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Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a form of radiotherapy (RT) classically delivered in ≤ 10 fractions. In last years, SBRT has evolved to have a wide range of clinical applications, from curative-intent in the primary disease to the control of oligometastatic disease. Mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathies (MHL) are a frequent pattern of cancer spread, especially in the lung malignancies. Recently, there has been interest in the application of SBRT for MHL in order to improve Local Control (LC) and achieve shorter treatment durations to minimize systemic treatment breaks. Aim of this study is to evaluate LC, Loco Regional Nodal Control (LRNC), Distant Nodal Control (DNC), Distant Metastasis Free Survival (DMFS), Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS) of patients treated on MHL by SBRT and predictive factors of response. This retrospective multi-institutional study analyzes a group of patients treated by SBRT on MHL. From to 2007 to 2023 we have evaluated 127 patients with 159 MHL. The median age was 67 years. The single fraction was administered in the 16% of cases and multiple fractions in the 84 % of cases. The schedule most represented was 48 Gy in 6 fractions (range 23-60 Gy in 1-10 fractions). The medium BED(10) was 75 Gy (range: 37.5-120 Gy). The primary most represented was lung in 57%. Thirty-eight percent of MHL were classified as oligorecurrent lesions, 35% oligoprogressive, 14% oligometastatic, 13% oligopersistent. The LC was reached in 81% of MHL treated by SBRT with rates at 1-3- and 5- years of 80%, 75% and 75% respectively. At univariate analysis we have appreciated a statistically significant correlation with LC and the number of fractions, with better results whit the single fraction (p: 0.0018). The rates of LRNC at 1-3- and 5- years were 72%, 66% and 50% respectively, whit a statistically significant correlation with BED(10) >75 Gy and the state of metastasis (oligorecurrent disease have better results), p: 0.0001 and 0.0011 respectively. The rates of DNC at 1-3- and 5- years were 82%, 75% and 68% respectively, whit a statistically significant correlation with BED(10) >75 Gy and the single fraction, p: 0.0001 and 0.0396 respectively. The rates of DMFS at 1-3- and 5- years were 50%, 40% and 24% respectively, and the rates of PFS at 1-3- and 5- years were 32%, 19% and 9% respectively. At univariate analysis we have found a statistically correlation between the state of metastasis (oligorecurrent disease have better results) DMFS and PFS with a p value of 0.0022 and 0.0058 respectively. The rates of OS at 1-3- and 5- years of 66%, 41% and 28% respectively. The best response in terms of complete, partial and stable response was maintained in a medium of 9 months (range: 1-68 months). SBRT is an option for the treatment of MHL, with high rates of LC and LRNC able to improve the rates of progression free survival and survival. More studies need to better understand the predictive factors of response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterizing the binding preferences of transcription factors (TFs) in different cell types and conditions is key to understand how they orchestrate gene expression. Here, we develop TFscope, a machine learning approach that identifies sequence features explaining the binding differences observed between two ChIP-seq experiments targeting either the same TF in two conditions or two TFs with similar motifs (paralogous TFs). TFscope systematically investigates differences in the core motif, nucleotide environment and co-factor motifs, and provides the contribution of each key feature in the two experiments. TFscope was applied to > 305 ChIP-seq pairs, and several examples are discussed., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT ) is a multi-step procedure with each step requiring extreme accuracy. Physician-dependent accuracy includes appropriate disease staging, multi-disciplinary discussion with shared decision-making, choice of morphological and functional imaging methods to identify and delineate the tumor target and organs at risk, an image-guided patient set-up, active or passive management of intra-fraction movement, clinical and instrumental follow-up. Medical physicist-dependent accuracy includes use of advanced software for treatment planning and more advanced Quality Assurance procedures than required for conventional radiotherapy. Consequently, all the professionals require appropriate training in skills for high-quality SRT. Thanks to the technological advances, SRT has moved from a "frame-based" technique, i.e. the use of stereotactic coordinates which are identified by means of rigid localization frames, to the modern "frame-less" SRT which localizes the target volume directly, or by means of anatomical surrogates or fiducial markers that have previously been placed within or near the target. This review describes all the SRT steps in depth, from target simulation and delineation procedures to treatment delivery and image-guided radiation therapy. Target movement assessment and management are also described., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (© 2022 Greater Poland Cancer Centre.)

The liver is the first metastatic site in 15-25% of colorectal cancer patients and one of the first metastatic sites for lung and breast cancer patients. A computed tomography (CT ) scan with contrast medium is a standard procedure for assessing liver lesions but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characterizes small lesions better thanks to its high soft-tissue contrast. Positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET-CT ) plays a complementary role in the diagnosis of liver metastases. Triphasic (arterial, venous and time-delayed) acquisition of contrast-medium CT images is the first step in treatment planning. Since the liver exhibits a relatively wide mobility due to respiratory movements and bowel filling, appropriate techniques are needed for target identification and motion management. Contouring requires precise recognition of target lesion edges. Information from contrast MRI and/or PET-CT is crucial as they best visualize metastatic disease in the parenchyma. Even though different fractionation schedules were reported, doses and fractionation schedules for liver stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT ) have not yet been established. The best local control rates were obtained with BED 10 values over 100 Gy. Local control rates from most retrospective studies, which were limited by short follow-ups and included different primary tumors with intrinsic heterogeneity, ranged from 60% to 90% at 1 and 2 years. The most common SRT-related toxicities are increases in liver enzymes, hyperbilirubinemia and hypoalbuminemia. Overall, late toxicity is mild even in long-term follow-ups., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (© 2022 Greater Poland Cancer Centre.)