BJMO - volume 14, issue 1, january 2020
N. Sundahl PhD, V. Kruse MD, PhD, K. Decaestecker PhD, P. Ost MD, PhD
Preclinical and early clinical data indicate that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) could work synergistically with checkpoint inhibitors and increase response rates. Given the potential synergistic effect between both treatments, the associated toxicity might also be increased. We conducted two phase I trials combining SBRT with ipilimumab (n=13) or pembrolizumab (n=18) in metastatic/inoperable melanoma and metastatic urothelial carcinoma respectively. To evaluate the effect of SBRT timing, patients were randomised to either sequential or concurrent SBRT in the latter trial. To assess early efficacy, a phase II trial of SBRT and nivolumab was conducted in metastatic/inoperable melanoma (n=20). Our data shows that SBRT combined with ipilimumab, nivolumab or pembrolizumab is safe and might increase efficacy in a subset of patients.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(1):28–30)
Read moreBJMO - volume 12, issue 7, november 2018
C. Standaert MD, P.J.L. De Visschere , S. Rottey MD, PhD, S. Buelens , N. Sundahl PhD, G.M. Villeirs
Serum prostate-specific antigen, digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasound, supplemented with biopsy, are conventionally used for the screening, diagnosis, staging and surveillance of prostate cancer (PCa). However, their sensitivity and specificity are limited with diagnosis of clinically insignificant cancer and a potential risk of overtreatment as a result. Multiparametric MRI combines anatomical and functional pulse sequences, including diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, and has evolved out of its limited role in PCa staging. The ability to visualise the prostate accurately and to detect or exclude clinically significant PCa makes multiparametric MRI a great tool to improve the diagnosis, staging, treatment planning and follow-up of patients with PCa. Multiparametric MRI can rule out clinically significant PCa and therefore has the potential to reduce the need for biopsies or to determine whether active surveillance or immediate treatment is appropriate.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2018;12(7):313–318)
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