Carbon ion radiotherapy shows potential in some bone sarcomas

Carbon ion radiotherapy is safe and effective for bone sarcomas and may improve local control, overall survival, and lower acute and late toxicity, according to a study.

In this meta-analysis, researchers identified 12 studies including 897 patients with bone sarcomas (chordoma, n = 526; chondrosarcoma, n = 255; osteosarcoma, n = 112; and other sarcomas, n = 4).

The local control rate at 1 year was 98.5%, at 2 years was 85.8%, at 3 years was 86%, at 4 years was 91.1%, at 5 years was 74.3%, and at 10 years was 64.7%. The overall survival rate were 99.9%, 89.6%, 85%, 92.4%, 72.7%, and 72.1%, respectively.

Overall, the incidence of acute and late toxicities was mostly grade 1 to grade 2, and grade 1 to grade 3, respectively.

Reference

Dong M, Liu R, Zhang Q, et al. Efficacy and safety of carbon ion radiotherapy for bone sarcomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Radiat Oncol. 2022;17(1):172. doi: 10.1186/s13014-022-02089-0. PMID: 36284346.