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Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease 10/2018

01-10-2018 | Original Article

The potential benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is not predicted by tumor regression grade

Authors: Ali Bohlok, Alain Hendlisz, Fikri Bouazza, Maria Gomez Galdon, Jean Van de Stadt, Luigi Moretti, Issam El Nakadi, Gabriel Liberale

Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease | Issue 10/2018

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Abstract

Introduction

Recommended treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) followed by surgery and total mesorectal excision (TME). The role of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) in this regimen is still debated. Assessment of Dworak’s tumor regression grade (TRG) after NACRT could potentially select patients who might benefit from ACT.

Materials and methods

Data for patients who underwent NACRT and TME for LARC between 2007 and 2014 were retrieved from the Bordet Institute database. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated for the whole population, according to whether or not they received ACT, and according to TRG.

Results

We included 74 patients (38 males) with a median age of 62.7 years (33–84 years). AJCC stage cIIIb disease was the most frequent (73%). Pathologic complete response (pCR) was achieved in 13 patients (17.6%). ACT was administered to 42 patients (56.8%). Five-year OS and DFS of patients who received ACT or not were 92 and 84.5% (p = ns), and 79.9 and 84.8% (p = ns), respectively. OS was related to TRG (cut-off value of 3) (p = 0.001). ACT administration was not correlated with improved outcomes in any TRG groups.

Conclusion

TRG is a prognostic factor for both OS and DFS but does not appear to have a significant benefit for the selection of patients with LARC treated with NACRT who might benefit from the administration of ACT. Prospective randomized trials with larger populations are needed to identify factors that predict which patients may benefit from the administration of ACT.
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Metadata
Title
The potential benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is not predicted by tumor regression grade
Authors
Ali Bohlok
Alain Hendlisz
Fikri Bouazza
Maria Gomez Galdon
Jean Van de Stadt
Luigi Moretti
Issam El Nakadi
Gabriel Liberale
Publication date
01-10-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Colorectal Disease / Issue 10/2018
Print ISSN: 0179-1958
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1262
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-018-3115-6

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