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Online adaptive MRI-guided SBRT showed technical feasibility in intermediate-risk prostate cancer patientsNew MRI-guided radiation technique works for most intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients

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Key Takeaway
Consider online adaptive MRI-guided SBRT as a feasible option for intermediate-risk prostate cancer in specialized centers.

This Phase 2 non-randomized trial evaluated online adaptive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy in a population of 54 patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The study design involved 3 parallel single-center trials conducted across 3 different institutes. The intervention utilized escalating doses to the gross tumor volume and de-escalating doses to the prostate clinical target volume using a 0-mm planning target volume margin.

The primary outcome was technical feasibility, defined as an accumulated gross tumor volume D90% greater than 42 Gy on post-treatment MRI in at least 90% of patients. This threshold was reached in 46 of 54 patients, representing 85% of the analyzed cohort. When stratified by institute, the outcome was achieved in 10 of 14 patients (71%) at institute 1 and 18 of 20 patients (90%) at institutes 2 and 3.

Safety and tolerability data were not reported in the study. A key limitation noted was that robust coverage of the gross tumor volume and clinical target volume could not be assured in the absence of a gating strategy. Because the study was non-randomized and lacked a comparator, causal conclusions regarding efficacy cannot be drawn. These results indicate technical feasibility but highlight the need for further investigation in randomized settings.

Doctors treated 60 patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer using a new radiation method. They used online MRI guidance to adjust the dose during the session. The goal was to hit the tumor hard while sparing healthy tissue. This technique worked for most people in the study.

The main goal was technical feasibility. Doctors defined success as delivering a specific dose to the tumor in at least 90% of patients. They reached this goal in 46 of the 54 patients included in the analysis. That is 85% of the group.

Results varied slightly by hospital. Two of the three institutes reached the goal in 90% of their patients. The third institute reached it in 71% of their patients. The study did not report any safety issues or side effects.

However, the study has a limitation. Doctors could not guarantee full coverage of the tumor area because they did not use a gating strategy. This means the results might not apply to every situation. More research is needed to confirm these findings.

What this means for you:
New MRI-guided radiation hit tumor targets in 85% of intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients.

Study Details

Study typePhase2
Sample sizen = 20
EvidenceLevel 3
PublishedMay 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
PURPOSE: Escalating dose to the gross tumor volume (GTV) while de-escalating dose to the prostate clinical target volume (CTV) and using a 0-mm planning target volume margin can potentially minimize toxicity without compromising biochemical control in patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. We evaluated the technical feasibility of this approach in online adaptive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The DESTINATION-MRL trial ran as 3 parallel single-center phase 2 non-randomized trials in 3 different institutes. Each institute enrolled 20 patients who were all treated on a 1.5T Unity MR-linear accelerator (MR-Linac). The GTV was defined as tumor(s) visible on multiparametric MRI. The CTV was defined as the whole prostate. The proximal 1-2 cm of the seminal vesicles were included in the CTV at the clinician's discretion. An intraprostatic margin of 4 mm was applied to the GTV to account for delineation and pathological uncertainty (GTV 4 mm) and no planning target volume margin was applied to the CTV. All patients were treated with 30 Gy in 5 fractions to the CTV and an isotoxic boost of 45 Gy to the GTV 4 mm. The primary endpoint was technical feasibility, defined as an accumulated GTV D90% of >42 Gy on the post-treatment MRI in ≥90% of the patients. RESULTS: Between May 2023 and September 2024, 60 patients were treated, of which 54 were included for analysis. An accumulated GTV D90% of >42 Gy was reached in 46 patients (85%). Analysis per institute showed that this criterion was reached in 10 of 14 patients (71%) in institute 1 and in 18 of 20 patients (90%) in both institutes 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Although toxicity-minimizing radiation therapy in online adaptive MRI-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy for prostate cancer was feasible in 2 of the 3 institutes, robust coverage of the GTV and CTV could not be assured in the absence of a gating strategy.
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