Proton therapy demonstrates advantages over traditional radiation therapy in Phase III head and neck cancer trial

Medical Xpress / U of Tex M. D. Anderson / 2024 Am Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Mtg ^ | June 4, 2024 | Steven Frank, M.D. et al

[ConservativeMind]

According to preliminary data from a multi-institution Phase III trial led by researchers, intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) achieved similar clinical outcomes and offered significant patient benefits when compared to traditional intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as part of chemoradiation treatment for patients with oropharyngeal (head and neck) cancer.

With a median follow-up of three years, the progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 83% and 83.5% for IMPT and IMRT, respectively, and IMPT was statistically non-inferior to IMRT. There was a significant reduction of malnutrition with IMPT, with 24% of patients sustaining their nutrition with less than 5% weight loss during treatment compared with 14% of those receiving IMRT. Additionally, there was a significant reduction of feeding-tube dependence with IMPT at 28%, compared to 42% with IMRT.

"The results of this multi-center Phase III randomized trial provide evidence for IMPT as a new standard-of-care treatment approach for the management of head and neck tumors," Frank said. "This is significant for patients as it represents a curative, de-intensified option compared to traditional radiation therapy."

Proton therapy has both biological and physical advantages over traditional radiation therapy using photons. Unlike photons, protons have mass and can be stopped by the human body. This allows proton radiation to be delivered specifically to the targeted area, limiting the amount that reaches nearby normal tissues. This trial represents the largest randomized Phase III trial to date to investigate proton therapy in comparison to traditional radiation.

The trial enrolled 440 patients at 21 sites in the U.S., with 219 receiving IMRT and 221 receiving IMPT. Patients were stratified based on human papillomavirus (HPV) status, smoking status and whether they had received induction chemotherapy. The primary endpoint of the study was the PFS rate at three years.

[ConservativeMind]

Proton therapy decreased feeding tube and malnutrition, while providing the same progression-free survival as similarly performed radiation therapy.

[ConservativeMind]

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[ProjectArcturus]

I wish I would have known about this years ago.

[DennisR]

I will be undergoing proton therapy in a few weeks for prostate cancer, so this article is very encouraging, even though it is for a different type of cancer.

[ops33]

12 years ago I was treated for prostate cancer with proton therapy. Today, completely cancer free. I had 44 sessions of proton therapy and my worse side effect was loose stools. Good luck, buddy!

[DennisR]

Thank you! Congratulations! And thank you for the positive report! 👍🏻👍🏻