Luke Higgins, MD (he/him)

s/p @umich @uvmlarnermed | PGY4 @UMichRadOnc | views my own, not employer's

[Matt Spraker @SprakerMDPhD]

Michigan continues to lead the nation in meaningful radiation oncology quality programming.

Nice paper!

[Advanced Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference @APCCC_Lugano]

Progress in Shortening Treatment Courses for Bone Metastases in a Statewide Quality Consortium

https://t.co/jfOXg8MqN6

This statewide consortium study evaluated radiation therapy ☢️fractionation for bone metastases after implementing quality measures promoting single-fraction and ≤5-fraction regimens. Among 4,477 patients, use of shorter courses significantly increased over time. Factors such as later treatment year, patient condition, and treatment characteristics influenced adherence.

Results highlight successful adoption of shorter regimens while underscoring the complexity of clinical decision-making in optimizing palliative radiation therapy. #ProstateCancer

@LukeMHiggins
@DrKCParadis

@OncoAlert 🚨
@Silke_Gillessen
@AOmlin
@weoncologists

[ACS Journal Cancer @JournalCancer]

ICYMI: Recent editorial by @HabibzadehMD & @diwakardavar | Revisiting the impact of common medications on immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy

🔗 Editorial: https://t.co/7jcwidzQ9O
🔗 Related article: https://t.co/GcdhlPd2vw

@UPMCHillmanCC @UPMC @OncoAlert

[The Lancet @TheLancet]

On the cover of The Lancet:
Editorial — “Robert F Kennedy Jr: 1 year of failure”

Read the latest issue: https://t.co/x0Mv0owHDx

[Luke Higgins, MD (he/him) @LukeMHiggins]

Bone mets fractionation is evolving in the state of Michigan! Fewer fractions with MROQC @MichiganCQIs quality measures and incentives, including prior auth exemption.
Grateful for the opportunity to share with the @Advances_ASTRO audience.

[Advances, an ASTRO Journal @Advances_ASTRO]

How do state-wide quality measures impact #radonc fractionation selection for 🦴 metastases?

Within the Michigan Radiation Oncology Quality Consortium, quality measures were implemented in 2020 and 2022 to promote use of single fx (SFRT) and <=5 fx treatments for pts w/ 🦴 mets. From 2018-2024, 3247 pts in 29 centers were treated w/ 4382 (non-SBRT)☢️ plans:
🔘Use of SFRT 🔼 from 17.8% ➡️ 38.8%
🔘Use of <=5 fx tx 🔼 from 44.2% ➡️ 63.9%
🔘Use of shorter regimens was assoc w/ later yr of tx, 🔼 distance to tx facility, 🔼 baseline fatigue, 🔽 yr of physician practice

🔗 - https://t.co/17CsQ5pjYP
@ASTRO_org @LukeMHiggins @UMichRadOnc

[U-Michigan Rad Onc Residents @MichRadOncRes]

That's a wrap on @ASTRO_org 2025! From PSMA utilization in UIR PCa to AI generated oncologic histories - be sure to check out our resident abstracts!

[Sameer Keole @SameerKeoleMD]

⁦@ASTRO_org⁩ Annual Meeting is just around the corner.

I wanted to bring your attention to a session on Sunday

Michigan Radiation Oncology Quality Consortium (MROQC) is a unique collaboration between an insurance payer, LAMC and community programs across Michigan.

1/2

[Shruti Jolly @ShrutiJollyMD]

We are excited to represent our Michigan quality collaborative at the upcoming ASTRO annual mtg!
Proud to be part of this statewide collaborative session showcasing MROQC’s commitment to improving care.

Grateful for the spotlight from @SameerKeoleMD!
@ASTRO_org
@UMichRadOnc

[Jeff White @PRJeffWhite]

In this #WorldHeadandNeckCancerDay
Resharing my story in the hope that people newly diagnosed know there are treatment options.
@RTAnswers_org

https://t.co/cUfH7Ffjwa

[SimpleSCOTUS is yearning for democracy @SimpleSCOTUS]

United States v. Skrmetti (2025)

[Jeff Ryckman @jryckman3]

A journal with an impact factor of 45 published this work.

Rad onc journals have an IF of ~5, and yet, an NCDB study like this would have never seen the light of day if we would have strictly looked at radiotherapy without accounting for, say, surgery or systemic therapy.

[Daniel Chang @Dan_ChangMD]

Fabulous editorial in @IJROBP on ReCOG, the 1st meeting of experts focused on the challenge of reirradiation. Definitely worth a read. Congrats to those who made this happen! Great work lies ahead! (CARO)(COMP) @ASTRO_org @UMichRadOnc @ESTRO_RT @aapmHQ

https://t.co/NrAgG5d9AH

[U-Michigan Rad Onc Residents @MichRadOncRes]

We are so incredibly excited to welcome our stellar class of 2030! Welcome to the u〽️ich rad onc family 🎉

[ASTRO @ASTRO_org]

New in #practicalRO: Consensus Guidelines for Delineation of Clinical Target Volumes for Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Intact Cervical Cancer: An Update. https://t.co/pqQEKv2gLb #radonc

[Fumiko Ladd Chino, MD, FASCO @fumikochino]

"the new generation of cancer survivor [is] younger, less financially secure, and still having to navigate life after treatment, from dating to career, sex and child rearing"

So glad that #AYAcsm #survonc #financialToxicity &amp; #MBC are getting time on NPR

https://t.co/WZeUOZejBy

[Edward Christopher "Chris" Dee, MD @EChrisDee]

Grateful to @JAMANetworkOpen for the opportunity to write in response to brilliant work by Dr David T Zhu, Dr @Sophia_Kamran, and team

We must and address #cancer #disparities among diverse #AAPI groups, among whom cancer is THE leading cause of death

🔗 https://t.co/6hgWBIxY6N

[NYTPitchbot @DougJBalloon]

Perhaps I started my criminal investigations of Trump a bit too late. But I'm comfortable that my successor Aileen Cannon will keep them going.

by Merrick Garland

[Luke Higgins, MD (he/him) @LukeMHiggins]

Made a couple hundred calls today to urge michiganders to get to the polls. Heard a lot of positivity and excitement for @KamalaHQ and democracy. 🤞🏻 Feeling hopeful.

[Luke Higgins, MD (he/him) @LukeMHiggins]

Being of service to the profession explicitly absent. Fitting.

[Luke Higgins, MD (he/him) @LukeMHiggins]

Grateful to @MROQC1's efforts to deliver high quality radiation to michiganders!
Bone met RT in 5 or fewer fractions:
📈 Is increasing &amp; quality measure launch is independently associated.
🏥 Is good for system resources
🚙 Is patient-centered
🏞️ Is environmentally friendly