A meta-analysis on radiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) highlighted HDR brachytherapy, SBRT, and hypofractionated proton therapy as innovative modalities within low LET irradiation.
HDR brachytherapy demonstrated superior overall survival (OS) with a median OS of 38 months and a two-year rate of 68%, outperforming SBRT and proton therapy.
In terms of local control, HDR brachytherapy exhibited a two-year rate exceeding 87%, showing improvements over SBRT and comparable performance to proton therapy.
Survival advantages were noted when biologically effective dose (BED) reached or exceeded 78 Gy, emphasizing the importance of optimizing dosage regimens for effective tumor eradication.
HDR brachytherapy displayed low incidence of toxicities, while proton therapy showed rare but significant late toxicities, underscoring the safety and tolerability of HDR brachytherapy.
The study accentuated the importance of dose-fractionation decisions and BED thresholds in guiding radiation therapy regimens for LA-NSCLC treatment.
The research highlights the role of advanced radiotherapy techniques in improving therapeutic outcomes for patients deemed ineligible for surgery, offering hope for precision radiotherapy advancements.
HDR brachytherapy's success in survival, tumor control, and low toxicities positions it as a significant player in the evolving landscape of lung cancer treatment.
This meta-analysis urges further prospective trials to validate the observations on HDR brachytherapy and explore its combination with systemic therapies for enhanced outcomes.
The study's findings could potentially revolutionize radiotherapy standards and patient care, paving the way for a more efficient and effective multidisciplinary approach in managing LA-NSCLC.
Overall, the research signifies the transformative potential of innovative radiotherapy modalities in reshaping the future of lung cancer treatment for improved patient outcomes.