Preliminary Results of Multi-Institutional Phase 1 Dose Escalation Trial Using Single-Fraction Stereotactic Partial Breast Irradiation for Early Stage Breast Cancer

Purpose: We report on our early experience of our prospective multicenter phase 1 dose-escalation study of single-fraction stereotactic partial breast irradiation (S-PBI) for early stage breast cancer after partial mastectomy using a robotic stereotactic radiation system. Methods and Materials: Thirty women with in situ or invasive breast cancer stage 0, I, or II with tumor size <3 cm treated with lumpectomy were enrolled in this phase 1 single-fraction S-PBI dose-escalation trial. Women received either 22.5, 26.5, or 30 Gy in a single fraction using a robotic stereotactic radiation system. The primary outcome was to reach tumoricidal dose of 30 Gy in a single fraction to the lumpectomy cavity without exceeding the maximum tolerated dose. Secondary outcomes were to determine dose-limiting toxicity and cosmesis. Tertiary goals were ipsilateral breast recurrence rate, distant disease free interval, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival. Results: From June 2016 to January 2021, 11, 8, and 10 patients were treated to doses of 22.5, 26.5, or 30 Gy in a single fraction, respectively, with median follow-up being 47.9, 25.1, and 16.2 months. No patients experienced acute (<90 days) grade 3 or higher treatment-related toxicity, and maximum tolerated dose was not reached. There were 2 delayed grade 3 toxicities. Four patients (13.8%) developed fat necrosis across all 3 cohorts, which compares favorably with results from other PBI trials. No dose cohort had a statistically significant cosmetic detriment from baseline to 12 months or 24 months follow-up by patient- or physician-reported global cosmetic scores. There were no reports of disease recurrence. Conclusions: This phase 1 trial demonstrates that S-PBI can be used to safely escalate dose to 30 Gy in a single fraction with low toxicity and without detriment in cosmesis relative to baseline. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Automated summary

The study on single-fraction stereotactic partial breast irradiation (S-PBI) for early stage breast cancer after partial mastectomy using a robotic stereotactic radiation system demonstrates the feasibility of safely escalating the dose to 30 Gy in a single fraction with low toxicity and minimal impact on cosmesis.