Outcomes of preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery in patients with unresectable locally advanced sigmoid colon cancer

PD-1 blockade enhances the effect of targeted chemotherapy on locally advanced pMMR/MSS colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with DNA mismatch repair-proficient/microsatellite stable (pMMR/MSS) colorectal cancer (CRC), which accounts for 85% of all CRC cases, display a poor respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (i.e., anti-PD-1 antibodies). pMMR/MSS CRC patients with locally advanced cancers need effective combined therapies.

METHODS

In this pilot study, we administered six preoperative doses of each 2-week cycle of the anti-PD-1 antibody sintilimab (at a fixed dose of 200 mg), oxaliplatin, and 5-FU/CF (mFOLFOX6) combined with five doses of bevacizumab (the number of doses was reduced to prevent surgical delays) to patients with cT4NxM0 colon or upper rectal cancers. And radical surgery was performed approximately 2 weeks after the last dose of neoadjuvant therapy. The primary endpoint was a pathologic complete response (pCR). We also evaluated major pathologic response (MPR, ≤10% residual viable tumor), radiological and pathological regression, safety, and tumor mutation burden (TMB), and tumor microenvironment (TME) characteristics.

RESULTS

By the cutoff date (September 2023), 22 patients with cT4NxM0 pMMR/MSS colon or upper rectal cancers were enrolled and the median follow-up was 24.7 months (IQR: 21.1-26.1). All patients underwent R0 surgical resection without treatment-related surgical delays. pCR occurred in 12 of 22 resected tumors (54.5%) and MPR occurred in 18 of 22 (81.8%) patients. At the cutoff date, all patients were alive, and 21/22 were recurrence-free. Treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or higher occurred in of 2/22 (9.1%) patients. Among the pCR tumors, two were found to harbor POLE mutations. The degree of pathological regression was significantly greater than that of radiological regression (p = 1.35 × 10-8). The number of CD3+/CD4+ cells in the tumor and stroma in pretreated biopsied tissues was markedly lower in pCR tumors than in non-pCR tumors (p = 0.038 and p = 0.015, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant sintilimab combined with bevacizumab and mFOLFOX6 was associated with few side effects, did not delay surgery, and led to pCR and non-pCR in 54.5% and 81.8% of the cases, respectively. Downregulation of CD3/CD4 expression in the tumor and stroma is related to pCR. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying PD-1 blockade-enhanced targeted chemotherapy require further investigation.

Study protocol of short-course radiotherapy combined with CAPOX and PD-1 inhibitor for locally advanced colon cancer: a randomised, prospective, multicentre, phase II trial (TORCH-C)

INTRODUCTION

The preliminary result of the TORCH trial has shown a promising complete response (CR) for managing locally advanced rectal cancer with neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) combined with chemotherapy and PD-1 inhibitor. For locally advanced colon cancer (LACC) with bulky nodal disease and/or clinically T4, neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by colectomy with en bloc removal of regional lymph nodes is the suggested treatment. However, the CR rate is less than 5%. TORCH-C will aim to investigate neoadjuvant SCRT combined with chemotherapy and PD-1 inhibitor in LACC.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

TORCH-C is a randomised, prospective, multicentre, double-arm, open, phase II trial of SCRT combined with chemotherapy and immunotherapy in LACC with microsatellite stable (MSS) patients and cT4 or bulky nodes. Eligible patients will be identified by the multidisciplinary team. 120 patients will be randomised 1:1 to the intervention or control arm. The patients in the control arm will receive four cycles of capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX). The patients in the intervention arm will receive SCRT, followed by four cycles of CAPOX and PD-1 inhibitor (serplulimab). Both arms will receive curative surgery, followed by four cycles of CAPOX. The primary endpoint is pathological complete regression.TORCH-C (TORCH-colon) trial aims to investigate whether the combination of immunotherapy and chemoradiotherapy improves the treatment effect in LACC with MSS. TORCH-C will establish the TORCH platform, a key part of our long-term strategy to develop neoadjuvant treatment for colorectal cancer.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (approval number: 2211265-12).

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05732493.

Postoperative locoregional recurrence pattern and treatment management of stage pT4 sigmoid colon cancer: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore the pattern of locoregional recurrence after surgery in patients with non-metastatic stage pT4 sigmoid colon cancer and the role of adjuvant radiotherapy on survival.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from 208 patients who underwent surgery in our hospital. The patients were randomly divided into training and validation groups at a 1:1 ratio. Patients at high risk for locoregional recurrence were screened using Cox regression analysis. Based on the data of 2,886 patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, the effect of adjuvant radiotherapy on overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS

Of the 208 patients, 57 (27.4%) presented with locoregional recurrences (14 anastomotic and 43 abdominal or pelvic lymph node recurrences). Multivariate analysis showed that serum CEA, differentiation, lymph node dissection number, and N stage were independent predictors of locoregional recurrence-free survival (all p < 0.05). A risk-stratification model was constructed, and a total score of ≥ 6.5 points was considered the high-risk group for locoregional recurrence. Both the training and validation sets presented that the model had a good predictive ability (area under the curve = 0.828 and 0.724, respectively). Analysis of SEER data revealed that adjuvant radiotherapy significantly prolonged OS and CSS in the high-risk population (all p < 0.05, vs. no radiotherapy).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a total risk score of 6.5 or more had a high likelihood of locoregional recurrence, and perhaps adjuvant radiotherapy could improve their survival.

Good Tumor Response to Chemoradioimmunotherapy in dMMR/MSI-H Advanced Colorectal Cancer: A Case Series

Purpose

Immune checkpoint blockade has led to a significant improvement of patient survival in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) with DNA mismatch repair-deficiency (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). However, not all these patients are sensitive to monoimmunotherapy. We firstly presented a case series of advanced dMMR/MSI-H CRCs treating with PD-1 inhibitor-based chemoradioimmunotherapy (CRIT).

Methods and Materials

We assessed the short-term efficacy and safety of CRIT in advanced dMMR/MSI-H CRCs, and also did next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays.

Results

Our analysis included five advanced dMMR/MSI-H CRCs who have received toripalimab-based CRIT. Toripalimab was given 240mg every three weeks, and the radiation dose was 45-50 gray in 25 fractions. Chemotherapy regimens consisted of CAPOX in three patients, capecitabine in one patient, and mFOLFOX6 in one patient. Initially, two patients displayed complete response (CR), and three patients achieved partial response (PR) on imaging findings. Afterwards, one PR patient was confirmed pathological complete response after surgery, leading to three CR cases in total. Hematological toxicity was the most common adverse effect, and only two patients developed mild immune-related adverse effects besides. All the treatment-related adverse events were under control. Based on the NGS results, the median intratumor heterogeneity was 0.19 (range 0-0.957), which was less in CR patients than PR patients (P = 0.019). Genetic mutations at DNA damage repair genes and the JAK1 gene were also observed.

Conclusions

For advanced dMMR/MSI-H CRC, anti-PD-1 based CRIT is effective and safe. Further studies are required to better clarify the potential role and mechanism of CRIT as a viable therapeutic strategy in this population.

Tumor Regression Grade as a Prognostic Factor in Metastatic Colon Cancer Following Preoperative Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The prognostic value of tumor regression grade (TRG) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy has been explored extensively. However, whether TRG is predictive of outcome in colon cancer following preoperative chemotherapy has not been reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 276 colon cancer patients who had undergone preoperative chemotherapy and surgery in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center during the period March 2014 through November 2019 were recruited in this study. 113 (40.9%) and 163 (59.1%) patients were diagnosed with locally advanced colon cancer (LACC) and metastatic colon cancer (mCC) before preoperative chemotherapy, respectively. The TRG was divided into TRG0 (complete response), TRG1 (good response), TRG2 (moderate response), and TRG3 (poor response).

RESULTS

Of the 276 patients 4.0% were TRG0, 5.4% were TRG1, 29.3% were TRG2, 61.2% were TRG3. TRG0 and TRG1 or TRG0, TRG1 and TRG2 were combined to simplify analysis due to limited sample size. In entire cohort, the 3-year overall survival for TRG0-1, TRG2, and TRG3 groups were 80.0%, 68.8% and 43.3% (P = .003). In LACC cohort, TRG was not associated with patients' prognosis, which largely resulted from limited outcome events. In mCC cohort, the 3-year overall survival for TRG0-1, TRG2, and TRG3 groups were 74.3%, 62.8% to 28.1% (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that TRG was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in both entire cohort and mCC cohort (TRG3 vs. TRG0-2).

CONCLUSION

TRG is a prognostic factor in predicting long-term outcomes of mCC patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy.

Interventions and Outcomes for Neoadjuvant Treatment of T4 Colon Cancer: A Scoping Review

While adjuvant treatment of colon cancers that penetrate the serosa (T4) have been well-established, neoadjuvant strategies have yet to be formally evaluated. Our objective was to perform a scoping review of eligibility criteria, treatment regimens, and primary outcomes for neoadjuvant approaches to T4 colon cancer. A librarian-led, systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CINAHL up to 11 February 2020 was performed. Primary research evaluating neoadjuvant treatment in T4 colon cancer were included. Screening and data abstraction were performed in duplicate; analyses were descriptive or thematic. A total of twenty studies were included, most of which were single-arm, single-center, and retrospective. The primary objectives of the literature to date has been to evaluate treatment feasibility, tumor response, disease-free survival, and overall survival in healthy patients. Conventional XELOX and FOLFOX chemotherapy were the most commonly administered interventions. Rationale for selecting a specific regimen and for treatment eligibility criteria were poorly documented across studies. The current literature on neoadjuvant strategies for T4 colon cancer is overrepresented by single-center, retrospective studies that evaluate treatment feasibility and efficacy in healthy patients. Future studies should prioritize evaluating clear selection criteria and rationale for specific neoadjuvant strategies. Validation of outcomes in multi-center, randomized trials for XELOX and FOLFOX have the most to contribute to the growing evidence for this poorly managed disease.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with unresectable locally advanced sigmoid colon cancer: clinical feasibility and outcome

Background

Patients with locally advanced sigmoid colon cancer (LASCC) have limited treatment options and a dismal prognosis with poor quality of life. This retrospective study aimed to further evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) followed by surgery as treatment for select patients with unresectable LASCC.

Methods

We studied patients with unresectable LASCC who received NACRT between November 2010 and April 2019. The NACRT regimen consisted of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) of 50 Gy to the gross tumor and positive lymphoma node and 45 Gy to the clinical target volume. Capecitabine‑based chemotherapy was administered every 2 (mFOLFOX6) or 3 weeks (CAPEOX). Surgery was scheduled 6–8 weeks after radiotherapy.

Results

Seventy‑two patients were enrolled in this study. Patients had a regular follow-up (median, 41.1 months; range, 8.3–116.5 months). Seventy‑one patients completed NACRT, and sixty-five completed surgery. Resection with microscopically negative margins (R0 resection) was achieved in 64 patients (88.9%). Pathologic complete response was observed in 15 patients (23.1%), and multivisceral resection was necessary in 38 patients (58.3%). The cumulative probability of 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 75.8 and 70.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

For patients with unresectable LASCC, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is feasible, surgery can be performed safely and may result in increased survival and organ preservation rates.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for patients with unresectable radically locally advanced colon cancer: a potential improvement to overall survival and decrease to multivisceral resection

Background

The management of unresectable locally advanced colon cancer (LACC) remains controversial, as resection is not feasible. The goal of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes and toxicity of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) followed with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with unresectable radically LACC.

Methods

We included patients who were diagnosed at our institution, 2010–2018. The neoadjuvant regimen consisted of radiotherapy and capecitabine/ 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy.

Results

One hundred patients were identified. The median follow-up time was 32 months. The R0 resection rate, adjusted nonmultivisceral resection rate and bladder preservation rate were 83.0, 43.0 and 83.3%, respectively. The pCR and clinical-downstaging rates were 18, and 81.0%%, respectively. The 3-year PFS and OS rates for all patients were 68.6 and 82.1%, respectively. Seventeen patients developed grade 3–4 myelosuppression, which was the most common adverse event observed after NACRT. Tumor perforation occurred in 3 patients during NACRT. The incidence of grade 3–4 surgery-related complications was 7.0%. Postoperative anastomotic leakage was observed in 3 patients.

Conclusions

NACRT followed by surgery was feasible and safe for selected patients with LACC, and can be used as a conversion treatment to achieve satisfactory downstaging, long-term survival and quality of life, with acceptable toxicities.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-07894-6.

Assessing the Effect of Radiotherapy in Addition to Surgery in Colon Adenocarcinomas: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Contemporary Evidence

PURPOSE

This study aims to review the contemporary evidence investigating radiotherapy (RT) in addition to surgery for colon adenocarcinomas.

METHODS

We searched the following databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, ASCOpubs, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Studies (since January 2005) comparing outcomes of high-risk colon adenocarcinomas who underwent RT in addition to surgery versus no RT were eligible. Pooling of outcomes from published results or from analysis of survival curves was done. Subgroup analysis was conducted to determine if the efficacy of RT varies with RT timing.

RESULTS

Eight studies were included (five retrospective cohorts, three population-based studies). Pooled analysis from retrospective cohorts showed a reduction in 5-year LR (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.21-0.79; p = 0.007) in the RT group. A benefit in 3-year (OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.15-2.87; p = 0.01) and 5-year (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.21-3.63; p = 0.008) DFS and in 3-year (OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.43-4.54; p = 0.001) and 5-year (OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.17-3.41; p = 0.01) OS was seen in the RT group. The OS benefit was demonstrated in the subgroup analysis of neoadjuvant RT, but not with adjuvant RT. The improvement in OS with neoadjuvant RT was supported by a population-based study from NCDB, while results from two population-based studies investigating adjuvant RT were conflicting.

CONCLUSION

Taking into account the limitations of the studies, our review of evidence suggests a possible role of RT in improving oncologic outcomes of select colon adenocarcinomas. Prospective studies are needed to definitively assess the value of RT for colon cancer.

Effect of sigmoidectomy in treating sigmoid colon cancer: A protocol of systematic review

BACKGROUND

This study will assess the effect of sigmoidectomy in treating sigmoid colon cancer (SCC).

METHODS

This study will search the following databases from inception to the present: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, OpenGrey, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. All electronic databases will be searched with no restrictions of language. Two researchers will independently handle all study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias, respectively. Any disparities between 2 researchers will be figured out by a third researcher through discussion. RevMan 5.3 software will be used for statistical analysis in this study.

RESULTS

This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of targeted outcomes to evaluate the efficacy and complications of sigmoidectomy in treating SCC.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study will provide evidence to judge whether sigmoidectomy can benefit patients with SCC.

STUDY REGISTRATION ON OSF

osf.io/dpxkg.

Outcomes of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical resection for T4 colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with clinical T4 colorectal cancer (CRC) have a poor prognosis because of compromised surgical margins. Neoadjuvant therapy may be effective in downstaging tumors, thereby rendering possible radical resection with clear margins.

AIM

To evaluate tumor downsizing and resection with clear margins in T4 CRC patients undergoing neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery.

METHODS

This study retrospectively included 86 eligible patients with clinical T4 CRC who underwent neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by radical resection. Neoadjuvant therapy consisted of radiation therapy at a dose of 45-50.4 Gy and chemotherapy agents, either FOLFOX or capecitabine. A circumferential resection margin (CRM) of < 1 mm was considered to be a positive margin. We defined pathological complete response (pCR) as the absence of any malignant cells in a specimen, including the primary tumor and lymph nodes. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictive factors for pCR.

RESULTS

For 86 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery, the rate of pCR was 14%, and the R0 resection rate was 91.9%. Of the 61 patients with rectal cancer, 7 (11.5%) achieved pCR and 5 (8.2%) had positive CRMs. Of the 25 patients with colon cancer, 5 (20%) achieved pCR and 2 (8%) had positive CRMs. We observed that the FOLFOX regimen was an independent predictor of pCR (P = 0.046). After a median follow-up of 47 mo, the estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 70.8% and 61.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that a tumor with a negative resection margin was associated with improved DFS (P = 0.014) and OS (P = 0.001). Patients who achieved pCR exhibited longer DFS (P = 0.042) and OS (P = 0.003) than those who did not.

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy engenders favorable pCR and R0 resection rates among patients with T4 CRC. The R0 resection rate and pCR are independent prognostic factors for patients with T4 CRC.

Nanocomplexes loaded with miR-128-3p for enhancing chemotherapy effect of colorectal cancer through dual-targeting silence the activity of PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathway

Although microRNAs (miRNAs)-based cancer therapy strategies have been proved to be efficient and superior to chemotherapeutic agents in certain extent, the unstable properties of miRNAs significantly impaired the wide application. Therefore, how to safely deliver the miRNAs to the targeted site of action is the most pivotal step to achieve the ideal treatment effect. In the present work, the miR-128-3p, which is able of inducing chromosomal instability, was loaded into the nanocomplexes developed by the PEG-PDMAEMA (PDMAEMA-NP). By this way, the miR-128-3p was shielded from exposure to various degrading enzymes in bloodstream. Additionally, the PEGylation endowed the PDMAEMA-NP with long time of circulation as demonstrated in vivo by pharmacokinetics investigation. To target and deliver the miR-128-3p to the site of action, a tumor-homing peptide CPKSNNGVC, which specifically targets the monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), was decorated on the surface of PDMAEMA-NP. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that more efficient delivery of miR-128-3p to cells or tumor tissues was obtained by the PDMAEMA-NP than plasmid. Additionally, modification of C peptides further enhanced the tumor accumulation of miR-128-3p, and in turn contributed to the stronger tumor growth inhibition effect. Underlying mechanisms study revealed that the miR-128-3p inhibited the growth, migration, and invasion of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and progress of CRC tissues through silence of the activity of PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathway. By this way, the chemotherapy effect of 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) was dramatically improved after co-treating the cells with miR-128-3p formulations.

Advanced colonic cancer with clinically suspected bladder invasion: Outcomes and prognosis from a multicentric study of 117 patients from the FRENCH research group

BACKGROUND

Bladder invasion by colon cancer is rare; however, its management is still controversial. Our objective was to report outcomes and identify risk factors for local recurrence in colon cancer with clinically suspected bladder invasion.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study in 23 centers in France. All patients who underwent colon surgery with bladder resection (2010-2017) were included. Metastatic and recurrent colon cancers were excluded.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventeen patients (men = 73) were included. Partial cystectomy occurred in 108 patients (92.3%), with a total cystectomy occurring in 9 patients (7.7%). Neoadjuvant treatment was given to 31 patients (26.5%). Major morbidity was 20.5%. R0 resection rates were 87.2%. Histologically confirmed bladder invasion was present in 47%. Thirty-four patients were pN+, while 60 patients (51.3%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. Mean follow-up was 33.8 months. Three-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 82.9% and 59.5%. Rates of local recurrence and distant recurrence were 14.5% and 18.8%, respectively; the local recurrences (11/17; 65%) were in the bladder, while 4 of these patients had a bladder recurrence despite not having histologically confirmed bladder invasion at the index surgery. The rate of bladder recurrence after histologic bladder invasion was 13% (7/55), while the rate of bladder recurrence without primary bladder invasion was 7% (4/62) (P = .343). Neoadjuvant therapy, type of cystectomy, and adjuvant therapy did not influence local recurrence (P > .445 each). R1 bladder resections, when compared with a R0 bladder resections, were associated with an increased rate of local recurrence (63% vs 10%; P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Clinically suspected bladder invasion increases local recurrence even in the absence of histologically confirmed bladder invasion. Only complete resections with R0 margins decrease local recurrence. Careful, detailed postoperative surveillance is required, even without pathologic bladder invasion.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced colon cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Preoperative or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has emerged as a novel alternative to treat locally advanced colon cancer (LACC), as in other gastrointestinal malignancies. However, evidence of its efficacy and safety has not yet been gathered in the literature. The aim of the present study was to perform an extensive review of the scientific evidence for NAC in patients with LACC.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library were searched for a systematic review of the literature from 2010 to 2019. Six eligible studies were included, with a total of 27,937 patients, 1232 of them (4.4%) treated with NAC. There were only one randomized controlled trial, three phase II non-randomized single arm studies and two retrospective studies.

RESULTS

The baseline computed tomography scan showed that most of patients had a T3 tumor. The completion rate of the planned neoadjuvant treatment ranged from 52.5 to 93.8%. Between 97.2 and 100% of patients had the scheduled surgery. The median tumor volume reduction after NAC ranged from 62.5 to 63.7%. The anastomotic leak rate in the NAC group ranged from 0 to 7%, with no cases of postoperative mortality. There was major pathological tumor regression in 4-34.7% of cases. Between 84 and 100% of NAC patients had R0-surgery. Survival after NAC seems to be encouraging although significant improvement has only been proven in T4b tumours.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our systematic review, the NAC may be a safe and effective emerging therapeutic alternative for treating LACC. This approach, which is still being tested, increases the reliance on accurate radiological staging.

Disease Site-Specific Guidelines for Curative Radiation Treatment During 'Limited Surgery' and 'Hospital Avoidance': A Radiation Oncology Perspective From the Epicenter of COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation where the standard of care (SOC) management for cancers has been altered significantly. Patients with potentially curable cancers are at risk of not receiving timely SOC multidisciplinary treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or combination treatments. Hospital resources are in such high demand for COVID-19 patients that procedures, such as surgery, dentistry, interventional radiology, and other ancillary services, are not available for cancer patients. Our tertiary care center is considered the center of the epicenter in the USA. As a result, all non-emergent surgeries have been suspended in order to provide hospital beds and other resources for COVID-19 patients.

Additionally, ambulatory efforts to avoid treatment-related morbidity are critical for keeping patients out of emergency departments and hospitals. In this review article, we discuss evidence-based radiation therapy approaches for curable cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. We focus on three scenarios of cancer care: 1) radiation therapy as an alternative to surgery when immediate surgery is not possible, 2) radiation therapy as a ‘bridge’ to surgery, and 3) radiation options definitively or postoperatively, given the risk of hospitalization with high-dose chemotherapy. 

Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Capecitabine plus Oxaliplatin in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Sigmoid Colon Cancer Invading the Urinary Bladder: A Report of Three Cases

Introduction

We herein present three cases of locally advanced colon cancer (LACC) invading the urinary bladder, in whom combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy with surgical intervention was effective in disease control and preserving urinary function.

Case Presentation

Before neoadjuvant chemotherapy, all three cases underwent loop transverse colostomy for symptomatic colonic obstruction. Case 1: after 6 courses of capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX), we performed sigmoid colectomy and partial resection of the bladder. The histological examination revealed pathological complete response (pCR). The final diagnosis was ypStage 0 (ypT0ypN0M0). Case 2: after 13 courses of CAPOX plus bevacizumab, we performed Hartmann's operation with partial resection of the bladder. The histological examination revealed pCR. The final diagnosis was ypStage 0 (ypT0ypN0M0). Case 3: after 6 courses of chemotherapy with CAPOX plus bevacizumab, we performed sigmoid colectomy and partial resection of the bladder. The pathological response was grade 1a according to the Japanese Classification of Colorectal Carcinoma. The final diagnosis was ypStage IIC (ypT4bypN0M0). All three cases underwent capecitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy after radical surgery and patients are alive without recurrence.

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with CAPOX with or without bevacizumab followed by radical surgery could be an effective treatment option for LACC invading the urinary bladder.

Pathological complete response of locally advanced colon cancer after preoperative radiotherapy: a case report and narrative review of the literature

Background

The oncological effectiveness of preoperative radiotherapy for locally advanced colon cancer is unclear. We report a case of pathological complete response in a patient with locally advanced ascending colon cancer after preoperative radiotherapy following failure of chemotherapy.

Case presentation

A 65-year-old Japanese woman presented with malaise and hematochezia. A computed tomography (CT) revealed a tumor in the ascending colon which seemed to infiltrate the adjacent structures. She was diagnosed with locally advanced ascending colon cancer stages T4b, N2a, M0, and IIIC. We selected modified FOLFOX6 with panitumumab as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, we discontinued the chemotherapy after the 8th cycle because of disease progression and severe adverse effects. The patient then underwent radiotherapy of 60 Gy in 30 fractions, resulting in significant tumor size reduction. One month after the radiotherapy, we performed a right hemicolectomy with multivisceral resection without complications. Histopathologically, we found no residual cancer cells in the resected specimen. The patient remains alive and has not required additional therapies for 24 months, as there are no signs of recurrence.

Conclusions

The present case suggests that preoperative radiotherapy might be an effective treatment options for locally advanced colon cancer.

Neoadjuvant Radiation Therapy in Locally Advanced Colon Cancer: a Cohort Analysis

BACKGROUND

A paucity of data exists in the use of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NRT) for T4, non-metastatic colon cancer. This study was conducted to determine the effect of NRT on outcomes after resection for T4 colon cancer.

METHODS

All patients with non-metastatic resected clinical T4 colon cancer from 2000 to 2012 at a tertiary care center were included. The cohort was divided into two groups-those that received NRT and those that did not (non-NRT). The primary outcomes were margin-negative resection and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-one consecutive patients with non-metastatic clinical T4 colon cancer with a mean age of 65 years were included. NRT was used in 23 patients (17.4%). NRT group was noted to have non-statistically significant improvement in R0 resection rate (NRT 95.7% vs non-NRT 88.0%; p = 0.27) and local recurrence (NRT 4.3% vs non-NRT 15.7%; p = 0.15). There was a significant difference in T-stage downstaging between the two groups (NRT 30.4% vs non-NRT 6.5%; p = 0.007). In a bivariate analysis, NRT was associated with improved 5-year OS (NRT 76.4% vs non-NRT 51.5%; p = 0.03). This relationship did not persist in a Cox proportional hazard analysis that included age and comorbidity (HR 2.19; 95% CI 0.87-5.52; p = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of NRT in locally advanced T4 colon cancer is safe and associated with increased downstaging. While there was a trend toward improvement in local recurrence and the ability to obtain margin-negative resections in the NRT group, this was not significant. Significantly improved overall survival was not observed in a multivariable analysis.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery in patients with unresectable locally advanced colon cancer: a prospective observational study

Background

The prognosis of locally unresectable colon cancer (CC) is poor. This prospective observational study aimed to further evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) followed by surgery in these patients.

Patients and methods

We consecutively enrolled patients who were diagnosed with locally unresectable CC from November 2010 to March 2017, and received NACRT followed by surgery. The data of all the patients were collected prospectively. The R0 resection, down-stage and pathologic complete response (pCR) rates were calculated to evaluate the short-term treatment effects. The overall survival (OS) was used to evaluate the long-term outcome. The incidence of NACRT-related acute toxicities and postsurgical complications were used to assess the safety.

Results

A total of 60 patients were eligible for analysis, including 57 (95.0%) patients who attained resectability after NACRT. Among patients managed with surgery, 49 cases (86.0%) achieved R0 resection, and 15 cases (26.3%) achieved pCR. Down T stage was seen in 47 cases (82.5%), and down N stage was seen in 53 cases (93.0%). After a median follow-up time of 26 months, the OS appeared as 76.7%. The most common grade 3/4 NACRT-related toxicity was myelosuppression (incidence, 20.0%). The incidence of grade 3/4 surgery-related complication was 7.0%.

Conclusion

NACRT might be a safe and effective choice for patients with locally unresectable CC to improve treatment effects, long-term survival and life quality, though further validation is needed.

IMP3 expression in biopsy specimens as a diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer

No single biological marker is used in routine diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) in endoscopic biopsies. IMP3 is a good independent prognostic biomarker for CRC. However, the expression of IMP3 in hyperplastic polyp (HP) and adenoma has not yet been studied. Moreover, no studies have established the diagnostic value of IMP3 in biopsies. This study aims to assess IMP3 expression in HP, adenoma, and CRC in resection specimens and to investigate its value in diagnosis of CRC in biopsies. A total of 1328 specimens (633 of polypectomy, 395 surgical resections, 300 biopsies) were retrospectively analyzed. IMP3 expression was observed in 0 of 197 (0%) normal tissues, 0 of 130 (0%) HPs, 14 of 504 (2.8%) adenomas, and 139 of 197 (70.6%) CRCs. IMP3 was found to be overexpressed in CRC compared with adenoma (P<.001). Among the 300 biopsies, 56 were diagnosed as adenoma, and 244 were CRCs. Of the 56 adenoma cases, 22 (39.3%) were confirmed, whereas 34 (60.7%) were diagnosed as CRC in resection specimens. All 244 CRC biopsies were confirmed by resection specimens. IMP3-positive expression was observed in 204 of 300 (68.0%) biopsies, including in 22 of 56 (39.3%) adenomas and 182 of 244 (74.6%) CRCs. All IMP3-positive expressions in the biopsies were finally diagnosed as CRC. Our findings demonstrated that IMP3 is a reliable marker for the diagnosis of CRC in endoscopic biopsies.

Neoadjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy followed by radical resection in patients with locally advanced colon cancer

Background

Patients with locally advanced colon cancer (LACC) have a relatively poor prognosis despite radical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. This study investigated the treatment efficacy and toxicity of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with LACC.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 36 patients with LACC preoperatively treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Patients were administered chemoradiotherapy, which comprised radiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy involving a 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin regimen every 2 weeks.

Results

Median age was 64 years (45–86 years) and median follow-up period was 23.5 months (5.0–49.1 months). Seven (19.4%) patients developed grade 3 or 4 adverse events during neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Pathologic responses were not evaluated in two patients who did not undergo radical resection. Of the 34 patients who underwent surgery, nine (26.4%) achieved a pathologic complete response (pCR). The 2-year estimated overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 88.7% and 73.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is feasible and safe. A prominent pCR rate with an acceptable toxicity profile suggests that the multimodality therapy might be a treatment option for patients with LACC.