Synergistic effects of hyperthermia in preoperative radiochemotherapy for rectal carcinoma

Deep regional hyperthermia combined with modern concurrent chemoradiotherapy increases T-downstaging rate in locally advanced rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Deep regional hyperthermia might have an additional effect on radiotherapy in treating locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). This study aimed to investigate the role of hyperthermia combined with modern preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for LARC.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From 2012 to 2018, 152 consecutive patients with LARC treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation were enrolled and analyzed retrospectively. Pelvic radiotherapy (45-50 Gy) was delivered as volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), concurrently with capecitabine chemotherapy. Fifty patients received hyperthermia combined with CRT (HCRT group) twice a week. Treatment response and outcomes were compared between the two groups. Furthermore, the relationships between peripheral blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) in response to hyperthermia were analyzed.

RESULTS

Patients treated with hyperthermia had a significantly higher T-downstaging rate than those without hyperthermia (82.0 vs. 62.7%; p = .016). Hyperthermia was an independent favorable predictor of T-downstaging (odds ratio [OR] = 2.473; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.050-5.826; p = .038). In the HCRT group, a pre-therapeutic elevated NLR (≥3) was associated with a higher T-downstaging rate (100.0 vs. 73.5%, p = .043). However, NLR was not associated with the T-downstaging rate in the CRT group. Five-year rates of locoregional recurrence-free survival (96.8 vs. 94.7%, p = .959), disease-free survival (DFS; 61.4 vs. 79.3%, p = .242), and overall survival (OS; 92.7 vs. 89.8%, p = .831) were not statistically different between the CRT and HCRT groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperthermia can improve preoperative treatment response in LARC. Pretreatment NLR may be a predictive factor for hyperthermia.

Concomitant hyperthermia and radiation therapy for treating locally advanced rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Surgery has been the treatment of choice for patients with rectal cancer. For locally advanced cancer results were poor, with high rates of locoregional recurrences and poor overall survival data. Adding (chemo)radiotherapy upfront improved results mainly in locoregional control. Adding hyperthermia to radiotherapy preoperatively might have an equivalent beneficial effect.

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the potential beneficial effect of thermo radiation compared to chemo-radiation with respect to pathological complete responses, overall survival and toxicity in rectal cancer therapy.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We identified the relevant phase II and III randomised controlled trials in any language trough electronic searches May 2007 of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 1, 2007), the Cochrane Colorectal Cancer Groups Specialised Register, MEDLINE (from 1966), EMBASE (from 1974), CINAHL (from 1982). Furthermore, various trial databases were searched for the identification of recent completed and ongoing trials (metaRegister of Controlled Trials, Cancer Research UK, Cancer.gov, The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Trials Database). All studies identified until May 2007 were considered for inclusion in the present study.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Only phase II and III randomised controlled clinical trials were included in the analysis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

All identified studies were assessed by two independent reviewers. A weighted estimate of the treatment effect was computed for 2, 3, 4 and 5-year survival, for local tumour recurrence, severe acute and late toxicity and complete tumour response (CR). CR was defined either clinically by disappearance of all pretreatment signs of local tumour or pathologically by microscopically free margins. The risk ratio (RR) and hazard ratio (HR) were used. Analyses were performed with the Reference Manager (RevMan).

MAIN RESULTS

Six RCTs published between 1990 and 2007 were identified. A total number of 520 patients was treated, 258 in the radiotherapy only arm (RT) and 262 in the radiotherapy-hyperthermia arm (RHT). Four studies (424 patients) reported overall survival (OS) rates. After 2 years, OS was significantly better in the RHT group (HR 2.06; 95% CI 1.33-3.17; p=.001), but this difference disappeared after a longer period (3, 4 and 5 year OS). All but one studies reported CR rates. A significant higher CR rate was observed in the RHT group (RR 2.81; 95% CI 1.22-6.45; p=.01). Only 2 studies reported on acute toxicity. In these 2 studies no significant differences were observed between the RT and the RHT group. Late toxicity data were not reported.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Further studies are needed to compare chemoradiation versus thermoradiation versus chemoradiation plus hyperthermia in well selected/conducted and quality controlled randomised trials.

Influence of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy combined with hyperthermia on the quality of life in rectum cancer patients

PURPOSE

The present study compares quality of life (QoL) after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with or without hyperthermia in patients with advanced rectal cancer.

METHODS

Between April 1994 and May 1999, 137 patients were treated by neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with (69 patients (50.4%)) or without (68 patients (49.6%)) hyperthermia. Forty-six patients (33.6%) filled-out a 'Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index' (GIQLI) questionnaire at four time points (before and after neoadjuvant therapy, early after surgery and after long-term follow-up) and were included in the present study.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in the global GIQLI index between patients treated with neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with and without hyperthermia at any time point. The longitudinal analysis of GIQLI values in both treatment groups showed specific profiles that were identical in both treatment groups. Occurrence of severe toxicity during the neoadjuvant therapy in both arms lead to a significant temporary reduction of QoL scores at TP2 without any detrimental long-term effects. Patients with sphincter preservation and patients with sphincter resection reported similar QoL scores during long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with and without hyperthermia has similar effects on the QoL of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. The addition of hyperthermia during the neoadjuvant therapy with the potentially associated inconveniences has no negative effects on QoL.

Hyperthermia for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

In order to improve the clinical results of rectal cancer, hyperthermia has been prescribed in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The techniques of hyperthermia and their clinical applications to rectal cancer were reviewed.

METHODS

The development of heating devices has been intensively investigated, including external heating devices, intraluminal heating devices, circulation of warmed saline solution, and whole body hyperthermia.

RESULTS

Nonrandomized and randomized trials for rectal cancer have demonstrated an improved local response with the combined use of hyperthermia and conventional treatments. A preoperative therapy with hyperthermia increased resectability and decreased local recurrence, resulting in the improvement of the postoperative prognosis. There were no major postoperative complications related to the preoperative treatment. A lower incidence of local recurrence was observed in groups that underwent intra- or postoperative hyperthermia treatment, as compared with control groups. In cases with unresectable or local recurrent rectal cancer, hyperthermia achieved a local tumor regression and prolonged pain relief.

CONCLUSIONS

These clinical data suggest that hyperthermia combined with radiation or chemotherapy demonstrates great promise for the treatment of patients with carcinoma of the rectum.

A pilot study of preoperative continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil, external microwave hyperthermia, and external beam radiotherapy for treatment of locally advanced, unresectable, or recurrent rectal cancer

PURPOSE

To determine the feasibility of combining external beam radiotherapy, continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and external microwave hyperthermia in patients with locally advanced, unresectable, or recurrent adenocarcinoma of the rectum.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From 7/95 through 2/99, 15 patients were enrolled in the study. The treatment regimen consisted of continuous infusion 5-FU 250 mg/m(2)/d 7 days/week beginning on day 1, external beam radiotherapy to the pelvis, 4500 cGy, 180 cGy/d 5 days/week using a 3 or 4-field technique, and external microwave hyperthermia on days 3, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Chemotherapy was stopped on the last day of radiotherapy. Surgical resection, if feasible, was scheduled 3-6 weeks after completing thermochemoradiotherapy. For this regimen to be considered feasible, no more than 2 of the 15 patients should fail to complete therapy due to life-threatening toxicity. Toxicity was scored using National Cancer Institute Criteria.

RESULTS

All patients completed the chemoradiotherapy portion of the protocol. Eleven of the 15 patients completed all 5 hyperthermia treatments. Of the 4 patients who did not receive the full course of hyperthermia, only 1 patient had treatment stopped due to life-threatening toxicity. The other 3 patients did not complete hyperthermia due to scheduling errors (n = 2) or patient request (n = 1). Five of 15 patients required a treatment interruption due to toxicity > or = Grade 3. Seven patients experienced lesser degrees of toxicity which did not require treatment interruption. Three patients experienced no side effects. The most common toxicities were dermatitis and diarrhea. Of the 14 patients in whom surgery was planned, 11 (79%) were resectable. There was one pathologic complete response.

CONCLUSIONS

It is feasible to deliver thermochemoradiotherapy, as prescribed in this study, to patients with locally advanced, unresectable, or recurrent rectal cancer. The therapy is moderately toxic, with one-third of patients requiring temporary treatment interruptions. The regimen appears active against rectal cancer, and appears to warrant further consideration as a treatment option for this patient population.

Combined modality therapy of rectal cancers

Rectal cancer accounts for about 10% of new cancer cases each year. It strikes men and women at nearly the same rate, generally in the range of 50-80 years of age, with rising incidence with age. Despite simple screening procedures rectal cancer is often advanced when discovered. Current trends in the management of cancer have focused on organ preservation and improved quality of life without compromising the overall survival. During the last decade substantial progress has been made in treatment modalities: new and improved radiation techniques (conformal radiotherapy, altered fractionation, brachytherapy), chemotherapy (protracted infusion, use of radiosensitizers) and development of surgical procedures-enabling safer postoperative irradiation. In patients with advanced/unresectable disease aggressive combined chemoradiation can be added prior to surgery to downstage the tumour and increase the proportion treated with anal-rectal-sparing procedures. Preoperative chemoradiation therapy regimens are as safe and tolerable as the standard postoperative treatment. In this presentation indications for preoperative radiochemotherapy will be discussed in detail, together with treatment-related side effects, prognostic parameters, tumour response and outcome. Different irradiation settings and chemotherapy schedules are described. In patients with primary resectable disease (mainly Dukes C) several prospective randomised trials have shown less local recurrence with postoperative combined modality therapy.

Improved outcome following preoperative radiochemotherapy: 40.5 Gy accelerated hyperfractionation and 5-fluorouracil suppositories for patients with carcinoma of the lower rectum

The aim of this study was to determine the long-term effects of administering preoperative radiochemotherapy to patients with carcinoma of the lower rectum. The outcomes of 29 patients who underwent curative surgery for carcinoma of the lower rectum after receiving radiochemotherapy in the form of 40.5 Gy accelerated hyperfractionation and a total dose of 3 400 mg 5-fluorouracil given as suppositories, with or without hyperthermia, and 48 patients who underwent surgery alone, were retrospectively compared. The tumors in all the patients were histologically diagnosed as stage T3. The cumulative 5-year survival rate and 5-year local recurrence-free rate of the patients treated with radiochemotherapy plus surgery were significantly better than those of the patients treated by surgery alone, the respective values being 80.5% vs 59.8% (P = 0.0325) and 95.7% vs 61.4% (P = 0.0041). Dehiscence of the perineal wound, anastomotic leakage, and postoperative ileus occurred at similar frequencies in both groups; however, perineal wound healing after abdominoperineal resection was delayed in the patients treated with radiochemotherapy plus surgery at 42.7 days vs 25.4 days (P = 0. 0062). In conclusion, although the wound healing was delayed, preoperative radiochemotherapy is considered to be beneficial for patients with carcinoma of the lower rectum.