Review Article

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Oligometastatic Disease in Liver

Table 2

Results of prospective trials of SABR for liver metastases.

StudyDesignPatients LesionsTumor volume or size (median)Type of metsDoseMedian FULCOSToxicity

Herfarth et al. (2001) [22]Phase I/II3356NR by patientNR by patient (only by lesion)Dose escalation,
14–26 Gy (1 fx)
18 mo18-mo LC, 67%1-yr OS, 72%No significant
toxicity reported

Méndez Romero et al., (2006) [23]Phase I/II (HCC and mets)25 (17 liver mets)341.1–322 mL
(22.2 mL)
CRC (14)
Lung (1)
Breast (1)
Carcinoid (1)
30–37.5 Gy (3 fx)12.9 mo1-yr LC, 100%
2-yr LC, and 86%
1-yr OS, 85%,
2-yr OS, 62%
2 transient grade 3 elevated liver enzymes.

Hoyer et al. (2006) [24]Phase II
(CRC oligomets)
64 (44 liver mets)NR1–8.8 cm
(3.5 cm)
CRC (44) 45 Gy (3 fx)4.3 yr2-yr LC, 79%
(by tumor) and 64%
(by patient)
2-yr OS, 38%1 liver failure,
2 severe late GI
toxicities

Rusthoven et al.
(2009) [25]
Phase I/II47630.75–97.98 mL
(14.93 mL)
CRC (15)
Lung (10)
Breast (4)
Ovarian (3)
Esophageal (3)
HCC (2)
Other (10)
Dose escalation,
36–60 Gy (3 fx)
16 mo1-yr LC, 95%
2-yr LC, 92%
Median survival, 20.5 mo,
2-yr OS, 30%
No RILD
1 grade 3 soft tissue toxicity

Lee et al. (2009) [26]Phase I/II681401.2–3,090 mL
(75.9 mL)
CRC (40)
Breast (12)
Gallbladder (4)
Lung (2)
Anal canal (2)
Melanoma (2)
Other (6)
Individualized dose,
27.7–60 Gy (6 fx)
10.8 mo1-yr LC, 71%Median survival, 18 moNo RILD
10% grade 3/4 acute toxicity,
no grade 3/4 late toxicity

Ambrosino et al.
(2009) [27]
Prospective cohort271–3 lesions for each patient20–165 mL
(69 mL)
CRC (11)
Other (16)
25–60 Gy (3 fx) 13 moCrude LC rate 74%No serious toxicity

Rule et al.
(2011) [28]
Phase I2737NRDose escalation, 30 Gy (3 fx),
50 Gy (3 fx),
60 Gy (5 fx)
20 mo24-mo LC: (30 Gy) 56%; (50 Gy ) 89%; (60 Gy ) 100No serious toxicity

Scorsetti et al. (2013) [29]Phase II61761.8–134.3 mL
(18.6 mL)
CRC (29)
Breast (11)
GY (7)
Other (14)
75 Gy (3 fx)12 mo12-mo LC 94%Median survival, 19 mo; 12-mo OS, 83.5%; 18-mo OS, 65%No RILD

SABR: stereotactic ablative radiotherapy; LC: local control; OS: overall survival; CRC: colorectal cancer; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; GY: gynecological; NR: not reported; fx: fractions; RILD: radiation-induced liver disease.