Carlos E. Vargas, MD, radiation oncologist, Mayo Clinic, discusses research with proton therapy in prostate cancer.

Proton therapy is not widespread in prostate cancer. However, ongoing research is being done to refine its use before it is introduced to the paradigm, says Vargas. Moreover, investigators are evaluating the use of FLASH proton radiotherapy, in which high doses of radiation are delivered in short frequencies, says Vargas.

The first report of activity with FLASH proton therapy was reported in mice in 2014. Few centers around the world have access to FLASH therapy. However, if ongoing research pans out and shows favorable outcomes with the approach, proton therapy will become one of the major players in radiation therapy in prostate cancer, concludes Vargas.

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Carlos E. Vargas, MD, discusses research with proton therapy in prostate cancer.

Dr. Vargas on Research With Proton Therapy in Prostate Cancer

Carlos E. Vargas, MD, radiation oncologist, Mayo Clinic, examines the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in oligometastatic prostate cancer.

The role of SBRT in oligometastatic disease is currently emerging, says Vargas. There are data from 4 randomized trials examining this approach in this patient population. Two of these trials are evaluating SBRT without any systemic therapy, and they are showing that radiation therapy delays disease progression. There are also data on radiation therapy with systemic therapy which suggest that radiation therapy improves median overall survival (OS) for about 1 year.

There are also positive data with treating the primary cancer with systemic therapy at the same time as SBRT, concludes Vargas.

Carlos E. Vargas, MD, examines the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in oligometastatic prostate cancer.
 

Dr. Vargas on Determining Role of SBRT Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer

Carlos E. Vargas, MD, radiation oncologist, Mayo Clinic, discusses toxicities associated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) compared with standard fractionated radiation therapy in prostate cancer.

The toxicity profiles appear to be similar between the 2 modalities, explains Vargas. Mainly, inflammation resulting from the radiation is the most significant adverse event (AE) noted.

This inflammation can lead to increased urination or bowel movements, increased blood in stool or urine, and pain, says Vargas. Usually, these inflammatory symptoms present during treatment; however, they may also occur 6 months to 1 year after completing radiation.  

Most often, these AEs can be mitigated without invasive procedures and typically, patients don’t experience symptoms after 2 years, concludes Vargas.

Carlos E. Vargas, MD, discusses toxicities associated with stereotactic body radiation therapy compared with standard fractionated radiation therapy in prostate cancer. 
 

Carlos E. Vargas, MD

Articles

Dr. Vargas on Research With Proton Therapy in Prostate Cancer

Dr. Vargas on Determining Role of SBRT Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer

Dr. Vargas on Toxicity of SBRT Versus Standard Radiation in Prostate Cancer