Journal Article

Evolution of advanced technologies in prostate cancer radiotherapy

Gomella, Leonard G., Hurwitz, Mark D., Zaorsky, Nicholas G., Dicker, Adam P., Harrison, Amy S., Trabulsi, Edouard J., Den, Robert B., Showalter, Timothy N.

2013

Overview

In this Review, the authors discuss the novel, technologically advanced radiotherapy modalities for the primary treatment of men with prostate cancer. Advancements in image-guided and intensity-modulated techniques are discussed, focusing on how these modalities contributed to the development of high-dose-rate brachytherapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy and particle beam therapy. Conventional treatment options for clinically localized, low-risk prostate cancer include radical prostatectomy, external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Advances in image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) since the 1980s, the development of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) during the 1990s and evidence from radiobiological models—which support the use of high doses per fraction—have developed alongside novel advanced radiotherapy modalities that include high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and proton beam therapy. The relationship between the outcomes of and toxicities experienced by patients with prostate cancer treated with HDR-BT, SBRT and particle-beam therapy should provide urologists and oncologists an understanding of the continually evolving technology in prostate radiotherapy. On the basis of published evidence, conventionally fractionated EBRT with IMRT is considered the standard of care over conventional 3D conformal radiotherapy, whereas HDR-BT boost is an acceptable treatment option for selected patients with intermediate-risk and high-risk prostate cancer. SBRT and proton therapy should not be used for patients (regardless of disease risk group) outside the setting of a clinical trial. Finally, comparative effectiveness research should be conducted to provide a framework for evaluating advanced radiotherapy technologies by comparing the benefits and harms of available therapeutic options to optimize the risk:benefit ratio and improve cost effectiveness. Key Points Image-guided radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy have been important in the development of novel radiotherapy modalities Similarly, radiobiological models, which support high dose per fraction delivery, have been critical for the introduction and evolution of high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and proton beam therapy HDR-BT boost is a relatively well-established advanced radiotherapy modality that is suitable for certain patients with intermediate-risk and high-risk prostate cancer Patients of all risk groups can be offered SBRT and proton beam therapy, but only in the setting of a clinical trial because, to date, high-level evidence of efficacy and safety are lacking Comparative effectiveness research will provide a framework for evaluating advanced radiotherapy technologies by comparing the benefits and harms of the available options to optimize the risk:benefit ratio and improve cost effectiveness

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: 631/67/1059/485 / 631/67/589/466 / 692/699/2768/466 / 692/699/2768/589/466 / 692/699/67/1059/485 / 692/699/67/589/466 / 692/700/565/485 / Animals / Cancer therapies / Care and treatment / Clinical trials / Humans / Innovations / Male / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Oncology / Patients / Prostate cancer / Prostatic Neoplasms - diagnosis / Prostatic Neoplasms - radiotherapy / Prostatic Neoplasms - surgery / Protons / Radiation therapy / Radiosurgery - methods / Radiosurgery - trends / Radiotherapy / Radiotherapy, Conformal - methods / Radiotherapy, Conformal - trends / Radiotherapy, Image-Guided - methods / Radiotherapy, Image-Guided - trends / review-article / Toxicity / Urology