Shorter radiotherapy regimens as good as conventional one in breast cancer
The ten-year results of the FAST trial have found that a once-weekly
5-fraction schedule of whole-breast radiotherapy appeared to be
radiobiologically comparable to a conventionally fractionated
regimen. The trial was published in the journal, "Journal of Clinical
Oncology" 2020.
15- or 16-fraction (fr) regimen was considered standard for early
breast cancer for hypofractionated adjuvant whole-breast
radiotherapy. The main objective of the FAST trial was to test the
reduction in a total dose of adjuvant whole-breast radiotherapy
delivered by 5 once-weekly fractions. They evaluated normal tissue
effects (NTE) and disease outcomes after 5-fr regimens and presented the
ten-year results.
Professor Murray Brunt, Professor of Clinical Oncology at the
University Hospitals of North Midlands and the University of Keele,
who is joint first author of the study, said: "The FAST trial identifies
a five-fraction once-a-week regimen that is equivalent to daily
treatment over the same period. The follow-up to 10 years is
important in establishing the principle of a five-treatment option".
"For patients unable to attend daily this offers an alternative much
more convenient once-a-week treatment option that is attractive to
both patients and their
carers."