Preliminary results of phase 2 trial of preoperative image guided intensity modulated proton radiation therapy (IMPT) with simultaneously integrated boost (SIB) to the high-risk margin for retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS).
Authors: DeLaney Thomas F. , Mullen John Thomas , Chen Yen-Lin , Petersen Ivy Ann , Bishop Andrew Justin , Yoon Sam S. , Haynes Alex Bernard , Roland Christina Lynn , Cohen Sonia , Choy Edwin , Cote Gregory Michael , Nielsen Gunnlaugur , Lescinskas Christopher , Santoro Katherine E , Wang Dian , Yeap Beow Y. 
Published: June 2021

11550 Background: RPS often have local recurrence (LR) after surgery. Preoperative radiation (RT) to 50.4 Gy can reduce LR risk but is not uniformly effective, especially after (+) margin resections. Therefore, we conducted a multi-institutional, prospective Phase II study to assess efficacy and tolerability of preop IMPT with selective dose escalation to 63 GyRBE to the posterior RPS margin (clinical target volume [CTV] 2) at high risk for (+) margins to further reduce the risk of LR. This dose was tolerable in a prior phase I study (DeLaney T et al, 2017, PMID:28740917). Methods: Primary RPS patients (pts) >18 years received preop IMPT, 50.4 GyRBE in 28 fractions (fx) of 1.8 GyRBE to CTV1 (tumor plus adjacent tissue at risk of subclinical disease) with SIB to CTV2 to 63.0 GyRBE in 28 fx of 2.25 GyRBE. Pts with high-grade tumors could get chemotherapy(CTX) prior to IMPT. To avoid treatment delay, 11 fx of IMRT x-rays could be substituted for IMPT. Pts had restaging and surgery 4-8 weeks after IMPT. Primary study endpoint was local tumor control. Secondary endpoints included clinical and pathologic response, surgical margin status, and disease-free and overall survival. Results: We accrued 60 pts from January 2016 to February 2021. Histology: 35 liposarcoma(LPS) (19 dediff and 16 well diff), 22 leiomyosarcoma(LMS), and 3 undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. IMPT was delivered per protocol in all pts. 51 pts have had surgery, 5 are awaiting surgery, and 4 had no surgery due to metastases(DM) on preop imaging. 22 pts had (+) margins. 2 pts had > 75% necrosis. With 23-month median (range 1-52 months) follow-up after start of RT, there were two LRs. A dediff LPS pt had a well diff LPS LR 26 months postop, resected, and is disease-free. A renal vein/IVC LMS pt treated with CTX and IMPT had LR and DM 4 months postop and died from disease. Surgical Clavien-Dindo morbidity scores: 0(21), 1(9), 2(8), 3a (4), 3b(4), 4a(2), 4(b)1, 5(2); the periop deaths were from sepsis(pneumonia) and duodenal ulcer. The grade 3-4 periop morbidity included abscess(3), treated by catheter(2) or operative(1) drainage, prolonged hospital stays (2 pts with IVC LMS), small bowel obstruction (1), and late sigmoid colon anastomotic failure (1). Readmissions for lymphopenia(1), pneumoperitoneum (1), and volume overload (1). One late neuropathy was seen in a Type II diabetic pt with transient postop weakness after femoral nerve dissection who later had significant lower extremity weakness 3.75 years postop. Study was amended to reduce IMPT dose in diabetic pts. Conclusions: Preoperative IMPT with selective dose escalation to 63 GyRBE to the high risk posterior RPS margin is feasible. Early local control results with this approach appear promising. Some peri-operative morbidity was noted but appears to be in the expected range for RPS resections. Clinical trial information: NCT01659203.