Astro Journals

Editor-in-Chief, Robert Amdur, MD, explains the group of six papers on radiopharmaceutical therapy published in the July/August issue of Practical Radiation Oncology. These papers summarize the information clinicians need to know to direct radiopharmaceutical therapy in their clinic. Two papers explain background information and four focus on patient selection and the details of administration when using Lutetium-177 DOTATATE for neuroendocrine cancer, and Lutetium-177 PSMA or Radium- 223 for prostate cancer.

The latest podcast by Sue Yom, MD, Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics addresses the status of hypofractionation in radiation therapy for locoregonally advanced lung cancer. Articles discussed include Hoppe et al.’s article "Chemoradiation with Hypofractionated Proton Therapy in Stage II-III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Proton Collaborative Group Phase 2 Trial", Contreras et al.’s article "Phase I Study of Accelerated Hypofractionated Proton Therapy and Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Non Small Cell Lung Cancer", and Brownstein and Salama’s editorial, "Moderately Hypofractionated Proton Beam Therapy for Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A New Way Forward for Dose Escalation?" which is available in the July 15, 2022 issue.

Editor-in-Chief, Robert Amdur, MD, summarizes two essays from the Narrative Oncology section of recent issues of Practical Radiation Oncology. “The First Human Heart Transplant and Radiation Therapy” is published in the Jan/February issue and “The Gold Ring” in the May/June issue.

July 1, 2022 RJ podcast: The Role of Radiation Therapy in Diffuse Large B-cell lymphoma. The latest podcast by Sue Yom, MD, Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics addresses the balance of local and systemic issues that condition the use of radiation therapy in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Articles discussed include Campbell et al.'s Oncology Scan entitled "Balancing the Therapeutic Ratio in DLBCL Requires Appropriate, Individualized Patient Selection Rather Than Broad Elimination of Radiation Therapy" and Ladbury et al.’s article "Role of Salvage Radiation Treatment of Relapses in Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Post-Autologous Stem Cell Transplant."

Editor-in-Chief, Robert Amdur, MD, reviews two papers that explain how to improve OAR sparing based on more demanding dosimetry goals. One article is published in the March/April issue of PRO titled “Clinical Use of A Priori Knowledge of OAR Sparing During Radiotherapy Treatment for Oropharyngeal Cancer: Dosimetric and Patient Reported Outcome Improvements”. The other article is In Press at PRO and titled “Stricter Postoperative Oropharyngeal Cancer Radiotherapy Normal Tissue Dose Constraints Are Feasible”.

June 1, 2022 RJ podcast: Three Chippy Topics in Prostate Cancer. In this month’s podcast, two Genitourinary section editors, Dr. Alison Tree, consultant clinical oncologist at The Royal Marsden and Honorary Faculty at the Institute of Cancer Research, and Dr. Daniel Spratt, Chairman and Professor of Radiation Oncology at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University, join Editor-in-Chief Dr. Sue Yom to review three articles addressing cutting-edge issues in prostate cancer. The group discusses the new oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist relugolix ("An Expert Review on the Combination of Relugolix With Definitive Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer" at https://www.redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016(21)03240-5/fulltext), the future of MRI-based radiation dose escalation to the dominant intraprostatic lesion ("SABR for High-Risk Prostate Cancer - A Prospective Multilevel MRI-Based Dose Escalation Trial" at https://www.redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016(21)03047-9/full

May 1, 2022 RJ podcast: Leadership and Real World Practice in Lung Cancer and Head and Neck Cancer. The latest podcast by Sue Yom, MD, Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics addresses: the definition and importance of leadership, radiographic followup in stage I lung cancer, maintenance immunotherapy in stage III lung cancer, and decision making with T1a glottic cancer patients.

Editor-in-Chief, Robert Amdur, MD, reviews a paper from the March/April issue of PRO, "Is elective inguinal or external iliac irradiation during neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy necessary for locally advanced lower rectal cancer with anal sphincter invasion?" This paper presents a nomogram to inform the decision about targeting the inguinal and external iliac nodes for elective dose radiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer that involves the anal canal. Other links: Radiation Therapy for Rectal Cancer: Executive Summary of an ASTRO Clinical Practice Guideline

Editor-in-Chief, Robert Amdur, MD, reviews a paper from the March/April issue of PRO, "Implications of medical board certification practices on family planning and professional trajectory for early career female radiation oncologists." This paper presents the results of a national survey and requests changes in the structure of the ABR examinations. The paper is accompanied by a commentary by ABR trustees.

April 1, 2022 RJ podcast: Frequentist vs Bayesian statistics. Editor-in-Chief Dr. Sue Yom hosts a discussion of Bayesian statistics with Dr. David Sher, Statistics for the People Editor and Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Texas Southwestern, and Dr. Gareth Price, Senior Lecturer in the Division of Cancer Sciences at The University of Manchester and supervising author of the new Red Journal review, "Understanding the Differences Between Bayesian and Frequentist Statistics."

Practical Radiation Oncology associate section editor Leslie Ballas, MD hosts a conversation on the use of CAR-T therapy in hematologic malignancies. Dr. Ballas is joined by Joanna Yang, MD, MPH, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Brandon Imber, MD, MA, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and John P. Plastaras, MD, PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. They provide an overview of CAR-T, how it is created and works, potential off target effects, when it is used the treatment process, and the potential immunologic benefits of adding radiation to CAR-T cell. Check out the podcast page: https://www.practicalradonc.org/content/podcast

Radiation-Induced Senescence. Dr. Sue Yom, Editor-in-Chief, hosts a discussion of radiation-induced senescence with Dr. Marjan Boerma, Radiation Biology Section Editor at the Red Journal and Professor and Director of the Division of Radiation Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Dr. Agnès François, Research Engineer in the Radiobiology of Medical Exposure Laboratory at the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France, specializing in mouse models investigating the role of macrophages and bronchiolar epithelium in acute and late injury after focal lung irradiation. They discuss a paper recently published in the Red Journal, "Deciphering the Dynamic Molecular Program of Radiation-Induced Endothelial Senescence."

Editor-in-Chief, Robert Amdur, MD, reviews a paper from the November/December issue of PRO, "A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare the Use of Conventional Dark-Ink Tattoo and Ultraviolet-Ink Tattoo for Patients Undergoing Breast Radiation Therapy." The term "Dark Ink" refers the standard tattoo that is visible on the skin in normal light conditions and permanent-meaning the tattoo remains visible for many years. The use of visible tattoos is still standard practice in many departments, but it has negative psychological effects in some patients and is difficulty to visualize in patients with very dark skin. The paper that Dr. Amdur reviews presents the results of study using tattoo ink that is only visible with Ultraviolet light. The tattoo material used in the study is widely available, inexpensive and easy to apply. Check out the podcast page: https://www.practicalradonc.org/content/podcast

Editor-in-Chief, Robert Amdur, MD, discusses a topic featured in the January/February issue of PRO, the scope of practice in radiation oncology. Dr. Amdur provides an overview of the key points from ASTRO’s 2002 SCOPE Report and compares it to the current report. An example of lifelong management of patients is provided in “Caring for the Whole Patient After Breast Cancer Therapy: A Survivorship Guide for Radiation Oncologists.” Additional articles referenced include "Potential Financial Implications of Substituting Cognitive Medicine for Technical Radiation Oncology Billing Services" and "Diversifying for Growth or Longing for Yesterday." Check out the podcast page: https://www.practicalradonc.org/content/podcast

The latest podcast by Sue Yom, MD, Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics focuses on: health services research and breast cancer hypofractionation.

Practical Radiation Oncology section editor Daniel T. Chang, MD, hosts a conversation on the recently published ASTRO clinical practice guideline on external beam radiation therapy for primary liver cancers. Two of the guideline authors, Smith Apisarnthanarax, MD of University of Washington and Higinia Cardenes, MD, PhD of Weill Cornell, discuss the development process of the guideline and the evidence for the recommendations included.

Our Editor-in-Chief Sue Yom hosts a discussion of national workforce surveys with Dr. Shaun Loewen, Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the University of Calgary Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program and Chair of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CARO) Human Resources Committee, and Dr. Nicola Thorp, Consultant in Clinical Oncology at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Honorary Consultant at the Christie Hospital, and Medical Director of Professional Practice in Clinical Oncology at the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) in the U.K.

Incoming Editor in Chief of the Red Journal, Sue Yom, MD, PhD, hosts a podcast with Anthony Zietman, MD - his final episode as Editor in Chief. The conversation includes a discussion of the history of the journal, changes in scientific publishing, and memorable moments from Dr. Zietman's tenure.

Dr. Sue Yom introduces new initiatives for the Red Journal under her editorship and discusses the origins, establishment, and future potential of stereotactic radiotherapy with Dr. Robert Timmerman.

Practical Radiation Oncology executive editor Sanford Meeks, PhD, hosts a conversation on the use of single-isocenter radiosurgery for multiple metastases. Dr. Meeks is joined by Richard Popple, PhD and John Fiveash, MD from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well as Stephen Tenn, PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles and Catherine Mercado, MD, from Orlando Health Cancer Institute. Dr. Meeks and guests discuss the changes in radiosurgery technology, features and differences of different radiosurgery systems, treatment planning procedures, and the clinical considerations when adopting these modalities.