Objectives:To assess the prognostic impact of the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), as well as its value in guiding decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:Between August 2015 and August 2018, patients were eligible from the STELLAR phase III trial (NCT02533271) who received short-course radiotherapy plus consolidation chemotherapy and for whom the NAR score could be calculated. Based on the NAR score, patients were categorized into low (＜8), intermediate (8-16), and high (＞16) groups. The Kaplan-Meier method, log rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the NAR score on disease-free survival (DFS).Results:Out of the 232 patients, 24.1%, 48.7%, and 27.2% had low (56 cases), intermediate (113 cases), and high NAR scores (63 cases), respectively. The median follow-up period was 37 months, with 3-year DFS rates of 87.3%, 68.3%, and 53.4% ( P＜0.001) for the low, intermediate, and high NAR score groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the NAR score (intermediate NAR score: HR, 3.10, 95% CI, 1.30-7.37, P=0.011; high NAR scores: HR=5.44, 95% CI, 2.26-13.09, P＜0.001), resection status ( HR, 3.00, 95% CI, 1.64-5.52, P＜0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy ( HR, 3.25, 95% CI, 2.01-5.27, P＜0.001) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. In patients with R0 resection, the 3-year DFS rates were 97.8% and 78.0% for those with low and intermediate NAR scores who received adjuvant chemotherapy, significantly higher than the 43.2% and 50.6% for those who did not ( P＜0.001, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the 3-year DFS rate (54.2% vs 53.3%, P=0.214) among high NAR score patients, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions:The NAR score is a robust prognostic indicator in LARC following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy, with potential implications for subsequent decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings warrant further validation in studies with larger sample sizes.

Objectives:To assess the prognostic impact of the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), as well as its value in guiding decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:Between August 2015 and August 2018, patients were eligible from the STELLAR phase III trial (NCT02533271) who received short-course radiotherapy plus consolidation chemotherapy and for whom the NAR score could be calculated. Based on the NAR score, patients were categorized into low (＜8), intermediate (8-16), and high (＞16) groups. The Kaplan-Meier method, log rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the NAR score on disease-free survival (DFS).Results:Out of the 232 patients, 24.1%, 48.7%, and 27.2% had low (56 cases), intermediate (113 cases), and high NAR scores (63 cases), respectively. The median follow-up period was 37 months, with 3-year DFS rates of 87.3%, 68.3%, and 53.4% ( P＜0.001) for the low, intermediate, and high NAR score groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the NAR score (intermediate NAR score: HR, 3.10, 95% CI, 1.30-7.37, P=0.011; high NAR scores: HR=5.44, 95% CI, 2.26-13.09, P＜0.001), resection status ( HR, 3.00, 95% CI, 1.64-5.52, P＜0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy ( HR, 3.25, 95% CI, 2.01-5.27, P＜0.001) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. In patients with R0 resection, the 3-year DFS rates were 97.8% and 78.0% for those with low and intermediate NAR scores who received adjuvant chemotherapy, significantly higher than the 43.2% and 50.6% for those who did not ( P＜0.001, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the 3-year DFS rate (54.2% vs 53.3%, P=0.214) among high NAR score patients, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions:The NAR score is a robust prognostic indicator in LARC following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy, with potential implications for subsequent decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings warrant further validation in studies with larger sample sizes.

Objective:To explore the patterns of failure after postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy for gastric cancer.Methods:Clinical data of patients diagnosed with gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma with pathological stages T 3-4N 0 or T xN 1-3 admitted to Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from May 2009 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy. During the follow-up, tumor recurrence was confirmed by imaging or endoscopic or pathological data, etc. According to the location of tumor recurrence, recurrence patterns were divided into local, regional and distant recurrence. Differences in recurrence patterns among different groups were compared using t-test and Chi-square test. Patient survival was assessed through Kaplan-Meier method. Results:A total of 76 patients were enrolled, with a median age of 49 years old (27-67 years old), 34 cases (45%) were classified as T 3 stage, 40 cases (53%) of T 4 stage, and 75 cases (99%) of N 1-3 stage, respectively. Seventy-three patients (92%) were classified as stage Ⅲ, and 38 patients (50%) underwent D2 dissection. The median follow-up time was 32.8 months (7.1-138.5 months). The median time of recurrence was 17.6 months (2.9-113.6 months). The median survival time after recurrence was 8.19 months (0.6-91.9 months). There were 13 cases (17%) of local recurrence, 6 cases (8%) of regional recurrence, and 72 cases (95%) of distant metastasis in patients. Peritoneal metastasis (33 cases, 43%) and distant lymph node metastasis (12 cases, 16%) were the main patterns of distant recurrence. Conclusions:By intensity-modulated radiotherapy technology, adjuvant radiotherapy yields favorable local and regional control for gastric cancer. Distant metastasis is still the main pattern of recurrence.

Objective:To analyze clinical efficacy of intensity-modulated chemoradiotherapy for patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma and identify prognostic factors.Methods:Clinical data of patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma who received intensity-modulated chemoradiotherapy in the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 1, 2010 to January 1, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Regular follow-up was carried out. The main indexes included disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional failure-free survival (LRFFS) and overall survival (OS), and adverse reactions were recorded. The survival curve was delineated by Kaplan-Meier method and the influencing factors of survival were analyzed by Cox regression models.Results:A total of 65 patients were enrolled with 19 (29%) males and 46 (71%) females. According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7 th edition staging, there were 7 (11%), 28 (43%), 10 (15%), and 20 (31%) patients with stage I, II, IIIa, and IIIb, respectively. Before the chemoradiotherapy, 2 (3%) patients received chemotherapy and 12 (18%) patients received local resection. The median dose of radiotherapy was 54 Gy (range: 45-64 Gy) and the main concurrent chemotherapy regimen was capecitabine combined with cisplatin ( n=34, 52%). The completion rate of radiotherapy during concurrent chemoradiotherapy was 100%, and the chemotherapy completion rate was 88%. During the therapy, 5 patients (8%) were interrupted but completed concurrent chemoradiotherapy in full dose, and 8 patients (12%) reduced the dose of concurrent chemotherapy due to the toxicities. During the chemoradiotherapy, 15 cases (23%) experienced grade 3-4 leukopenia, and 17 cases (26%) experienced grade 3-4 radiation dermatitis. No treatment-related death occurred during the treatment. The median follow-up time was 50.4 months (range: 4.4-142.2 months), local recurrence occurred in 7 cases (11%), distant metastasis occurred in 3 cases (5%), and the 5-year DFS, LRFFS and OS rates were 78.8%, 86.5% and 85.1%, respectively. Cox univariate analysis indicated that T stage was significantly associated with DFS ( P=0.006), and tended to be associated with OS ( P=0.054). Conclusions:Intensity-modulated radiotherapy combined with concurrent chemotherapy is an effective treatment for anal squamous cell carcinoma, with tolerable acute toxicities. T stage is an influencing factor of DFS in anal squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of bladder is a rare malignant tumor with high degree of malignancy, strong invasiveness and poor prognosis. We reported a case of a 56-year-old man who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor because of bladder mass. Postoperative pathology revealed large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bladder with urothelial carcinoma. Radical cystectomy was performed after postoperative chemotherapy, and there was no recurrence after 3 months of follow-up.

Objective:To establish the first Mini-Formative Evaluation of Radiation Oncology (Mini-FERO) scale in China and evaluate its preliminary application value in the standardized training for radiation oncology resident physicians.Methods:Based on the educational curriculum and examination requirements for the standardized training for radiation oncology resident physicians, as well as the standardized Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) scale commonly used in clinical practice, the Mini-Formative Evaluation of Radiation Oncology (Mini-FERO) scale was developed to facilitate the standardized training for resident physicians in the field of radiation oncology. In this prospective study, a randomization method using a random number table was employed to select a cohort of 26 resident physicians who completed their rotations in Department of Radiation Oncology at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from March 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. The Mini-FERO scale was administered in the initial, middle, and final stages during the rotation period. The differences in evaluation scores before and after the assessments were analyzed by paired t-test. Furthermore, participating resident physicians and supervising teachers provided satisfaction ratings, and a comprehensive evaluation of the Mini-FERO scale was conducted. Results:The average scores of the three examinations of 26 resident physicians demonstrated a successive improvement, with individual performance in each assessed category also showing progressive enhancement. The second evaluation exhibited a more pronounced score increase compared to the first evaluation, with a mean improvement of (1.43±1.02) points ( t=7.13, P<0.001); while the third evaluation had a mean improvement of (0.41±0.50) points ( t=4.07, P<0.001) compaired to the second evaluation, with a mean difference of (1.02±1.15) points between the two ( t=4.53, P<0.001). The average time required for the assessments was (34.31±24.46) min. Overall satisfaction ratings from the evaluated resident physicians for the Mini-FERO scale were (8.42±0.85) points, and supervising teachers reported an overall satisfaction rating of (8.45±0.85) points. The satisfaction rate was 96% (25/26). Conclusions:In this study, the Mini-FERO scale was successfully developed and validated in the context of clinical teaching practice for radiation oncology resident physicians. The Mini-FERO scale is proven to be a feasible tool for assessing the gradual improvement of resident physicians throughout their learning process in the field of radiation oncology. Importantly, it offers the advantages of short assessment time, thereby avoiding additional burden on supervising teachers. The adoption of the Mini-FERO scale addresses current limitations of lacking of formative evaluation in the standardized training for radiation oncology resident physicians.

Objective:To explore the impacts of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) on setup errors during the radiotherapy of elderly patients with rectal cancer.Methods:A total of 45 patients over 70 years of age and receiving radiotherapy were enrolled in the study. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was conducted before the radiotherapy. The enrolled patients had a median age of 77 years, including 28 male and 17 female cases. Meanwhile, 31 patients were determined to be in a good CGA status and 14 were determined to be in a poor CGA status, and 35 patients received radiotherapy in the prone position and 10 in the supine position. Cone beam CT (CBCT) was used for setup correction during radiotherapy. CBCT was performed daily in the first week and once a week from the second week. By fusing and aligning the CBCT images with simulation CT images according to the lumbar vertebra, setup errors in the left-right ( x axis), cranio-caudal ( y axis), and anterior-posterior ( z axis) directions were obtained. A total of 338 CBCT images were obtained. A generalized linear model was used to evaluate the effects of multiple factors on the setup errors. Results:During the radiotherapy, setup errors of all patients were (0.24±0.19) cm in the left-right direction, (0.33±0.25) cm in the cranio-caudal direction, and (0.19±0.15) cm in the anterior-posterior direction. The setup error in the cranio-caudal direction was more than that in the left-right direction and that in the anterior-posterior direction ( Z=-4.86, -7.72, P< 0.001). The setup error in the left-right direction was greater than that in the anterior-posterior direction ( Z=-2.79, P=0.005). The mean setup errors of the good and poor status groups in the left-right direction were (0.21 ± 0.17) and (0.30 ± 0.22) cm, respectively ( Z=2.16, P=0.031). There was no statistically significant difference in the setup errors between cranio-caudal direction and anterior-posterior direction ( P>0.05). The setup errors in the anterior-posterior direction were (0.17 ± 0.13) and (0.27 ± 0.19) cm, respectively for the prone and supine positions during the radiotherapy ( Z=2.85, P=0.004). There was no statistically significant difference in the setup errors between the left-right direction and the cranio-caudal direction ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The status of CGA elderly patients with rectal cancer affects the setup error in the left-right direction. It may be necessary to clinically adjust the PTV margin.

Objective:To investigate the workflow, efficacy and safety of MR-Linac in liver malignancies.Methods:Clinical data of 15 patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) or liver metastases treated with MR-Linac between November 2019 and July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The workflow of MR-Linac was investigated and image identification rate was analyzed. Patients were followed up for response and toxicity assessment.Results:Fifteen patients (6 HCC, 8 liver metastases from colorectal cancer, 1 liver metastasis from breast cancer) were enrolled. A total of 21 lesions were treated, consisting of 10 patients with single lesion, 4 patients with double lesions and 1 patient with triple lesions. The median tumor size was 2.4 cm (0.8-9.8 cm). The identification rate for gross tumor volume (GTV) in MR-Linac was 13/15. Although GTV of two patients were unclearly displayed in MR-Linac images, the presence of adjacent blood vessel and bile duct assisted the precise registration. All the patients were treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). For HCC, the median fraction dose for GTV or planning gross tumor volume (PGTV) was 6 Gy (5-10 Gy) and the median number of fractions was 9(5-10). The median total dose was 52 Gy (50-54 Gy) and the median equivalent dose in 2 Gy fraction (EQD 2Gy) at α/ β= 10 was 72 Gy (62.5-83.3 Gy). For liver metastases, the median fraction dose for GTV or PGTV was 5 Gy (5-10 Gy) and the median number of fractions was 10(5-10). The median total dose was 50 Gy (40-50 Gy) and the median EQD 2Gy at α/ β=5 was 71.4 Gy (71.4-107.1 Gy). At 1 month after SBRT, the in-field objective response rate (ORR) was 8/13 and the disease control rate was 13/13. At 3-6 months after SBRT, the in-filed ORR was increased to 6/6. During the median follow-up of 4.0 months (0.3-11.6), 4-month local progression-free survival, progression-free survival and overall survival were 15/15, 11/15 and 15/15, respectively. Toxicities were mild and no grade 3 or higher toxicities were observed. Conclusions:MR-Linac provides a platform with high identification rates of liver lesions. Besides, the presence of adjacent blood vessel and bile duct also assists the precise registration. It is especially suitable for liver malignancies with promising local control and well tolerance.

Objective:To describe a prospective study of pre-operative tumor-bed boost performed at the 1.5 T MR-Linac in combination with adjuvant whole breast irradiation, and a first case, with an accentuation on clinical feasibility and safety.Methods:A phase II, single arm study recruiting early stage patients follows a paradigm that first boosts the tumor bed and then undergoes breast conservative surgery in 2 weeks, and last irradiates the whole breast in 6 weeks. The primary endpoint is ≥ grade 2 acute breast toxicity. A 43 years old patient affected by a breast carcinoma, not special type of the right-sided lateral quadrant, staged cT 2N 0M 0, was planned and treated. The dose, 8 Gy for one time, was calculated by Monaco on CT simulation images. Both the air electron stream effect (ESE) and the electron return effect (ERE) at the presence of 1.5 T magnetic field were evaluated. During the pre-treatment evaluation, we carried out adaptation-to-position adjustment. Results:The normal organ dosimetry is within toleration. The Dmax to the skin, the chin and the right upper arm was 8.44 Gy, 28.5 cGy and 17.8 cGy, respectively. There was no increased toxicity from ERE and ESE, and the treatment was well tolerated without > grade 1 acute toxicity. The patient received breast conservative surgery on day 7 without delayed wound healing.Conclusions:This is the first case successfully treated within a clinical trial by pre-operative tumor-bed boost under 1.5 T MR-Linac in our institution. More participants are needed to validate and optimize the paradigm.

Objective:To analyze locoregional recurrence (LRR) pattern of patients with pT 1-2N 1 breast cancer after modified radical mastectomy, with and without adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Methods:A total of 5442 eligible patients with breast cancer from 12 Chinese centers were included. The LRR sites and the effect of RT at different sites on recurrence in patients with and without RT were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative LRR rate, and the difference was compared by the log-rank test.Results:With a median follow-up time of 63.8 months for the entire cohort, 395 patients developed LRR. The chest wall and supraclavicular fossa were the most common LRR sites, regardless of RT or molecular subtypes. The 5-year chest wall recurrence rates for patients with and without chest wall irradiation were 2.5% and 3.8%( P=0.003); the 5-year supraclavicular lymph nodal recurrence rates for patients with and without supraclavicular fossa irradiation were 1.3% and 4.1%( P<0.001); the 5-year axillary recurrence-free rates for patients with and without axillary irradiation were 0.8% and 1.5%( HR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.04-2.23, P=0.219); and the 5-year internal mammary nodal recurrence-free rates for patients with and without internal mammary nodal irradiation were 0.8% and 1.5%( HR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.11-1.90, P=0.268). Conclusions:The chest wall and supraclavicular fossa are the most common LRR sites of patients with pT 1-2N 1 breast cancer after modified radical mastectomy, which is not affected by adjuvant RT or molecular subtypes. The chest wall and supraclavicular fossa irradiation significantly reduce the risk of recurrence in the corresponding area. However, axillary and internal mammary nodal irradiation has no impact on the risk of recurrence in the corresponding area.