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. 2024 May-Jun;38(3):1367-1374.
doi: 10.21873/invivo.13577.

Impact of Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy on Pathological Complete Response for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Mono Institutional Experience

Marco Lucarelli  1   2 , Virginia Gentile  3   2 , Rosario Bonelli  3   2 , Giulia DE Pasquale  3   2 , Andrea Delli Pizzi  4 , Marta DI Nicola  5 , Annamaria Porreca  5 , Domenico Genovesi  3   2
Affiliations

Impact of Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy on Pathological Complete Response for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Mono Institutional Experience

Marco Lucarelli et al. In Vivo. 2024 May-Jun.

Abstract

Background/aim: Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by surgery is a standard of care in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Only a subgroup of patients can obtain a pathological complete response (pCR) and achieve good local control. However, the role of pCR on patient survival is debated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of pCR on clinical outcomes and toxicities in LARC patients treated with dose intensification and concomitant capecitabine treatment in a neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy schedule.

Patients and methods: This was a single Institution retrospective study including 178 patients. Mandard tumor regression grade (TRG) and pTNM staging system were used to classify pathological response and define pathological complete response (pCR). Patients were divided in: pCR (pT0N0) and Not-pCR (pT>0N>0), according to pTNM and in good responders (TRG1-2) and partial/not responders (TRG3-5), according to Mandard TRG. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate OS, CSS, DFS and LC.

Results: A low severe toxicity rate was observed. Acute Grade 3 lower bowel toxicity and Grade 3 cutaneous toxicity were reported in 2 (1.1%) patients, respectively. Late Grade >3 lower bowel toxicity was reported in 6 patients (3%) and late Grade >3 cutaneous toxicity was registered in one patient. No other severe acute and late toxicities were reported. The 5- and 10-year OS, CSS, DFS and LC rates were 85% and 75%, 94% and 92%, 83% and 81%, 88% and 88%, respectively. We observed a pCR rate of 36% and a good responders rate of 62%, in our study population. Both groups showed better rates for each analyzed clinical outcome.

Conclusion: Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with dose intensification in LARC patients resulted in favorable long-term oncological outcomes, pCR rate showed an optimal impact on OS and DFS with an acceptable toxicity.

Keywords: Pathological complete response; long-term outcomes; rectal cancer; toxicity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The Authors declare no conflicts of interest associated with the study.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Kaplan Meier curves for OS in the good-responders group (TRG 1-2) and the partial/no responders group (TRG 3-5). OS: Overall survival.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Kaplan Meier curves for local control LC in the goodresponders group (TRG 1-2) and the partial/no responders group (TRG 3-5). LC: Local control.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Kaplan Meier curves for CSS in the good-responders group (TRG 1-2) and the partial/no responders group (TRG 3-5). CSS: Cancer-specific survival.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Kaplan Meier curves for in the good-responders group (TRG 1-2) and in the partial/no responders group (TRG 3-5). DFS: Diseasefree survival.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Kaplan Meier curves for OS in pathological complete the pCR group vs. the not-pCR group. pCR: Pathological complete response, OS: overall survival.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Kaplan Meier curves for CSS in the pCR group vs. the not-pCR group. CSS: Cancer-specific survival, pCR: pathological complete response.
Figure 7
Figure 7. Kaplan Meier curves for disease-free survival (DFS) in the pCR group vs. the not-pCR group. DFS: Disease-free survival, pCR: pathological complete response.
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