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International Journal of Colorectal Disease

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01-01-2019 | Original Article

Is adjuvant chemotherapy necessary for locally advanced rectal cancer patients with pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and radical surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Bin Ma, Yupeng Ren, Yue Chen, Bo Lian, Peng Jiang, Yongmin Li, Yan Shang, Qingkai Meng

Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Current clinical guidelines recommended the routine use of adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients. However, the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and radical surgery showed discrepancies in different investigations.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases. All original comparative studies published in English that were related to adjuvant versus non-adjuvant chemotherapy for LARC patients with pCR were included.

Results

A total of 6 studies based on 18 centres or databases involving 2948 rectal cancer patients with pCR (adjuvant group = 1324, non-adjuvant group = 1624) were included in our overall analysis. Based on our meta-analysis, LARC patients with pCR who received adjuvant chemotherapy showed a significantly improved overall survival (OS) when compared to patients with observation (HR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.46–0.90, P = 0.01). In addition, investigations focused on this issue based on the National Cancer Database (NCDB) were systematically reviewed in our current study. Evidence from all three analyses demonstrated that LARC patients with clinical nodal positive disease that achieved pCR might benefit the most from additional adjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis indicated that adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with improved OS in LARC patients with pCR after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and radical surgery.

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Title: Is adjuvant chemotherapy necessary for locally advanced rectal cancer patients with pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and radical surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bin Ma
Yupeng Ren
Yue Chen
Bo Lian
Peng Jiang
Yongmin Li
Yan Shang
Qingkai Meng
Publication date: 01-01-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 0179-1958
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1262
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-018-3181-9

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Is adjuvant chemotherapy necessary for locally advanced rectal cancer patients with pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and radical surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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