Work

Survival and prognostic factors analysis of carbon ion radiotherapy for limited-stage small cell lung cancer

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy, safety and prognostic influencing factors of carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) in patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). Methods: The clinical data of 39 patients with LS-SCLC who received CIRT from June 2020 to August 2026 were retrospectively analyzed. Survival outcomes and adverse reactions were evaluated, and Cox regression was used to analyze prognostic factors. Results: All patients completed the treatment. The 3-month objective response rate (ORR) was 64.10%. The 1- and 2-year local control rates were both 91.2%. The 1- and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates were 91.65% and 62.45%, with a median OS of 44 months. The 1- and 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 72.00% and 47.77%, with a median PFS of 24 months. Serum levels of NSE, CYFRA21-1, SCC and CEA decreased significantly after treatment. Acute treatment-related adverse reactions were mainly grade I-II and could be relieved after symptomatic treatment. Stratified Cox regression indicated that KPS score was an independent protective factor for OS. Univariate analysis suggested that the magnitude of post-treatment reduction in SCC and CYFRA21-1 was potentially associated with survival outcomes. Conclusion: CIRT achieves favorable local tumor control with low acute radiotherapy-related toxicity, and can serve as an alternative therapeutic option for LS-SCLC. This is a single-center, small-sample retrospective study, and the conclusions regarding efficacy and prognosis need to be further verified in larger-sample cohorts.

Source: Frontiers in Oncology

DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1898779