National Cancer Database Analysis of Proton Versus Photon Radiation Therapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2017 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJROBP.2016.10.001· OSTI ID:22645749

O'Connell, Kelli ^[1]; Liu, Yuan ^[2]; Gillespie, Theresa W. ^[2]; McDonald, Mark W. ^[3]; Pillai, Rathi N. ^[2]; Patel, Kirtesh R.; Patel, Pretesh R. ^[3]; Robinson, Clifford G. ^[4]; Simone, Charles B. ^[5]; Owonikoko, Taofeek K. ^[2]; Belani, Chandra P. ^[6]; others, and

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1. Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (United States)
2. Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (United States)
3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (United States)
4. Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri (United States)
5. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States)
6. Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania University, Hershey, Pennsylvania (United States)

Purpose: To analyze outcomes and predictors associated with proton radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the National Cancer Database. Methods and Materials: The National Cancer Database was queried to capture patients with stage I-IV NSCLC treated with thoracic radiation from 2004 to 2012. A logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors for utilization of proton radiation therapy. The univariate and multivariable association with overall survival were assessed by Cox proportional hazards models along with log–rank tests. A propensity score matching method was implemented to balance baseline covariates and eliminate selection bias. Results: A total of 243,822 patients (photon radiation therapy: 243,474; proton radiation therapy: 348) were included in the analysis. Patients in a ZIP code with a median income of <$46,000 per year were less likely to receive proton treatment, with the income cohort of $30,000 to $35,999 least likely to receive proton therapy (odds ratio 0.63 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44-0.90]; P=.011). On multivariate analysis of all patients, non-proton therapy was associated with significantly worse survival compared with proton therapy (hazard ratio 1.21 [95% CI 1.06-1.39]; P<.01). On propensity matched analysis, proton radiation therapy (n=309) was associated with better 5-year overall survival compared with non-proton radiation therapy (n=1549), 22% versus 16% (P=.025). For stage II and III patients, non-proton radiation therapy was associated with worse survival compared with proton radiation therapy (hazard ratio 1.35 [95% CI 1.10-1.64], P<.01). Conclusions: Thoracic radiation with protons is associated with better survival in this retrospective analysis; further validation in the randomized setting is needed to account for any imbalances in patient characteristics, including positron emission tomography–computed tomography staging.

• OSTI ID: 22645749
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 97; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
LUNGS
MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS
NEOPLASMS
PATIENTS
PROTON BEAMS
RADIOTHERAPY