Published in the Red Journal, the researchers of Upenn and Groningen reported the clinical and patient-reported outcomes for patients with prostate cancer treated with hypofractionated proton therapy (HFPT). 184 men with low to intermediate-risk prostate cancer were enrolled on this trial of 70Gy in 28 fractions of HFPT. Median follow-up was 49.2 months. Four-year rates of biochemical failure free survival were 93.5%.

The incidence of acute grade 2 or higher gastrointestinal and urologic toxicities were 3.8% and 12.5%. The 4-year incidence of late grade 2 or higher urologic and gastrointestinal toxicity was 7.6% and 13.6%, respectively. One late grade 3 GI toxicity was reported. All late toxicities were transient. Patient reported IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score), IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function), and EPIC (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite) scores had no significant long term changes following completion of HFPT.