Reirradiation with proton therapy for recurrent malignancies of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction: Results of the proton collaborative group multi-institutional prospective registry trial Journal Article


Authors: Hotca, A.; Sindhu, K. K.; Lehrer, E. J.; Hartsell, W. F.; Vargas, C.; Tsai, H. K.; Chang, J. H.; Apisarnthanarax, S.; Nichols, R. C. Jr; Chhabra, A. M.; Hasan, S.; Press, R. H.; Lazarev, S.; Hajj, C.; Kabarriti, R.; Rule, W. G.; Simone, C. B. 2nd; Choi, J. I.
Article Title: Reirradiation with proton therapy for recurrent malignancies of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction: Results of the proton collaborative group multi-institutional prospective registry trial
Abstract: Purpose: Treatment options for recurrent esophageal cancer (EC) previously treated with radiation therapy (RT) are limited. Reirradiation (reRT) with proton beam therapy (PBT) can offer lower toxicities by limiting doses to surrounding tissues. In this study, we present the first multi-institutional series reporting on toxicities and outcomes after reRT for locoregionally recurrent EC with PBT. Methods and Materials: Analysis of the prospective, multicenter, Proton Collaborative Group registry of patients with recurrent EC who had previously received photon-based RT and underwent PBT reRT was performed. Patient/tumor characteristics, treatment details, outcomes, and toxicities were collected. Local control (LC), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Event time was determined from reRT start. Results: Between 2012 and 2020, 31 patients received reRT via uniform scanning/passive scattering (61.3%) or pencil beam scanning (38.7%) PBT at 7 institutions. Median prior RT, PBT reRT, and cumulative doses were 50.4 Gy (range, 37.5-110.4), 48.6 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) (25.2-72.1), and 99.9 Gy (79.1-182.5), respectively. Of these patients, 12.9% had 2 prior RT courses, and 67.7% received PBT with concurrent chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 7.2 months (0.9-64.7). Post-PBT, there were 16.7% locoregional only, 11.1% distant only, and 16.7% locoregional and distant recurrences. Six-month LC, DMFS, and OS were 80.5%, 83.4%, and 69.1%, respectively. One-year LC, DMFS, and OS were 67.1%, 83.4%, and 27%, respectively. Acute grade ≥3 toxicities occurred in 23% of patients, with 1 acute grade 5 toxicity secondary to esophageal hemorrhage, unclear if related to reRT or disease progression. No grade ≥3 late toxicities were reported. Conclusions: In the largest report to date of PBT for reRT in patients with recurrent EC, we observed acceptable acute toxicities and encouraging rates of disease control. However, these findings are limited by the poor prognoses of these patients, who are at high risk of mortality. Further research is needed to better assess the long-term benefits and toxicities of PBT in this specific patient population. © 2024 The Authors
Keywords: adult; cancer chemotherapy; cancer survival; controlled study; aged; major clinical study; overall survival; constipation; fatigue; cancer recurrence; fluorouracil; capecitabine; paclitaxel; cancer patient; cancer radiotherapy; follow up; prospective study; anorexia; carboplatin; pain; esophagitis; retrospective study; cetuximab; docetaxel; coughing; dyspnea; dysphagia; folinic acid; dermatitis; cancer control; oxaliplatin; relative biologic effectiveness; esophagus cancer; dyspepsia; nose obstruction; hoarseness; clinical outcome; pharyngitis; proton therapy; laryngitis; gastroesophageal junction; re-irradiation; esophagus hemorrhage; distant metastasis free survival; nivolumab; esophagus stenosis; human; male; female; article; pembrolizumab
Journal Title: Advances in Radiation Oncology
Volume: 9
Issue: 5
ISSN: 2452-1094
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2024-05-01
Start Page: 101459
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2024.101459
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC11002543
PUBMED: 38596455
DOI/URL:
Notes: The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledged in the PDF -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Charles Brian Simone
    190 Simone
  2. Jehee Isabelle Choi
    69 Choi