Higher-dose RT lowers risk of recurrence but does not improve survival for men with prostate cancer

NRG Oncology/RTOG 0126 is the first study of its kind large enough to examine whether improvement in cancer control from escalating radiotherapy dose could convert into longer overall survival rates for such patients. The trial analyzed 1,499 participants: 748 men were randomly assigned to the experimental radiotherapy arm to receive the higher dose of 79.2Gy in 44 fractions, and 751 men were randomly assigned to the standard radiotherapy arm to receive 70.2Gy in 39 fractions. At the median follow-up time of 8.4 years, there was no difference in overall survival. The 8-year overall survival for patients who received the escalated dose of radiotherapy was 76% and the 8-year overall survival for the standard radiotherapy dose was 75%. There were more late grade 2 or greater gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities reported (occurring more than 90 days from start of treatment) for patients on the higher-dose radiotherapy arm (5-year cumulative incidence [GI/GU]: 21%/12% with 79.2Gy versus 15%/7% with 70.2Gy). However, the experimental arm had a lower rate of salvage therapies.

“If we can safely deliver the higher dose of radiotherapy, my opinion is to do that,” Michalski advised. “It does show lower risk of recurrence, which results in better quality of life. But if we can’t achieve those ‘safe’ radiotherapy dose goals, we shouldn’t put the patient at risk of serious side effects down the line by giving the higher dose. If we can’t spare the rectum or the bladder well enough, for example, we should probably back off the radiotherapy dose. It’s important to develop treatment plans for each patient on a case-by-case basis.”

NRG Oncology/RTOG0126 was funded by the National Cancer Institute.