30-Second Takeaway
- BNCT substantially prolongs PFS in recurrent high-grade meningioma after prior RT with acceptable toxicity.
- PD-1 blockade layered onto long-course CRT and mFOLFOX6 yields high pCR in Immunoscore-selected pMMR rectal cancer.
- High-dose, modern RT plus surgery improves survival in spinal chondrosarcoma, with protons outperforming photons.
Week ending January 24, 2026
Targeted modalities, imaging, and thresholds refining radiotherapy decision-making
Accelerator-based BNCT greatly prolongs PFS in recurrent high-grade meningioma after prior RT
This randomized phase II trial enrolled 18 patients with refractory recurrent high-grade meningioma after prior X-ray radiotherapy. Patients were randomized 2:1 to accelerator-based BNCT (12 patients) versus control (6 patients), with crossover BNCT allowed at progression. BNCT improved median PFS from 1.4–1.5 months in controls to 14.4–14.7 months, with statistically significant differences on independent and investigator review. The objective response rate with BNCT was 27.3%, and toxicity was acceptable.
Sintilimab plus neoadjuvant CRT achieves high pCR in Immunoscore-selected pMMR rectal cancer
This single-arm phase II trial enrolled 46 treatment-naïve pMMR locally advanced rectal cancer patients with intermediate or high Immunoscore. Patients received 50 Gy in 25 fractions with six cycles of mFOLFOX6, adding sintilimab during cycles 2–6, followed by surgery. The pathologic complete response rate was 65.2%, including 85.7% in high and 61.5% in intermediate Immunoscore subgroups. R0 resection was achieved in 97.8% of patients, and radiographic objective response was 93.5%.
Surgery plus high-dose, advanced RT improves spinal chondrosarcoma survival; protons outperform photons
Using NCDB data, 1971 patients with spinal chondrosarcoma were analyzed, with 17.4% receiving radiotherapy. Best survival occurred with combined surgery and radiation, while gross total resection remained the strongest favorable factor (HR 0.35). Proton therapy provided superior survival compared with photons, and high-dose radiation (BED > 70 Gy) or SBRT improved outcomes. Radiation was associated with higher mortality on multivariable analysis, likely reflecting selection of more advanced cases.
A 90-day mortality model after brain metastasis SRS highlights KPS and prior WBRT
This retrospective study included 1546 patients treated with Gamma Knife SRS for brain metastases between 2015 and 2023. One hundred seventy patients who died within 90 days were case matched to 170 patients surviving beyond 90 days. Multivariable analysis identified KPS < 70 (OR 17.4), prior whole-brain radiotherapy (OR 6), and focal neurologic deficits (OR 3.02) as strong predictors of early death. Control of systemic cancer and CNS progression status before SRS were also independently associated with 90-day survival.
References
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Additional Reads
Optional additional studies from this edition.