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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Simon BaileyORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2023 The Author(s)Background and Purpose: SIOP Europe's QUARTET project launched in 2016; aiming to improve access to high-quality radiotherapy for children and adolescents treated within clinical trials across Europe. The aim of this report is to present the profile of institutions participating in six QUARTET-affiliated trials and a description of the initial individual case review (ICR) outcomes. Methods: This is a two-part analysis. Firstly, using facility questionnaires, beam output audit certificates, and advanced technique credentialing records to create a profile of approved institutions, and secondly, collating trial records for ICRs submitted prior to 31/10/2022. Trials included are: SIOPEN HR-NBL1, SIOPEN-LINES, SIOPEN- VERITAS, SIOP-BTG HRMB, EpSSG-FaR-RMS, and SIOPEN HR-NBL2. Results: By 31/10/2022, a total of 103 institutions had commenced QUARTET site approval procedures to participate in QUARTET-affiliated trials; 66 sites across 20 countries were approved. These participating institutions were often paediatric referral sites with intensity modulated radiotherapy or proton beam therapy, designated paediatric radiation oncologists, and paediatric adapted facilities and imaging protocols available. In total, 263 patient plans were submitted for ICR, 254 ICRs from 15 countries were completed. ICRs had a rejection rate of 39.8%, taking an average of 1.4 submissions until approval was achieved. Target delineation was the most frequent reason for rejection. Conclusion: The QUARTET facility questionnaire is a valuable tool for mapping resources, personnel, and technology available to children and adolescents receiving radiotherapy. Prospective ICR is essential for paediatric oncology clinical trials and should be prioritised to reduce protocol violations.
Author(s): Kelly SM, Turcas A, Corning C, Bailey S, Canete A, Clementel E, di Cataldo A, Dieckmann K, Gaze MN, Horan G, Jenney M, Ladenstein R, Padovani L, Valteau-Couanet D, Boterberg T, Mandeville H
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Radiotherapy and Oncology
Year: 2023
Volume: 182
Print publication date: 01/05/2023
Online publication date: 23/02/2023
Acceptance date: 04/02/2023
Date deposited: 20/03/2023
ISSN (print): 0167-8140
ISSN (electronic): 1879-0887
Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109549
DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109549
PubMed id: 36828140
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