Comparative Effectiveness of Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy Versus Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Patients With Inoperable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Curative-Intent Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

Chia-Lun Chang; Kuan-Chou Lin; Wan-Ming Chen; Ben-Chang Shia; Szu-Yuan Wu

doi:10.1016/j.jtho.2023.12.021

Comparative Effectiveness of Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy Versus Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Patients With Inoperable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Curative-Intent Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

J Thorac Oncol. 2023 Dec 26:S1556-0864(23)02430-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2023.12.021. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Chia-Lun Chang¹, Kuan-Chou Lin², Wan-Ming Chen³, Ben-Chang Shia³, Szu-Yuan Wu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Hemato-Oncology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
² Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
³ Graduate Institute of Business Administration, College of Management, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan; Artificial Intelligence Development Center, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁴ Graduate Institute of Business Administration, College of Management, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan; Artificial Intelligence Development Center, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Food Nutrition and Health Biotechnology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan; Division of Radiation Oncology, Lo-Hsu Medical Foundation, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Yilan, Taiwan; Big Data Center, Lo-Hsu Medical Foundation, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Yilan, Taiwan; Department of Healthcare Administration, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan; Cancer Center, Lo-Hsu Medical Foundation, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Yilan, Taiwan; Centers for Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Taipei Municipal Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Management, College of Management, Fo Guang University, Yilan, Taiwan. Electronic address: szuyuanwu5399@gmail.com.

PMID: 38154513
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2023.12.021

Abstract

Introduction: This study compared outcomes in patients with inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing curative-intent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) versus intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT).

Methods: The study encompassed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with inoperable ESCC who underwent curative-intent CCRT from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2020, with data sourced from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database. In this study, both IMRT and IMPT delivered a total equivalent effective dose of approximately 5040 cGy in 28 fractions, accompanied by platinum-based chemotherapy administered as per established protocols. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to assess oncologic outcomes, and statistical analyses were conducted, including inverse probability of treatment-weighted and Fine and Gray method for competing risks.

Results: The observed risks of ESCC-specific and all-cause mortality were lower in patients treated with IMPT compared with those treated with IMRT, with adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of 0.62 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58-0.70) and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.66-0.80), respectively. IMPT also reduced grade 2 radiation-induced side effects, such as pneumonitis, fatigue, and major adverse cardiovascular events, with aHRs (95% CI) of 0.76 (0.66-0.82), 0.10 (0.07-0.14), and 0.70 (0.67-0.73), respectively. However, IMPT was associated with an increased risk of grade 2 radiation dermatitis, with aHR (95% CI) of 1.48 (1.36-1.60). No substantial differences were found in the incidence of radiation esophagitis between IMPT and IMRT when adjusting for covariates.

Conclusion: IMPT seems to be associated with superiority over IMRT in managing patients with inoperable ESCC undergoing curative-intent CCRT, suggesting improved survival outcomes and reduced toxicity. These findings have significant implications for the treatment of ESCC, particularly when surgery is not an option.

Keywords: ESCC; IMPT; IMRT; Survival; Toxicities.