Normal tissue tolerance amongst paediatric brain tumour patients- current evidence in proton radiotherapy

Mikaela Dell'Oro; Michala Short; Puthenparampil Wilson; Eva Bezak

doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103415

Normal tissue tolerance amongst paediatric brain tumour patients- current evidence in proton radiotherapy

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2021 Aug:164:103415. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103415. Epub 2021 Jul 6.

Authors

Mikaela Dell'Oro¹, Michala Short², Puthenparampil Wilson³, Eva Bezak⁴

Affiliations

¹ Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. Electronic address: mikaela.delloro@mymail.unisa.edu.au.
² Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
³ Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
⁴ Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Department of Physics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.

PMID: 34242771
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103415

Abstract

Background: Proton radiotherapy (PT) is used increasingly for paediatric brain cancer patients. However, as demonstrated here, the knowledge on normal tissue dose constraints, to minimize side-effects, for this cohort is limited.

Methods: A search strategy was systematically conducted on MEDLINE® database. 65 papers were evaluated ranging from 2013 to 2021.

Results: Large variations in normal tissue tolerance and toxicity reporting across PT studies makes estimation of normal tissue dose constraints difficult, with the potential for significant late effects to go unmeasured. Mean dose delivered to the pituitary gland varies from 20 to 30 Gy across literature. Similarly, the hypothalamic dose delivery ranges from 20 to 54.6 Gy for paediatric patients.

Conclusion: There is a significant lack of radiobiological data for paediatric brain cancer patients undergoing proton therapy, often using data from x-ray radiotherapy and adult populations. The way forward is through standardisation of reporting in order to validate relevant dose constraints.

Keywords: Brain tumour; Long-term side effects; NTCP; Normal tissue tolerance reporting; PT; Paediatric; Proton therapy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Brain Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
Child
Humans
Proton Therapy* / adverse effects
Protons
Radiotherapy Dosage
Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted
Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated*

Substances

Protons