Innovations in radiotherapy have led to the optimization of oncology treatments by improving precision and exploring new therapeutic strategies. Three major advances illustrate this evolution in 2024.
First, online adaptive radiotherapy for rectal cancer allows treatment to be adjusted in real-time based on the patient’s daily anatomical variations. This technology, which has been available at the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc since 2021, reduces safety margins and enhances tumor boost delivery, thereby increasing complete response rates while minimizing toxicity.
Second, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for kidney cancer offers a non-invasive alternative for patients who are ineligible for surgery. Thanks to high, precise radiation doses, this approach ensures optimal local control with minimal impact on renal function. The results of the FASTRACK II study confirm the efficacy and safety of this technique, which is now an integral part of clinical practice at the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc.
Finally, preoperative immunomodulatory radiotherapy in colorectal cancer aims to modify the tumor microenvironment to improve the response to immunotherapy. An experimental protocol initiated in 2023 is evaluating the impact of specific doses of radiotherapy on tumor immunity and the feasibility of surgical resection.
Keywords
Stereotactic radiotherapy, adaptive radiotherapy, SABR, rectal cancer, renal cancer, colorectal cancer