This editorial explores the potential integration of non-Western medicine into radiotherapy for cervical cancer.While radiotherapy remains a radical treatment for cervical cancer,its associated toxicity and decline in...This editorial explores the potential integration of non-Western medicine into radiotherapy for cervical cancer.While radiotherapy remains a radical treatment for cervical cancer,its associated toxicity and decline in quality of life can significantly impact patients’lives.Currently,most treatments are supportive,with no specific treatment options available in Western medicine.Non-Western medicine,often less toxic and easier to administer,has shown promising results when used alongside radiotherapy for cervical cancer.Despite these potential benefits,challenges such as limited evidence and restricted application areas persist.While non-Western medicines may offer potential improvements in chemoradiotherapy outcomes for cervical cancer,further research is necessary to substantiate these benefits.展开更多
BACKGROUND Bone is a major site of metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).Recently,nuclear factor kappa-beta ligand(RANKL)inhibitors have garnered attention for their ability to inhibit osteoclast formation and b...BACKGROUND Bone is a major site of metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).Recently,nuclear factor kappa-beta ligand(RANKL)inhibitors have garnered attention for their ability to inhibit osteoclast formation and bone resorption,as well as their potential to modulate immune functions and thereby enhance the efficacy of programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)inhibitor therapy.CASE SUMMARY We present a case of a patient with NPC who developed sternal stalk metastasis and multiple bone metastases with soft tissue invasion following radical chemoradiotherapy and targeted therapy.Prior to chemotherapy,the patient experienced severe bone marrow suppression and opted out of further chemotherapy sessions.However,the patient received combination therapy,including RANKL inhibitors(denosumab)alongside PD-1,radiotherapy,and granulocyte-macrophage colonystimulating factor(PRaG)therapy(NCT05435768),and achieved 16 months of progression-free survival and more than 35 months of overall survival,without encountering any grade 2 or higher treatment-related adverse events.CONCLUSION Denosumab combined with PRaG therapy could be a new therapeutic approach for the second-line treatment in patients with bone metastases.展开更多
A recent study by Zhang et al developed a neural network-based predictive model for estimating doses to the uninvolved liver during stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT)in liver cancer.The study reported a signifi...A recent study by Zhang et al developed a neural network-based predictive model for estimating doses to the uninvolved liver during stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT)in liver cancer.The study reported a significant advancement in personalized radiotherapy by improving accuracy and reducing treatment-related toxicity.The model demonstrated strong predictive performance with R-values above 0.8,indicating its potential to improve treatment consistency.However,concerns arise from the small sample size and exclusion criteria,which may limit generalizability.Future studies should incorporate larger,more diverse patient cohorts,explore potential confounding factors such as tumor characteristics and delivery technique variability,and address the long-term effects of SBRT.展开更多
Recent advancements in radiotherapy for esophageal cancer have significantly improved treatment outcomes and patient quality of life.Traditional radiotherapy techniques have been enhanced by the integration of advance...Recent advancements in radiotherapy for esophageal cancer have significantly improved treatment outcomes and patient quality of life.Traditional radiotherapy techniques have been enhanced by the integration of advanced imaging and precision targeting technologies,such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy and proton therapy,which allow for more accurate tumor targeting while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.Additionally,combining radiotherapy with immunotherapy has shown promising results,leveraging the body’s im-mune response to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatment.Studies have also highlighted the benefits of neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgical resection,which has been associated with improved overall survival rates com-pared to radiotherapy alone.These innovations are paving the way for more effe-ctive and personalized treatment strategies,offering new hope for patients with esophageal cancer.展开更多
BACKGROUND Currently,there is limited research examining the relationship between anxiety,depression,coping styles,and illness uncertainty in patients with cervical cancer(CC)undergoing radiotherapy.Addressing this ga...BACKGROUND Currently,there is limited research examining the relationship between anxiety,depression,coping styles,and illness uncertainty in patients with cervical cancer(CC)undergoing radiotherapy.Addressing this gap could provide valuable insights and more reliable evidence for clinical practice targeting this patient population.AIM To analyze the anxiety,depression,and coping styles of patients with CC undergoing radiotherapy and explore their correlations with illness uncertainty.METHODS A total of 200 patients with CC undergoing radiotherapy at The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between June 2018 and June 2022 were enrolled.Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS),comprising subscales for anxiety(HADS-A)and depression(HADS-D).Coping styles were evaluated using the Jalowiec Coping Scale(JCS-60),comprising dimensions such as confrontive,evasive,optimistic,fatalistic,emotive,palliative,supportive,and self-reliant.Illness uncertainty was measured using the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale(MUIS),encompassing ambiguity,complexity,information deficit,and unpredictability.Correlations among anxiety,depression,coping styles,and illness uncertainty were analyzed.RESULTS During radiotherapy,the mean scores were 7.12±3.39 for HADS-A,6.68±3.49 for HADS-D,1.52±0.23 for JCS-60,and 93.40±7.44 for MUIS.Anxiety(HADS-A≥8)was present in 39.5%of patients,depression(HADS-D≥8)in 41.0%,and both in 14.0%.Anxiety was significantly positively correlated with ambiguity,unpredictability,and total MUIS score(P<0.05).Depression was significantly positively correlated with ambiguity,information deficit,unpredictability,and total MUIS score(P<0.05).Most patients adopted an optimistic coping style,whereas the emotive style was least utilized.Evasive,fatalistic,and emotive coping styles were significantly positively correlated with illness uncertainty,whereas the self-reliant style was significantly negatively correlated with unpredictability(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Anxiety,depression,and coping styles in patients with CC undergoing radiotherapy correlate significantly with their level of illness uncertainty.Medical staff should address patients’psychological status and coping strategies by providing targeted information to reduce negative emotions,foster adaptive coping styles,and decrease illness uncertainty.展开更多
BACKGROUND Older patients are more likely to have a poor performance status and comor-bidities.There is a reluctance to extensively investigate and treat older patients.As elderly individuals and patients with neoplas...BACKGROUND Older patients are more likely to have a poor performance status and comor-bidities.There is a reluctance to extensively investigate and treat older patients.As elderly individuals and patients with neoplasms each increase in number,palliative treatment of older patients is expected to grow as an issue.AIM To investigated the role of palliative radiotherapy in older patients and patients who were expected to demonstrate a therapeutic effect.METHODS From February 2019 to February 2022,33 patients aged≥80 years underwent palliative radiotherapy.The prognosis in palliative care study predictor(PiPS),palliative prognostic index(PPI),and delirium-palliative prognostic score(D-PaP)models were used for prognosis prediction.D-PaP scores calculated according to the doctor's prediction of clinical prediction of survival(CPS)were excluded and then analyzed for comparison.Radiation was prescribed at a dose of 2.5-7 Gy per fraction,up to a median of 39 Gy10(range,28-75 Gy10).RESULTS The median follow-up was 2.4 months(range,0.2-27.5 months),and 28 patients(84.8%)showed subjective symptom improvements following treatment.The 2-and 6-month survival rates of all patients were 91.5%and 91.5%,respectively.According to regression analysis,the performance status index,symptom type,and radiation dose all showed no significant correlation with the treatment re-sponse.When survival was expected for>55 days in the PiPS model,the 2-month survival rate was 94.4%.For patients with PPI and D-PaP-CPS values of 0-3.9 points,the 2-month survival rates were 90.0%and 100%,respectively.For patients with a score of≥4 points,the 2-month survival rates were 37.5%and 0%,res-pectively.Core Tip:This is a retrospective study to investigate the role of palliative radiotherapy in older patients and patients who were expected to demonstrate a great therapeutic effect.The prognosis in palliative care study predictor,palliative prognostic index,and delirium-palliative prognostic score models were used for prognosis prediction.Most of patients showed subjective symptom improvements following treatment.The prognosis prediction model showed good correlation with survival.In order to increase the therapeutic effectiveness in palliative radiotherapy,it is necessary to assess a patient's exact prognosis and select appropriate patients accordingly.INTRODUCTION The incidence of cancer is high among individuals 60-69 years old and is 11 times greater among those≥65-years-old compared to those<65-years-old.For this reason,about half of all cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals aged≥70 years,and older patients account for a large portion of the total population regarding the prevalence of cancer[1].Cancer is one of the most significant diseases in older patients.About 60%of all cancer-related deaths occur in older patients aged 70 years[1,2].Moreover,cancer accounts for about one-third of the causes of death in the elderly population[1,2].When choosing a cancer treatment,both the characteristics of the cancer and the overall health status of the patient,such as their general condition and any underlying diseases,should be considered[2].Older patients have a shorter life expectancy than younger patients;moreover,they typically have many accompanying underlying diseases and have a poorer general condition.For this reason,older patients are often rejected from receiving active testing and treatment services.Therefore,even if other factors,such as the underlying disease,are the same in young and old patients,older patients typically receive less treatment due to the simple fact that they are older[3].Palliative treatment is a treatment approach that improves the pain and symptoms of a patient and their quality of life.Although palliative treatment is applicable regardless of patient age and the type and severity of their disease,most patients requiring palliative treatment are cancer patients.Palliative radiotherapy is relatively effective for cancer patients and tends to be a well-tolerated treatment.Although some studies have reported the usefulness of palliative radiotherapy in elderly patients,a large number of patients and caregivers are not receiving treatment due to fears of treatment,the risks of side effects,and doubts about treatment effectiveness[1].Since actual age is not always associated with physical ability,the determination of treatment based solely on age can be an obstacle preventing appropriate treatment opportunities.The importance of palliative care is increasing due to the recent growth of the elderly population,as well as,the increase in cancer incidence,and the changes in traditional views or perceptions,such as a growing acceptance of the pursuit of a dignified death[4].Therefore,in this study,we investigated the role of palliative radiotherapy in older patients and in patients who are expected to show a great therapeutic effect.展开更多
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is one of the malignant tumors with a high incidence and mortality rate globally,and the occurrence of liver metastasis significantly affects patient survival prognosis.In recent years,the...BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is one of the malignant tumors with a high incidence and mortality rate globally,and the occurrence of liver metastasis significantly affects patient survival prognosis.In recent years,the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)in cancer treatment has made important progress,especially showing good therapeutic effects in patients with high microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiency.However,for the majority of patients with microsatellite stable(MSS)or proficient mismatch repair(pMMR)colorectal cancer,the efficacy of ICIs is limited,prompting researchers to explore combination therapy strategies to improve efficacy.Targeted drugs such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)and radiotherapy are believed to work synergistically with ICIs by modifying the tumor microenvironment and enhancing antigen presentation.AIM To investigate the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of radiotherapy,ICIs,and TKIs in patients with MSS or pMMR colorectal cancer liver metastasis(CCLM),in order to provide new clinical treatment references.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 43 MSS or pMMR CCLM patients treated at our hospital from September 2021 to July 2024.Based on the treatment interventions received,the patients were divided into a control group(n=21,receiving ICIs and TKIs combination therapy)and an observation group(n=22,receiving radiotherapy,ICIs,and TKIs triple therapy).The therapeutic effects,serum tumor markers(carcinoembryonic antigen and RESULTS The disease control rate in the observation group(63.64%)was significantly higher than that of the control group(23.81%)(P<0.05)).Both groups showed a decrease in carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 199 levels post-treatment,with the observation group demonstrating a more significant change(P<0.05).The median progression-free survival and median overall survival in the control group were 5.1 months and 7.6 months,respectively,while the observation group had a median progression-free survival and overall survival of 4.3 months and 6.9 months,respectively.The control group had longer survival times than the observation group,but the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions,including nausea and vomiting,gastrointestinal reactions,skin reactions,bone marrow suppression,liver and kidney function impairment,neurotoxicity,leukopenia,neutropenia,and thrombocytopenia,showed no significant differences between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Compared to the ICIs and TKIs combination therapy,the radiotherapy,ICIs,and TKIs triple therapy can further improve the disease control rate and serum tumor marker levels in MSS or pMMR CCLM patients without increasing the risk of related adverse reactions,making it a treatment regimen worthy of further validation.展开更多
BACKGROUND Radiation resistance limits radiotherapy efficacy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).The tumor microenvironment,particularly adipocytes,plays a role in promoting cancer progression.Extracellular ve...BACKGROUND Radiation resistance limits radiotherapy efficacy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).The tumor microenvironment,particularly adipocytes,plays a role in promoting cancer progression.Extracellular vesicles and microRNAs(miRNAs)regulate gene expression and hold prognostic potential for esophageal carcinoma.Elucidating radioresistance mechanisms and identifying radiosensitization targets can help enhance radiotherapy efficacy for esophageal cancer.AIM To investigate the potential role of miRNAs derived from adipocyte exosomes as prognostic markers for radiotherapy efficacy in ESCC.METHODS Free adipocytes were isolated from human thoracic adipose tissue.A co-culture model of adipocytes and ESCC cells was established to observe colony formation and cell survival post-irradiation.ESCC cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry.Western Blot and immunofluorescence assays were performed to evaluate DNA damage in ESCC cells post-irradiation.Adipocyte-derived exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation and identified by electron microscopy.A similar set of experiments was performed on ESCC cells to analyze cell survival,apoptosis,and DNA damage post-radiation exposure.Exosomes from adipose tissue and serum exosomes from ESCC patients pre-and post-radiotherapy were subjected to high-throughput miRNA-sequencing and validated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The correlation between potential target miRNAs and the short-term prognosis of radiotherapy in ESCC was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.RESULTS Co-culturing adipocytes with ESCC cells enhanced radioresistance,as evidenced by increased colony formation.Adipocyte co-culture reduced ESCC cell apoptosis and DNA damage post-radiation.Adipocyte-derived exosomes similarly conferred radioresistance in ESCC cells,decreasing apoptosis and DNA damage post-irradiation.Highthroughput miRNA-sequencing identified miR-660-5p in serum and adipose tissue exosomes.Patients with high expression of serum exosome miR-660-5p showed poor prognosis after radiotherapy.CONCLUSION Adipocyte-derived exosomal miR-660-5p is a potential biomarker for evaluating radiotherapy efficacy in ESCC.展开更多
BACKGROUND Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)is a common malignancy in China,often diagnosed at an advanced stage,with poor prognosis.Standard treatments such as definitive chemoradiotherapy offer limited surviv...BACKGROUND Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)is a common malignancy in China,often diagnosed at an advanced stage,with poor prognosis.Standard treatments such as definitive chemoradiotherapy offer limited survival benefits.Recent advances in immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy have shown promise,but their effectiveness and safety in conjunction with radio-therapy for unresectable ESCC require further exploration.AIM To assess the safety and effectiveness of induction chemoimmunotherapy fo-llowed by definitive radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT)in locally advanced unresectable ESCC.METHODS This retrospective study included 80 patients with locally advanced unresectable ESCC who underwent induction chemoimmunotherapy followed by definitive radiotherapy,recruited from Zhejiang Cancer Hospital.All patients received 2-4 cycles of chemotherapy plus programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 inhibitor,were re-evaluated to be inoperable,then received definitive radiotherapy or CCRT.Primary endpoint was treatment safety and tolerance.SPSS 26.0 software was used for data analysis.Th Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.RESULTS Thirty-seven(46.3%)patients received CCRT and 43(53.7%)received radiotherapy alone.The most common treatment-related adverse events included radiation esophagitis(32/80,40.0%)and anemia(49/80,61.3%),with 22(27.5%)experiencing grade≥3 adverse events.No treatment-related deaths occurred.After median follow-up of 16.5 months,the median progression-free survival(PFS)was 14.2 months,and median overall survival(OS)was 19.9 months.The 1-year and 2-year PFS and OS were 55.8%and 31.6%,and 67.5%and 44.1%,respectively.Patients with partial response had better outcomes than those with stable disease:1-year PFS 69.4%vs 43.9%(P=0.011)and OS 83.2%vs 48.8%(P=0.007).Induction therapy effectiveness and immunotherapy maintenance were independent prognostic factors for OS.CONCLUSION Chemotherapy combined with programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 inhibitor followed by definitive radiotherapy or CCRT in patients with locally advanced ESCC was safe and effective.展开更多
Background: Early research describing the concept of intensity-modulated conformal radiotherapy (IMRT) was based on 7 to 9 beams to reach an adequate level of modulation. Nevertheless, its implementation demands signi...Background: Early research describing the concept of intensity-modulated conformal radiotherapy (IMRT) was based on 7 to 9 beams to reach an adequate level of modulation. Nevertheless, its implementation demands significant resources. Our objective was to compare the compliance and homogeneity of target dose distribution between simplified IMRT and 3D-CRT in patients with cervical cancer and to assess the clinical value of simplified IMRT. Materials and Methods: From 2016 to 2017, 17 patients with stage IIB - IIIC cervical cancer were treated with external beam radiotherapy using simplified IMRT (12 cases) or 3DCRT (05 cases) and brachytherapy. Prior to radiotherapy, CT scans were conducted to delineate the target volume. The clinical target volume (CTV) included the uterus, primary tumor, supravaginal portion of the cervix, paracervical tissue, common iliac, internal and external iliac lymph nodes, obturator, and pre sacral lymph nodes, and the surrounding tissues. If the lower vagina was involved, the target volume included the whole vagina. The planning target volume (PTV) included the CTV with 1 cm anteriorly and 0.5 cm in all other directions. The PTV received 95% of 45 Gy (1.8 Gy/25 fraction). Dose-volume histogram, conformity index, homogeneity index, and treatment time per fraction were compared. Results: The 3D-CRT plan was more homogeneous than the simplified IMRT plan, while the simplified IMRT plan was more conformal. The volume of small bowels that received high-dose radiation significantly increased with simplified IMRT compared to 3D-CRT. Treatment time per fraction was 6 and 13 minutes for 3D-CRT and simplified IMRT, respectively. Conclusion: The simplified IMRT treatment plan is technically and dosimetrically acceptable and an alternative to the classic 3D-CRT plan for cervical cancer. It provides better dose distribution than 3D-CRT. However, the 3D-CRT treatment plan significantly reduced the overall treatment time per fraction.展开更多
Objective:To analyze the efficacy of whole-course local simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy(SIB-IMRT)on patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods:88 pat...Objective:To analyze the efficacy of whole-course local simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy(SIB-IMRT)on patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods:88 patients with ESCC admitted to the hospital between October 2022 and October 2024 were selected and randomly divided into two groups using a random number table.The experimental group received SIB-IMRT treatment,while the control group received conventional intensity-modulated radiotherapy(C-IMRT).The objective remission rate,immune function,tumor markers,and adverse reaction rate were compared between the two groups.Results:The objective remission rate in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Before treatment,there was no difference in immune function levels and tumor marker levels between the two groups(P>0.05).After treatment,the immune function levels in the experimental group were better than those in the control group,and the tumor marker levels were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The adverse reaction rate in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:SIB-IMRT can improve the objective remission rate of patients with ESCC,protect their immune function,down-regulate tumor marker levels,and prevent side effects after treatment.展开更多
Background:Stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT)in pancreatic cancer allows high delivery of radiation doses on tumors without affecting surrounding tissue.This review aimed at the SBRT application in the treatment of ...Background:Stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT)in pancreatic cancer allows high delivery of radiation doses on tumors without affecting surrounding tissue.This review aimed at the SBRT application in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.Data sources:We retrieved articles published in MEDLINE/PubMed from January 2017 to December 2022.Keywords used in the search included:“pancreatic adenocarcinoma”OR“pancreatic cancer”AND“stereotactic ablative radiotherapy(SABR)”OR“stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT)”OR“chemoradiotherapy(CRT)”.English language articles with information on technical characteristics,doses and fractionation,indications,recurrence patterns,local control and toxicities of SBRT in pancreatic tumors were included.All articles were assessed for validity and relevant content.Results:Optimal doses and fractionation have not yet been defined.However,SBRT could be the standard treatment in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in addition to CRT.Furthermore,the combination of SBRT with chemotherapy may have additive or synergic effect on pancreatic adenocarcinoma.Conclusions:SBRT is an effective modality for patients with pancreatic cancer,supported by clinical practice guidelines as it has demonstrated good tolerance and good disease control.SBRT opens a possibility of improving outcomes for these patients,both in neoadjuvant treatment and with radical intent.展开更多
Radiotherapy is a well-established cytotoxic therapy for local solid cancers, utilizing high-energy ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells. However, this method has several limitations, including low radiation ene...Radiotherapy is a well-established cytotoxic therapy for local solid cancers, utilizing high-energy ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells. However, this method has several limitations, including low radiation energy deposition, severe damage to surrounding normal cells, and high tumor resistance to radiation. Among various radiotherapy methods, boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has emerged as a principal approach to improve the therapeutic ratio of malignancies and reduce lethality to surrounding normal tissue, but it remains deficient in terms of insufficient boron accumulation as well as short retention time, which limits the curative effect. Recently, a series of radiosensitizers that can selectively accumulate in specific organelles of cancer cells have been developed to precisely target radiotherapy, thereby reducing side effects of normal tissue damage, overcoming radioresistance, and improving radiosensitivity. In this review, we mainly focus on the field of nanomedicine-based cancer radiotherapy and discuss the organelle-targeted radiosensitizers, specifically including nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes. Furthermore, the organelle-targeted boron carriers used in BNCT are particularly presented. Through demonstrating recent developments in organelle-targeted radiosensitization, we hope to provide insight into the design of organelle-targeted radiosensitizers for clinical cancer treatment.展开更多
BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer(EC)often occurs in the elderly,with approximately 33%of patients aged≥75 years at the time of diagnosis.AIM To evaluate the prognostic factors for radiotherapy(RT)in elderly patients with...BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer(EC)often occurs in the elderly,with approximately 33%of patients aged≥75 years at the time of diagnosis.AIM To evaluate the prognostic factors for radiotherapy(RT)in elderly patients with unresectable EC.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics,toxic reactions,and survival information of EC patients aged≥75 years who underwent intensity-modulated RT at Lu’an Hospital of Anhui Medical University between January 2016 and September 2023.Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to draw the overall survival(OS)curves,and Cox regression analysis was employed to evaluate the influence of various clinical factors on the prognosis.RESULTS A total of 139 patients were enrolled.The median follow-up time was 52.0 months.The median OS was 20.0 months.The 1-year,2-year,3-year,and 5-year OS rates were 69.8%,38.7%,28.2%,and 17.5%,respectively.Univariate analysis showed that age,radiation dose,and chemotherapy had no significant impact on prognosis.Multivariate analysis indicated that clinical stage[Ⅲ-Ⅳa vsⅠ-Ⅱ,hazard ratio(HR)=2.421,95%confidence interval(CI):1.242-4.718,P=0.009;IVb vsⅠ-Ⅱ,HR=4.222,95%CI:1.888-9.438,P<0.001),Charlson comorbidity index(CCI)(0 vs≥1,HR=1.539,95%CI:1.015-2.332,P=0.042),and nutritional risk screening 2002(NRS2002)(<3 vs≥3,HR=2.491,95%CI:1.601-3.875,P<0.001)were independent prognostic factors for OS.CONCLUSION Our results suggest that CCI and NRS2002 were independent prognostic factors of OS for unresectable elderly EC patients undergoing RT.For elderly patients with EC,full attention should be given to biological age-related indicators,such as comorbidities and nutrition,when formulating treatment protocols.These factors should be considered in future clinical practice.展开更多
Four major studies(Checkmate577,Keynote-590,Checkmate649 and Attraction-4)of locally advanced esophageal cancer published in 2020 have established the importance of immunotherapy,represented by anti-programmed death p...Four major studies(Checkmate577,Keynote-590,Checkmate649 and Attraction-4)of locally advanced esophageal cancer published in 2020 have established the importance of immunotherapy,represented by anti-programmed death protein(PD)-1 in postoperative adjuvant treatment and advanced first-line treatment of locally advanced or advanced esophageal cancer and esophagogastric junction cancer,from the aspects of proof of concept,long-term survival,overall survival rate and progression-free survival.For unresectable or inoperable nonmetastatic esophageal cancer,concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the standard treatment recommended by various guidelines.Because its curative effect is still not ideal,it is necessary to explore radical radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the future,and it is considered to be promising to combine them with immunotherapeutic drugs such as anti-PD-1.This paper mainly discusses how to combine radical concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy with immunotherapy for unresectable local advanced esophageal cancer.展开更多
BACKGROUND Metastasis to the hyoid bone is an exceptionally rare occurrence,with documented cases limited to breast,liver,colon,skin,lung,and prostate cancers.This report highlights an unusual case involving the metas...BACKGROUND Metastasis to the hyoid bone is an exceptionally rare occurrence,with documented cases limited to breast,liver,colon,skin,lung,and prostate cancers.This report highlights an unusual case involving the metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma to the hyoid bone,accompanied by a distinctive headache.Previous documentation involved surgical resection of the hyoid mass.We present a case displaying the benefits of palliative radiotherapy.CASE SUMMARY A 72-year-old non-smoking,non-alcoholic woman,initially under investigation for a year-long elevation in absolute lymphocyte count,presented with a monthlong history of intermittent throat pain.Despite negative findings in gastroenterological and otolaryngologic examinations,a contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography scan revealed a mediastinal mass and questionable soft tissue thickening in her left anterolateral neck.Subsequent imaging and biopsies confirmed the presence of lung adenocarcinoma metastasis to the hyoid bone.The patient was treated with platinum-based chemo-immunotherapy along with pembrolizumab.Ultimately,the lung cancer was unresponsive.Our patient opted for palliative radiation therapy instead of surgical resection to address her throat pain.As a result,her throat pain was alleviated,and it also incidentally resolved her chronic headaches.This is the second documented case of lung adenocarcinoma metastasizing to the hyoid bone.CONCLUSION Palliative radiotherapy may add to the quality of life in symptomatic patients with cancer metastatic to the hyoid bone.展开更多
BACKGROUND Carbon ion radiotherapy(CIRT)is currently used to treat prostate cancer.Rectal bleeding is a major cause of toxicity even with CIRT.However,to date,a correlation between the dose and volume parameters of th...BACKGROUND Carbon ion radiotherapy(CIRT)is currently used to treat prostate cancer.Rectal bleeding is a major cause of toxicity even with CIRT.However,to date,a correlation between the dose and volume parameters of the 12 fractions of CIRT for prostate cancer and rectal bleeding has not been shown.Similarly,the clinical risk factors for rectal bleeding were absent after 12 fractions of CIRT.AIM To identify the risk factors for rectal bleeding in 12 fractions of CIRT for prostate cancer.METHODS Among 259 patients who received 51.6 Gy[relative biological effectiveness(RBE)],in 12 fractions of CIRT,15 had grade 1(5.8%)and nine had grade 2 rectal bleeding(3.5%).The dose-volume parameters included the volume(cc)of the rectum irradiated with at least x Gy(RBE)(Vx)and the minimum dose in the most irradiated x cc normal rectal volume(Dx).RESULTS The mean values of D6cc,D2cc,V10 Gy(RBE),V20 Gy(RBE),V30 Gy(RBE),and V40 Gy(RBE)were significantly higher in the patients with rectal bleeding than in those without.The cutoff values were D6cc=34.34 Gy(RBE),D2cc=46.46 Gy(RBE),V10 Gy(RBE)=9.85 cc,V20 Gy(RBE)=7.00 cc,V30 Gy(RBE)=6.91 cc,and V40 Gy(RBE)=4.26 cc.The D2cc,V10 Gy(RBE),and V20 Gy(RBE)cutoff values were significant predictors of grade 2 rectal bleeding.CONCLUSION The above dose-volume parameters may serve as guidelines for preventing rectal bleeding after 12 fractions of CIRT for prostate cancer.展开更多
Objective:Several studies have been conducted on the effects and toxicity of adding oxaliplatin to fluorouracilbased or capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy(CRT)regimens as significantly increasing the toxic response ...Objective:Several studies have been conducted on the effects and toxicity of adding oxaliplatin to fluorouracilbased or capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy(CRT)regimens as significantly increasing the toxic response without benefit to survival.In this study,we further explored the role of these two postoperative CRT regimens in patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer.Methods:This study was a subgroup analysis of a randomized clinical trial.A total of 180 patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer were eligible,85 received capecitabine with radiotherapy(RT),and 95 received capecitabine and oxaliplatin with RT.Patients in both groups received adjuvant chemotherapy[capecitabine and oxaliplatin(XELOX);or fluorouracil,leucovorin,and oxaliplatin(FOLFOX)]after CRT.Results:At a median follow-up of 59.2[interquartile range(IQR),34.0−96.8]months,the three-year diseasefree survival(DFS)was 53.3%and 64.9%in the control group and the experimental group,respectively[hazard ratio(HR),0.63;95%confidence interval(95%CI),0.41−0.98;P=0.04].There was no significant difference between the groups in overall survival(OS)(HR,0.62;95%CI,0.37−1.05;P=0.07),the incidence of locoregional recurrence(HR,0.62;95%CI,0.24−1.64;P=0.33),the incidence of distant metastasis(HR,0.67;95%CI,0.42−1.06;P=0.09)and grade 3−4 acute toxicities(P=0.78).For patients with survival longer than 3 years,the conditional overall survival(COS)was significantly better in the experimental group(HR,0.39;95%CI,0.16−0.96;P=0.03).Conclusions:Our results indicated that adding oxaliplatin to capecitabine-based postoperative CRT is safe and effective in patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer.展开更多
Hemostatic radiotherapy is a non-invasive treatment for bleeding gastrointestinal(GI)tumors,promoting tumor shrinkage,blood supply reduction,and fibrotic tissue formation.It is effective in cases where traditional int...Hemostatic radiotherapy is a non-invasive treatment for bleeding gastrointestinal(GI)tumors,promoting tumor shrinkage,blood supply reduction,and fibrotic tissue formation.It is effective in cases where traditional interventions are insufficient or contraindicated and can prevent recurrent bleeding in patients with GI bleeding histories.Hypofractionation schedules are also effective for tumor control and patient compliance.展开更多
Objective To observe changes of plain MR T1WI signal intensity of dentate nucleus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy and multiple times of intravenous injection of gadolinium-based contrast agent(...Objective To observe changes of plain MR T1WI signal intensity of dentate nucleus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy and multiple times of intravenous injection of gadolinium-based contrast agent(GBCA).Methods Fifty patients with pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma and received intensity-modulated radiotherapy were retrospectively enrolled as the nasopharyngeal carcinoma group,and 50 patients with other malignant tumors and without history of brain radiotherapy were retrospectively enrolled as the control group.All patients received yearly GBCA enhanced MR examinations for the nasopharynx or the head.T1WI signal intensities of the dentate nucleus and the pons on same plane were measured based on images in the year of confirmed diagnosis(recorded as the first year)and in the second to the fifth years.T1WI signal intensity ratio of year i(ranging from 1 to 5)was calculated with values of dentate nucleus divided by values of the pons(ΔSI i),while the percentage of relative changes of year j(ranging from 2 to 5)was calculated withΔSI j compared toΔSI 1(Rchange j).The values of these two parameters were compared,and the correlation ofΔSI and GBCA injection year-time was evaluated within each group.Results No significant difference of gender,age norΔSI 1 was found between groups(all P>0.05).The second to the fifth yearΔSI and Rchange in nasopharyngeal carcinoma group were all higher than those in control group(all P<0.05).Within both groups,ΔSI was positively correlated with GBCA injection year-time(both P<0.05).Conclusion Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent radiotherapy and multiple times of intravenous injection of GBCA tended to be found with gradually worsening GBCA deposition in dentate nucleus,for which radiotherapy might be a risk factor.展开更多
文摘This editorial explores the potential integration of non-Western medicine into radiotherapy for cervical cancer.While radiotherapy remains a radical treatment for cervical cancer,its associated toxicity and decline in quality of life can significantly impact patients’lives.Currently,most treatments are supportive,with no specific treatment options available in Western medicine.Non-Western medicine,often less toxic and easier to administer,has shown promising results when used alongside radiotherapy for cervical cancer.Despite these potential benefits,challenges such as limited evidence and restricted application areas persist.While non-Western medicines may offer potential improvements in chemoradiotherapy outcomes for cervical cancer,further research is necessary to substantiate these benefits.
基金Supported by The Suzhou Medical Center,No.Szlcyxzx202103The National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82171828+15 种基金The Key R and D Plan of Jiangsu Province(Development of Social),No.BE2021652The Subject Construction Support Project of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University,No.XKTJHRC20210011The Wu Jieping Medical Foundation,No.320.6750.2021-01-12The Special Project of"Technological Innovation"Project of CNNC Medical Industry Co.Ltd,No.ZHYLTD2021001The Suzhou Science and Education Health Project,No.KJXW2021018Foundation of Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology,No.Y-pierrefabre202102-0113 and No.Y-XD202002/zb-0015The Beijing Bethune Charitable Foundation,No.STLKY0016The Research Projects of China Baoyuan Investment Co.Ltd,No.270004The Suzhou Gusu Health Talent Program,No.GSWS2022028The Open Project of State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection of Soochow University,No.GZN1202302The New Medical Technology Project of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University,No.23zl001The Multi-center Clinical Research Project for Major Diseases in Suzhou,No.DZXYJ202304The Postgraduate Research and Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province,No.SJCX24_1814The Gusu Health Talent Research Fund,No.GSWS2022053The National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82102824The Scientific Research Program for Young Talents of China National Nuclear Corporation。
文摘BACKGROUND Bone is a major site of metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).Recently,nuclear factor kappa-beta ligand(RANKL)inhibitors have garnered attention for their ability to inhibit osteoclast formation and bone resorption,as well as their potential to modulate immune functions and thereby enhance the efficacy of programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)inhibitor therapy.CASE SUMMARY We present a case of a patient with NPC who developed sternal stalk metastasis and multiple bone metastases with soft tissue invasion following radical chemoradiotherapy and targeted therapy.Prior to chemotherapy,the patient experienced severe bone marrow suppression and opted out of further chemotherapy sessions.However,the patient received combination therapy,including RANKL inhibitors(denosumab)alongside PD-1,radiotherapy,and granulocyte-macrophage colonystimulating factor(PRaG)therapy(NCT05435768),and achieved 16 months of progression-free survival and more than 35 months of overall survival,without encountering any grade 2 or higher treatment-related adverse events.CONCLUSION Denosumab combined with PRaG therapy could be a new therapeutic approach for the second-line treatment in patients with bone metastases.
文摘A recent study by Zhang et al developed a neural network-based predictive model for estimating doses to the uninvolved liver during stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT)in liver cancer.The study reported a significant advancement in personalized radiotherapy by improving accuracy and reducing treatment-related toxicity.The model demonstrated strong predictive performance with R-values above 0.8,indicating its potential to improve treatment consistency.However,concerns arise from the small sample size and exclusion criteria,which may limit generalizability.Future studies should incorporate larger,more diverse patient cohorts,explore potential confounding factors such as tumor characteristics and delivery technique variability,and address the long-term effects of SBRT.
文摘Recent advancements in radiotherapy for esophageal cancer have significantly improved treatment outcomes and patient quality of life.Traditional radiotherapy techniques have been enhanced by the integration of advanced imaging and precision targeting technologies,such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy and proton therapy,which allow for more accurate tumor targeting while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.Additionally,combining radiotherapy with immunotherapy has shown promising results,leveraging the body’s im-mune response to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatment.Studies have also highlighted the benefits of neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgical resection,which has been associated with improved overall survival rates com-pared to radiotherapy alone.These innovations are paving the way for more effe-ctive and personalized treatment strategies,offering new hope for patients with esophageal cancer.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81602792The Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China,No.23KJB310023+5 种基金Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Discipline,No.ZDXK202235The Maternal and Child Health Research Project of Jiangsu Province,No.F202210The Project of State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection,Soochow University,No.GZK1202101Suzhou Science and Technology Development Plan Project,No.KJXW2020008BOXI Natural Science Cultivation Foundation of China of The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University,No.BXQN202107Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Innovation Project Youth Characteristic Technology Project of The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University,No.2100201.
文摘BACKGROUND Currently,there is limited research examining the relationship between anxiety,depression,coping styles,and illness uncertainty in patients with cervical cancer(CC)undergoing radiotherapy.Addressing this gap could provide valuable insights and more reliable evidence for clinical practice targeting this patient population.AIM To analyze the anxiety,depression,and coping styles of patients with CC undergoing radiotherapy and explore their correlations with illness uncertainty.METHODS A total of 200 patients with CC undergoing radiotherapy at The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between June 2018 and June 2022 were enrolled.Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS),comprising subscales for anxiety(HADS-A)and depression(HADS-D).Coping styles were evaluated using the Jalowiec Coping Scale(JCS-60),comprising dimensions such as confrontive,evasive,optimistic,fatalistic,emotive,palliative,supportive,and self-reliant.Illness uncertainty was measured using the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale(MUIS),encompassing ambiguity,complexity,information deficit,and unpredictability.Correlations among anxiety,depression,coping styles,and illness uncertainty were analyzed.RESULTS During radiotherapy,the mean scores were 7.12±3.39 for HADS-A,6.68±3.49 for HADS-D,1.52±0.23 for JCS-60,and 93.40±7.44 for MUIS.Anxiety(HADS-A≥8)was present in 39.5%of patients,depression(HADS-D≥8)in 41.0%,and both in 14.0%.Anxiety was significantly positively correlated with ambiguity,unpredictability,and total MUIS score(P<0.05).Depression was significantly positively correlated with ambiguity,information deficit,unpredictability,and total MUIS score(P<0.05).Most patients adopted an optimistic coping style,whereas the emotive style was least utilized.Evasive,fatalistic,and emotive coping styles were significantly positively correlated with illness uncertainty,whereas the self-reliant style was significantly negatively correlated with unpredictability(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Anxiety,depression,and coping styles in patients with CC undergoing radiotherapy correlate significantly with their level of illness uncertainty.Medical staff should address patients’psychological status and coping strategies by providing targeted information to reduce negative emotions,foster adaptive coping styles,and decrease illness uncertainty.
文摘BACKGROUND Older patients are more likely to have a poor performance status and comor-bidities.There is a reluctance to extensively investigate and treat older patients.As elderly individuals and patients with neoplasms each increase in number,palliative treatment of older patients is expected to grow as an issue.AIM To investigated the role of palliative radiotherapy in older patients and patients who were expected to demonstrate a therapeutic effect.METHODS From February 2019 to February 2022,33 patients aged≥80 years underwent palliative radiotherapy.The prognosis in palliative care study predictor(PiPS),palliative prognostic index(PPI),and delirium-palliative prognostic score(D-PaP)models were used for prognosis prediction.D-PaP scores calculated according to the doctor's prediction of clinical prediction of survival(CPS)were excluded and then analyzed for comparison.Radiation was prescribed at a dose of 2.5-7 Gy per fraction,up to a median of 39 Gy10(range,28-75 Gy10).RESULTS The median follow-up was 2.4 months(range,0.2-27.5 months),and 28 patients(84.8%)showed subjective symptom improvements following treatment.The 2-and 6-month survival rates of all patients were 91.5%and 91.5%,respectively.According to regression analysis,the performance status index,symptom type,and radiation dose all showed no significant correlation with the treatment re-sponse.When survival was expected for>55 days in the PiPS model,the 2-month survival rate was 94.4%.For patients with PPI and D-PaP-CPS values of 0-3.9 points,the 2-month survival rates were 90.0%and 100%,respectively.For patients with a score of≥4 points,the 2-month survival rates were 37.5%and 0%,res-pectively.Core Tip:This is a retrospective study to investigate the role of palliative radiotherapy in older patients and patients who were expected to demonstrate a great therapeutic effect.The prognosis in palliative care study predictor,palliative prognostic index,and delirium-palliative prognostic score models were used for prognosis prediction.Most of patients showed subjective symptom improvements following treatment.The prognosis prediction model showed good correlation with survival.In order to increase the therapeutic effectiveness in palliative radiotherapy,it is necessary to assess a patient's exact prognosis and select appropriate patients accordingly.INTRODUCTION The incidence of cancer is high among individuals 60-69 years old and is 11 times greater among those≥65-years-old compared to those<65-years-old.For this reason,about half of all cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals aged≥70 years,and older patients account for a large portion of the total population regarding the prevalence of cancer[1].Cancer is one of the most significant diseases in older patients.About 60%of all cancer-related deaths occur in older patients aged 70 years[1,2].Moreover,cancer accounts for about one-third of the causes of death in the elderly population[1,2].When choosing a cancer treatment,both the characteristics of the cancer and the overall health status of the patient,such as their general condition and any underlying diseases,should be considered[2].Older patients have a shorter life expectancy than younger patients;moreover,they typically have many accompanying underlying diseases and have a poorer general condition.For this reason,older patients are often rejected from receiving active testing and treatment services.Therefore,even if other factors,such as the underlying disease,are the same in young and old patients,older patients typically receive less treatment due to the simple fact that they are older[3].Palliative treatment is a treatment approach that improves the pain and symptoms of a patient and their quality of life.Although palliative treatment is applicable regardless of patient age and the type and severity of their disease,most patients requiring palliative treatment are cancer patients.Palliative radiotherapy is relatively effective for cancer patients and tends to be a well-tolerated treatment.Although some studies have reported the usefulness of palliative radiotherapy in elderly patients,a large number of patients and caregivers are not receiving treatment due to fears of treatment,the risks of side effects,and doubts about treatment effectiveness[1].Since actual age is not always associated with physical ability,the determination of treatment based solely on age can be an obstacle preventing appropriate treatment opportunities.The importance of palliative care is increasing due to the recent growth of the elderly population,as well as,the increase in cancer incidence,and the changes in traditional views or perceptions,such as a growing acceptance of the pursuit of a dignified death[4].Therefore,in this study,we investigated the role of palliative radiotherapy in older patients and in patients who are expected to show a great therapeutic effect.
文摘BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is one of the malignant tumors with a high incidence and mortality rate globally,and the occurrence of liver metastasis significantly affects patient survival prognosis.In recent years,the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)in cancer treatment has made important progress,especially showing good therapeutic effects in patients with high microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiency.However,for the majority of patients with microsatellite stable(MSS)or proficient mismatch repair(pMMR)colorectal cancer,the efficacy of ICIs is limited,prompting researchers to explore combination therapy strategies to improve efficacy.Targeted drugs such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)and radiotherapy are believed to work synergistically with ICIs by modifying the tumor microenvironment and enhancing antigen presentation.AIM To investigate the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of radiotherapy,ICIs,and TKIs in patients with MSS or pMMR colorectal cancer liver metastasis(CCLM),in order to provide new clinical treatment references.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 43 MSS or pMMR CCLM patients treated at our hospital from September 2021 to July 2024.Based on the treatment interventions received,the patients were divided into a control group(n=21,receiving ICIs and TKIs combination therapy)and an observation group(n=22,receiving radiotherapy,ICIs,and TKIs triple therapy).The therapeutic effects,serum tumor markers(carcinoembryonic antigen and RESULTS The disease control rate in the observation group(63.64%)was significantly higher than that of the control group(23.81%)(P<0.05)).Both groups showed a decrease in carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 199 levels post-treatment,with the observation group demonstrating a more significant change(P<0.05).The median progression-free survival and median overall survival in the control group were 5.1 months and 7.6 months,respectively,while the observation group had a median progression-free survival and overall survival of 4.3 months and 6.9 months,respectively.The control group had longer survival times than the observation group,but the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions,including nausea and vomiting,gastrointestinal reactions,skin reactions,bone marrow suppression,liver and kidney function impairment,neurotoxicity,leukopenia,neutropenia,and thrombocytopenia,showed no significant differences between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Compared to the ICIs and TKIs combination therapy,the radiotherapy,ICIs,and TKIs triple therapy can further improve the disease control rate and serum tumor marker levels in MSS or pMMR CCLM patients without increasing the risk of related adverse reactions,making it a treatment regimen worthy of further validation.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81602792 and No.12205215and Science and Technology Program of Nantong,No.JC12022103.
文摘BACKGROUND Radiation resistance limits radiotherapy efficacy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).The tumor microenvironment,particularly adipocytes,plays a role in promoting cancer progression.Extracellular vesicles and microRNAs(miRNAs)regulate gene expression and hold prognostic potential for esophageal carcinoma.Elucidating radioresistance mechanisms and identifying radiosensitization targets can help enhance radiotherapy efficacy for esophageal cancer.AIM To investigate the potential role of miRNAs derived from adipocyte exosomes as prognostic markers for radiotherapy efficacy in ESCC.METHODS Free adipocytes were isolated from human thoracic adipose tissue.A co-culture model of adipocytes and ESCC cells was established to observe colony formation and cell survival post-irradiation.ESCC cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry.Western Blot and immunofluorescence assays were performed to evaluate DNA damage in ESCC cells post-irradiation.Adipocyte-derived exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation and identified by electron microscopy.A similar set of experiments was performed on ESCC cells to analyze cell survival,apoptosis,and DNA damage post-radiation exposure.Exosomes from adipose tissue and serum exosomes from ESCC patients pre-and post-radiotherapy were subjected to high-throughput miRNA-sequencing and validated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The correlation between potential target miRNAs and the short-term prognosis of radiotherapy in ESCC was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.RESULTS Co-culturing adipocytes with ESCC cells enhanced radioresistance,as evidenced by increased colony formation.Adipocyte co-culture reduced ESCC cell apoptosis and DNA damage post-radiation.Adipocyte-derived exosomes similarly conferred radioresistance in ESCC cells,decreasing apoptosis and DNA damage post-irradiation.Highthroughput miRNA-sequencing identified miR-660-5p in serum and adipose tissue exosomes.Patients with high expression of serum exosome miR-660-5p showed poor prognosis after radiotherapy.CONCLUSION Adipocyte-derived exosomal miR-660-5p is a potential biomarker for evaluating radiotherapy efficacy in ESCC.
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province,China,No.LGF21H160005Zhejiang Medical and Health Science and Technology Project,China,No.2024KY049.
文摘BACKGROUND Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)is a common malignancy in China,often diagnosed at an advanced stage,with poor prognosis.Standard treatments such as definitive chemoradiotherapy offer limited survival benefits.Recent advances in immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy have shown promise,but their effectiveness and safety in conjunction with radio-therapy for unresectable ESCC require further exploration.AIM To assess the safety and effectiveness of induction chemoimmunotherapy fo-llowed by definitive radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT)in locally advanced unresectable ESCC.METHODS This retrospective study included 80 patients with locally advanced unresectable ESCC who underwent induction chemoimmunotherapy followed by definitive radiotherapy,recruited from Zhejiang Cancer Hospital.All patients received 2-4 cycles of chemotherapy plus programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 inhibitor,were re-evaluated to be inoperable,then received definitive radiotherapy or CCRT.Primary endpoint was treatment safety and tolerance.SPSS 26.0 software was used for data analysis.Th Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.RESULTS Thirty-seven(46.3%)patients received CCRT and 43(53.7%)received radiotherapy alone.The most common treatment-related adverse events included radiation esophagitis(32/80,40.0%)and anemia(49/80,61.3%),with 22(27.5%)experiencing grade≥3 adverse events.No treatment-related deaths occurred.After median follow-up of 16.5 months,the median progression-free survival(PFS)was 14.2 months,and median overall survival(OS)was 19.9 months.The 1-year and 2-year PFS and OS were 55.8%and 31.6%,and 67.5%and 44.1%,respectively.Patients with partial response had better outcomes than those with stable disease:1-year PFS 69.4%vs 43.9%(P=0.011)and OS 83.2%vs 48.8%(P=0.007).Induction therapy effectiveness and immunotherapy maintenance were independent prognostic factors for OS.CONCLUSION Chemotherapy combined with programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 inhibitor followed by definitive radiotherapy or CCRT in patients with locally advanced ESCC was safe and effective.
文摘Background: Early research describing the concept of intensity-modulated conformal radiotherapy (IMRT) was based on 7 to 9 beams to reach an adequate level of modulation. Nevertheless, its implementation demands significant resources. Our objective was to compare the compliance and homogeneity of target dose distribution between simplified IMRT and 3D-CRT in patients with cervical cancer and to assess the clinical value of simplified IMRT. Materials and Methods: From 2016 to 2017, 17 patients with stage IIB - IIIC cervical cancer were treated with external beam radiotherapy using simplified IMRT (12 cases) or 3DCRT (05 cases) and brachytherapy. Prior to radiotherapy, CT scans were conducted to delineate the target volume. The clinical target volume (CTV) included the uterus, primary tumor, supravaginal portion of the cervix, paracervical tissue, common iliac, internal and external iliac lymph nodes, obturator, and pre sacral lymph nodes, and the surrounding tissues. If the lower vagina was involved, the target volume included the whole vagina. The planning target volume (PTV) included the CTV with 1 cm anteriorly and 0.5 cm in all other directions. The PTV received 95% of 45 Gy (1.8 Gy/25 fraction). Dose-volume histogram, conformity index, homogeneity index, and treatment time per fraction were compared. Results: The 3D-CRT plan was more homogeneous than the simplified IMRT plan, while the simplified IMRT plan was more conformal. The volume of small bowels that received high-dose radiation significantly increased with simplified IMRT compared to 3D-CRT. Treatment time per fraction was 6 and 13 minutes for 3D-CRT and simplified IMRT, respectively. Conclusion: The simplified IMRT treatment plan is technically and dosimetrically acceptable and an alternative to the classic 3D-CRT plan for cervical cancer. It provides better dose distribution than 3D-CRT. However, the 3D-CRT treatment plan significantly reduced the overall treatment time per fraction.
文摘Objective:To analyze the efficacy of whole-course local simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy(SIB-IMRT)on patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods:88 patients with ESCC admitted to the hospital between October 2022 and October 2024 were selected and randomly divided into two groups using a random number table.The experimental group received SIB-IMRT treatment,while the control group received conventional intensity-modulated radiotherapy(C-IMRT).The objective remission rate,immune function,tumor markers,and adverse reaction rate were compared between the two groups.Results:The objective remission rate in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Before treatment,there was no difference in immune function levels and tumor marker levels between the two groups(P>0.05).After treatment,the immune function levels in the experimental group were better than those in the control group,and the tumor marker levels were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The adverse reaction rate in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:SIB-IMRT can improve the objective remission rate of patients with ESCC,protect their immune function,down-regulate tumor marker levels,and prevent side effects after treatment.
文摘Background:Stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT)in pancreatic cancer allows high delivery of radiation doses on tumors without affecting surrounding tissue.This review aimed at the SBRT application in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.Data sources:We retrieved articles published in MEDLINE/PubMed from January 2017 to December 2022.Keywords used in the search included:“pancreatic adenocarcinoma”OR“pancreatic cancer”AND“stereotactic ablative radiotherapy(SABR)”OR“stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT)”OR“chemoradiotherapy(CRT)”.English language articles with information on technical characteristics,doses and fractionation,indications,recurrence patterns,local control and toxicities of SBRT in pancreatic tumors were included.All articles were assessed for validity and relevant content.Results:Optimal doses and fractionation have not yet been defined.However,SBRT could be the standard treatment in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in addition to CRT.Furthermore,the combination of SBRT with chemotherapy may have additive or synergic effect on pancreatic adenocarcinoma.Conclusions:SBRT is an effective modality for patients with pancreatic cancer,supported by clinical practice guidelines as it has demonstrated good tolerance and good disease control.SBRT opens a possibility of improving outcomes for these patients,both in neoadjuvant treatment and with radical intent.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82172186)the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(No.LY21H160030)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82373206,No.82073332)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFE0107800).
文摘Radiotherapy is a well-established cytotoxic therapy for local solid cancers, utilizing high-energy ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells. However, this method has several limitations, including low radiation energy deposition, severe damage to surrounding normal cells, and high tumor resistance to radiation. Among various radiotherapy methods, boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has emerged as a principal approach to improve the therapeutic ratio of malignancies and reduce lethality to surrounding normal tissue, but it remains deficient in terms of insufficient boron accumulation as well as short retention time, which limits the curative effect. Recently, a series of radiosensitizers that can selectively accumulate in specific organelles of cancer cells have been developed to precisely target radiotherapy, thereby reducing side effects of normal tissue damage, overcoming radioresistance, and improving radiosensitivity. In this review, we mainly focus on the field of nanomedicine-based cancer radiotherapy and discuss the organelle-targeted radiosensitizers, specifically including nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes. Furthermore, the organelle-targeted boron carriers used in BNCT are particularly presented. Through demonstrating recent developments in organelle-targeted radiosensitization, we hope to provide insight into the design of organelle-targeted radiosensitizers for clinical cancer treatment.
基金Supported by the Science and Technology Program of Lu’an,No.2022 Lakj042.
文摘BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer(EC)often occurs in the elderly,with approximately 33%of patients aged≥75 years at the time of diagnosis.AIM To evaluate the prognostic factors for radiotherapy(RT)in elderly patients with unresectable EC.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics,toxic reactions,and survival information of EC patients aged≥75 years who underwent intensity-modulated RT at Lu’an Hospital of Anhui Medical University between January 2016 and September 2023.Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to draw the overall survival(OS)curves,and Cox regression analysis was employed to evaluate the influence of various clinical factors on the prognosis.RESULTS A total of 139 patients were enrolled.The median follow-up time was 52.0 months.The median OS was 20.0 months.The 1-year,2-year,3-year,and 5-year OS rates were 69.8%,38.7%,28.2%,and 17.5%,respectively.Univariate analysis showed that age,radiation dose,and chemotherapy had no significant impact on prognosis.Multivariate analysis indicated that clinical stage[Ⅲ-Ⅳa vsⅠ-Ⅱ,hazard ratio(HR)=2.421,95%confidence interval(CI):1.242-4.718,P=0.009;IVb vsⅠ-Ⅱ,HR=4.222,95%CI:1.888-9.438,P<0.001),Charlson comorbidity index(CCI)(0 vs≥1,HR=1.539,95%CI:1.015-2.332,P=0.042),and nutritional risk screening 2002(NRS2002)(<3 vs≥3,HR=2.491,95%CI:1.601-3.875,P<0.001)were independent prognostic factors for OS.CONCLUSION Our results suggest that CCI and NRS2002 were independent prognostic factors of OS for unresectable elderly EC patients undergoing RT.For elderly patients with EC,full attention should be given to biological age-related indicators,such as comorbidities and nutrition,when formulating treatment protocols.These factors should be considered in future clinical practice.
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province,No.2021J011259.
文摘Four major studies(Checkmate577,Keynote-590,Checkmate649 and Attraction-4)of locally advanced esophageal cancer published in 2020 have established the importance of immunotherapy,represented by anti-programmed death protein(PD)-1 in postoperative adjuvant treatment and advanced first-line treatment of locally advanced or advanced esophageal cancer and esophagogastric junction cancer,from the aspects of proof of concept,long-term survival,overall survival rate and progression-free survival.For unresectable or inoperable nonmetastatic esophageal cancer,concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the standard treatment recommended by various guidelines.Because its curative effect is still not ideal,it is necessary to explore radical radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the future,and it is considered to be promising to combine them with immunotherapeutic drugs such as anti-PD-1.This paper mainly discusses how to combine radical concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy with immunotherapy for unresectable local advanced esophageal cancer.
文摘BACKGROUND Metastasis to the hyoid bone is an exceptionally rare occurrence,with documented cases limited to breast,liver,colon,skin,lung,and prostate cancers.This report highlights an unusual case involving the metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma to the hyoid bone,accompanied by a distinctive headache.Previous documentation involved surgical resection of the hyoid mass.We present a case displaying the benefits of palliative radiotherapy.CASE SUMMARY A 72-year-old non-smoking,non-alcoholic woman,initially under investigation for a year-long elevation in absolute lymphocyte count,presented with a monthlong history of intermittent throat pain.Despite negative findings in gastroenterological and otolaryngologic examinations,a contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography scan revealed a mediastinal mass and questionable soft tissue thickening in her left anterolateral neck.Subsequent imaging and biopsies confirmed the presence of lung adenocarcinoma metastasis to the hyoid bone.The patient was treated with platinum-based chemo-immunotherapy along with pembrolizumab.Ultimately,the lung cancer was unresponsive.Our patient opted for palliative radiation therapy instead of surgical resection to address her throat pain.As a result,her throat pain was alleviated,and it also incidentally resolved her chronic headaches.This is the second documented case of lung adenocarcinoma metastasizing to the hyoid bone.CONCLUSION Palliative radiotherapy may add to the quality of life in symptomatic patients with cancer metastatic to the hyoid bone.
文摘BACKGROUND Carbon ion radiotherapy(CIRT)is currently used to treat prostate cancer.Rectal bleeding is a major cause of toxicity even with CIRT.However,to date,a correlation between the dose and volume parameters of the 12 fractions of CIRT for prostate cancer and rectal bleeding has not been shown.Similarly,the clinical risk factors for rectal bleeding were absent after 12 fractions of CIRT.AIM To identify the risk factors for rectal bleeding in 12 fractions of CIRT for prostate cancer.METHODS Among 259 patients who received 51.6 Gy[relative biological effectiveness(RBE)],in 12 fractions of CIRT,15 had grade 1(5.8%)and nine had grade 2 rectal bleeding(3.5%).The dose-volume parameters included the volume(cc)of the rectum irradiated with at least x Gy(RBE)(Vx)and the minimum dose in the most irradiated x cc normal rectal volume(Dx).RESULTS The mean values of D6cc,D2cc,V10 Gy(RBE),V20 Gy(RBE),V30 Gy(RBE),and V40 Gy(RBE)were significantly higher in the patients with rectal bleeding than in those without.The cutoff values were D6cc=34.34 Gy(RBE),D2cc=46.46 Gy(RBE),V10 Gy(RBE)=9.85 cc,V20 Gy(RBE)=7.00 cc,V30 Gy(RBE)=6.91 cc,and V40 Gy(RBE)=4.26 cc.The D2cc,V10 Gy(RBE),and V20 Gy(RBE)cutoff values were significant predictors of grade 2 rectal bleeding.CONCLUSION The above dose-volume parameters may serve as guidelines for preventing rectal bleeding after 12 fractions of CIRT for prostate cancer.
基金supported by grants from Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen(No.SZSM202211030)the Science and Technology Department Basic Research Project of Shanxi(No.202203021221284)。
文摘Objective:Several studies have been conducted on the effects and toxicity of adding oxaliplatin to fluorouracilbased or capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy(CRT)regimens as significantly increasing the toxic response without benefit to survival.In this study,we further explored the role of these two postoperative CRT regimens in patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer.Methods:This study was a subgroup analysis of a randomized clinical trial.A total of 180 patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer were eligible,85 received capecitabine with radiotherapy(RT),and 95 received capecitabine and oxaliplatin with RT.Patients in both groups received adjuvant chemotherapy[capecitabine and oxaliplatin(XELOX);or fluorouracil,leucovorin,and oxaliplatin(FOLFOX)]after CRT.Results:At a median follow-up of 59.2[interquartile range(IQR),34.0−96.8]months,the three-year diseasefree survival(DFS)was 53.3%and 64.9%in the control group and the experimental group,respectively[hazard ratio(HR),0.63;95%confidence interval(95%CI),0.41−0.98;P=0.04].There was no significant difference between the groups in overall survival(OS)(HR,0.62;95%CI,0.37−1.05;P=0.07),the incidence of locoregional recurrence(HR,0.62;95%CI,0.24−1.64;P=0.33),the incidence of distant metastasis(HR,0.67;95%CI,0.42−1.06;P=0.09)and grade 3−4 acute toxicities(P=0.78).For patients with survival longer than 3 years,the conditional overall survival(COS)was significantly better in the experimental group(HR,0.39;95%CI,0.16−0.96;P=0.03).Conclusions:Our results indicated that adding oxaliplatin to capecitabine-based postoperative CRT is safe and effective in patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer.
文摘Hemostatic radiotherapy is a non-invasive treatment for bleeding gastrointestinal(GI)tumors,promoting tumor shrinkage,blood supply reduction,and fibrotic tissue formation.It is effective in cases where traditional interventions are insufficient or contraindicated and can prevent recurrent bleeding in patients with GI bleeding histories.Hypofractionation schedules are also effective for tumor control and patient compliance.
文摘Objective To observe changes of plain MR T1WI signal intensity of dentate nucleus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy and multiple times of intravenous injection of gadolinium-based contrast agent(GBCA).Methods Fifty patients with pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma and received intensity-modulated radiotherapy were retrospectively enrolled as the nasopharyngeal carcinoma group,and 50 patients with other malignant tumors and without history of brain radiotherapy were retrospectively enrolled as the control group.All patients received yearly GBCA enhanced MR examinations for the nasopharynx or the head.T1WI signal intensities of the dentate nucleus and the pons on same plane were measured based on images in the year of confirmed diagnosis(recorded as the first year)and in the second to the fifth years.T1WI signal intensity ratio of year i(ranging from 1 to 5)was calculated with values of dentate nucleus divided by values of the pons(ΔSI i),while the percentage of relative changes of year j(ranging from 2 to 5)was calculated withΔSI j compared toΔSI 1(Rchange j).The values of these two parameters were compared,and the correlation ofΔSI and GBCA injection year-time was evaluated within each group.Results No significant difference of gender,age norΔSI 1 was found between groups(all P>0.05).The second to the fifth yearΔSI and Rchange in nasopharyngeal carcinoma group were all higher than those in control group(all P<0.05).Within both groups,ΔSI was positively correlated with GBCA injection year-time(both P<0.05).Conclusion Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent radiotherapy and multiple times of intravenous injection of GBCA tended to be found with gradually worsening GBCA deposition in dentate nucleus,for which radiotherapy might be a risk factor.
