Introduction

Adenoid cystic carcinomas are rare tumours mostly of the head and neck and account for approximately 10-15% of malignant salivary gland tumours [1]. They are characterised by a rather slow growth pattern but also perineural spread and a high propensity for haematogenous metastases. Standard treatment so far consists of complete surgical resection followed by adjuvant irradiation in case of risk factors (i.e. close margins, perineural invasion, extensive primary tumor (T3, T4) or high-grade histology) [2–4].

Local control in this disease could already be improved by adjuvant radiation, the introduction of high-precision RT techniques (i.e. FSRT and/or IMRT) with consecutive dose escalation, and last but not least high-LET RT. To achieve local control, radiation doses of >60 Gy or even 66 Gy are recommended [5–8].

Initial local control rates combined IMRT plus C12 heavy ion boost to a total dose of 72 GyE were 78% at 4 years [9]. Recent updates including all patients treated at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung (GSI) Darmstadt between 1997 and 2008 even yielded a local control rate of 82% at 5 years [10, 11]. Therefore the combination of IMRT and carbon ion boost shows comparable or even superior control rates to neutron RT [12, 13] without increase of late toxicity and subsequent morbidity consistent with outcomes reported by Mizoe et al [14]. Therefore, IMRT plus C12 boost has been accepted as a standard in Germany whenever available.

Albeit progress has been made by the introduction of particle therapy in the treatment concept of adenoid cystic carcinoma, local control rates still leave room for improvement. With the successful introduction of combination regimen in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), leading to a significant improvement not only in local control but also in overall survival, investigation of this approach was obvious in adenoid cystic carcinoma hoping for further improvement of local control and higher response rates of bulky tumours. Radiochemotherapy in the treatment of malignant salivary gland tumors (MSGT) however, has not evolved beyond the phase II-stage or retrospective analysis of very heterogeneous treatment regimen [15–18] into a treatment standard so far as results have been more or less inconclusive.

Immunostaining of surgical specimen however [19], could show over-expression of EGFR in adenoid cystic carcinoma in high percentages hence implying use of targeted therapies as potential alternative [19, 20] to comparatively toxic chemotherapy regimen commonly used in recurrent or metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma since the mid 80-ies [21–24]. Despite the initial euphoria, treatment results have so far failed to impress: no objective response in recurrent or metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma could be shown in any of the trials [25–27] although prolonged disease stabilization was observed in the reported series [26, 27].

Since the publication of combined radioimmunotherapy with the EGF receptor antibody cetuximab in SCCHN of the Bonner trial in 2006 [28, 29] though, application of these drugs in adenoid cystic carcinoma seemed feasible in view of potential increase of radiation sensitivity and - albeit modest - systemic activity given the relatively mild toxicity profile of EGFR antibodies. Hence, we would like to present our experiences in combined radioimmunotherapy of adenoid cystic carcinoma with cetuximab.

Methods

In an individual approach patients received radioimmunotherapy with cetuximab for advanced or recurrent adenoid cystic carcinoma between 01/2006 and 06/2010. Baseline characteristics as well as treatment parameters were retrieved to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of the combination regimen were evaluated.

Indication

Radioimmunotherapy for adenoidcystic carcinoma not representing a therapeutic standard, medical indication was highly individual and made in interdisciplinary consensus only in cases where applicable radiation doses were deemed insufficient for reasonable tumour control. Given the fact carbon ion treatment was only available three times a year for a very limited number of patients, this series includes patients in need of immediate treatment due to rapid tumour progression or locoregional relapse after prior RT. Sufficient dose prescription (>70 Gy) was not possible in all of these cases either because of proximity/involvement of critical structures or prior RT, hence the idea was to increase efficacy of radiation therapy by combined radioimmunotherapy usually accompanied with only mild toxicity. Rationale for the proposed treatment was extensively discussed and decisions made in accordance with the patients.

5/9 pts hade undergone prior RT (median dose: 58 Gy, range 50,4 - 62 Gy) with a median time interval of 57 months for treatment for adenoidcystic carcinoma. Four pts received radioimmunotherapy as part of their primary treatment but showed extensive tumour mass directly adjacent to or involving critical structures. 8/9 pts received IMRT (2 pts as tomotherapy, 6 pts in step and shoot technique), 1 pt received combined IMRT plus C12-boost due to rapid postoperative local progression.

Histomorphologic evaluation and immunohistochemistry

The histomorphological diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma was confirmed in all cases by a board certified pathologist with a special expertise in head and neck pathology. For immunohistochemistry 5 μm paraffin sections were cut. Detection of EGFR was performed with the EGFR pharm Dx kit by DAKO (K1492) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Staining was scored as positive if any membranous positivity was observed, however, all investigated cases showed strong membranous positivity in a considerable number of tumor cells (Figure 1a/b).

Figure 1
figure 1

ACC and EGFR expression. (A) Histology of an adenoid cystic carcinoma (H&E stain). (B) Strong membranous expression of EGFR in the majority of tumor cells of the same tumor (EGFR immunohistochemistry). Magnification ×200.

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Radiation therapy

Immobilization/planning examinations

Patients were immobilized using individual scotch cast or thermoplastic head masks with thermoplastic shoulder fixation. Planning examinations consisted of a planning CT scan (3 mm slice thickness) with the patient positioned in the individual fixation device and contrast-enhanced MRI for 3 D image correlation.

Target volumes: primary (photon) RT

Target delineation was carried out based on planning CT and MRI scan. CTV1 included the macroscopic tumor/prior tumor bed with a margin of 2 mm with special focus on the R2/R1-area as well as respective neural pathways to the base of skull (cave: perineural invasion and skip lesions).

CTV2 included CTV1 with generous safety margin along typical pathways of spread (if possible safety margin of about 5 cm) depending on the anatomical relationship of adjacent structures. In particular, neurovascular sheaths and locoregional ipsilateral nodal levels were also included in the CTV2.

Target volumes: re-irradiation

For patients who had already undergone a course of prior radiotherapy, the treatment volume was strictly limited to the gross tumour volume and did not include elective nodal levels. Doses of were highly individualised but aimed at 50 - 60 Gy re-irradiation in 2 Gy/fraction [30] depending on elapsed time since the first course of RT and prior RT-dose.

Target volumes: combined IMRT + carbon ion boost

CTV1 (carbon ion boost) included the macroscopic tumor/prior tumor bed with special focus on the R2/R1-area as well as respective neural pathways to the base of skull (cave: perineural invasion and skip lesions). PTV1 consists of a 3 mm margin around the CTV1 but does not extend into critical organs at risk (i.e. brain stem, spinal cord).

Treatment is given at the HIT (Heidelberg ion therapy centre) after inverse treatment planning in active beam application (raster-scanning method).

CTV2 included CTV1 with safety margins along typical pathways of spread. Only ipsilateral nodal levels (II and III) are included, however, in case the primary tumor is/was located at midline or crossing midline, bilateral nodal levels II and III are covered. In case there is pathological lymph node involvement, additional nodal levels were covered as indicated. CTV2 also encompassed the complete surgical operational area. The CTV2 also takes account for set-up variations, hence corresponds to the PTV2 (CTV2 = PTV2).

Immunotherapy

Cetuximab was administered as 400 mg/m2 body surface loading dose 7 days prior to RT-treatment start after administration of anti-histamines (dimetindene) and corticosteroids (dexamethasone).

Weekly administrations of Cetuximab 250 mg/m2 body surface followed for the duration of radiotherapy.

Analysis

Treatment response was analysed 6 wks post completion of RIT (first follow-up) and at each available follow-up (best response) according to RECIST criteria [31] based on available follow-up scans (CT or MRI) and clinical examinations. Treatment outcome (locoregional, distant and overall progression-free survival as well as overall survival) was evaluated using higher non-parametric statistics (Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis) with the software xlstat 2010. Progression-free survival was defined as the time from start of combined radioimmunotherapy until the first event (i.e. locoregional relapse, distant metastases, death). Similarly, overall survival was calculated from start of radioimmunotherapy until death from any cause.

Results

Nine pts with adenoid cystic carcinoma receiving combined radioimmunotherapy with cetuximab were identified. Median follow-up is 12,5 months [1,2 - 29,6 mo]. Tumours were mostly located near or at the base of skull (epipharynx, pterygopalatine fossa, skull base). All patients had a macroscopically visible tumour mass, all but one T4 tumours (patient characteristics see table 1). EGFR expression analysis was available in 8/9 pts (all of them with at least moderate or high expression rates), specimen for one pt were unfit for EGFR analysis.

Table 1 patient characteristics
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Median dose applied was 65 Gy (total) and 50,4 Gy in pts receiving the second course of radiation (median cumulative dose 111,2 Gy) after a median interval of 63,7 months between the two courses (table 2). All pts in this series received IMRT either as single modality (8/9pts) or as combined treatment with carbon ion boost (1/9 pts). Prior RT in the 5 cases with re-irradiation was carried out using IMRT (3 pts), stereotactic single fraction only (1 pt) and 3 D conventional (1 pt). All patients completed the treatment as planned; there were no treatment interruptions. A median of 6 cycles cetuximab [4 - 8 cycles] (excluding loading dose) were applied. Treatment was tolerated well without any cases of allergic reactions and only one case of CTC °III toxicity (mucositis °III leading to temporary feeding tube dependence). 8/9pts developed acneiforme skin reactions °I/II, 7/9 pts radiodermatitis °I/II and mucositis °I/II (table 3). In the 7 pts with follow-up available, acute reactions were completely resolved at first follow-up, there were no treatment-related late effects.

Table 2 treatment
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Table 3 observed toxicity
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At first follow-up 8/9 pts (88,9%) showed good partial remissions. 1 pt died prior to the first f/u (6 wks post RT) due to tumor bleeding. (table 4). On further f/u, 6/7pts stayed locally controlled. Figure 2(a/b) shows the pretherapeutic MRI scan for a patient with large ACC extending from the optic canal to the pterygoid muscles. The applied IMRT treatment plan using a simultaneous integrated boost concept and the corresponding DVH are shown in Figures 3a/b and 4. 66 Gy were prescribed to the median of CTV1. However, impaired coverage needed to be accepted in order to spare the left optic nerve. This patient is still locally controlled 21/2 years post treatment, one f/u scan showing good PR is depicted on Figure 5 (a/b). Another pt actually showed a complete remission on further f/u corresponding to a 2-year local control rate of 80% (Figure 6). 1 pt developed a regional relapse outside the re-RT field 10 mo post re-RT, 1 pt developed local, locoregional, and distant relapse (pulmonary and hepatic metastases). Another patient has so far stayed locally controlled but did develop bone metastases, distant control and PFS at 2 years are 62,5% (Figures 7+8). Four pts received further treatment (2 pts with chemotherapy for local progression (carboplatin/vinorelbine, 1 pt) and distant failure (paclitaxel, 1 pt), 1 pt received photodynamic therapy for contralateral progression (out-of field), 1 pt received further radiation for bone metastases). Four patients are deceased as of July 2010 due to disease progression, hence overall survival at 2 years is only 25% and corresponding to disease-specific survival (Figure 9).

Table 4 treatment response
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Figure 2
figure 2

Initial, contrast-enhanced MRI of a large adenoid cystic carcinoma extending from the left pterygoid muscles (a) into the cavernous sinus and left orbit (b).

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Figure 3
figure 3

IMRT treatment plan applying an integrated boost concept; dose distribution pterygoid muscles (a) and cavernous sinus/left orbit (b); 100% corresponding to 66 Gy; CTV1 receives a median of 66 Gy, CTV2 was prescribed 54 Gy.

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Figure 4
figure 4

Corresponding DVH; dose prescribed to the median of CTV1; 100% := 66 Gy.

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Figure 5
figure 5

Follow-up contrast enhanced MRI 14 months post radioimmunotherapy: therapy-related changes: pterygoid muscles (a) and cavernous sinus/left orbit (b).

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Figure 6
figure 6

Local control; mean local ctrl: 13,5 mo; local ctrl @2a:80%.

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Figure 7
figure 7

Distant control; mean distant ctrl. 22,1 mo; median distant ctrl: 29,6 mo [95% CI: 12,1 - 29,6 mo].

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Figure 8
figure 8

overall progression-free survival (PFS); mean PFS: 22,1 mo, median PFS: 29,6 mo [95% CI: 11,9 - 29,6 mo]; PFS @ 2a: 62,5%.

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Figure 9
figure 9

Overall survival; mean OS: 16,8 mo; median OS: 22,2 mo; OS @2a: 25%.

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Discussion

In SCCHN, combination therapy with the EGFR-antibody cetuximab yielded comparable results to chemoradiation regimen on retrospective comparisons [29, 32] without increase of toxicity - except acneiforme skin reactions - and has therefore raised interest for this combination also in other histologies. Analyses on adenoid cystic carcinoma surgical specimen showed high rates of EGFR and c-kit expression, hence potential targets for biological agents [19, 20]. Faced with limitations in dose prescription in the presented cases, we saw the chance to exploit radio-sensitizing potential of the EGFR- antibody cetuximab to potentially improve these patients' outcome despite necessary compromises on dose and target volume coverage at the cost of very low toxicity. Consistent with the data by Bonner et al [28, 29, 32], combined radioimmunotherapy with cetuximab was tolerated well and without any major, treatment-related side effects despite one case of °III mucositis and consecutive dysphagia. Considering the extent and localisation of the target volume, this would also have been expected in single-modality RT.

Treatment response with approx. 78% in all pts (7/9 pts) and 100% in pts with follow-up available as well as local control (80% @2a) were comparatively high despite the fact 5/9 pts (55,6%) received therapy as re-irradiation. So far, published data report local control rates in adenoid cystic carcinoma of 78% at 2 and 4 years with IMRT and carbon ion boost [9], between 75 - 100% for particle therapy including neutrons [12, 13, 33], and between 24,5% and 82% in at least R1 resected tumours with up to 62% in large primary or R2-resected disease [4, 7, 13, 34]. While our median local control has not been reached, the actuarial local control in our series was 80% at 2 years, hence slightly higher than in the previously published IMRT-series (local control of 75% at 2 years and 38% at 4 years [34]) and comparable to the above mentioned carbon ion results [9]. Considering a median overall survival of 20 months, it is, however, not possible to extrapolate expected local control rates. As reported by the groups of Chen and Garden [6–8], local control was largely dependent on applied dose, hence doses of >60-66 Gy are recommended. Despite necessary compromises on target volume coverage and or dosage, all of our patients showed at least a partial remission on their follow-up scans, hence, response rates of the combined approach are encouraging.

While we have only seen one case of local failure in this cohort, distant failure seemed much higher (distant ctrl @2a: 62,5%), hence the progression-free survival rate is largely influenced by the rate of distant failure. Overall survival in this series with 25% at 2 years was disappointing, however, none of the pts in previous series had undergone re-RT or been treated for disease recurrence, therefore worse outcomes might be expected with patients already having a long history of their disease. Overall survival being a function of distant failure is a finding consistent with our previous experience and other groups [9, 12, 13, 34–36], therefore, a lot of research has been directed at improvement of systemic control in adenoidcystic carcinoma. Faced with the sometimes very slow progression, interest in targeted therapies for systemic treatment of MSGT and accompanying mild toxicity profile arose very early on. Based on pathological findings of high EGFR-expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma surgical specimen [19], there have been various phase I-II trials using EGFR antibodies or tyrosine kinase inhibitors in locally recurrent/metastatic pts [25–27]. However, though prolonged disease stabilization was observed, no objective response could be shown. It might be worth noting that initial experiments with cetuximab and radiation in various cell lines were in fact able to establish a synergistic effect of the two treatment components resulting in increased efficiency of the combination than either single modality [37, 38]. Hence, the fact cetuximab might not have vast impact in metastatic disease does not preclude efficiency of the combination regimen. Further individualization of treatment will require identification of predictors for metastatic spread in adenoid cystic carcinoma in order to intensify the systemic treatment component for these patients. Patients with localized disease however, may profit from more aggressive local treatment procedures such as combined with carbon ion therapy as proposed here.

Conclusion

In Summary, radioimmunotherapy with cetuximab was tolerated well and yielded promising response and local control rates. Overall survival in this series was comparatively low and it remains unclear whether cetuximab or any other EGFR-antibody/tyrosine kinase inhibitor may reduce the rate of distant metastases.

Hence, a prospective controlled trial is needed to investigate the potential significance of targeted therapies/combined radioimmunotherapy for EGFR positive adenoid cystic carcinomas in a representative, homogeneous and untreated patient cohort. The ACCEPT trial (A denoidc ystic c arcinoma, E rbitux® and p article t herapy) is currently in preparation to answer these questions.

Conflict of interest

JD is am member of Merck KGa advisory board.