Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Curative carbon ion radiotherapy in a head and neck mucosal melanoma series: Facing the future within
Sara Ronchi1, Alessandro Cicchetti2, Maria Bonora1
1Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), Pavia, Italy.
Purpose:
To evaluate efficacy and toxicity of carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) in locally advanced head and neck mucosal melanoma (HNMM) patients treated at our Institute.
Materials And Methods:
Between June 2013 and June 2020, 40 HNMM patients were treated with CIRT. Prescription dose was 65.6-68.8 Gy relative biological effectiveness [RBE] in 16 fractions. Twelve (30%) patients received only biopsy, 28 (70%) surgical resection before CIRT. Immunotherapy was administered before and/or after CIRT in 45% of patients, mainly for distant progression (89%).
Results:
Median follow-up was 18 months. 2-year Local Relapse Free Survival (LRFS), Overall Survival (OS), Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Distant Metastasis Free Survival (DMFS) were 84.5%, 58.6%, 33.2% and 37.3%, respectively. At univariate analysis, LRFS was significantly better for non-recurrent status, < 2 surgeries before CIRT and treatment started < 9 months from the initial diagnosis, with no significant differences for operated versus unresected patients. After relapse, immunotherapy provided longer median OS (17 months vs 3.6, p-value<0.001). Late toxicity ≥ G3 (graded with CTCAE 5.0 scale) was reported in 10% of patients.
Conclusion:
CIRT in advanced HNMM patients is safe and locally effective. Prospective trials are warranted to assess the role of targeted/immune- systemic therapy to improve OS.
