FOLFIRINOX as induction treatment in rectal cancer patients with synchronous metastases: Results of the FFCD 1102 phase II trial

Relative dose intensity of first-line triplet chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

Relative dose intensity (RDI) is a measurement of chemotherapy (CT) dose defined as the actual dose received divided by the standard calculated dose during a set period. The study objective was to assess the impact of a RDI ≥ 80% on response and survival of patients treated in first line CT by FOLFOXIRI or FOLFIRINOX ± Bevacizumab (BV) for an unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It was a retrospective, non-interventional, multicenter study calculating RDI from the first cycles of CT to the first CT-scan evaluation (CT-scan1). Objective response and disease control rates (ORR and DCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between patients with RDI ≥ 80% and <80% and results were adjusted for age, gender, ECOG, tumor location, number of metastatic sites, RAS and BRAF status, the CT regimen, the use of BV, the delay from C1 to CT scan1.

RESULTS

Among 152 screened patients, 100 met inclusion criteria, with a mean (± standard deviation) age at 59.0 (± 10.7) years. The ECOG performance status was 0-1 in 96 (96%) patients; metastases were synchronous in 95 (95%), RAS and BRAF were mutated in 60 (60%) and 22 (22%), respectively. ORR was observed in 51 (51%) at CT-scan1 with median PFS and OS of 10.5 and 21.9 months, respectively. A RDI ≥ 80% was observed in 44 (44%) patients without impact on ORR (ORa: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.37 to 2.89, p = 0.94) but was significantly associated to improved PFS and OS with HRa 0.50 (95%CI: 0.29 to 0.87, p = 0.013) and 0.52 (95% CI: 0.29 to 0.91, p = 0.023), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest a low level of FOLFOXIRI or FOLFIRINOX +/- BV exposure in first-line mCRC is associated with a significant trend on PFS and OS.

Treatment of patients with carcinomas in advanced stages with 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid and pyridoxine in tandem

The effect of high-dose pyridoxine (PN) on activity of 5-fluorouracil (FUra) and folinic acid (FA)-containing regimens was studied in 50 patients including 14 with digestive tract, and 36 with breast carcinomas (BC) in advanced stages with poor prognostic characteristics. Patients with colorectal, and pancreas adenocarcinoma received oxaliplatin, irinotecan, FUra, FA (Folfirinox), and patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus had paclitaxel, carboplatin, FUra, FA (TCbF). Patients with BC received AVCF (doxorubicin, vinorelbine, cyclophosphamide, FUra, FA) followed by TCbF or TCbF only, and patients who overexpressed HER2 received TCbF plus trastuzumab and pertuzumab. PN (1000-3000 mg/day iv) preceded each administration of FUra and FA. 47 patients (94%) responded, including 16 (32%) with CR. Median tumor reduction was 93%. Median event-free survival (EFS) was 37.7 months. The 25 patients with tumor shrinkage ≥ 91% had EFS of 52% from 42 months onwards. Unexpected toxicity did not occur. PN enhances potency of chemotherapy regimens comprising FUra and FA.

Radiation therapy of the primary tumour and/or metastases of digestive metastatic cancers

Metastatic gastrointestinal cancer is not an uncommon situation, especially for pancreatic, gastric, and colorectal cancers. In this setting, few data are available on the impact of the treatment of the primary tumour. Oligometastatic disease is associated with longer survival in comparison with more advanced disease. Metastasis-directed therapy, such as stereotactic body radiotherapy, seems related to better outcomes, but the level of evidence is low. In most tumour locations, prospective data are very scarce and inclusion in ongoing trials is strongly recommended.

Prognostic score for synchronous metastatic rectal cancer: A real-world study

BACKGROUND

Prognostic factors of metastatic rectal cancer are not well known.

AIM

The objective of this study was to identify prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) in a cohort of patients with non-resectable synchronous metastatic rectal cancer.

METHODS

Patients were retrospectively enrolled from 18 French centres. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for OS. A simple score was derived from this a development cohort RESULTS: A total of 243 patients with metastatic rectal cancer were included in the study. Median OS was 24.4 months, 95% CI [19.4-27.2]. Among patients with non-resected metastases (n=141), six independent prognostic factors associated with better OS were identified in multivariate analysis: primary tumour surgery, WHO score 0-1, middle or upper rectal tumour, lung metastases only, systemic chemotherapy and targeted agent in first line. A prognostic score individualized three groups, each factor counting for one point in the score (<3, = 3 et > 3). Their median OS were respectively 27.9 months, 95% CI [21.7-35.1], 17.1 months [11.9-19.7] (HR2/1=2.08, 95%, CI [1.31-3.30], p2/1=0.002) and 9.1 months [4.9-11.7] (HR3/2=2.32, 95% CI [1.38-3.92], p3/2=0.001).

CONCLUSION

A prognostic score for non-resectable synchronous metastatic rectal cancer can be proposed to classify patients in three prognostic groups.

The Evolving Neoadjuvant Treatment Paradigm for Patients with Locoregional mismatch Repair Proficient Rectal Cancer

OPINION STATEMENT

The standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has included preoperative chemoradiation, total mesorectal excision surgery and post operative adjuvant chemotherapy based on histopathology. The current therapeutic landscape in LARC has many different options with different directions of travel - depending on the goal of treatment. Enthusiasm for delivering total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is increasing in the light of recently published randomised phase III trials - RAPIDO and PRODIGE-23. There is a wide diversity of different potential schedules and a multitude of approaches, which include induction neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with a range of chemotherapy options (CAPEOX, FOLFOX, FOLFOXIRI) and a varying duration of 6-18 weeks, or consolidation NACT. These schedules either precede or follow short-course preoperative radiation therapy (SCPRT) using 5 × 5Gy or long-course chemoradiation (LCCRT) using 45-60Gy respectively. The different strategies of induction and consolidation neoadjuvant chemotherapy have been compared and have similar long-term outcomes, but consolidation chemotherapy may facilitate organ-sparing. The results are driving novel paradigms with both intensification and de-intensification treatment strategies. The ideal combination, sequence or duration of such a TNT approach remains undefined. As yet, there are no robust clinical, genetic, molecular, immune or imaging features (alone or integrated), which either direct or aid these choices. Currently, the selection of neoadjuvant treatment is driven by the impact on avoidance or feasibility of surgery or reducing the risk of metastases rather than prevention of local recurrence. Most believe that TNT will improve overall survival, despite the present lack of evidence. Both the inherent heterogeneity in LARC and the observed range of different responses underline the need for response biomarkers to individually tailor therapy rather than 'a one size fits all' approach.

Influence of first line chemotherapy strategy depending on primary tumor location in metastatic colorectal cancer

Background

Primary tumor location (PTL) is a major prognostic factor in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with left side which present better prognosis than right sided. Uncertainty exists regarding comparative effectiveness of irinotecan or oxaliplatin doublet in mCRC in function of PTL.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective comparing clinical outcomes from both regimens in function of sidedness. Patients with newly diagnosed mCRC candidates to first-line chemotherapy were selected. Clinical outcomes were assessed and stratified by tumor location (left, right and rectal) and type of treatment.

Results

Overall, 702 patients met the inclusion criteria. Primary colon cancer was right-sided in 248 (35.3%) patients, left-sided in 296 (42.2%) and rectal in 158 (22.5%) patients. Whatever PTL monochemotherapy give poor progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Triplet give better PFS and OS only for rectal cancer. When looking at doublet in first line. Folinic acid, 5FU, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) give better PFS in rectal cancer [PFS of 21.2 (95% CI: 14.9-NR) versus 12.2 (95% CI: 10.1-13.4) months for the folinic acid, 5FU, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) group, P=0.009] and at trend for better PFS in right side tumor [14.9 (95% CI: 8.8-20.8) versus 11.3 (95% CI: 8.4-13.2) months for the FOLFOX group. P=0.0755]. No difference was observed in term of OS.

Conclusions

our results support that either FOLFIRI or FOLFOX regimens give similar efficacy in both left and right metastatic colic cancer. FOLFIRI and FOLFIRINOX regimens might be preferred for metastatic rectal carcinoma.

Pharmacologic modulation of 5-fluorouracil by folinic acid and high-dose pyridoxine for treatment of patients with digestive tract carcinomas

Supplementation of cancer cells exposed to 5-fluorouracil (FUra) and folinic acid (FA) with high concentration pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, the cofactor of vitamin B6, potentiates the cytotoxicity of FUra in a synergistic interaction mode. We report a pilot study in 13 patients with previously untreated advanced carcinoma of the digestive tract to assess the impact of high-dose pyridoxine (PN) on the antitumor activity of regimens comprising FUra and FA. Five patients had colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC); 5 had pancreas adenocarcinoma (PC); and 3 had squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (EC). Patients with CRC and with PC received oxaliplatin, irinotecan, FUra and FA, and patients with EC had paclitaxel, carboplatin, FUra and FA. PN iv from 1000 to 3000 mg/day preceded each administration of FA and FUra. Eleven patients responded. Two patients with CRC attained CRs and 3 had PRs with reduction rates ≥ 78%. Two patients with PC attained CRs, and 2 had PRs with reduction rates ≥ 79%. Responders experienced disappearance of most metastases. Of 3 patients with EC, 2 attained CRs. Median time to attain a response was 3 months. Unexpected toxicity did not occur. Results suggest that high-dose vitamin B6 enhances antitumor potency of regimens comprising FUra and FA.

[Neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer]

The management of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer has improved significantly in the past few years with preoperative radiotherapy (RT) and total mesorectal excision. The rate of local recurrence is now around 5 % while the risk of metastatic recurrence has not been reduced which is about 30 %. The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy remains questionable apart from patients with ypN+tumor after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for whom FOLFOX is an option. In recent years, several therapeutic trials have evaluated the benefit of extending the time between the end of RT and surgery and/or the benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, administered as induction (before RT) or in consolidation (after RT and before surgery). The first results of two positive phase 3 trials, PRODIGE 23 and RAPIDO, have been reported in 2020. The two regimens evaluated in these trials are markedly different but have shown that neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly reduces the risk of distant metastasis. Current developments largely related to a de-escalation of therapy: organ conservation according to a "Watch and Wait" strategy or local resection of the scar, administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy without RT. These therapeutic strategies have not yet been validated but should be in the news tomorrow. The purpose of this review is to present recent data reported in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Predictive factors of severe early treatment-related toxicity in patients receiving first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer: Pooled analysis of 2190 patients enrolled in Fédération Francophone de Cancérologie Digestive (FFCD) trials

AIM

Few studies have explored the association between baseline characteristics and the occurrence of early toxicities in patients treated with first-line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Individual patient data of 2190 patients enrolled in 10 prospective FFCD (Fédération Francophone de Cancérologie Digestive) trials were analysed. Severe early toxicity was defined as the occurrence of grade ≥III toxicity within 3 months after initiation of chemotherapy (ET3).

RESULTS

Patients received monotherapy based on 5-FU (n = 1068), a cytotoxic doublet (n = 395) or tritherapy with a cytotoxic doublet plus anti-VEGF agent or a cytotoxic triplet (n = 727). The patients received 5-FU (100%), Irinotecan (39.6%), Oxaliplatin (13.4%), Bevacizumab (29.6%) or Aflibercept (1.8%). ET3 occurred in 244 patients (22.8%) with monotherapy, 248 patients (62.8%) with doublet and 392 patients (53.9%) with tritherapy. The most frequent ET3s were related to biological abnormalities and/or gastrointestinal, general and vascular disorders. The prognostic factors for the occurrence of an ET3 in multivariate analysis were a performance status of 2 rather than 0-1 (OR 2.57; 95% CI [1.16, 5.73]; p = 0.02), tritherapy versus monotherapy (OR 2.31; 95% CI [0.84, 6.33]; p = 0.02), alkaline phosphatase > 300 UI/l (OR 3.07; 95% CI [1.79, 5.27]; p < 0.001) and non-resected primary tumour versus resection (OR 1.59; 95% CI [1.06, 2.39]; p = 0.02). Median overall survival in patients without ET3 was significantly longer than that in patients with ET3 (HR 0.87; 95% CI [0.80-0.96]; p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

ET3 is frequent whatever the treatment regimen and is associated with certain baseline characteristics. The clinical impact of ET3 on prognosis in mCRC warrants further investigation.

Does neoadjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy improve the prognosis of high-risk Stage II and III colon cancers? Three years' follow-up results of the PRODIGE 22 phase II randomized multicentre trial

AIM

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has proven valuable in locally advanced resectable colon cancer (CC) but its effect on oncological outcomes is uncertain. The aim of the present paper was to report 3-year oncological outcomes, representing the secondary endpoints of the PRODIGE 22 trial.

METHOD

PRODIGE 22 was a randomized multicentre phase II trial in high-risk T3, T4 and/or N2 CC patients on CT scan. Patients were randomized between 6 months of adjuvant FOLFOX (upfront surgery) or perioperative FOLFOX (four cycles before surgery and eight cycles after; FOLFOX perioperative). In wild-type RAS patients, a third arm testing perioperative FOLFOX-cetuximab was added. The primary endpoint was the tumour regression grade. Secondary endpoints were 3-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and time to recurrence (TTR).

RESULTS

Overall, 120 patients were enrolled. At interim analysis, the FOLFOX-cetuximab arm was stopped for futility. The remaining 104 patients represented our intention-to-treat population. In the perioperative group, 96% received the scheduled four neoadjuvant cycles and all but one had adjuvant FOLFOX for eight cycles. In the control arm, 38 (73%) patients received adjuvant FOLFOX. The median follow-up was 54.3 months. Three-year OS was 90.4% in both arms [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.85], 3-year DFS, RFS and TTR were, respectively, 76.8% and 69.2% (HR=0.94), 73% and 69.2% (HR = 0.86) and 82% and 72% (HR = 0.67) in the perioperative and control arms, respectively. Forest plots did not show any subgroup with significant difference for survival outcomes. No benefit from adding cetuximab was observed.

CONCLUSION

Perioperative FOLFOX has no detrimental effect on long-term oncological outcomes and may be an option for some patients with locally advanced CC.

New treatment strategies for non-metastatic rectal cancer

The most widely practiced (standard) treatment of non-metastatic rectal cancer is based on proctectomy with mesorectal excision (partial or total according to the location of the tumor and commonly called TME). Surgery is preceded by CAP50-type chemoradiotherapy (capecitabineand 50 Grays radiation) and performed 6-8 weeks after the end of chemoradiotherapy. The development of new endoscopic, surgical, radiation-based and chemotherapeutic modalities leads surgeons to envisage customized treatment to find the best compromise between functional and oncologic results according to the locoregional extension of the tumor. Superficial lesions are amenable to transanal excision. T2-3 tumors<4cm are amenable to rectal preservation when neoadjuvant treatment obtains a complete response, allowing local excision or close surveillance. Intensification endocavitary radiotherapy and induction and consolidation chemotherapy regimens to avoid recourse to salvage abdomino-perineal resection (APR) are under investigation. For locally advanced rectal cancers (T3-4 and all N+ irrespective of T), the following scenarios can be envisaged: for initially resectable tumors (T3N0, T1-T3N+, circumferential resection margin>2mm), neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone aims to minimize the risk of local recurrence while avoiding the sequelae of radiotherapy. In case of initially non-resectable tumors (T4, circumferential resection margin<1mm), induction chemotherapy before chemoradiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy after short course radiotherapy provide better results than standard treatment in terms of complete response and recurrence-free survival, and should be routinely proposed in this indication.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX and preoperative chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (UNICANCER-PRODIGE 23): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

Treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer with chemoradiotherapy, surgery, and adjuvant chemotherapy controls local disease, but distant metastases remain common. We aimed to assess whether administering neoadjuvant chemotherapy before preoperative chemoradiotherapy could reduce the risk of distant recurrences.

METHODS

We did a phase 3, open-label, multicentre, randomised trial at 35 hospitals in France. Eligible patients were adults aged 18-75 years and had newly diagnosed, biopsy-proven, rectal adenocarcinoma staged cT3 or cT4 M0, with a WHO performance status of 0-1. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group or standard-of-care group, using an independent web-based system by minimisation method stratified by centre, extramural extension of the tumour into perirectal fat according to MRI, tumour location, and stage. Investigators and participants were not masked to treatment allocation. The neoadjuvant chemotherapy group received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m², irinotecan 180 mg/m², leucovorin 400 mg/m², and fluorouracil 2400 mg/m² intravenously every 14 days for 6 cycles), chemoradiotherapy (50 Gy during 5 weeks and 800 mg/m² concurrent oral capecitabine twice daily for 5 days per week), total mesorectal excision, and adjuvant chemotherapy (3 months of modified FOLFOX6 [intravenous oxaliplatin 85 mg/m² and leucovorin 400 mg/m², followed by intravenous 400 mg/m² fluorouracil bolus and then continuous infusion at a dose of 2400 mg/m² over 46 h every 14 days for six cycles] or capecitabine [1250 mg/m² orally twice daily on days 1-14 every 21 days]). The standard-of-care group received chemoradiotherapy, total mesorectal excision, and adjuvant chemotherapy (for 6 months). The primary endpoint was disease-free survival assessed in the intention-to-treat population at 3 years. Safety analyses were done on treated patients. This trial was registered with EudraCT (2011-004406-25) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01804790) and is now complete.

FINDINGS

Between June 5, 2012, and June 26, 2017, 461 patients were randomly assigned to either the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (n=231) or the standard-of-care group (n=230). At a median follow-up of 46·5 months (IQR 35·4-61·6), 3-year disease-free survival rates were 76% (95% CI 69-81) in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group and 69% (62-74) in the standard-of-care group (stratified hazard ratio 0·69, 95% CI 0·49-0·97; p=0·034). During neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the most common grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (38 [17%] of 225 patients) and diarrhoea (25 [11%] of 226). During chemoradiotherapy, the most common grade 3-4 adverse event was lymphopenia (59 [28%] of 212 in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group vs 67 [30%] of 226 patients in the standard-of-care group). During adjuvant chemotherapy, the most common grade 3-4 adverse events were lymphopenia (18 [11%] of 161 in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group vs 42 [27%] of 155 in the standard-of-care group), neutropenia (nine [6%] of 161 vs 28 [18%] of 155), and peripheral sensory neuropathy (19 [12%] of 162 vs 32 [21%] of 155). Serious adverse events occurred in 63 (27%) of 231 participants in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group and 50 (22%) of 230 patients in the standard-of-care group (p=0·167), during the whole treatment period. During adjuvant therapy, serious adverse events occurred in 18 (11%) of 163 participants in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group and 36 (23%) of 158 patients in the standard-of-care group (p=0·0049). Treatment-related deaths occurred in one (<1%) of 226 patients in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (sudden death) and two (1%) of 227 patients in the standard-of-care group (one sudden death and one myocardial infarction).

INTERPRETATION

Intensification of chemotherapy using FOLFIRINOX before preoperative chemoradiotherapy significantly improved outcomes compared with preoperative chemoradiotherapy in patients with cT3 or cT4 M0 rectal cancer. The significantly improved disease-free survival in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group and the decreased neurotoxicity indicates that the perioperative approach is more efficient and better tolerated than adjuvant chemotherapy. Therefore, the PRODIGE 23 results might change clinical practice.

FUNDING

Institut National du Cancer, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, and R&D Unicancer.

Drug-Drug Interactions of Irinotecan, 5-Fluorouracil, Folinic Acid and Oxaliplatin and Its Activity in Colorectal Carcinoma Treatment

The combination of folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and/or irinotecan (FOLFOXIRI) is the standard of care for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). This strategy inhibits tumor growth but provokes drug resistance and serious side effects. We aimed to improve FOLFOXIRI by optimization of the dosing and the sequence of drug administration. We employed an orthogonal array composite design and linear regression analysis to obtain cell line-specific drug combinations for four CRC cell lines (DLD1, SW620, HCT116, LS174T). Our results confirmed the synergy between folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil and additivity, or even antagonism, between the other drugs of the combination. The drug combination administered at clinical doses resulted in significantly higher antagonistic interactions compared to the low-dose optimized drug combination (ODC). We found that the concomitant administration of the optimized drug combination (ODC) was comparatively active to sequential administration. However, the administration of oxaliplatin or the active metabolite of irinotecan seemed to sensitize the cells to the combination of folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil. ODCs were similarly active in non-cancerous cells as compared to the clinically used doses, indicating a lack of reduction of side effects. Interestingly, ODCs were inactive in CRC cells chronically pretreated with FOLFOXIRI, suggesting the occurrence of resistance. We were unable to improve FOLFOXIRI in terms of efficacy or specificity. Improvement of CRC treatment should come from the optimization of targeted drugs and immunotherapy strategies.

NORAD01-GRECCAR16 multicenter phase III non-inferiority randomized trial comparing preoperative modified FOLFIRINOX without irradiation to radiochemotherapy for resectable locally advanced rectal cancer (intergroup FRENCH-GRECCAR- PRODIGE trial)

BACKGROUND

Preoperative radiochemotherapy (RCT) is recommended in France prior to total mesorectal excision in patients with mid or low locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) (cT3/T4 and/or N+) because it has been shown to improve local control. Preoperative RCT has also disadvantages including the absence of proven impact on metastatic recurrence and the risk of late side effects on bowel and genitourinary function. In patients with primarily resectable LARC, preoperative systemic chemotherapy without pelvic irradiation could be used as an alternative to RCT.

METHODS

This study is a multicenter, open-label randomized, 2-arm phase III non-inferiority trial. Patients with mid or low resectable LARC (cT3N0 or cT1-T3N+ with circumferential resection margin [CRM] > 2 mm on pretreatment MRI) will be randomized to either modified FOLFIRINOX for 3 months or RCT (Cap50 intensified-modulated radiotherapy). All patients have restaging MRI after preoperative treatment. The primary endpoint is 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) from the time to randomization including progression during preoperative treatment. Secondary endpoints are treatment related toxicity, treatment compliance, R0 resection rate, sphincter saving surgery rate, postoperative morbidity and mortality rates, loco-regional recurrence free survival, overall survival, bowel and sexual functions at diagnosis, quality of life, radiologic and pathologic response after preoperative treatment. The number of patients required is 574.

DISCUSSION

The choice of modified FOLFIRINOX for preoperative chemotherapy is supported by recent and consistent data on safety and efficacy of this regimen on rectal cancer. The use of preoperative chemotherapy instead of RCT could be associated with pronounced advantages in terms of functional results and quality of life in cancer survivors. However and first of all, the non-inferiority of preoperative chemotherapy compared to RCT on oncologic outcome has to be validated. If this study demonstrates the non-inferiority of chemotherapy compared to RCT, this can lead to a crucial change in clinical practice in a large subset of rectal cancer patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03875781 (March 15, 2019). Version 1.1.