Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Combined with Surgery: A 12-Year Meta-Analysis of this Promising Treatment Strategy for Advanced Gastric Cancer at Different Stages

Transcriptomics-based liquid biopsy panel for early non-invasive identification of peritoneal recurrence and micrometastasis in locally advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to develop a novel six-gene expression biomarker panel to enhance the early detection and risk stratification of peritoneal recurrence and micrometastasis in locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC).

METHODS

We used genome-wide transcriptome profiling and rigorous bioinformatics to identify a six-gene expression biomarker panel. This panel was validated across multiple clinical cohorts using both tissue and liquid biopsy samples to predict peritoneal recurrence and micrometastasis in patients with LAGC.

RESULTS

Through genome-wide expression profiling, we identified six mRNAs and developed a risk prediction model using 196 samples from a surgical specimen training cohort. This model, incorporating a 6-mRNA panel with clinical features, demonstrated high predictive accuracy for peritoneal recurrence in gastric cancer patients, with an AUC of 0.966 (95% CI: 0.944-0.988). Transitioning from invasive surgical or endoscopic biopsy to noninvasive liquid biopsy, the model retained its predictive efficacy (AUC = 0.963; 95% CI: 0.926-1.000). Additionally, the 6-mRNA panel effectively differentiated patients with or without peritoneal metastasis in 95 peripheral blood specimens (AUC = 0.970; 95% CI: 0.936-1.000) and identified peritoneal micrometastases with a high efficiency (AUC = 0.941; 95% CI: 0.874-1.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides a novel gene expression biomarker panel that significantly enhances early detection of peritoneal recurrence and micrometastasis in patients with LAGC. The RSA model's predictive capability offers a promising tool for tailored treatment strategies, underscoring the importance of integrating molecular biomarkers with clinical parameters in precision oncology.

Short-Term Safety Evaluation of Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel in Intraoperative and Postoperative Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the short-term safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel in hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) during and after gastric cancer (GC) surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of clinical data was conducted for GC surgery patients at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, from January 2020 to September 2022. The study group (n = 120) received HIPEC and the control group (n = 268) did not receive albumin-bound paclitaxel. Short-term safety indicators including intraoperative complications, hematological toxicity, liver and kidney function, and gastrointestinal function recovery were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding intraoperative complications, hematological toxicity, liver and kidney function, and gastrointestinal function recovery time (P > 0.05 for all). In the study group, patients were further divided into subgroups based on dose and timing. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant differences among the different dose subgroups. However, when focusing on timing subgroups, the postoperative subgroup exhibited significantly higher white blood cell counts and bilirubin levels compared to the intraoperative subgroup, while the intraoperative subgroup had significantly higher bilirubin levels compared to both postoperative and intraoperative plus postoperative subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Albumin-bound paclitaxel demonstrates good safety and tolerability in HIPEC during and after GC surgery, without increasing the risk of intraoperative complications.

Prophylaxis and treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric origin using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal carcinomatosis significantly worsens the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. Cytoreduction + hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has shown promising results in the prevention and treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis in advanced gastric cancer (AGC); however, its application remains controversial owing to the variability of the approaches used to perform it and the lack of high-quality evidence. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the role of surgery and HIPEC in the prevention and treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric origin.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing surgery + HIPEC vs surgery + chemotherapy for the prophylaxis of peritoneal carcinomatosis and cytoreduction + HIPEC vs chemotherapy or other palliative options for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies enrolling 1641 patients were included. Surgery + HIPEC significantly improved overall survival in both prophylactic (hazard ratio [HR], 0.56) and therapeutic (HR, 0.57) settings. When surgery + HIPEC was performed with prophylactic intent, the pooled 3-year mortality rate was 32%, whereas for the control group it was 55%. The overall and peritoneal recurrence rates were also reduced (risk ratio [RR], 0.59 and 0.40, respectively). No significant difference was found in morbidity between groups (RR, 0.92).

CONCLUSION

Based on the current knowledge, HIPEC in AGC seems to be a safe and effective tool for prophylaxis and a promising resource for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Regarding the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis, the scarcity of large-cohort studies and the heterogeneity of the techniques adopted prevented us from achieving a definitive recommendation.

Peritoneal metastases from gastric cancer in a nationwide cohort: Incidence, treatment and survival

The aims of this study were to investigate incidence, risk factors and treatment of synchronous or metachronous peritoneal metastases (PM) from gastric cancer and to estimate survival of these patients using population-based data. Patients diagnosed with gastric cancer in 2015 to 2016 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. The incidence of synchronous and metachronous PM were calculated. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the occurrence of PM. Treatment and survival were compared between patients with synchronous and metachronous PM. Of 2206 patients with gastric cancer, 741 (34%) were diagnosed with PM. Of these, 498 (23%) had synchronous PM. The cumulative incidence of metachronous PM in patients who underwent potentially curative treatment (n = 675) was 22.8% at 3 years. A factor associated with synchronous and metachronous PM was diffuse type histology. Patients diagnosed with synchronous PM more often received systemic treatment than patients with metachronous PM (35% vs 18%, respectively, P < .001). Median overall survival was comparable between synchronous and metachronous PM (3.2 vs 2.3 months, respectively, P = .731). Approximately one third of all patients with gastric cancer are diagnosed with PM, either at primary diagnosis or during 3-year follow-up after potentially curative treatment. Patients with metachronous PM less often received systemic treatment than those with synchronous PM but survival was comparable between both groups. Future trials are warranted to detect gastric cancer at an earlier stage and to examine strategies that lower the risk of peritoneal dissemination. Also, specific treatment options for patients with gastric PM should be further investigated.

Hyperthermia inhibits the progression of gastric cancer by downregulating PLEK2/PD-L1 and possibly participates in immunomodulation

BACKGROUND

Hyperthermia is used as an adjunctive treatment for gastric cancer; however, the corresponding antitumor mechanism remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of PLEK2 in gastric cancer and the mechanism by which hyperthermia inhibits gastric cancer progression and participating in immunomodulation.

METHODS

PLEK2 was screened by combining microarray analysis with gene knockdown and proliferation assays. Analysis based on the TCGA database, GEPIA website, and detection of clinical samples was employed to investigate the expression and correlation of PLEK2 and PD-L1. Knockdown of the expression PLEK2, subsequent experiments including western blotting, RT-qPCR, cell functional assays, and flow cytometry were used to assess the effects on cell migration, invasion, viability, and apoptosis. Intervention with hyperthermia to explore its effects. To evaluate the impact on immunity by detecting T cell proliferation and the release of IFNγ, activated T cells were co-cultured with the target cells.

RESULTS

Hyperthermia significantly reduced the expression of PLEK2 and PD-L1, while both were increased in gastric cancer. Knockdown of PLEK2 inhibited PD-L1 expression and significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion, migration, and viability of gastric cancer cells. A decrease in PLEK2 expression promotes cell apoptosis. Although it cannot affect the proliferation of activated T cells, it can partially reverse IFNγ suppression.

CONCLUSION

PLEK2 plays a promoting role in gastric cancer, and hyperthermia downregulates PLEK2/PD-L1, which further inhibits cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, promotes cell apoptosis, and possibly participates in immune regulation.

Peritoneal Metastatic Gastric Cancer: Local Treatment Options and Recommendations

Peritoneal metastasis is a common finding in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Beyond systemic chemotherapy, additive local treatments such as cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy are considered an inherent part of different multimodal treatment concepts for selected patients with peritoneal metastatic gastric cancer. This review article discusses the role of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and intraperitoneal chemotherapy, including HIPEC, NIPS, and PIPAC, as additive therapeutic options with curative and palliative intent.

The new clinical classification of metastatic spinal malignancies serves as a vital reference for surgical management: a retrospective case-control study

BACKGROUND

It is commonly accepted that surgical treatment is an essential component of the comprehensive management of metastatic spinal malignancies. However, up until now, the clinical classification of metastatic spinal malignancies has not been well-structured.

METHODS

After IRB approval, 86 patients with metastatic spinal malignancies were adopted. According to the vascular distribution, stability of vertebrae, and degree of nerve compression, metastatic spinal malignancies can be classified into five types. Tumors classified as type I typically appear in the vertebral body. Type II tumors are those that develop in the transverse processes, superior and inferior articular processes, and spinal pedicles. Type III denotes malignancies that are present in the spinous process and vertebral plate. Types IVa and IVb are included in type IV. Type IVa combines type I and type II, whereas type IVb combines type II and type III. Type V tumors are those of types I, II, and III that co-occur and spread in different directions into the spinal canal. 20 of included 86 patients who did not receive segmental arterial embolization were set as the non-embolization group. The embolization group included 24 patients who received segmental arterial embolization on both sides of the diseased vertebrae. 42 patients were included in the offending embolization group after receiving responsible arterial embolization. A surgical intervention was performed within 24 h following an embolization. Surgical intervention with the purpose of removing as much of the tumor as possible and providing an effective reconstruction of the spinal column.

RESULTS

In comparison with the non-embolization group and embolization group, the offending embolization group presented unique advantages in terms of bleeding volume (p<0.001), operation time (p<0.001), and local recurrence rate within 12 months (p=0.006).

CONCLUSION

By significantly reducing surgical trauma and local recurrence rate (12 months), responsible arterial vascular embolization procedures together with associated surgical protocols developed on the basis of the clinical classification of metastatic spinal malignancies, are worthy of clinical dissemination.

Effects of cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy on prognosis of patients with advanced gallbladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder cancer (GC) is a common malignant tumor and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. It is typically highly invasive, difficult to detect in the early stages, and has poor treatment outcomes, resulting in high mortality rates. The available treatment options for GC are relatively limited. One emerging treatment modality is hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). HIPEC involves delivering heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity. It combines the strategies of surgical tumor resection and localized chemotherapy administration under hyperthermic conditions, aiming to enhance the concentration and effectiveness of drugs within the local tumor site while minimizing systemic toxicity.

AIM

To determine the effects of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with HIPEC on the short-term prognosis of patients with advanced GC.

METHODS

Data from 80 patients treated at the Punan Branch of Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between January 2018 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The control group comprised 44 patients treated with CRS, and the research group comprised 36 patients treated with CRS combined with HIPEC. Then, the survival time and prognostic factors of the two groups were compared, as well as liver and kidney function indices before and six days after surgery. Adverse reactions and complications were recorded in both groups.

RESULTS

The baseline data of the research and control groups were similar (P > 0.05). Six days after surgery, the alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin levels significantly decreased compared to the preoperative levels in both groups (P < 0.05). However, the values did not differ between the two groups six days postoperatively (P > 0.05). Similarly, the postoperative creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly lower than the preoperative levels in both groups (P < 0.05), but they did not differ between the groups six days postoperatively (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the research group had fewer postoperative adverse reactions than the control group (P = 0.027). Finally, a multivariate Cox analysis identified the tumor stage, distant metastasis, and the treatment plan as independent factors affecting prognosis (P < 0.05). The three-year survival rate in the study group was higher than that in the control group (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

CRS combined with HIPEC lowers the incidence of adverse reactions and improves survival in patients with advanced GC.

Optimizing the Continuum of Care in Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) still ranks as the fifth most common malignancy and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Despite the recent progress in the therapeutic algorithm of the advanced disease with the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and next-generation HER2-directed therapies, survival rates remain poor, with a median survival hardly exceeding 12 months. Furthermore, only 40% of patients remain eligible for second- and later-line treatments due to the aggressiveness of the disease and the rapid deterioration of performance status (PS). Thus, current research is focusing either on the identification of novel treatment options or the development of personalized strategies to optimize the continuum of care and ultimately improve patients' outcome. In this article, we provide an overview of the current treatment landscape for advanced GC with a particular emphasis on later-line treatments and outline novel perspectives on the horizon.

Current Evidence for the Use of HIPEC and Cytoreductive Surgery in Gastric Cancer Metastatic to the Peritoneum

Gastric cancer (GCa) is an aggressive malignancy, representing the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The poor prognosis of GCa can be associated with the prevalence of peritoneal metastasis (PM). Current international and national GCa treatment guidelines only recommend palliative treatment options for patients with PM. Since the 1980s there have been multiple single arm trials, randomized controlled trials, and metanalysis investigating the use of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients with advanced GCa, with or without PM. Results from these studies have been encouraging, with some large-volume centers even incorporating HIPEC into their treatment algorithms for patients with advanced GCa. Additionally, there are several ongoing trials that, when completed, will increase our understanding of the efficacy of CRS & HIPEC in patients with GCa metastatic to the peritoneum. Herein we review the current evidence, ongoing trials, consensus guidelines, and future considerations regarding the use of CRS & HIPEC in patients suffering from GCa with PM.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) plus systemic chemotherapy versus systemic chemotherapy alone in locally advanced gastric cancer after D2 radical resection: a randomized-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Currently, there is a lack of an effective strategy for the prevention of peritoneal metastasis (PM) from locally advanced gastric cancer (AGC). This randomized-controlled study aimed to evaluate the outcome of D2 radical resection with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) plus systemic chemotherapy versus systemic chemotherapy alone in locally AGC patients.

METHODS

All enrolled patients were randomly assigned to receive HIPEC plus systemic chemotherapy (HIPEC group) or systemic chemotherapy alone (non-HIPEC group) after radical gastrectomy. HIPEC was performed intraperitoneally with cisplatin (40 mg/m2) within 72 h after surgery, while systemic chemotherapy based on the SOX regimen (S-1 combined with oxaliplatin) was administered 4-6 weeks after radical surgery. Patterns of recurrence, adverse events, 3-year disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 134 patients were enrolled in the present study. The 3-year DFS rate was 73.8% in the HIPEC group, which was significantly higher than that in the non-HIPEC group (61.2%, P = 0.031). The 3-year OS rate was 73.9% in the HIPEC group and 77.6% in the non-HIPEC group, with no significant difference (P = 0.737). PM was the most common distant metastasis in both groups. The occurrence rate of PM in the HIPEC group was statistically lower than that in the non-HIPEC group (20.9% vs. 40.3%, P = 0.015). Grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 19 (14.2%) patients, and there was no significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Radical surgery followed by HIPEC combined with systemic chemotherapy is a safe and feasible strategy for locally AGC patients and could effectively improve DFS and reduce the occurrence of PM. However, more prospective randomized studies with a large sample size are warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered with www.medresman.org.cn as ChiCTR2200055966 on 10/12/2016.

Proteomic profiling of gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis identifies a protein signature associated with immune microenvironment and patient outcome

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal metastasis (PM) frequently occurs in patients with gastric cancer (GC) and is a major cause of mortality. Risk stratification for PM can optimize decision making in GC treatment.

METHODS

A total of 25 GC patients (13 with synchronous, 6 with metachronous PM and 6 PM-free) were included in this study. Quantitative proteomics by high-depth tandem mass tags labeling and whole-exome sequencing were conducted in primary GC and PM samples. Proteomic signature and prognostic model were established by machine learning algorithms in PM and PM-free GC, then validated in two external cohorts. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells in GC were analyzed by CIBERSORT.

RESULTS

Heterogeneity between paired primary and PM samples was observed at both genomic and proteomic levels. Compared to primary GC, proteome of PM samples was enriched in RNA binding and extracellular exosomes. 641 differently expressed proteins (DEPs) between primary GC of PM group and PM-free group were screened, which were enriched in extracellular exosome and cell adhesion pathways. Subsequently, a ten-protein signature was derived based on DEPs by machine learning. This signature was significantly associated with patient prognosis in internal cohort and two external proteomic datasets of diffuse and mixed type GC. Tumor-infiltrating immune cell analysis showed that the signature was associated with immune microenvironment of GC.

CONCLUSIONS

We characterized proteomic features that were informative for PM progression of GC. A protein signature associated with immune microenvironment and patient outcome was derived, and it could guide risk stratification and individualized treatment.

Treatment of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies by Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in Spain: Results of the National Registry of the Spanish Group of Peritoneal Oncologic Surgery (REGECOP)

INTRODUCTION

Treatment of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies (PSM) with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has achieved results never seen before in these patients, which classically have a poor prognosis. The possibility of conducting clinical trials in these diseases is complicated, since some of them are rare, so the analysis of large databases provides very valuable scientific information. The aim of this study is to analyze the global results of the National Registry of the Spanish Group of Peritoneal Oncologic Surgery (REGECOP), whose objective is to register all patients scheduled for HIPEC nationwide.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of the data recorded in the REGECOP from 36 Spanish hospitals from 2001 to 2021. There were 4159 surgical interventions in 3980 patients.

RESULTS

66% are women and 34% are men with a median age of 59 years (range 17-86). 41.5% of the patients were treated for Peritoneal Metastases (PM) of colorectal cancer (CRC); 32.4% were women with ovarian cancer (OC) with PM; 12.8% were treated for pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP); 6.2% had PM from gastric cancer (GC); 4.9% had PM of non-conventional origin; and, finally, 2.1% of cases were patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. The median Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) was 9 (0-39), and complete cytoreduction was achieved in 81.7% of the procedures. Severe morbidity (Dindo-Clavien grade III-IV) was observed in 17.7% of surgeries, with 2.1% mortality. Median hospital stay was 11 days (0-259). Median overall survival (OS) was 41 months for CRC patients, 55 months for women with OC, was not reached in PMP patients, was 14 months for GC patients, and 66 months in mesothelioma patients.

CONCLUSIONS

large databases provide extremely useful data. CRS with HIPEC in referral centers is a safe treatment with encouraging oncologic results in PSM.

Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases: Current Status and Prospects for Treatment

Gastric cancer (GC) has a poor prognostic and only one in four patients will have survived by 5 years after diagnosis. These poor results are due to the fact that most patients are diagnosed in advanced stages; peritoneal metastases (PM) are especially frequent and are difficult to treat. Currently, PM are considered a terminal stage of GC with a poor survival rate and are treated with palliative systemic chemotherapy. Since the beginning of the century, the treatment of PM from different origins has evolved; cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have become the treatment of choice for many malignant diseases that affect the peritoneum. CRS and HIPEC have also been used for patients with GC and PM, achieving survival results that have never been achieved when using systemic chemotherapy alone. The use of HIPEC can even prevent the development of peritoneal recurrences in patients with locally advanced GC as adjuvant therapy, can reduce the volume of peritoneal disease as neoadjuvant therapy, and can control symptoms in a palliative setting. The aim of this review is to collate the current scientific evidence regarding the treatment of PM of GC origin with surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Predicting peritoneal recurrence in gastric cancer with serosal invasion using a pathomics nomogram

Peritoneal recurrence is the most frequent and lethal recurrence pattern in gastric cancer (GC) with serosal invasion after radical surgery. However, current evaluation methods are not adequate for predicting peritoneal recurrence in GC with serosal invasion. Emerging evidence shows that pathomics analyses could be advantageous for risk stratification and outcome prediction. Herein, we propose a pathomics signature composed of multiple pathomics features extracted from digital hematoxylin and eosin-stained images. We found that the pathomics signature was significantly associated with peritoneal recurrence. A competing-risk pathomics nomogram including carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and pathomics signature was developed for predicting peritoneal recurrence. The pathomics nomogram had favorable discrimination and calibration. Thus, the pathomics signature is a predictive indicator of peritoneal recurrence, and the pathomics nomogram may provide a helpful reference for predicting an individual's risk in peritoneal recurrence of GC with serosal invasion.

Current standards of surgical management of gastric cancer: an appraisal

PURPOSE

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common malignancy worldwide and portends a grim prognosis due to a lack of appreciable improvement in 5-year survival. We aimed to analyze the available literature and summarize the current standards of surgical care for curative and palliative intent treatment of GC.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search on the PubMed database for studies on the management of GC.

RESULTS

Endoscopic resection is an acceptable treatment option for T1a tumors. The role of optimal resection margin for GC remains unclear. D2 lymph node dissection remains the standard of care with splenectomy needed selectively for splenic hilum involvement. A distal pancreatic resection should be avoided. The advantage of bursectomy and omentectomy in GC surgery is not clear. Multi-visceral resection may be considered for locally advanced GC in carefully selected patients. Minimally invasive approaches are non-inferior to open surgery. Surgery should be abandoned prior even in metastatic GC within the frame of multimodal therapy approach.

CONCLUSION

Various trials have conclusively shown improved patient outcomes when well-established surgical standards are followed.

The Perioperative and Operative Management of Esophageal and Gastric Cancer

Optimal management of esophageal and gastric cancer during the perioperative period requires a coordinated multidisciplinary treatment effort. Accurate staging guides treatment strategy. Advances in minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy have reduced risks associated with resection while maintaining oncological standards. Although the standard perioperative chemo-and radiotherapy regimens have not yet been established, randomized control trials exploring this subject show promising results.

No long-term survival benefit with sustained-release 5-fluorouracil implants in patients with stages II and III gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of gastric cancer in an advanced stage remains poor. The exact efficacy of the use of intraoperative sustained-release chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in advanced-stage gastric cancer is still unelucidated.

AIM

To explore the long-term survival benefit of using sustained-release 5-FU implants in stage II and stage III gastric cancer patients.

METHODS

Patients with gastric cancer in a locally advanced stage and who underwent an R0 radical resection between Jan 2014, to Dec 2016, in this single institution were included. Patients with pathological diagnoses other than adenocarcinoma were excluded. All included patients were grouped according to whether intraoperative sustained-release (SR) chemotherapy with 5-FU was used or not (NSR). The primary end-point was 5-year overall survival. Kaplan–Meier method with log-rank test was used to analyze the overall survival of patients and Cox analysis was used to analyze prognosis factors of these patients.

RESULTS

In total, there were 563 patients with gastric cancer with locally advanced stage, who underwent an R0 radical resection. 309 patients were included in the final analysis. 219 (70.9%) were men, with an average age of 58.25 years. Furthermore, 56 (18.1%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 191 (61.8%) were in TNM stage III. In addition, 158 patients received intraoperative sustained-release chemotherapy with 5-FU and were included in the SR group, while the other 161 patients were included in the NSR group. The overall complication rate was 12.94% in the whole group and 10.81%, 16.46% in SR and NSR groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in overall survival and complication rate (P > 0.05). The multivariate cox analysis indicated that only N Stage and neoadjuvant therapy were independent influencing factors of survival.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative sustained-release chemotherapy usage with 5-FU, did not improve the survival of patients who underwent an R0 radical resection in locally advanced stage of gastric cancer.