Authors' objectives: To date, it is unclear for which tumour indications carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) should be used and if CIRT is more effective and safe than conventional photon radiotherapy. The project aims at elaborating possible cancer types, being an indication for carbon ion radiotherapy.

Authors' results and conclusions: Currently (2018), neither superiority nor inferiority on the basis of the selected endpoints regarding efficacy (OS, CSS, DFS, RFS, PFS, LCR, HRQoL) or safety (acute radiation morbidity, late radiation morbidity) can be concluded from the currently (un)available evidence for 54 oncologic indications. CIRT must, at present, therefore be considered an experimental treatment.

Authors' methods: Clinical studies analysing the use of CIRT for specific cancer types were identified through a systematic literature search and have subsequently been reviewed and reported during this project. Furthermore, a systematic review on the effectiveness (mortality, morbidity) and safety of CIRT for 54 oncologic indications in 12 parts of the body (i.e., skull base, eyes, brain, ear-nose-throat, lung, gastrointestinal tract, bone and soft tissue, prostate, breast, kidney, nervous system, hematologic cancer) was conducted. A systematic search was conducted in the following databases: Cochrane (CENTRAL), CRD (HTA, NHS-EED, DARE), Embase and Ovid MEDLINE. Studies focusing on the efficacy or safety of carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) were searched for. Additionally, a hand search was conducted on the websites of those cancer therapy centres currently offering CIRT, and the Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group (PTCOG) to identify further relevant published and ongoing studies.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://aihta.at/page/kohlenstoffionentherapie-eine-systematische-uebersichtsarbeit-zu-wirksamkeit-und-sicherheit-bei-ausgewaehlten-indikationen/en

Year Published: 2018

URL for published report: http://eprints.aihta.at/1174/1/HTA-Projektbericht_Nr.101.pdf

URL for additional information: http://eprints.aihta.at/1174/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Full HTA

Country: Austria

Organisation Name: Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for fuer Health Technology Assessment (LBI-HTA), Garnisongasse 7/rechte Stiege Mezzanin (Top 20), 1090 Vienna, Austria. Tel: +43 1 236 8119 - 0 Fax: +43 1 236 8119 - 99

Contact Name: tarquin.mittermayr@aihta.at

Contact Email: office@aihta.at