The concept of "Obstruction-Free Survival" as an outcome measure in advanced colorectal cancer management

The 2022 PSOGI International Consensus on HIPEC Regimens for Peritoneal Malignancies: Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We report the results of an international consensus on hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) regimens for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) performed with the following goals: To define the indications for HIPEC To identify the most suitable HIPEC regimens for each indication in EOC To identify areas of future research on HIPEC To provide recommendations for some aspects of perioperative care for HIPEC METHODS: The Delphi technique was used with two rounds of voting. There were three categories of questions: evidence-based recommendations [using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system with the patient, intervention, comparator, and outcome (PICO) method], an opinion survey, and research recommendations.

RESULTS

Seventy-three (67.5%) of 108 invited experts responded in round I, and 68 (62.9%) in round II. Consensus was achieved for 34/38 (94.7%) questions. However, a strong positive consensus that would lead to inclusion in routine care was reached for only 6/38 (15.7%) questions. HIPEC in addition to interval cytoreductive surgery (CRS) received a strong positive recommendation that merits inclusion in routine care. Single-agent cisplatin was the only drug recommended for routine care, and OVHIPEC-1 was the most preferred regimen. The panel recommended performing HIPEC for a minimum of 60 min with a recommended minimum intraabdominal temperature of 41°C. Nephroprotection with sodium thiosulfate should be used for cisplatin HIPEC.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this consensus should guide clinical decisions on indications of HIPEC and the choice and various parameters of HIPEC regimens and could fill current knowledge gaps. These outcomes should be the basis for designing future clinical trials on HIPEC in EOC.

Outcomes after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal dissemination from ovarian carcinosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Ovarian carcinosarcoma (OCS) is an uncommon and aggressive malignancy, with poor response to current treatment approaches and no clear guidelines. Our aim is to evaluate the outcomes of an OCS cohort after cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC).

METHODS

A descriptive cohort study was performed. Patients who underwent CRS/HIPEC for peritoneal dissemination from tubo-ovarian malignancies (1999-2021) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with confirmed histopathologic diagnosis of FIGO stage III/IV OCS were included. Overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were determined with the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Of 267 patients with tubo-ovarian malignancies reviewed, 7.5% (20/267) had OCS. Of these, 16 underwent CRS/HIPEC, including 9 for a new diagnosis and 7 for disease recurrence. Median age at surgery was 66.5 (IQR: 54.5-74.5) years. Nine (56.2%) patients were FIGO stage IV. Median peritoneal cancer index was 22 (IQR: 14-28). Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 15/16 (93.7%) cases. HIPEC agents included carboplatin (n = 7), cisplatin+doxorubicin (n = 4), and melphalan (n = 5). Major complications occurred in 4/16 (25%), with no 90-day mortality. Median follow-up was 41.8 months. Median PFS was 11.7 (95%CI: 10.5-17.1) months. Malignant bowel obstruction occurred in 3/16 (18.7%). Median OS from CRS/HIPEC was 21.3 (95%CI: 16.3-31.6) months, not reached for newly diagnosed vs 19.7 months for recurrent patients (p = 0.23).

CONCLUSIONS

CRS/HIPEC showed promising survival and abdominal disease control with low rates of malignant obstruction in patients with advanced stage OCS. Collaborative studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-up may further elucidate the role of CRS/HIPEC in OCS.

Long-Term Survival in Patients Treated by Cytoreductive Surgery with or Without HIPEC for Peritoneal Surface Malignancies-A report from the Indian HIPEC Registry

A previous report from the Indian HIPEC registry showed acceptable early survival and morbidity in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) + / - hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes in these patients. Three hundred seventy-four patients treated from December 2010 to December 2016 and enrolled in the Indian HIPEC registry were included. All patients had completed 5 years from the date of surgery. The 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-year progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and factors affecting these were evaluated. The histology was epithelial ovarian cancer in 209 (46.5%), pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) in 65 (17.3%) and colorectal cancer in 46 (12.9%) patients. The peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was ≥ 15 in 160 (42.8%). A completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score of 0/1 resection was obtained in 83% (CC-0-65%; CC-1-18%). HIPEC was performed in 59.2%. At a median, follow-up of 77 months (6-120 months), 243 (64.9%) patients developed recurrence, and 236 (63%) died of any cause; 138 (36.9%) were lost to follow-up. The median OS was 56 months (95% CI 53.42-61.07), and the median PFS was 28 months (95% CI 37.5-44.4). The 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-year OS was 97.6%, 63%, 37.7% and 24% respectively. The 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-year PFS was 84.8%, 36.5%, 27.3% and 22% respectively. The use of HIPEC (p = 0.03) and PMP of appendiceal origin (p = 0.01) was independent predictors of a longer OS. CRS + / - /HIPEC may achieve long-term survival in patients with PM from different primary sites in the Indian scenario. More prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and identify factors influencing long-term survival.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13193-023-01727-7.

Surgical Options for Peritoneal Surface Metastases from Digestive Malignancies-A Comprehensive Review

The peritoneum is a common site for the dissemination of digestive malignancies, particularly gastric, colorectal, appendix, or pancreatic cancer. Other tumors such as cholangiocarcinomas, digestive neuroendocrine tumors, or gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) may also associate with peritoneal surface metastases (PSM). Peritoneal dissemination is proven to worsen the prognosis of these patients. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS), along with systemic chemotherapy, have been shown to constitute a survival benefit in selected patients with PSM. Furthermore, the association of CRS with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) seems to significantly improve the prognosis of patients with certain types of digestive malignancies associated with PSM. However, the benefit of CRS with HIPEC is still controversial, especially due to the significant morbidity associated with this procedure. According to the results of the PRODIGE 7 trial, CRS for PSM from colorectal cancer (CRC) achieved overall survival (OS) rates higher than 40 months, but the addition of oxaliplatin-based HIPEC failed to improve the long-term outcomes. Furthermore, the PROPHYLOCHIP and COLOPEC trials failed to demonstrate the effectiveness of oxaliplatin-based HIPEC for preventing peritoneal metastases development in high-risk patients operated for CRC. In this review, we discuss the limitations of these studies and the reasons why these results are not sufficient to refute this technique, until future well-designed trials evaluate the impact of different HIPEC regimens. In contrast, in pseudomyxoma peritonei, CRS plus HIPEC represents the gold standard therapy, which is able to achieve 10-year OS rates ranging between 70 and 80%. For patients with PSM from gastric carcinoma, CRS plus HIPEC achieved median OS rates higher than 40 months after complete cytoreduction in patients with a peritoneal cancer index (PCI) ≤6. However, the data have not yet been validated in randomized clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the controversies regarding the most efficient drugs that should be used for HIPEC and the duration of the procedure. We also discuss the current evidence and controversies related to the benefit of CRS (and HIPEC) in patients with PSM from other digestive malignancies. Although it is a palliative treatment, pressurized intraperitoneal aerosolized chemotherapy (PIPAC) significantly increases OS in patients with unresectable PSM from gastric cancer and represents a promising approach for patients with PSM from other digestive cancers.

Trajectories of body weight change and survival among patients with mCRC treated with systemic therapy: Pooled analysis from the ARCAD database

BACKGROUND

Higher body mass index is associated with a higher incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) but also with improved survival in metastatic CRC (mCRC). Whether weight change after mCRC diagnosis is associated with survival remains largely unknown.

METHODS

We analysed individual patient data for previously untreated patients enrolled in five phase 3 randomised trials conducted between 1998 and 2006. Weight measurements were prospectively collected at baseline and up to 59.4 months after diagnosis. We used stratified multivariable Cox models to assess the prognostic associations of weight loss with overall and progression-free survival, adjusting for other factors. The primary end-point was a difference in overall survival (OS) between populations with weight loss and stable or increasing weight.

FINDINGS

Data were available for 3504 patients. The median weight change at 3 months was -0.54% (IQR -3.9 … +1.5%). We identified a linear trend of increasing risk of death associated with progressive weight loss. Unstratified median OS was 20.5, 18.0, and 11.9 months (p < 0.001) for stable weight or gain, <5% weight loss, and ≥5% weight loss at 3 months, respectively. Weight loss was associated with a higher risk of death (<5% loss: aHR 1.18 [1.06-1.30], p < 0.002; ≥5% loss: aHR 1.87 [1.67-2.1], p < 0.001) as compared to stable or increasing weight at 3 months post-baseline (reference), while adjusting for age, sex, performance, and a number of metastatic sites.

INTERPRETATION

Patients losing weight during systemic therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer have significantly shorter OS. The degree of weight loss is proportional to the observed increased risk of death and remains evident among underweight, normal weight, and obese individuals. On-treatment weight change could be used as an intermediate end-point.

FUNDING

The creation and management of the database containing the individual patient data from the original randomised trials is supported by the Aide et Recherche en Cancérologie Digestive Foundation.

Natural History and Management of Small-Bowel Obstruction in Patients After Cytoreductive Surgery and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Small-bowel obstruction (SBO) after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is a common complication associated with re-admission that may alter patients' outcomes. Our aim was to characterize and investigate the impact of bowel obstruction on patients' prognosis.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of patients with SBO after CRS/HIPEC (n = 392). We analyzed patients' demographics, operative and perioperative details, SBO re-admission data, and long-term oncological outcomes.

RESULTS

Out of 366 patients, 73 (19.9%) were re-admitted with SBO. The cause was adhesive in 42 (57.5%) and malignant (MBO) in 31 (42.5%). The median time to obstruction was 7.7 months (range, 0.5-60.9). Surgical intervention was required in 21/73 (28.7%) patients. Obstruction eventually resolved (spontaneous or by surgical intervention) in 56/73 (76.7%) patients. Univariant analysis identified intraperitoneal chemotherapy agents: mitomycin C (MMC) (HR 3.2, p = 0.003), cisplatin (HR 0.3, p = 0.03), and doxorubicin (HR 0.25, p = 0.018) to be associated with obstruction-free survival (OFS). Postoperative complications such as surgical site infection (SSI), (HR 2.2, p = 0.001) and collection (HR 2.07, p = 0.015) were associated with worse OFS. Multivariate analysis maintained MMC (HR 2.9, p = 0.006), SSI (HR 1.19, p = 0.001), and intra-abdominal collection (HR 2.19, p = 0.009) as independently associated with OFS. While disease-free survival was similar between the groups, overall survival (OS) was better in the non-obstruction group compared with the obstruction group (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

SBO after CRS/HIPEC is common and complex in management. Although conservative management was successful in most patients, surgery was required more frequently in patients with MBO. Patients with SBO demonstrate decreased survival.

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in the Treatment Armamentarium of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Time to End the Dichotomy

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is an incurable disease with over 75% of the patients developing recurrence in the peritoneum. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a promising treatment option for both first-line therapy and treatment of recurrence. In this article, we review the rationale and current evidence for performing HIPEC and the role of HIPEC in the light of targeted systemic therapies. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> There are few randomized trials and several retrospective studies on the role of HIPEC in the management of EOC. A 12-month-overall survival (OS) benefit of the addition of HIPEC to interval cytoreductive surgery (CRS) was demonstrated in 1 randomized trial following which HIPEC has been included as a treatment option for this indication in several national/international guidelines. One retrospective propensity score-matched analysis showed a 16-month OS benefit of adding HIPEC to primary CRS. One randomized trial showed no benefit of the addition of carboplatin HIPEC to secondary CRS over secondary CRS alone. For patients undergoing primary CRS and secondary CRS for recurrence, the results of ongoing randomized trials are needed to define the role of HIPEC in these situations. All clinical trials have shown that the morbidity of HIPEC performed after CRS is acceptable. Along with the emergence of HIPEC as a promising surgical therapy, targeted therapies like bevacizumab and poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase inhibitors have been developed that have shown a survival benefit in selected patients. In principle, HIPEC and targeted therapies work in different ways and it is plausible to assume that their benefit could be additive, and their combination should be evaluated in clinical trials. The impact of prognostic factors like the disease extent, pathological response to systemic chemotherapy (SC), the histological subtype and molecular profile on the benefit of HIPEC, and targeted therapies has not been evaluated in clinical trials. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> HIPEC is an important therapeutic strategy in the treatment of EOC. While its role in patients undergoing interval CRS has been established, the results of ongoing randomized trials are needed to define its benefit at other time points. The morbidity of HIPEC in addition to CRS is acceptable. More research is needed to define subgroups that benefit most from HIPEC based on the extent of disease, response to SC, histology, and molecular profile. The combination of HIPEC and maintenance therapies should be evaluated in well-designed randomized clinical trials that evaluate not just the survival benefit and morbidity but also the cost-effectiveness of each therapy.

Perforated Colorectal Cancer

The majority of patients with colorectal tumors will present via the elective route. However, one-fifth of patients will present as an emergency. The most common cause of emergency presentation of colorectal cancer is obstruction followed by perforation, and in many cases, patients will present with both. We discuss the management of the patient presenting with a perforated colorectal tumor covering the acute presentation and also how to deal with consequences of a perforated tumor, namely, the management of colorectal peritoneal metastasis (CPM). CPM used to be considered a terminal condition; however, a strategy of early detection of CPM, careful patient selection for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, leads to much improved outcomes and even cure, in some patient compared with systemic chemotherapy alone.