CEA to peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) ratio is prognostic in patients with colorectal cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis undergoing cytoreduction surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy: A retrospective cohort study

The CEA/PCI ratio is a superior prognosticator than mCOREP for colorectal cancer patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis

Background

The CEA/PCI ratio, which evaluates tumour marker and burden, has been demonstrated as a prognosticator for patients with colorectal cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis. The aim of this study was to compare the CEA/PCI ratio with the Modified Colorectal Peritoneal Score (mCOREP) for overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS). There is no literature currently comparing both markers for RFS.

Methods

Data was collected retrospectively for patients undergoing CRS and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) at the Peritonectomy Unit at St. George Hospital, NSW from January 2015 to December 2021.

Results

From 187 patients, an increase in CEA/PCI ratio was associated with reduced OS (p < 0.01) and RFS (p < 0.01), whereas mCOREP score did not demonstrate such association with OS (p = 0.5) nor RFS (p = 0.4). However, CEA/PCI ratio greater than the median of 0.63 was correlated with an increased OS (p = 0.01), whereas the mCOREP greater than the median of 4 correlated with reduced OS (p < 0.01). Median mCOREP also demonstrated association with reduced RFS in patients with PCI <15 (p = 0.03), whereas CEA/PCI ratio above 0.63 demonstrated association with reduced RFS in patients with PCI ≥ 15 (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

The CEA/PCI ratio is more associated with OS and RFS in patients with colorectal cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis, when compared with mCOREP. CEA/PCI ratio above 0.63 was correlated with increased OS, whereas mCOREP above 4 is correlated with reduced OS. CEA/PCI ratio above 0.63 demonstrated reduced RFS for patients with higher PCIs. By contrast, mCOREP >4 illustrated reduced RFS in patients with lower PCIs.

Normal CEA Levels After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Cytoreduction with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemoperfusion Predict Improved Survival from Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases

BACKGROUND

Normal carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels (≤ 2.5 ng/ml) after resection of localized colorectal cancer or liver metastases are associated with improved survival, however, these trends are understudied for colorectal peritoneal metastases (CRPM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective single-institution study of patients with CRPM undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (CRS/HIPEC) with and without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). CEA was measured before and after NACT and within 3 months after CRS/HIPEC.

RESULTS

A total of 253 patients (mean age 55.3 years) with CRPM undergoing CRS/HIPEC had complete CEA data and 191 also underwent NACT with complete data. The median peritoneal carcinomatosis index score (PCI) of the overall cohort was 12 and 82.7% of patients had complete cytoreduction (CC0). In total, 64 (33.5%) patients had normal CEA levels after NACT with a median overall survival (OS) of 45.2 months compared with those with an elevated CEA (26.4 months, p = 0.004). Patients with normal CEA after NACT had a lower PCI found at the time of surgery than those with elevated CEA (10 versus 14, p < 0.001), 68 (26.9%) patients with an elevated preoperative CEA level experienced normalization after CRS/HIPEC, and 118 (46.6%) patients had elevated CEA after CRS/HIPEC. Patients who experienced normalization demonstrated similar OS to patients that had normal CEA levels pre- and post-surgery and improved OS compared with those with elevated postop CEA (median 41.9 versus 47 months versus 17.1 months, respectively, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Normal CEA levels after NACT and/or CRS/HIPEC are associated with improved survival for patients with CRPM. Patients that normalize CEA levels after surgery have similar survival to those with normal preoperative levels.

Impact of Molecular Status on Cytoreductive Surgery for Peritoneal Metastases from Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer peritoneal metastases (CRC-PM) are present in 5 to 15% of instances of CRC, and the overall survival (OS) of patients with CRC-PM is much lower than that of patients with other isolated metastatic locations. In recent years, the introduction of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in conjunction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy has resulted in a significant improvement in CRC-PM patients' OS. Despite this, a significant proportion of CRS patients continue to suffer complications of grades III to V or even die during the perioperative period. Early diagnosis, optimization of patient selection criteria, and refining of individualized combination therapy are necessary for these patients. In this review, we evaluate studies examining the relationship between molecular status and CRS in CRC-PM. Our objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the altered molecular status of CRC-PM impacts CRS, which could increase the likelihood of tailored therapy in the future.

The Impact of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on the Surgical Management of Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a well-recognised treatment option for the management of colorectal peritoneal metastases (CRPM). However, incorporating the routine use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) into this management plan is controversial.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on perioperative morbidity and mortality, and long-term survival of patients with CRPM undergoing CRS and HIPEC.

Results

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 2,463 patients). Ten were retrospective cohort, one was prospective cohort, and one was a prospective randomised by design. Patients who received NAC followed by CRS and HIPEC experienced no difference in major perioperative morbidity and mortality compared with patients who underwent surgery first (SF). There was no difference in overall survival at 3 years, but at 5 years NAC patients had superior survival (relative risk [RR] 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–1.54, P < 0.001). There were no differences in 1- and 3-year, disease-free survival (DFS) between groups. Study heterogeneity was generally high across all outcome measures.

Conclusions

Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not experience any increase in perioperative morbidity or mortality. The potential improvement in 5-year overall survival in patients receiving NAC is based on limited confidence due to several limitations in the data, but not sufficiently enough to curtail its use. The practice of NAC in this setting will remain heterogeneous and guided by retrospective evidence until prospective, randomised data are reported.

Prognostic Implication of Preoperative Serum Albumin to Carcinoembryonic Antigen Ratio in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Background: Preoperative serum albumin (ALB) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were useful prognostic factors in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the ALB to CEA ratio (ACR) and their individual prognostic efficacies have been less studied. Methods: A retrospective study with 156 CRC patients staged I to IV was performed. The prognostic efficacy of ACR was estimated and subsequently compared with ALB, CEA, and other systemic inflammation markers, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Differences in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined by Kaplan–Meier (K-M) analysis, and the risk factors for survival were calculated by the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: A total of 31.41% (49 of 156) of patients presented with ACR-low disease, and these patients had tumors with advanced T stages, larger tumor diameters and distant metastases, and a lower LMR. When 5.98 was used as the cut-off point, it had a sensitivity of 58.50% and 61.50% and a specificity of 83.50% and 80.50% for PFS and OS, respectively. ACR displayed a superior prognostic efficacy than individual ALB, CEA and NLR, LMR, and PLR for both PFS and OS (except LMR). Patients in the ACR-low group displayed significantly worse PFS and OS than those in the ACR-high group. Finally, ACR was an independent prognostic factor for both PFS (HR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.17−0.56, P < .01) and OS (HR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.16−0.66, P < .01). Conclusions: ACR was a robust prognostic factor in CRC, and patients with a relatively low preoperative ACR would have significantly worse survival.

A nomogram model for predicting prognosis of obstructive colorectal cancer

Background

The prognosis of obstructive colorectal cancer (oCRC) is worse than that of nonobstructive colorectal cancer. However, no previous study has established an individualized prediction model for the prognosis of patients with oCRC. We aimed to screen the factors that affect the prognosis of oCRC and to use these findings to establish a nomogram model that predicts the individual prognosis of patients with oCRC.

Methods

This retrospective study collected data of 181 patients with oCRC from three medical hospitals between February 2012 and December 2017. Among them, 129 patients from one hospital were used as the training cohort. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used in this training cohort to select independent risk factors that affect the prognosis of oCRC, and a nomogram model was established. The other 52 patients from two additional hospitals were used as the validation cohort to verify the model.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that carcinoembryonic antigen level (p = 0.037, hazard ratio [HR] = 2.872 [1.065–7.740]), N stage (N1 vs. N0, p = 0.028, HR = 3.187 [1.137–8.938]; N2 vs. N0, p = 0.010, HR = 4.098 [1.393–12.051]), and surgical procedures (p = 0.002, HR = 0.299 [0.139–0.643]) were independent prognostic factors of overall survival in patients with oCRC. These factors were used to construct the nomogram model, which showed good concordance and accuracy.

Conclusion

Carcinoembryonic antigen, N stage, and surgical method are independent prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with oCRC, and the nomogram model can visually display these results.

Prognostic value of the ratio of carcinoembryonic antigen concentration to maximum tumor diameter in patients with stage II colorectal cancer

Background

Recently, a study from our center indicated that the ratio of preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentration to maximum tumor diameter (DMAX) may be a prognostic marker for patients with rectal cancer. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate whether this ratio (CEA/DMAX) has prognostic value for patients with stage II colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

A prospectively maintained database was searched for patients with pathologically confirmed stage II CRC who underwent surgery between January 2010 and March 2019. Patients were stratified according to the mean CEA/DMAX value into low and high CEA/DMAX groups. Kaplan-Meier, univariable, and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate whether the CEA/DMAX could predict overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Nomograms were constructed in terms of the results of multivariable Cox regression analyses.

Results

The study included 2,499 patients with stage II CRC. The mean CEA/DMAX value was 2.33 (ng/mL per cm). Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed that, relative to the low CEA/DMAX group, the high CEA/DMAX group had significantly poorer OS (67.31% vs. 85.02%, P<0.001) and DFS (61.41% vs. 77.10%, P<0.001). The multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that CEA/DMAX independently predicted OS (hazard ratio: 2.58, 95% confidence interval: 1.51-4.38, P<0.001) and DFS (hazard ratio: 1.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.38-2.83, P<0.001). Two simple-to-use nomograms comprising CEA/DMAX, age, T stage, and lymphovascular invasion were developed to predict 1-, 3-, and 5-year rates of OS and DFS among patients with stage II CRC. The nomograms had good performance based on the concordance index, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and calibration curves. Subgroup analyses further confirmed that a high CEA/DMAX was associated with poor OS and DFS among patients with stage II colon cancer and among patients with stage II rectal cancer (both P<0.05).

Conclusions

Among patients with stage II CRC, a high CEA/DMAX independently predicted poor OS and DFS, and the predictive abilities were also observed in subgroup analyses of patients with stage II colon cancer or rectal cancer. Furthermore, we developed two nomograms that had good accuracy for predicting the prognosis of stage II CRC.

Pelvic exenteration, cytoreductive surgery, and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal surface malignancy: experience and outcomes from an exenterative and peritonectomy unit

PURPOSE

Pelvic exenteration (PE) for locally advanced pelvic malignancy is well established, though high rates of morbidity and mortality exist. Such a complication profile has often deterred the surgical community from offering exenteration in combination with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). We aimed to evaluate the perioperative outcomes following pelvic exenteration when combined with CRS and HIPEC for peritoneal surface malignancy (PSM) in a tertiary referral centre.

METHODS

A review of a prospectively maintained PSM database from June 2015 to December 2020 at a tertiary referral institution was performed. Patients who underwent CRS, PE, and HIPEC were matched with patients who underwent PE alone. Primary endpoints were perioperative morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS

From June 2015 to December 2020, 20 patients required PE as part of their CRS and HIPEC for PSM. The majority of patients were female (n = 16, 80%) with a median age of 52 (range 21-70). Colorectal cancer was the predominant pathology (n = 12, 60%). Median PCI was 11.5 (range 3-39). CC0 and R0 resections were achieved in all patients. CRS, PE, and HIPEC and PE-alone groups were well matched for clinicopathological variables. There was no difference in perioperative major morbidity (HIPEC: 30% vs PE: 15% p = 0.256) and mortality (HIPEC: 0 vs PE: 5% p = 0.311) between groups. Median follow-up was 17.5 months (range 7-68). Eight patients (40%) died from disease-related issues during the study period.

CONCLUSION

An aggressive surgical strategy with complete resection is feasible and safe in select patients with complex PSM involving the pelvis.

Quality Standards for Surgery of Colorectal Peritoneal Metastasis After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The standardization of surgical outcomes throughout surgical procedures is mandatory. Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS + HIPEC) should provide proficient oncological and surgical outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

The aim of this study was to identify clinically relevant quality indicators and their quality standard, and to determine their acceptable quality limit. A systematic review on cytoreductive results from 2000 to 2018 was performed focusing on clinical guidelines, consensus conferences, and publications. After the selection of quality indicators, a systematic review of indexed references was performed in order to calculate the quality standard for each indicator.

STUDY SELECTION

Unicentric/multicentric series, comparative studies, and clinical trials. Studies were to include outcomes after cytoreduction of colorectal origin and series with more than 50 patients. Quality indicators with at least 10 series were mandatory and objective measurements were also mandatory for inclusion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Quality indicators selected were 1- to 5-year survival, overall disease-free survival, 1- to 5-year disease-free survival, complete surgical resection, duration of surgery, length of stay, overall morbimortality, major morbidity, re-intervention, postoperative hemorrhage, intestinal fistula, anastomotic leakage, wound infection, postoperative medical complications, overall recurrence, and failure to rescue.

RESULTS

The most relevant quality indicators and critical quality limits were overall disease-free survival and 5-year overall disease-free survival (14 months and <10 months, and 14% and <4%, respectively), completeness of surgical resection (89% and <80%, respectively), overall mortality (3% and >8%, respectively), overall morbidity (47% and >63%, respectively), failure to rescue (12% and <30%, respectively), reintervention (13 and <22%, respectively), anastomotic leakage (6% and <13%, respectively), and overall recurrence (60% and <74%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to assess quality standards in CRS + HIPEC for colorectal peritoneal metastases. The current data are of particular relevance for future studies to control the variability of this surgery.

Can we optimize CEA as a response marker in rectal cancer?

BACKGROUND AND AIM

carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a biomarker commonly used in colorectal cancer. However, its prognostic value is still controversial. Recent studies demonstrate that CEA produced locally by tumor cells has a higher prognostic value compared to serum CEA. This study aimed to determine whether there was an association between the CEA/tumor size ratio (CEA/ExT) and the pathological tumor response in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma (ADC), who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (N-CRT), followed by surgical tumor resection.

METHODS

a retrospective study was performed of rectal ADC patients who underwent N-CRT followed by curative surgery between March/2012 and October/2017. CEA and tumor extension for pre-treatment CEA/ExT calculation and the pathological response in the surgical specimen after treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS

eighty-nine patients were included, 60.7 % were male and the mean age was 63.8 ± 10.42. There was a good response to N-CRT in 41.6 % of the patients, tumor downstaging occurred in 83.1 % and a complete pathological response in 23.6 % of cases. The average CEA/ExT was 2.01 ng/ml/cm. In the univariate analysis, higher CEA/ExT values were related to a lower frequency of pathological response (p = 0.04) and to a lower frequency of tumor downstaging (p = 0.02). In the multivariate analysis, CEA/ExT was independently related to tumor downstaging (OR: 0.72; 95 % IC: 0.53-0.98, p-0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

lower pre-treatment CEA/ExT values seem to be associated with tumor downstaging and this parameter may be a promising predictor of a more favorable response in patients with rectal ADC undergoing treatment with N-CRT.

Effective Strategies to Predict Survival of Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases Patients Eligible for Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), often combined with systemic therapy, can be offered to selected colorectal peritoneal metastases (PM) patients. However, clinical heterogeneity and the lack of high-level evidence challenges determination of the correct treatment strategy. This review aims to provide an overview of current strategies to predict survival of colorectal PM patients treated with CRS and HIPEC, guiding clinicians to select a suitable treatment-strategy and to inform patients about their prognosis. First, the prognostic relevance of several clinicopathological prognostic factors, such as extent of PM, location of primary tumor, histology type, and the presence of lymph node or liver metastases will be discussed. Subsequently, special attention will be given to recent developments in several aspects of tumor biology such as RAF/RAS mutations, circulating tumor DNA, immunoprofiling, and consensus molecular subtypes. Finally, currently available prognostic models to predict survival will be evaluated, concluding these models perform moderate to good, but most of them partly rely on intra-operative data. New insights in tumor biology, as well as the reliable assessment of extent of peritoneal disease by diffusion weighted MRI pose promising opportunities to establish an adequate and clinically meaningful preoperative prognostic model in the near future.

Investigation and verification of the clinical significance and perspective of natural killer group 2 member D ligands in colon adenocarcinoma

This study investigated and verified the diagnostic and prognostic values of natural killer group 2 member D ligand (NKG2DL) genes in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). We downloaded NKG2DLs expression data and corresponding clinical parameters from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and used bioinformatics techniques to investigate the values of NKG2DLs in COAD. Then, we used the GSE40967 cohort to verify the prognostic value of NKG2DLs. Finally, we verified the ULBP2 expression level in tissues, and also investigated the diagnostic and prognostic values of ULBP2 in COAD. The diagnostic receiver operating characteristic curves showed that ULBP1, ULBP2, ULBP3, and RAET1L had high diagnostic values in COAD [Area Under Curve (AUC) > 0.9]. In TCGA cohort, the univariate and multivariate survival analyses suggested that ULBP2 was correlated with the prognosis of COAD recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). In GSE40967 cohort, ULBP2 was associated with CC RFS and OS. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry results showed that ULBP2 was highly expressed in COAD tumor tissues (P < 0.05) and both had diagnostic values (AUC > 0.7). Validated survival analysis showed that the high expression of ULBP2 had a worse prognosis in COAD OS and RFS. Thus, ULBP2 might be an independent diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of COAD.

High-grade postoperative complications affect survival outcomes of patients with colorectal Cancer peritoneal metastases treated with Cytoreductive surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of postoperative complications on long-term survival in patients with peritoneal metastasis (PM) arising from colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Methods

Patients with PM arising from CRC treated with CRS and HIPEC were systematically reviewed at the China National Cancer Center and Huanxing Cancer Hospital from June 2017 to June 2019. High-grade complications that occurred within 30 days were defined as grade 3 to 4 events according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) classification. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression models for overall survival were created. Predictors of high-grade postoperative complications were evaluated with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

In all, 86 consecutive cases were included in this study. Forty-one patients (47.7%) developed postoperative complications, while 22 patients (25.6%) experienced high-grade complications. No mortality occurred during the postoperative period. The median survival of all patients was 25 months, and the estimated 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was 35.0%. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, a high peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) score (HR, 1.07, 95% CI, 1.01–1.14; P=0.015) and grade 3–4 postoperative complications (HR, 1.86, 95% CI, 1.22–3.51; P=0.044) correlated with worse overall survival. High estimated blood loss (OR, 1.01, 95% CI, 1.01–1.02; P< 0.001) was identified as an independent risk factor for developing high-grade complications.

Conclusion

Careful patient selection, high levels of technical skill and improved perioperative management are crucial to ensure patient survival benefits after CRS+HIPEC.

Prognostic factors influencing survival in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for isolated colorectal peritoneal metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

Peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer confer the worst survival among all metastatic sites. The adoption of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can offer selected patients with isolated colorectal peritoneal metastases (CRPM) a favourable long-term survival. There are numerous factors postulated to influence survival in patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC. The aim of this study was to identify the key perioperative prognostic factors that influence survival in patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC for isolated CRPM.

METHOD

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate prognostic factors influencing survival in patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC for isolated CRPM.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies fitted the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, with 25 studies included in the meta-analysis. On pooled analysis, incomplete cytoreduction, increasing peritoneal carcinoma index (PCI) and lymph node involvement were significantly associated with a worse survival. Additionally, a rectal primary [hazard ratio (HR) 1.93, 95% CI 1.10-3.37], adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54-0.93) and perioperative grade III/IV morbidity (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.17-2.16) were also found to significantly influence survival. Notably, tumour differentiation and signet ring cell histology did not influence survival on pooled analysis.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis confirms that in patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC for isolated CRPM, incomplete cytoreduction, high PCI and lymph node involvement have a negative influence on survival. In addition, a rectal primary, adjuvant chemotherapy use and grade III/IV morbidity are important factors that also significantly influence survival.

Survival after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal peritoneal metastases: A systematic review and discussion of latest controversies

INTRODUCTION

Peritoneal metastases confer the worst survival amongst all sites of metastatic colorectal cancer. The adoption of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has become an option for patients with isolated colorectal peritoneal metastases (CRPM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes following CRS and HIPEC for CRPM from published high volume cohort studies and to highlight the latest controversies and future directions of CRPM treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review was performed on published studies on the treatment outcomes of CRS and HIPEC for colorectal peritoneal metastases.

RESULTS

Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. The median survival for all patients ranged from 14.6 to 60.1 months. The 5-year overall survival ranged from 23.4% to 52%. For patients with complete cytoreduction, the median survival was 25 to 49 months. Major morbidity and mortality ranged from 15.1% to 47.2% and 0% to 4.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

CRS and HIPEC for the treatment of CRPM is safe and current evidence suggests it improves both median and disease-free survival. However, the efficacy of intraperitoneal chemotherapy, in particular oxaliplatin, has recently come under scrutiny. Accordingly, higher quality evidence is urgently required to contribute to multidisciplinary and international consensus on CRPM treatment strategies.

Oxaliplatin versus Mitomycin C following complete cytoreduction for colorectal peritoneal metastases: a comparative study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can offer selected patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases (CRPM) a favorable long-term survival. While cytoreductive techniques are standardized, there remains great variability in HIPEC drugs with mitomycin C or oxaliplatin use based largely on institute preference. In this study, we compared outcomes based on mitomycin C or oxaliplatin use after complete cytoreduction.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis over a 7-year period of all patients undergoing complete cytoreduction with HIPEC.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients underwent complete cytoreduction with HIPEC during this time. Forty-six patients received oxaliplatin as HIPEC, and 32 received mitomycin C. There was no difference in patient characteristics, resections, or major morbidity between the two groups. Superficial wound infections were higher in the mitomycin C group (37.5% v 15.2%, p = 0.02). Median overall and disease-free survival for the entire cohort was 40 and 14 months, respectively. There was no difference in overall survival or disease-free survival between the two HIPEC groups (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.11-2.28).

CONCLUSION

Complete cytoreduction and HIPEC can offer selected patients a favorable survival. The choice of mitomycin C or oxaliplatin for HIPEC had no influence on survival. Prospective studies are needed to explore this important issue.

The prognostic value of preoperative serum CA724 for CEA-normal colorectal cancer patients

Background and Purpose

There had been no recognized serum tumor marker to predict the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with normal preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. The purpose of this study was to determine whether preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724) was of predictive function for the prognosis of CRC patients with normal CEA levels.

Methods

The medical records of 295 CRC patients with normal CEA levels who underwent surgery at the Department of Colorectal Anal Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (Guangxi, China) between September 2012 and September 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The Chi-square test was used to test the correlation between preoperative serum CA724 levels and clinical features. Kaplan–Meier curves were conducted to calculate the overall survival (OS) rate and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients. Cox regression analysis was applied to conduct univariate and multivariate analysis of the following four preoperative serum tumor makers namely CA724, carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), carcinoembryonic antigen 125 (CA125), carcinoembryonic antigen 242 (CA242) and clinical features. Nomograms for prognostic parameter of OS and DFS were developed using R v3.2.5.

Results

In the Chi-square test, only pathological node stage (pN stage) (X² = 14.514, P = 0.001) and differentiation (X² = 10.712, P = 0.001) were associated with serum CA724 levels. In the Kaplan–Meier analysis, the results revealed that the OS and DFS in patients with high CA724 was poorer than those with normal. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis of OS and DFS, only pT stage, pN stage, metastasis and serum CA724 were independent prognostic risk factors for CRC patients with normal CEA levels.

Conclusion

Preoperative serum CA724 might serve as a potential prognostic factor for CRC patients with normal serum CEA levels.

Prognostic Significance of Log(CA125)/PCI for the Resectability of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Retrospective Study

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the roles of the ratio of log(serum CA125 level)/PCI in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods

This is a retrospective study. Data were retrieved for patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who received primary debulking surgeries (PDS) between January 2014 and December 2017 in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University. The PCI and CA125 were determined retrospectively using surgical reports, histological findings, and intraoperative photographic documentation. Survival analysis and ROC curves were applied to evaluate the roles of the ratio of log(serum CA125 level)/PCI in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Results

A total of 69 patients were included. Of these, serous ovarian cancer and mucinous carcinoma accounted for 63.8% (n=44) and 31.9% (n=22), respectively. The remaining patients had clear cell carcinoma (2.9%, n=2) and endometrioid carcinoma ( 1.4%, n= 1). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that log(serum CA125 level)/PCI (log-rank p=0.018) were prognostic factors for OS. Cox regression analysis, otherwise, suggested that only stages were an independent factor of PFS (P=0.02, 95% CI 0.043-0.763); outcomes of cytoreductive surgery could only affect OS significantly (P=0.009, 95% CI 1.639-31.016). Binary logistic regression discovered that only log(serum CA125 level)/PCI was an independent risk factor of PDS. We further used the ROC curve to find that log(serum CA125 level)/PCI could correctly predict the resectability of PDS with AUC 0.781.

Conclusion

The ratio of log(CA125)/PCI that combined the tumor burden and characteristics of peritoneal carcinoma of ovarian origin can predict the resectability of PDS in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers, tumor marker CEA, and nutritional status in patients with colorectal cancer: a study protocol for a double blind randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Much evidence is available demonstrating that both vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids block the development and progression of colonic carcinogenesis. The results of animal studies have shown that the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can decrease inflammatory biomarkers, enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy, and decrease the side effects of chemotherapy or cancer. Also, observational studies propose that higher levels of 25(OH)D are related to improved survival of colorectal cancer patients. This study will aim to evaluate the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers, tumor marker CEA, and nutritional status in colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS/DESIGN

We will carry out an 8-week double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers, tumor marker CEA, and nutritional status in patients with stage ӀӀ or ӀӀӀ colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

DISCUSSION

Because of the important effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids on molecular pathways involved in cancer development and progression, it seems that both vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids may provide a new adjuvant therapy by decreasing inflammatory biomarkers and resistance to cancer treatment in patients with colorectal cancer.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20180306038979N1. Registered on 16 March 2018.

Prognostic value of preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen/tumor size in rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a commonly used biomarker in colorectal cancer. However, controversy exists regarding the insufficient prognostic value of preoperative serum CEA alone in rectal cancer. Here, we combined preoperative serum CEA and the maximum tumor diameter to correct the CEA level, which may better reflect the malignancy of rectal cancer.

AIM

To assess the prognostic impact of preoperative CEA/tumor size in rectal cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 696 stage I to III rectal cancer patients who underwent curative tumor resection from 2007 to 2012. These patients were randomly divided into two cohorts for cross-validation: training cohort and validation cohort. The training cohort was used to generate an optimal cutoff point and the validation cohort was used to further validate the model. Maximally selected rank statistics were used to identify the optimum cutoff for CEA/tumor size. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to plot the survival curve and to compare the survival data. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to determine the prognostic value of CEA/tumor size. The primary and secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), respectively.

RESULTS

In all, 556 patients who satisfied both the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included and randomly divided into the training cohort (2/3 of 556, n = 371) and the validation cohort (1/3 of 556, n = 185). The cutoff was 2.429 ng/mL per cm. Comparison of the baseline data showed that high CEA/tumor size was correlated with older age, high TNM stage, the presence of perineural invasion, high CEA, and high carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9). Kaplan-Meier curves showed a manifest reduction in 5-year OS (training cohort: 56.7% vs 81.1%, P < 0.001; validation cohort: 58.8% vs 85.6%, P < 0.001) and DFS (training cohort: 52.5% vs 71.9%, P = 0.02; validation cohort: 50.3% vs 79.3%, P = 0.002) in the high CEA/tumor size group compared with the low CEA/tumor size group. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified CEA/tumor size as an independent prognostic factor for OS (training cohort: hazard ratio (HR) = 2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28-3.73, P = 0.004; validation cohort: HR = 4.83, 95%CI: 2.21-10.52, P < 0.001) as well as DFS (training cohort: HR = 1.47, 95%CI: 0.93-2.33, P = 0.096; validation cohort: HR = 2.61, 95%CI: 1.38-4.95, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative CEA/tumor size is an independent prognostic factor for patients with stage I-III rectal cancer. Higher CEA/tumor size is associated with worse OS and DFS.

Effects of Vitamin D and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Co-Supplementation on Inflammatory Factors and Tumor Marker CEA in Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation on inflammatory factors and tumor marker CEA in colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.Methods: In this study, 81 patients with stage ӀӀ or ӀӀӀ colorectal cancer were randomly assigned into four groups: (1) control: receiving a vitamin D placebo, weekly + two omega-3 fatty acid placebo capsules, daily; (2) omega-3 fatty acid, receiving two omega-3 fatty acid capsules (each capsule containing 330 mg of omega-3 fatty acids), daily + a vitamin D placebo, weekly; (3) vitamin D, receiving a 50,000 IU vitamin D soft gel, weekly + two omega-3 fatty acid placebo capsules, daily; (4) co-supplementation, receiving a 50,000 IU vitamin D soft gel, weekly + two omega-3 fatty acids capsules, for 8 weeks. Before and after the intervention, serum levels of 25(OH)D, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, NF-kB activity, and tumor marker CEA, were measured.Results: After 8 weeks of intervention, patients who received combined vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids supplements compared with omega-3, vitamin D, and placebo had significantly decreased TNF-α, and IL-1β (P < .05). In addition, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor marker CEA were decreased significantly in omega-3, vitamin D, and co-supplementation of them, compared with baseline. NF-kB activity was decreased significantly in vitamin D and co-supplementation groups, compared with baseline. Regarding CEA, there was no significant difference between the four groups at the end of intervention (P > .05).Conclusion: Results show that co-supplementation of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation, in colorectal cancer patients have beneficial impacts on inflammation and tumor marker CEA.

Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Patients Requiring Gastrectomy During Cytoreductive Surgery and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Lower-Gastrointestinal Malignancies: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to assess the short- and long-term outcomes of gastric resection in cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) for lower gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies.

METHODS

Patients with adenocarcinoma and appendiceal mucinous neoplasms were included. Redo and incomplete cytoreductions were excluded. A total of 756 patients were identified. Of these, 65 underwent gastric resection, 11 underwent wedge, 43 distal, and 11 subtotal and total gastrectomy. Preoperative differences were assessed for and addressed with matching. Perioperative outcomes, overall survival (OS), and risk-free survival (RFS) were assessed in two analyses: first all gastric resections were included and the second excluded wedge resections. Subgroup analysis according to diagnosis subtype was conducted.

RESULTS

Demographic analysis revealed that markers of tumor aggression and poor nutrition were prevalent in the gastrectomy group. The matched analysis for gastric resections revealed higher rates of reoperation (38% vs. 22%, p = 0.028). After excluding wedge resections, increased rates of reoperation (40% vs. 22%, 0.019), grade 3/4 morbidity (76% vs. 59%, p = 0.036), and hospital stay (34 vs. 27 days, p = 0.012) were observed. For the unmatched cohort, OS (103 vs. 69 months, p = 0.501) and RFS (17 vs. 18 months, p = 0.181) for patients with CC = 0 were insignificantly different. In comparison for CC > 0, OS (31 vs. 83 months, p < 0.001) and RFS (9 vs. 20 months, p < 0.001) were significantly reduced in gastric resection. For the matched cohort, after excluding wedges, gastrectomy did not significantly decrease OS. However, RFS was decreased (11 vs. 20 months, p = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite high postoperative morbidity, when complete cytoreduction is achieved, the need for gastric resection is not associated with inferior long-term outcomes.

The volume-time index (VTI) is prognostic in patients with colorectal cancer peritoneal metastases undergoing cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal cancer index (PCI) is an important prognostic factor in colorectal cancer peritoneal metastases (CRPM), however it fails to consider the time period over which disease burden develops. The volume-time index (VTI) is the ratio between PCI and time from primary tumour resection.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 182 patients managed from 1996 to 2017 was performed.

RESULTS

As stratified by high vs low VTI groups, median overall survival (OS) was 23 months (95% 17-46) vs 44 months (95% 35-72) with a difference in 5-year OS of 20.3% (95%CI 10.2-40.4) vs 40.1% (95%CI 29.7-54.1), p = 0.002. No difference in 5-year recurrence free survival (RFS) exists. On multivariable analysis, an elevated VTI was independently associated with poorer OS (adjusted HR 3.20, 95%CI 1.64-6.23, p < 0.001) and RFS (adjusted HR 1.90, 95%CI 1.10-3.29, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

VTI is an independent prognostic factor for OS and RFs in patients with CRPM undergoing CRS/IPC, behaving as a surrogate of tumour aggressiveness.

[Surgical treatment of peritoneal metastases of colorectal cancer]

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) may significantly improve overall survival in selected patients with peritoneal metastases of colorectal cancer. For good oncological results complete macroscopic cytoreduction is crucial; furthermore, a linear correlation between peritoneal tumor load, as determined by the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) and overall survival has been demonstrated; therefore, surgical treatment should be initiated as early as possible. Synchronous resection of up to three liver metastases may be performed safely and with good results and no influence on the morbidity. With respect to intraperitoneal chemotherapy, mitomycin C and oxaliplatin are most commonly used and may be regarded as equal; however, for perioperative chemotherapy study results are so far inconclusive with some trials hinting at decreased overall survival following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant therapy is likely to improve overall survival if at least 6 cycles are applied. Early detection of peritoneal metastases is difficult at present but might be facilitated in the future by the use of liquid biopsies, which may detect circulating free tumor-specific DNA or RNA. In the meantime, planned second-look laparotomy should be considered for patients at high risk of peritoneal recurrence. In addition, several international studies are currently evaluating the concept of adjuvant or prophylactic HIPEC. The CRS and HIPEC may be repeated in cases of recurrence and should be considered in suitable patients, applying the same criteria as for primary CRS and HIPEC. A recurrence-free interval of >2 years is associated with a significantly better prognosis.