). The posttreatment median CA 19-9 for all patients also exhibited prognostic significance. The median survival of patients with a CA 19-9 level lower than the posttreatment median of 293 U/mL was 13.5 months, compared with 7.2 months for those with a CA 19-9 level greater than the median. To detect recurrent disease during follow-up, the sensitivity of CA 19-9 was 100% and the specificity 88%. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that CA 19-9 is of predictive value for prognosis, response, and detecting recurrence of pancreatic cancer in patients undergoing combined radiochemotherapy. Therefore, we recommend the routine implementation of CA 19-9 observation during the clinical course of treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing radiochemotherapy.

Multicenter, Phase 3 Trial Comparing Selenium Supplementation With Observation in Gynecologic Radiation Oncology

PURPOSE We assessed whether adjuvant supplementation with selenium improves the selenium status and reduces side effects of patients treated by radiotherapy (RT) for cervical and uterine cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS Whole-blood selenium concentrations were measured in patients with cervical cancer (n = 11) and uterine cancer (n = 70) after surgical treatment, during RT, at the end of RT, and 6 weeks after RT. Patients with initial selenium concentrations of less than 84μg/L were randomized before RT either to receive 500 μg of selenium (in the form of sodium selenite [selenase, biosyn Arzneimittel GmbH, Fellbach, Germany]) by mouth on the days of RT and 300 μg of selenium on the days without RT or to receive no supplement during RT. The primary endpoint of this multicenter Phase 3 study was to assess the efficiency of selenium supplementation during RT; the secondary endpoint was to decrease radiation-induced diarrhea and other RT-dependent side effects. RESULTS A total of 81 patients were randomized. We enrolled 39 in the selenium group (SG) and 42 in the control group (CG). Selenium levels did not differ between the SG and CG upon study initiation but were significantly higher in the SG at the end of RT. The actuarial incidence of diarrhea of Grade 2 or higher according to Common Toxicity Criteria (version 2) in the SG was 20.5% compared with 44.5% in the CG (p = 0.04). Other blood parameters, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and self-reported quality of life were not different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Selenium supplementation during RT is effective in improving blood selenium status in selenium-deficient cervical and uterine cancer patients and reduces the number of episodes and severity of RT-induced diarrhea.

Lectin Intravital Perfusion Studies in Tumor-bearing Mice: Micrometer-resolution, Wide-area Mapping of Microvascular Labeling, Distinguishing Efficiently and Inefficiently Perfused Microregions in the Tumor

Intravital lectin perfusion was combined with computer-guided scanning digital microscopy to map the perfused elements of the vasculature in tumor-bearing mice. High-precision composite images (spatial precision 1.3 μm and optical resolution 1.5 μm) were generated to permit exact positioning, reconstruction, analysis, and mapping of entire tumor cross-sections (c. 1 cm in diameter). Collation of these mosaics with nuclear magnetic resonance maps in the same tumor plane identified sites of rapid contrast medium uptake as tumor blood vessels. Digitized imaging after intravital double labeling allowed polychromatic visualization of two different types of mismatched staining. First, simultaneous application of two lectins, each bearing a different fluorochrome, revealed organ-specific differential processing in the microvascular wall. Second, sequential application of two boluses of one lectin, bearing different fluorochromes successively, distinguished between double-labeled microvessels, representing efficiently perfused vascular segments, and single-labeled microvessels, with inefficient or intermittent perfusion. Intravital lectin perfusion images of blood vessels in the vital functional state thus highlighted biologically significant differences in vessel function and served as high-resolution adjuncts to MR imaging.

Circulating cell-free DNA in plasma of locally advanced rectal cancer patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation: A potential diagnostic tool for therapy monitoring

Circulating cell-free DNA opens up an interesting field for therapy monitoring, in particular during multimodal therapy protocols. The objective of this proof of principle study was to evaluate whether the amount of circulating plasma DNA has the potential to serve as a marker for therapy monitoring during the treatment course of locally advanced rectal cancer patients. We especially focused on kinetics of circulating DNA to assess whether variances in kinetics have the potential to discriminate between therapy responders and nonresponders. The amount of circulating DNA in plasma of rectal cancer patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation was determined using real-time PCR before chemoradiation, after the end of chemoradiation and at the end of treatment. The study population was divided into responders (ypT0-T2 stage) and nonresponders (ypT3-T4 stage). Both groups showed comparable median plasma DNA values before and after the end of chemoradiation. At the end of treatment responders showed a further decrease in circulating DNA, whereas in nonresponders the circulating DNA manifestly increased (P = 0.006). This study demonstrates that circulating DNA in plasma of rectal cancer patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation might serve as a surrogate marker to discriminate between responders and nonresponders. Therefore, we hypothesize that quantification of plasma DNA could be of use as an easily accessible tool for therapy monitoring in these patients.

Preoperative Oxaliplatin, Capecitabine, and External Beam Radiotherapy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed, Primary Operable, cT3NxM0, Low Rectal Cancer

AbstractPurpose:In patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), preoperative chemoradiation is known to improve local control, and down-staging of the tumor serves as a surrogate for survival. Intensification of the systemic therapy may lead to higher downstaging rates and, thus, enhance survival. This phase II study investigated the efficacy and safety of preoperative capecitabine and oxaliplatin in combination with radiotherapy.Patients and Methods:Patients with LARC of the mid and lower rectum, T3NxM0 staged by MRI received radiotherapy (total dose 45 Gy) in combination with oral capecitabine (825 mg/m2 twice a day on radiotherapy days; weeks 1–4) and oxaliplatin 50 mg/m2 intravenously (days 1, 8, 15, and 22). Efficacy was evaluated as rate of tumor down-categorization at the T level.Results:A total of 59 patients were enrolled (19 women, 40 men; median age of 61 years) and all were evaluable for efficacy and toxicity. Down-categorization at the T level was observed in 53% with pathological complete response in 6 patients (10%). Actual total radiotherapy, oxaliplatin and capecitabine doses received were 97%, 90%, and 93% of the protocol-specified preplanned doses, respectively. Grade 3/4 toxicity was observed in 15 patients (25%). The most frequent was diarrhea (12%).Conclusions:Preoperative chemoradiation with capecitabine and oxaliplatin is feasible in patients with MRI-proven cT3 LARC. The only clinically relevant toxicity was diarrhea. Overall, efficacy of the multimodality treatment was good, but not markedly exceeding that of 5-FU- or capecitabine-based chemoradiation approaches.ZusammenfassungZiel:Eine präoperative Radiochemotherapie verbessert bei Patienten mit einem tief sitzenden Rektumkarzinom (LARC) die lokale Tumorkontrolle und ein so genanntes „down-staging“ dient als Überlebenssurrogatparameter. Von einer Dosisintensivierung der systemischen Therapie kann man sich höhere Down-Staging-Raten erwarten und damit das Überleben verbessern. Diese multizentrische Phase-II-Studie soll die Wirksamkeit und Toxizität einer neoadjuvanten durch Capecitabin und Oxaliplatin intensivierten Radiochemotherapie prüfen.Patienten und Methodik:Patienten mit einem LARC, das mittels MRI als cT3NxM0 klassifizierten wurde, erhielten eine Radiotherapie (45 Gy in konventioneller Fraktionierung) mit konkomitanter Gabe von Capecitabin (oral 2 x täglich 825 mg an den Bestrahlungstagen, Woche 1–4) und Oxaliplatin intravenös 50mg/m2 (an den Tagen 1, 8, 15 und 22). Die Rate an Tumor-Down- Categorization dient als Parameter der Wirksamkeit.Ergebnisse:59 Patienten (davon 68% männlich, mittleres Alter 61 Jahre) wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Eine Down- Categorization in der T-Kategorie wurde in 53% der Patienten beobachtet, wobei 6 Patienten (10%) eine komplette pathologische Remission zeigten. Die tatsächlich verabreichte Strahlendosis betrug 97%, die Capecitabindosis 93% und die Oxaliplatindosis 90% der im Protokoll festgelegten Gesamtdosis. Akute Nebenwirkungen CTC-Grad ≥3 (Common Toxicity Criteria) wurden in 15 Patienten (25%) registriert, wobei mit 12% eine Diarrhoe am häufigsten vorkam.Schlussfolgerung:Eine präoperative Radiochemotherapie mit Capecitabin und Oxaliplatin ist bei Patienten mit mittels MRI diagnostiziertem cT3 LARC gut durchführbar. Die einzige klinisch relevante Nebenwirkung war eine Diarrhoe. Allerdings übertrifft die Wirksamkeit nicht wesentlich die bisherigen Erkenntnisse von Studien mit kontinuierlicher 5-Fluorouracil- oder alleiniger Capecitabingabe.

Die rolle der strahlentherapie in der behandlung maligner meningiome

FragestellungMaligne Meningiome weisen ohne additive Therapie nach chirurgischer Intervention eine hohe Lokalrezidivrate auf. über die Stellung der Strahlentherapie und die benötigte Dosis als additive TherapiemodalitÄt liegen nur wenige Daten vor. Mittels dieser Studie sollte die Rolle der Strahlentherapie mit Zielvolumendosen > -60 Gy/CGE in der Behandlung von malignen Meningiomen untersucht werden.Patienten und MethodenDie Daten von 16 Patienten mit histologisch gesicherten malignen Meningiomen, die sich zwischen 1974 und 1995 einer Strahlentherapie unterzogen, wurden retrospektiv analysiert. Das Alter bei Diagnosestellung betrug zwischen sechs und 79 Jahren (Mittel 49 Jahre). Drei Patienten entwickelten ein malignes Meningiom mehr als 14 Jahre nach einer Strahlentherapie im SchÄdelbereich. Bei zehn Patienten wurde ein PrimÄrtumor, bei sechs ein Rezidivtumor behandelt. Sechs Patienten hatte eine totale, zehn Patienten eine subtotale Tumorresektion. Die Bestrahlung erfolgte entweder als alleinige Photonentherapie oder als kombinierte Protonen/Photonen-Therapie. Fast alle Patienten, eine Ausnahme, erhielten im Zielvolumen eine Dosis zwischen 40 und 72 Gy/CGE (Mittel: 58 Gy/CGE).ErgebnisseDie mittlere Beobachtungszeit betrug 59 Monate (zehn bis 155 Monate). Die lokale Tumorkontrollrate lag nach fünf bzw. acht Jahren bei 52% bzw. 17%. Bei Zielvolumendosen > 60 Gy/CGE zeigte sich eine signifikante Verbesserung der lokalen Tumorkontrolle (100% versus 17%, p = 0,0006) und der Fünf-Jahres-überlebensrate (87% versus 15%, p = 0,025). Zum Zeitpunkt der Analyse lebten 6/16 Patienten (38%). Zwei Patienten entwickelten symptomatische SpÄteffekte bei Dosen von 59,3 und 72 Gy/CGE nach Ende der Strahlentherapie.SchluΒfolgerungEine konformale Strahlentherapie mit Dosen > - 60 Gy/CGE führte zu einer signifikanten Verbesserung der lokalen Tumorkontrolle und damit letztendlich zu einer Verbesserung der überlebenszeiten.AbstractPurposeMost malignant meningiomas will recur following surgical resection only. The role of irradiation and radiation dose levels is poorly defined. This study reviews a single institution experience using both, conventional and high doses > 60 Gy/CGE radiation regimen.Patients and MethodsBetween 1974 and 1995 16 patients with histologically proven malignant meningioma underwent radiation therapy (RT). Age at diagnosis ranged between 6 and 79 years (median: 49 years). Three patients reported previous irradiation to the head at least 14 years prior to diagnosis. Ten patients were treated for primary, and 6 patients for recurrent disease. Six patients underwent gross total and 10 patients subtotal resection (Table 1). RT was delivered using conventional, megavoltage photons or combined 160 MeV proton and photon irradiation. Except 1 patient, who died during RT, the radiation doses ranged between 40 and 70 Gy/CGE (= Cobalt Gray Equivalent) (median: 58 Gy/CGE, Table 2).ResultsWith median observation time of 59 months (range: 10 to 155 months), actuarial local control rates at 5 and 8 years were 52% and 17%, respectively. Target doses > -60 Gy/CGE resulted in significantly improved tumor control (100%) compared to < 60 Gy/CGE (17%) (p = 0.0006, Table 3 and Figure 1). Improved local control translated also in increased overall survival: 87% (> 60 Gy/CGE) versus 15% (< 60 Gy/CGE) at 5 years (p = 0.025, Figure 2). At time of analysis, 6/16 patients (38%) were alive. Two patients developed symptomatic brain damage at doses of 59.3 and 72 Gy/CGE.ConclusionConformal, radiation therapy with target doses > 60 Gy/CGE, in this study by use of combined proton and photon irradiation, can significantly improve chances of long-term local control and survival for patients diagnosed with these challenging tumors.PURPOSE Most malignant meningiomas will recur following surgical resection only. The role of irradiation and radiation dose levels is poorly defined. This study reviews a single institution experience using both, conventional and high doses > or = 60 Gy/CGE radiation regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 1974 and 1995 16 patients with histologically proven malignant meningioma underwent radiation therapy (RT). Age at diagnosis ranged between 6 and 79 years (median: 49 years). Three patients reported previous irradiation to the head at least 14 years prior to diagnosis. Ten patients were treated for primary, and 6 patients for recurrent disease. Six patients underwent gross total and 10 patients subtotal resection (Table 1). RT was delivered using conventional, megavoltage photons or combined 160 MeV proton and photon irradiation. Except 1 patient, who died during RT, the radiation doses ranged between 40 and 70 Gy/CGE (= Cobalt Gray Equivalent) (median: 58 Gy/CGE, Table 2). RESULTS With median observation time of 59 months (range: 10 to 155 months), actuarial local control rates at 5 and 8 years were 52% and 17%, respectively. Target doses > or = Gy/CGE resulted in significantly improved tumor control (100%) compared to < 60 Gy/CGE (17%) (p = 0.0006, Table 3 and Figure 1). Improved local control translated also in increased overall survival: 87% (> or = 60 Gy/CGE) versus 15% (< 60 Gy/CGE) at 5 years (p = 0.025, Figure 2). At time of analysis, 6/16 patients (38%) were alive. Two patients developed symptomatic brain damage at doses of 59.3 and 72 Gy/CGE. CONCLUSION Conformal, radiation therapy with target doses > or = 60 Gy/CGE, in this study by use of combined proton and photon irradiation, can significantly improve chances of long-term local control and survival for patients diagnosed with these challenging tumors.