UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers and physicians who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapy will present data on the latest radiation oncology research and clinical trial results at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in Washington DC, September 29. to October 2.
The annual meeting, which is the premier meeting in radiation oncology, will feature 23 abstracts authored by UCLA researchers that highlight key areas of radiation oncology, including new research in subspecialties ranging from survival, lung cancer/thoracic malignancies, physics, sarcomas, gastrointestinal cancer, genitourinary cancer, gynecological cancer, pediatric cancer and diversity, equity and inclusion in health care.
“Our team is proud to present research that pushes the boundaries of what is possible in radiation oncology,” said Dr. Michael Steinberg, professor and chair of radiation oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. and director of clinical affairs at UCLA Health. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. “These studies, ranging from innovative approaches in chemoradiation and symptom monitoring to advances in MRI-guided radiation therapy, underscore our commitment to improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of cancer treatment.
Highlights of notable presentations at ASTRO led by UCLA investigators include:
Abstract 1071: MicroRNA-based germline biomarkers of pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer
A team of researchers led by Dr. Joanne Weidhaas, professor of radiation oncology, vice chair of molecular and cellular oncology, and director of translational research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has identified a genetic signature that could help predict which patients with locally advanced rectal cancer are more likely to achieve a pathological complete response after treatment with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Prior to this study, there was no molecular analysis to predict which patients would be most likely to benefit from chemoradiation to aid treatment selection. The study, conducted on 90 rectal cancer patients, focused on microRNA-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (miSNPs), which are genetic variations that may disrupt microRNA signaling, a critical process in the regulation of gene expression. By analyzing mirSNPs in conjunction with clinical variables including age, tumor stage and KRAS mutation Using this status, researchers developed a predictive model with a strong ability to identify patients who would achieve a complete response with no viable tumor cells remaining after treatment. The predictive model, built using advanced statistical techniques, outperformed models based solely on clinical factors. This model offers a more personalized approach that could identify patients most likely to respond to this treatment approach and could potentially help them avoid unnecessary surgery. The team plans to validate these results in a larger cohort of patients and further study the ability of the mirSNP signature to predict treatment toxicity.
Weidhaas will present the results at Session: QP 13-GI 4: GI Cancers: Top to Bottom on Tuesday, October 1 at 4 p.m. EST in Room 152.
Abstract 317: Magnetic resonance imaging-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy or CT-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy for prostate cancer: 2-year results from the MIRAGE randomized clinical trial
In a secondary analysis of a randomized phase 3 clinical trial comparing two methods of guiding stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer, researchers found that patients treated with MRI had fewer side effects at long term and better quality of life linked to intestinal and sexual problems. health compared to those treated with CT guidance. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men and radiotherapy is a standard treatment option, especially for people with localized disease. However, side effects of treatment can be serious and long-lasting, affecting the patient’s urinary, bowel, and sexual function. The team, led by Dr. Amar Kishan, executive vice chair of radiation oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, found that patients treated with MRI-guided SBRT had significantly fewer toxic effects genitourinary and gastrointestinal grade 2 or higher compared to those receiving CT-guided treatment. Specifically, only 27% of MRI-guided patients reported late genitourinary toxicity, such as urinary incontinence and irritation, compared to 51% in the CT-guided group. Likewise, gastrointestinal toxicity, such as intestinal problems, was reduced to just 1.4% with MRI guidance, compared to 9% with CT guidance. The study followed patients for two years after treatment, making it one of the most comprehensive evaluations of MRI-guided SBRT to date.
Kishan will present the results at Session: SS 38-GU 2: Optimizing Therapeutic Ratio in Prostate Cancer on Tuesday, October 1 at 2:30 p.m. EST in Room 202.
Summary 122: Symptom Monitoring with Patient-Reported Outcomes During Definitive Radiation Therapy
In this phase 2 study, led by Dr. Ann Raldow, associate professor of radiation oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, investigators evaluated whether using a mobile app, called mPROS, to reporting symptoms improved the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Although the use of patient-reported outcomes has shown benefit in improving clinical outcomes of patients receiving chemotherapy, its effects in the context of radiotherapy have not been well established. This study aimed to fill this gap by comparing patients who used the mPROS app to report their symptoms with those receiving usual care. The study involved 59 patients receiving definitive radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy for various cancers, including gastrointestinal, gynecological, pulmonary, and central. nervous system and head and neck cancers. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, where they used the mPROS app, or the control group. Patients in the experimental group were encouraged to report their symptoms at least once a week via the app, with severe or worsening symptoms automatically alerting their clinical team. The researchers then measured the impact of this approach on health-related quality of life using a validated questionnaire at the beginning, at the end and three months after radiotherapy. The results showed that there were no significant differences in physical or mental health outcomes between the two groups. However, patients using the mPROS app expressed high satisfaction, feeling more engaged in their care and finding the app helpful in tracking their symptoms. The majority of participants in the experimental group also said they would recommend the app to other patients.
Raldow will report the results at Session: SS 04 – PRO/QoL/Survivorship 1: New Frontiers in Patient-Reported Outcomes and Survival on Sunday, September 19 at 3:45 p.m. EST in Room 204.