PHILADELPHIA (October 22, 2018) – An analysis led by researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center found that treating localized prostate cancer with hypofractionated intensity modulated radiation therapy (H-IMRT) yields equivalent disease outcomes compared with conventional intensity modulated radiation (C-IMRT). It is the largest randomized single-institution study with the longest follow up period on this topic to date.
The study enrolled 300 men and followed them over a median period of 11 years after treatment. Half had received H-IMRT and half had received C-IMRT. Men in both groups also received standard of care androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) when it was indicated. H-IMRT delivers more radiation per treatment session, allowing patients to complete treatment over a much shorter period than C-IMRT (5 ½ weeks versus 8 weeks). Advantages include fewer medical appointments, lower costs, and more efficient utilization of clinical resources.
Vladimir Avkshtol, MD, a radiation oncology resident at Fox Chase, will present the results at an oral session at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in San Antonio on October 22.
At five years and 10 years after treatment, men who had received either form of therapy showed similar results on several measures, including PSA control and overall survival. There was initially some pause for concern for a trend toward higher rate of developing metastases in men in the H-IMRT group, however this was not statistically significant and no subset of patients seemed to be at higher risk on further analysis.
“Our analysis shows that for most men with localized prostate cancer, H-IMRT is a viable option and should be considered for most men. Our study is one of the biggest and most mature studies of its kind in the U.S.,” said Avkshtol.
This work was supported by National Cancer Institute Grants CA101984-1, CA-00692, and P30 CA006927. This publication was supported in part by a grant from Varian Medical Systems, Inc. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NCI or Varian Medical Systems, Inc.