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Article Outline

• A Prospective Phase III Randomized Trial of Hypofractionation Versus Conventional Fractionation in Patients With High-Risk Prostate CancerPage 11
• Proton Beam Radiotherapy for Uveal Melanomas at Nice Teaching Hospital: 16 Years' ExperiencePage 98
• Sorafenib and Radiation: A Promising Combination in Colorectal CancerPage 213
• Integration of Functional MRI and White Matter Tractography in Stereotactic Radiosurgery Clinical PracticePage 257

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A Prospective Phase III Randomized Trial of Hypofractionation Versus Conventional Fractionation in Patients With High-Risk Prostate CancerPage 11 

G. Arcangeli, B. Saracino, S. Gomellini, M. G. Petrongari, S. Arcangeli, S. Sentinelli, S. Marzi, V. Landoni, J. Fowler, and L. Strigari

This study was designed to ascertain whether a hypofractionated radiation regime of 62 Gy given in 5 weeks, at 3.1 Gy/fraction, thought to be biologically equivalent with regard to tumor control to a conventional fractionation course of 80 Gy given in 8 weeks at 2.0 Gy/fraction, can result in decreased late toxicity without decreasing the tumor control in patients with high risk prostate cancer, based on the assumption that the α/β ratio (Radiosensitivity/Repair capacity ratio) for these tumors would be less than the α/β ratio for late complications. The findings of this study not only suggest that the hypofractionated regime improves the control of prostate cancer without increasing the late complications, but also that the number of treatment visits can be reduced by half, which is an important benefit for these patients who are typically an older, less mobile population.

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Proton Beam Radiotherapy for Uveal Melanomas at Nice Teaching Hospital: 16 Years' ExperiencePage 98 

J.-P. Caujolle, H. Mammar, E. Chamorey, F. Pinon, J. Herault, and P.Gastaud

This study reports the results of 886 uveal melanomas treated by proton beam radiotherapy with a long follow-up. Protons offer optimal physical properties delivering an accurate and homogeneous dose distribution within the target volume with maximum preservation of normal tissue. At ten years, the local control rate was 92.1%, the ocular conservation rate 87.3% and the metastasis-free survival rate 76.4 %. These results were achieved despite treatment of bulky melanomas and the lower safety margin in 50% of patients in order to preserve useful functional visual acuity.

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Sorafenib and Radiation: A Promising Combination in Colorectal CancerPage 213 

A. W. Suen, S. Galoforo, B. Marples, M. McGonagle, L. Downing, A. A. Martinez, J. M. Robertson, and G. D. Wilson

“This article is concerned with combining radiation with a drug, sorafenib, which targets multiple processes in cancer cells.We used two human colorectal cancer tumor models in immunocompromised mice and delivered a clinically relevant, daily radiation treatment for three weeks; each fraction of radiation was followed by the drug. The combination of radiation and sorafenib was very effective in inhibiting tumor growth in both tumor models and even “cured” some of the cancers. These data have resulted in a clinical trial at our Institution.”

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Integration of Functional MRI and White Matter Tractography in Stereotactic Radiosurgery Clinical PracticePage 257 

E. Pantelis, N. Papadakis, K. Verigos, I. Stathochristopoulou, C. Antypas, L. Lekas, A. Tzouras, E. Georgiou, and N. Salvaras

“This article is on the integration of functional MRI and tractography imaging data into stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) clinical practice. By using these imaging techniques, in addition to the standard anatomical MRI and CT images commonly used in SRS clinical applications, the functional structures and major fiber tracts situated nearby the treated lesions can be identified and spared during treatment planning process. In doing this the incidence of adverse effects, such as hemiparesis, can be minimized.”