15 posts from ASTRO23 not to miss.

The 65th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO 2023) took place at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California, from October 1 to 4. Our team at OncoDaily has collected 15 posts from ASTRO 2023.

1. Sudha Amarnath, Radiation-oncology residency program director at Cleveland Clinic:

“Such important points for every radiology oncologist that takes care of female pelvic XRT patients! Our patients deserve a proactive approach!”

Photo taken from Sudha Amarnath/Twitter

2. Venkatraman Radhakrishnan, Professor and Head of Department Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute (W.I.A):

“Two oral presentations at ASTRO2023 from Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, and Tata Memorial Centre in the breast cancer session.
Highly relevant to practice in India and other countries.

Concurrent Chemoradiation is not widely practiced in breast cancer. However, it helps an inoperable LABC to improve operability. It increases path CR. Useful in settings where patients present with advanced disease and access to HER2 targeted and immunotherapy is limited. Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai is the leader in this field.

Watch out for the phase 2 RCT results from Dr. Priya and a team of Cancer Institute (WIA) on neoadjuvant concurrent RT with paclitaxel and trastuzumab in Her2 positive inoperable locally advanced breast cancer.

The Cancer Institute (WIA) abstract by Dr. Priya is also to be discussed in the ASTRO2023 science symposium as one of the top abstracts.”

Photos taken from Venkatraman Radhakrishnan/Twitter

3. Matthias Guckenberger, Radiation Oncologist at the University Hospital Zurich:

“PACE-B 5-year results presented at ASTRO23 by Nicholas van As.

-Excellent outcome of >95% biochemical control in SBRT,
-No difference in long-term toxicity.

STANDARD OF CARE for favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer.”

Photo taken from Matthias Guckenberger/Twitter

4. Nat Lester-Coll, Radiation Oncologist at UVM Medical Center:

“ASTRO 2023 Plenary 02:

Phase 3 54 Gray /30 (VMAT-SIB) vs. 45 Gray /30 Twice Daily Chemoradiotherapy in Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer (Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation given for responsive disease):

– Improved Overall Survival with dose escalation from 53% to 77% at 2 Years.
– Similar toxicity with 12% esophagitis in both arms.

Notably, patients aged 70 and older were excluded, and most patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0. Additionally, most patients in the study were never smokers.”

Photo taken from Nat Lester-Coll/Twitter

5. Shankar Siva, Radiation Oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre:

“Dr. Denise Bernhardt shows RCT of radiosurgery versus whole brain radiotherapy for small cell lung cancer.
– Primary endpoint cognitive decline.
– 24% decline in WBRT versus 7% in SRS alone,
– OS data to mature!”

Photo taken from Shankar Siva/Twitter

6. Kekoa Taparra, Resident Physician at Stanford Medicine

“Blown away by the talented Dr. Idalid Franco for synthesizing a high-level discussion of topics at ASTRO23.
As a trainee who has looked up to Dr. Franco for MANY years, she inspires me to advocate for change and improve myself.

Congrats Dr. Franco!”

Photo taken from Kekoa Taparra/Twitter

7. Sara Beltrán Ponce, PGY-5 radiation oncology resident at the Medical College of Wisconsin:

“Tumor boards before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m. cause a greater burden for women and those with children. Virtual tumor boards help, but more is needed to help ensure work-life integration for all radiation oncologists.”

Photo taken from Sara Beltrán Ponce/Twitter

8. Emma B. Holliday, Radiation oncologist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center:

“Superstar MS3 Ty Forbes presenting on dosimetric predictors of LARS syndrome after LRCRT for rectal cancer. We didn’t find any actionable dose constraints for the anal canal or small bowel. More work is needed to evaluate other OARs involved in defecation & continenence!”

Photo taken from Emma B. Holliday/Twitter

9. Emma B. Holliday, Radiation oncologist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

“Same mama same sweet boy, 5 years apart! ASTRO has come so far in supporting parents to need or choose to travel with their babies/kids. In 2018 I was embarrassed to bring Micah when my babysitter cancelled last minute. Now moms and dads are proudly inspiring the future of radiology oncology!”

Photo taken from Emma B. Holliday/Twitter

10. Peter Pisters, President of the MD Anderson Cancer Center:

“What a fantastic evening hosting MD Anderson Cancer Center’s President’s Reception with Albert Koong at ASTRO23. Inspired by our talented colleagues and their passion to advance radiation oncology breakthroughs that continue to benefit patients around the world.”

Photo taken from Peter Pisters/Twitter

11. Brian Lawenda, Radiation Oncologist at GenesisCare:

“The vast majority of T1NO, ER/PR+, and HER-breast cancers have excellent outcomes with adjuvant RT alone. The addition of endocrine therapy after RT doesn’t improve LC or survival… but it does add years of side effects and cost. Patients need to know that RT-alone is an option.”

Photo taken from Brian Lawenda/Twitter

12. Gustavo A. Viani, Professor of Radiation Oncology at Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo:

“Great findings from the HYPNO trial presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting 2023!

– 55 Gray/20 fractions is not inferior to a dose of 66 Gray/33 fractions, with or without cisplatin chemotherapy, for the treatment of head and neck cancer.
– It is practice-changing, mainly for head and neck cancer treatment in low and middle-income countries.”

13. Todd Scarbrough, Radiation Oncology Specialist at Jackson Hospital, Alabama:

“These “fantastic” and “outstanding” results being presented at ASTRO23 this week will not result in “enormous” change for radiology oncology in the US.

Will be ignored unless payors mandate,

Financially infaust and MDs don’t trust results.”

14. Stephen Ramey, Radiation Oncologist at St. Joseph’s/Candler:

“Can we opt for SRS rather than WBRT for small cell lung cancer brain metastases? Initial results from ARO 2018-9 presented by Dr. Rinaa Puglia at ASTRO23

• less decline in cognition (HVL-T)
• similar OS ( but short 6 mo follow up)
• Other endpoints pending

Photo taken from Stephen Ramey/Twitter

15. American Society for Radiation Oncology

“Congratulations to the 2A023 ASTRO Fellows!”

Photo taken from ASTRO/Twitter