UCLA Health researchers present advances in radiation oncology at ASTRO

UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (ASTRO) researchers and physicians specializing in treating patients with radiation therapy will present data on the latest radiation therapy research and clinical trial results at the 66th annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), which will be held on September 29 in Washington. until October 2.

The annual meeting, which is the leading meeting in the field of radiation oncology, will feature 23 abstracts from UCLA investigators that highlight key areas of radiation oncology, including up-to-date research in areas such as survival, lung cancer/thoracic cancer, physics, sarcoma, ductal cancer digestive cancer, genitourinary cancer, gynecological cancer, pediatric cancer and diversity, equality 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 the University of California, Los Angeles, and director of clinical affairs at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA Health). Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. “From groundbreaking approaches to chemoradiation and symptom monitoring to advances in MRI-guided radiation therapy, this research underscores our commitment to improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of cancer care.”

Key presentations at ASTRO by UCLA researchers include:

Abstract 1071: MicroRNA-based germline biomarkers for complete pathologic 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 the University of California, Los Angeles, has identified a genetic signature that may lend a hand predict which patients will develop localized cancer. in advanced rectal cancer, they will most likely achieve a complete pathological response after combined treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Before this study, there was no molecular test to predict which patients were most likely to benefit from chemoradiotherapy to lend a hand guide treatment selection. The study of 90 rectal cancer patients focused on microRNA-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (miSNPs), which are genetic variations that can interfere with microRNA signaling, a critical process that regulates gene expression. By analyzing mirSNP in combination with clinical variables including age, tumor stage and KRAS mutation status, the researchers developed a predictive model with a high ability to identify patients who would achieve a complete response when no viable tumor cells remained after treatment. The predictive model, built using advanced statistical techniques, performed better than models based solely on clinical factors. This model offers a more personalized approach that identifies patients most likely to respond to this treatment and could potentially lend a hand them avoid unnecessary surgery. The team plans to validate these findings in a larger cohort of patients and further investigate the ability of the mirSNP signature to predict treatment toxicity.

Weidhaas will present the findings during the session: QP 13-GI 4: Gastrointestinal Cancers: Top to Bottom on Tuesday, October 1 at 4:00 PM EST in Room 152.

Abstract 317: CT-guided magnetic resonance radiotherapy and computed tomography-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy for prostate cancer: 2-year results of the MIRAGE randomized clinical trial

In a secondary analysis of a randomized Phase 3 clinical trial comparing two methods of delivering stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer, researchers found that patients treated with MRI guidance had fewer long-term side effects and better quality of life related to bowel and sexual diseases. health status compared to people treated with computed tomography. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, and radiotherapy is a standard treatment option, especially for localized disease. However, the side effects of treatment can be stern and long-lasting and affect the patient’s urinary, intestinal and sexual functions. A team led by Dr. Amar Kishan, vice chair of radiation oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that patients treated with MRI-guided SBRT had significantly fewer urogenital and gastrointestinal toxic effects. grade 2 or higher compared to patients receiving CT-guided treatment. Specifically, only 27% of MRI-guided patients reported slow genitourinary toxicity, such as urinary incontinence and irritation, compared to 51% in the CT-guided group. Similarly, gastrointestinal toxicity, such as bowel problems, was reduced to just 1.4% with MRI compared to 9% with CT. 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 findings in session: SS 38-GU 2: Optimizing the Therapeutic Ratio in Prostate Cancer on Tuesday, October 1 at 2:30 PM EST in Room 202.

Abstract 122: Symptom monitoring based on patient-reported outcomes during definitive radiotherapy

In a phase II trial led by Dr. Ann Raldow, associate professor of radiation oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, researchers assessed whether using a mobile app called mPROS to report symptoms improved the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. . Although the utilize of patient-reported outcomes has demonstrated benefits in improving clinical outcomes in patients receiving chemotherapy, its impact in the context of radiotherapy is not well understood. The aim of this study was to fill this gap by comparing patients who used the mPROS app to report symptoms with patients receiving standard care. The study involved 59 patients receiving definitive radiotherapy with chemotherapy for a variety of cancers, including gastrointestinal, gynecological, lung, central nervous system and head and neck cancers. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group using the mPROS application or to a control group. Patients in the experimental group were encouraged to report symptoms at least once a week via the app, and severe or worsening symptoms automatically notified the 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 the end of radiation therapy. The results showed that there were no significant differences in physical and mental health outcomes between the two groups. However, patients using the mPROS app expressed great satisfaction, feeling more engaged in their care and finding the app helpful in tracking their symptoms. Most participants in the experimental group also said they would recommend the app to other patients.

Raldow will present the results in session: SS 04 – PRO/QoL/Survivorship 1: Novel Frontiers in Patient-Reported Outcomes and Survival on Sunday, September 19 at 3:45 PM EST in Room 204.