Comparison of two protocols of robotic stereotactic body radiotherapy used in prostate cancer patients in a mono-institutional experience.

Objective: We analyzed initial outcomes and toxicities of the 2 schedules of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in use in our department for prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Materials and methods: Between 10/2017-05/2021, 102 PCa patients were treated using robotic SBRT with two different schedules. Group I included 73 patients treated at 36.25 Gy/ 5 fractions at the 79% median isodose, group II 29 patients treated at 38 Gy/ 4 fractions at the 63% median isodose (urethral sparing HDR-like technique). Median age was 74.5 vs 75.8 years, median initial PSA 7.20 vs 7.65 ng/ml. Gleason score was 3+3 in 11% vs 17.2%, 3+4 in 58.9% vs 51.7%, 4+3 in 17.8% vs 20.7% and not accorded (due to previous androgen deprivation) in 1.4% vs 3.5% of patients. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was prescribed in 45% vs 31% of patients, with a median duration of 7 vs 6 months. Fiducial markers were implanted into the prostate in all patients. In 52% of patients steroid therapy and/or alpha-lytics were prescribed to prevent side effects. Toxicity was scored in accordance with CTCAE v 5.0. Biochemical failure was assessed using the nadir + 2 definition. Results: Median follow-up was 23.4 (0-47.2) months in group I vs 12 (2.78-36.07) months in group II. For acute and late toxicities see Table 1. No acute grade(G) 3 toxicities were registered. One (1.4%) late G3 genitourinary toxicity (transurethral incision) occurred in a patient treated with 36.25 Gy. Median post-SBRT PSA level was 0.342 (0.001-231.00) ng/ml in group I and 0.603 (0.05-10.210) ng/ml in group II. At the last follow up 3 pts had died due to a non-cancer related cause, 4 pts had a biochemical failure with PSMA/CholinePET positive progression: 3 treated at 36.25 Gy and 1 treated at 38 Gy. Two-year biochemical relapse-free survival(bRFS) was 94.8% for the patients of group I and 88.9% for the patients of group II, respectively (p= 0.6). Overall survival (OS) was 85.7%vs 98.4% at 2 years(p=0.35). Disease-free survival(DFS) was 94.8% and 88.9%, respectively (p=0.6). No correlation was found between target volume and toxicity. Conclusion: The urethral sparing technique allowed dose escalation (from 2 Gy equivalent dose-EQD2-91 Gy to EQD2 ≥ 120 Gy with α/β 1.5) without increasing G3 toxicity and with non-inferior bRFS despite less ADT prescription. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]