The main objective of the ESTRO core curricula is to update and harmonise training of the radiation oncologists, medical physicists and RTTs in Europe. It is recommended that the authorities in charge of the respective training programmes throughout Europe harmonise their own curricula according to the common framework.

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Refractoriness to existing medications of up to 80 % of the patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) prompts for finding new antiepileptic drug targets. The adenosine A 2A receptor emerges as an interesting pharmacological target since its excitatory nature partially counteracts the dominant antiepileptic role of endogenous adenosine acting via inhibitory A 1 receptors. Gain of function of the excitatory A 2A receptor has been implicated in a significant number of brain pathologies commonly characterized by neuronal excitotoxicity. Here, we investigated changes in the expression and cellular localization of the A 2A receptor and of the adenosine-generating enzyme, ecto-5′-nucleotidase/ CD73, in the hippocampus of control individuals and MTLE human patients. Western blot analysis indicates that the A 2A receptor is more abundant in the hippocampus of MTLE patients compared to control individuals. Immunoreactivity against the A 2A receptor predominates in astrocytes staining positively for the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). No colocalization was observed between the A 2A receptor and neuronal cell markers, like synaptotagmin 1/2 (nerve terminals) and neurofilament 200 (axon fibers). Hippocampal astrogliosis observed in MTLE patients was accompanied by a proportionate increase in A 2A receptor and ecto-5′-nucleotidase/CD73 immunoreactivities. Given our data, we hypothesize that selective blockade of excessive activation of astrocytic A 2A receptors and/or inhibition of surplus adenosine formation by membrane-bound ecto-5′-nucleotidase/CD73 may reduce neuronal excitability, thus providing a novel therapeutic target for drug-refractory seizures in MTLE patients. • Ecto-5′-nucleotidase/CD73 localizes in close proximity with adenosine A 2A receptors in astrocytes of the human hippocampus. Keywords Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE• Up-regulation of A 2A receptors and ecto-5′-nucleotidase/CD73 associates with astrogliosis of the hippocampus of MTLE patients.• Targeting astrocytic A 2A activation and/or adenosine formation via ecto-5′-nucleotidase/CD73 may control neuronal excitability.• Inhibitors of astrocytic A 2A receptors and ecto-5′-nucleotidase/CD73 may be a novel therapeutic strategy to control drug-refractory MTLE.

Background:To present the 18 months results from a prospective multicenter phase II randomized trial of short vs protracted urethra-sparing stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for localized prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: Between 2012 and 2015, a total of 170 PCa patients were randomized to 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions (6.5 Gy × 5 to the urethra) delivered either every other day (EOD, arm A, n = 84) or once a week (QW, arm B, n = 86). Genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity (CTCAE v4.0 scale), IPSS, and QoL scores were assessed at baseline, at the 5th fraction (5fx), 12th weeks (12W), and every 6 months after SBRT. The primary endpoint was biochemical control at 18 months and grade ≥ 3 toxicity (including grade ≥ 2 for urinary obstruction/retention) during the first 3 months. Results: Among the 165 patients analyzed, the toxicity stopping rule was never activated during the acute phase. Maximum acute grade 2 GU toxicity rates at 5fx were 17% and 19% for arms A and B, respectively, with only 2 cases of grade 2 GI toxicity at 5fx in arm A. At month 18, grade ≥ 2 GU and GI toxicity decreased below 5% and 2% for both arms. No changes in EORTC QLQ-PR25 scores for GU, GI, and sexual domains were observed in both arms between baseline and month 18. Four biochemical failures were observed, 2 in each arm, rejecting the null hypothesis of an unfavorable response rate ≤ 85% in favor of an acceptable ≥ 95% rate. Conclusions: At 18 months, urethra-sparing SBRT showed a low toxicity profile, with minimal impact on QoL and favorable biochemical control rates, regardless of overall treatment time (EOD vs QW). K E Y W O R D Soverall treatment time, prostate cancer, quality of life, stereotactic body radiotherapy, urethra sparing 3098 | ZILLI et aL.