Phase II Trial of Response-Based Radiation Therapy for Patients With Localized CNS Nongerminomatous Germ Cell Tumors: A Children's Oncology Group Study

J Clin Oncol. 2019 Dec 1;37(34):3283-3290. doi: 10.1200/JCO.19.00701. Epub 2019 Sep 23.

Abstract

Purpose: Stratum 1 of ACNS1123 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01602666), a Children's Oncology Group phase II trial, evaluated efficacy of reduced-dose and volume of radiotherapy (RT) in children and adolescents with localized nongerminomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs). The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of reduced RT on progression-free survival (PFS) with a goal of preserving neurocognitive function.

Patients and methods: Patients received six cycles of chemotherapy with carboplatin and etoposide alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide, as used in the Children's Oncology Group predecessor study (ACNS0122; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00047320). Patients who achieved a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) with or without second-look surgery were eligible for reduced RT, defined as 30.6 Gy whole ventricular field and 54 Gy tumor-bed boost, compared with 36 Gy craniospinal irradiation plus 54 Gy tumor-bed boost used in ACNS0122.

Results: A total of 107 eligible patients were enrolled. Median age was 10.98 years (range, 3.68 to 21.63) and 75% were male. Sixty-six of 107 (61.7%) achieved a CR or PR and proceeded to reduced RT. The 3-year PFS and overall survival and standard error values were 87.8% ± 4.04% and 92.4% ± 3.3% compared with 92% and 94.1%, respectively, in ACNS0122. There were 10 recurrences, prompting early study closure; however, after a retrospective central review, only disease in eight of 66 (12.1%) patients eligible for reduced RT subsequently progressed; six patients had distant spinal relapse alone and two had disease with combined local plus distant relapse. Serum and CSF α-fetoprotein and β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels were not associated with PFS.

Conclusion: Patients with localized NGGCT who achieved a CR or PR to chemotherapy and received reduced RT had encouraging PFS similar to patients in ACNS0122 who received full-dose craniospinal irradiation. However, the patterns of failure were distinct, with all patients having treatment failure in the spine.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / mortality
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Chemoradiotherapy* / adverse effects
  • Chemoradiotherapy* / mortality
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cranial Irradiation* / adverse effects
  • Cranial Irradiation* / mortality
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / mortality
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / therapy*
  • Progression-Free Survival
  • Radiation Dosage*
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • United States
  • Young Adult

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01602666
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00047320