ASTRO 2015

Dr Hong talks to ecancertv at ASTRO 2015 about a prospective, open-label phase II, study of proton-based stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in patients with liver metastases. The study findings showed that proton SBRT was associated with high rates of local control and that there was a favourable toxicity profile. No patient developed grade 3 or higher radiotherapy-related toxicity.

Dr Hoyer talks to ecancertv at ASTRO 2015 about his lecture during the ASTRO/ESTRO Joint Session 'Novel treatment approaches for oligometastases'. In the interview he provides background on how oligometastases have been managed in the past and how stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is being used to enable the precise targetting of these lesions. Specifically, Dr Hoyer talks about the survival of patients who receive SBRT for oligometastases of colorectal cancer.

Dr Hong talks to ecancertv about one of the nursing sessions held at ASTRO 2015 that looked at the care of patients receiving chemoradiation. In the interview he outlines that the aims of the session were to provide an overview of the data and rationale for why certain chemoradiation strategies were developed and explain why chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be used concurrently or sequentially. Another focus was to look at toxicity and the management of side effects commonly seen with chemoradiation.

Dr Abazeed talks to ecancertv at ASTRO 2015 about research being conducted at the Cleveland Clinic looking at whether it is possible to use genomic parameters to predict how tumours will respond to radiation therapy. In the interview he highlights that there is an underlying genetic diversity of cancer itself and a heterogeneous genetic response to radiation.

Mr DiGiaimo talks to ecancertv at ASTRO 2015 about some of his research highlights and the potential economic considerations of using newer radiation technologies over conventional standards.

Dr Haffty talks to ecancertv at ASTRO 2015 about some of the research highlights of the meeting including the Presidential Symposium, which looks at the role of radiation therapy in the multidisciplinary management of gastrointestinal malignancies. In the interview he also outlines some of the recent research that he has been involved with and talks about the use of radiation oncology in treating breast cancer. In addition, Dr Haffty discusses some of the initiatives and programmes that ASTRO has initiated to raise the bar of radiation oncology yet further.

Dr Kavanagh, President-elect to the ASTRO board of directors, talks to ecancertv about the theme of ASTRO 2015 – Technology Meets Patient Care – and how the research and presentations being given relate to this. In the interview he highlights research that is not only comparing the effectiveness of the different types of radiotherapy but also focussing on reducing the toxicity associated with radiation treatment. Initiatives to improve patient care are not just about using the best available technology, he comments, it is also about optimising human resources and nursing care, and listening to patients. Dr Kavanagh also comments on data showing that dexamethasone may reduce radiation-induced pain flares and on plans for ASCO 2016.

Dr Palma talks to ecancertv at ASTRO 2015 about the concept of oligometastases and how novel approaches such as stereotactic radiation therapy may be used to treat patients with multiple metastases. In the interview he notes that better evidence is needed to determine which patients may benefit from such an approach and comments on research being conducted by the London Health Sciences Centre in collaboration with the VUmc Cancer Center in Amsterdam.

Dr Chang talks to ecancertv at ASTRO 2015 about the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and whether it can be used in patients with early disease that is still operable. He explains that SBRT is being used in early NSLC but that this is usually in inoperable cases and it could be an option in some patients with operable stage I tumours. Future directions would include look at using SBRT with immunotherapy.

Dr Palma talks to ecancertv at ASTRO 2015 about a session on using stereotactic radiation therapy for early-stage nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). During the session talks were given on using the method for operable stage 1 NSCLC and on the risk for recurrence following stereotactic radiation therapy. Speakers also looked at aggressive local therapy for oligometastases and the potential for using stereotactic radiation therapy in combination with immunotherapy. Dr Palma also comments on the relatively new field of radiomics which involves using computer-analysed imaging to enhance the way radiation therapy is delivered.