Cone-beam computed tomography-based online adaptive radiotherapy of esophageal cancer in the neoadjuvant setting: Dosimetric analysis, toxicity and treatment response.

Abstract

Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery is a treatment option for esophageal cancer (EC). However, concerns persist regarding cardiopulmonary toxicity and inconsistent daily target coverage due to anatomical changes. To address these challenges, we implemented a CBCT-based online adaptive radiotherapy (oART) workflow for EC. This study provides updated dosimetric results and evaluates toxicity and treatment response using daily oART on the Ethos™ platform for EC in the neoadjuvant setting. We analyzed 26 EC patients treated with oART and concurrent chemotherapy, comparing dosimetric data from scheduled and adapted treatment plans. Esophagectomy was performed 8-12 weeks post-CRT, and treatment response was evaluated using Becker tumor regression grading (Grades 1a and 1b indicating pathologic major response, pMR). We documented Grade ≥3 toxicities (CTCAE v5) and analyzed associations between target volume parameters, pMR, and toxicity. Adapted plans improved PTVD99 % and CTVD99 % by 20.6 % (absolute: 15.6 %, p < 0.001) and 6.1 % (absolute: 5.4 %, p < 0.001), respectively, compared to scheduled plans. Mean heart dose decreased by 3.8 % (0.8 Gy, p = 0.038), and mean lung V20Gy reduced by 3.3 % (0.7 %, p = 0.049). Acute Grade ≥3 CRT-related toxicities occurred in 7 (27 %) patients, and Grade ≥3 post-operative complications in 17 (65.4 %). A pMR was achieved in 18 (69.2 %) patients. No significant correlation was found between target dose parameters and toxicity or pMR. This study confirms dosimetric improvements and high pMR rates with manageable toxicity following neoadjuvant CBCT-based oART in EC, suggesting oART could enhance treatment outcomes and support non-operative strategies for selected patients.