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Stewart A. Brachytherapy for rectal and anal cancer: Where are we and current perspectives? Brachytherapy 2024; 23:214-223. [PMID: 38278689 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Anal and rectal cancers were some of the first disease sites treated with brachytherapy due to the anatomic ease of implantation. As external beam radiotherapy grew in popularity the use of ano-rectal brachytherapy declined. However, the past few years have seen a steady resurgence in the use of brachytherapy in the ano-rectum supported by the use of large clinical series and randomized trials. The increasing acceptance by the surgical community of organ preservation as a valid treatment strategy for rectal cancer has encouraged the use of nonsurgical approaches and brachytherapy has shown itself to be a valuable tool for this. The current role of anal and rectal brachytherapy is presented with perspectives on its future use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Stewart
- St Luke's Cancer Centre, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, England; University of Surrey, Guildford, England.
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2
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Nguyen NP, Mohammadianpanah M, SunMyint A, Page BR, Vinh-Hung V, Gorobets O, Arenas M, Mazibuko T, Giap H, Vasileiou M, Dutheil F, Tuscano C, Karlsson ULFL, Dahbi Z, Natoli E, Li E, Kim L, Oboite J, Oboite E, Bose S, Vuong T. Immunotherapy and radiotherapy for older patients with locally advanced rectal cancer unfit for surgery or decline surgery: a practical proposal by the International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1325610. [PMID: 38463223 PMCID: PMC10921228 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1325610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer is total neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgical resection. Current evidence suggests that selected patients may be able to delay or avoid surgery without affecting survival rates if they achieve a complete clinical response (CCR). However, for older cancer patients who are too frail for surgery or decline the surgical procedure, local recurrence may lead to a deterioration of patient quality of life. Thus, for clinicians, a treatment algorithm which is well tolerated and may improve CCR in older and frail patients with rectal cancer may improve the potential for prolonged remission and potential cure. Recently, immunotherapy with check point inhibitors (CPI) is a promising treatment in selected patients with high expression of program death ligands receptor 1 (PD- L1). Radiotherapy may enhance PD-L1 expression in rectal cancer and may improve response rate to immunotherapy. We propose an algorithm combining immunotherapy and radiotherapy for older patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who are too frail for surgery or who decline surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam P. Nguyen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Mohammad Mohammadianpanah
- Colorectal Research Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Arthur SunMyint
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clatterbridge Cancer Center, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Brandi R. Page
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Vincent Vinh-Hung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Bergonie, Bordeaux, France
| | - Olena Gorobets
- Department of Oral Surgery, Martinique University, Fort de France, France
| | - Meritxell Arenas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sant Joan de Reus University, University of Rovira, I Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Thandeka Mazibuko
- Department of Radiation Oncology, International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Huan Giap
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Maria Vasileiou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Fabien Dutheil
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinique Sainte Clotilde, Saint Denis, La Reunion, Saint Denis, France
| | - Carmelo Tuscano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, A.O Bianchi Melacrino, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - ULF Lennart Karlsson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zineb Dahbi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Elena Natoli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eric Li
- Department of Pathology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Lyndon Kim
- Division of Neurooncology, Mt Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, United States
| | - Joan Oboite
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Eromosele Oboite
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Satya Bose
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Te Vuong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mc Gill University, Montreal, Canada
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Huang CK, Shih CH, Kao YS. Elderly Rectal Cancer: An Updated Review. Curr Oncol Rep 2024; 26:181-190. [PMID: 38270849 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-024-01495-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Treatment of rectal cancer patients of advanced age should be modulated by life expectancy and tolerance. Due to the rapid advance of this field, we aim to conduct an updated review of this topic. RECENT FINDINGS The field of elderly rectal cancer has advanced a lot. This review covers all the treatment aspects of elderly rectal cancer, including the prognostic factor, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and palliative treatment. We also provide the future aspect of the management of elderly rectal cancer. The advancement of prognostic factor research, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and palliative treatment has made the care of elderly rectal cancer patients better. The future of these fields should focus on the definition of the elderly and the application of particle therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Kai Huang
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hsiu Shih
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Shuo Kao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, No.1492, Zhongshan Rd., Taoyuan Dist., Taoyuan City, 330, Taiwan.
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Murakami N, Kojima K, Okuma K, Kashihara T, Nakamura S, Shimizu W, Suda R, Igaki H, Shikama N. Non-operative management involving chemoradiation therapy combined with high-dose-rate brachytherapy for T3 rectal cancer using a vaginal shielded cylindrical applicator: a technical report. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2023; 53:1082-1086. [PMID: 37554048 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyad099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been shown that a group of rectal cancer patients will achieve a pathological complete response following preoperative chemoradiotherapy, and non-operative management has recently gained attention. To escalate the tumour dose and increase the likelihood of pathological complete response, brachytherapy can play an important role in safely increasing the total dose. However, at the time this report was published, an applicator dedicated to rectal brachytherapy was unaffordable in Japan. Here, we report two T3 rectal cancer patients who were inoperable or refused surgery and treated by chemoradiotherapy following intracavitary brachytherapy involving a vaginal cylinder applicator with lead shielding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Murakami
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kanako Kojima
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kae Okuma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tairo Kashihara
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nakamura
- Radiation Safety and Quality Assurance Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wakako Shimizu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kimitsu Chuo Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Suda
- Department of Surgery, Kimitsu Chuo Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Igaki
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoto Shikama
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
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Cheng T, Peng R, Qu A, Wang H. High-dose rate endorectal brachytherapy for rectal cancer: A state-of-the-art review. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:4145-4156. [PMID: 37702196 PMCID: PMC10637059 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Rectal cancer is a common malignancy that requires multidisciplinary treatment. By utilizing the dose-response relationship in rectal cancer radiotherapy, increasing the radiotherapy dose can improve clinical complete remission rates. High-dose rate endorectal brachytherapy (HDREBT) is a novel technique that delivers high doses of radiotherapy directly to the tumor via an endorectal applicator, sparing the adjacent normal tissues from excessive radiation exposure. HDREBT includes contact X-ray brachytherapy and high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy. We introduce the latest developments in applicators and imaging techniques for HDREBT in rectal cancer and summarize the current evidence on the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of HDREBT as a neoadjuvant, definitive, or palliative treatment option for all stages of rectal cancer patients. We also discuss the potential advantages and challenges of HDREBT in achieving organ preservation and improving the quality of life of rectal cancer patients. HDREBT has shown promising results in achieving high complete response rates, enabling nonoperative management, improving organ preservation rates, and providing effective palliation in rectal cancer patients. More studies are needed to optimize its dose and fractionation schemes in different clinical scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Cheng
- Cancer CenterPeking University 3rd HospitalBeijingChina
- Peking University Health Science CenterPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Ran Peng
- Department of Radiation OncologyPeking University 3rd HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Ang Qu
- Department of Radiation OncologyPeking University 3rd HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Hao Wang
- Cancer CenterPeking University 3rd HospitalBeijingChina
- Department of Radiation OncologyPeking University 3rd HospitalBeijingChina
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Grabenbauer A, Aigner T, Göbel H, Leibl BJ, Lamberti C, Grabenbauer GG, Distel LV. Preoperative Radiochemotherapy in Rectal Cancer: Is There an Impact of Oxaliplatin on Pathologic Complete Response and Survival Rates under "Real World" Conditions? Cells 2023; 12:cells12030399. [PMID: 36766741 PMCID: PMC9913152 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the benefit of additional administration of oxaliplatin during fluorouracil-based neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (nRCT) in terms of pathologic complete remission (pCR), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced rectal cancer. Between 2006 and 2021, 669 patients (pts) were diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer, of whom a total of 414 pts with nRCT were identified and included in the study. A total of 283 pts were treated by nRCT using concurrent chemotherapy with fluorouracil or capecitabine; 131 pts were treated using a combination of fluorouracil or capecitabine and oxaliplatin. Propensity score matching analyses (PSM) with 114 pts in each group were used to balance the patients' characteristics. OS, DFS, pCR-rate, and potential prognostic factors were compared between the two groups. The median follow-up time was 59.5 weeks in the fluorouracil-group and 43 weeks in the fluorouracil/oxaliplatin group (p = 0.003). After PSM, the pCR-rate (including sustained clinical complete remission) was 27% (31/114 pts) in the fluorouracil/oxaliplatin group and 16% (18/114 pts) in the fluorouracil-group (p = 0.033). There was no difference between these two groups for both 10-year OS and DFS neither before nor after PSM, respectively (OS: 72.6% vs. 55.4%, p = 0.066, and 67.8% vs. 55.1%, p = 0.703, and DFS: 44.8% vs. 46.8%, p = 0.134, and 44.7% vs. 42.3%, p = 0.184). Multivariate analysis identified regression grading according to Dworak grade 4 (HR: 0.659; CI: 0.471-0.921; p = 0.015) and age over 60 years (HR: 2.231; CI: 1.245-4.001; p = 0.007) as independent predictors for OS. In conclusion, the addition of oxaliplatin to fluorouracil during nRCT significantly improved pCR-rate without having an impact on survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Grabenbauer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Aigner
- Department of Pathology, Coburg Cancer Center, 96450 Coburg, Germany
| | - Holger Göbel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Coburg Cancer Center, 96450 Coburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard J. Leibl
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Coburg Cancer Center, 96450 Coburg, Germany
| | - Christof Lamberti
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Coburg Cancer Center, 96450 Coburg, Germany
| | | | - Luitpold V. Distel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-853-2312; Fax: +49-9131-853-9335
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Fokas E, Glynne-Jones R, Fleischmann M, Piso P, Tselis N, Ghadimi M, Hofheinz RD, Rödel C. Radiotherapy dose escalation using endorectal brachytherapy in elderly and frail patients with rectal cancer unsuitable for surgery: Lessons from studies in fit patients and future perspectives. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 112:102490. [PMID: 36463667 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2022.102490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological data indicate that more than 50 % of patients with newly-diagnosed rectal cancer are older than 70 years, with rising numbers expected over the next decades. Treatment decision-making is challenging in elderly and frail patients with rectal cancer, whereas standardized treatment guidelines for this patient cohort are lacking. Elderly and frail rectal cancer patients are often considered by surgeons as unfit to undergo radical surgery as the risk of surgical complications and postoperative mortality rises with increasing age and comorbidity. Furthermore, these patients often receive no treatment at all, resulting in local and/or systemic disease progression with associated symptoms and impaired quality of life (QoL). Recent data from randomized trials in young fit patients with early stage rectal cancer indicate that RT dose escalation can be safely delivered using external beam (chemo)radiotherapy (EBRT) followed by endoluminal radiotherapeutic modalities, such as contact X-ray brachytherapy (CXB) or high-dose rate endorectal brachytherapy (HDR-BT). However, prospective studies testing this therapeutic concept in elderly and frail patients remain limited. Here, we review the current evidence in the epidemiology and the management of elderly and frail patients with rectal cancer. We summarize the potential of RT dose escalation to achieve long-term local control of the primary tumour, prevent disease-related morbidity, improve QoL and even organ preservation. Future perspectives and open questions will be discussed as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouil Fokas
- Department of Radiotherapy of Oncology, University of Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site, Frankfurt, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Germany.
| | - Robert Glynne-Jones
- Department of Radiotherapy, Mount Vernon Centre for Cancer Treatment, Northwood, Middlesex, UK
| | - Maximillian Fleischmann
- Department of Radiotherapy of Oncology, University of Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site, Frankfurt, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Germany
| | - Pompiliu Piso
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Barmherzige Brüder Hospital, 93049 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Nikolaos Tselis
- Department of Radiotherapy of Oncology, University of Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site, Frankfurt, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Germany
| | - Michael Ghadimi
- Department of General, Visceral, and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ralf-Dieter Hofheinz
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claus Rödel
- Department of Radiotherapy of Oncology, University of Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site, Frankfurt, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Germany
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