Sustaining Blood Lymphocyte Count during Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy as a Predictive Marker for Pathologic Complete Response in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Severe lymphopenia as a prognostic factor in rectal cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemoradiotherapy: a retrospective study

The relationship between total lymphocyte counts (TLCs) and survival is not well documented in rectal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the association between TLCs and disease-free survival (DFS) and identify factors associated with lymphopenia in locally advanced rectal cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy. Thirty-six patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were retrospectively analyzed. TLCs were evaluated before surgery (pre-S), before radiotherapy (pre-RT), and during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). The relationship between TLCs and DFS was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Potential clinical factors associated with lymphopenia were also evaluated. Median TLC declined significantly during radiotherapy. Severe lymphopenia during CCRT was significantly associated with poorer DFS on Kaplan-Meier analysis (p = 0.01), univariate regression analysis (p = 0.036), and multivariate regression analysis (p = 0.038). Pre-S TLCs (p = 0.009) and pre-RT TLCs (p = 0.042) were significantly associated with severe lymphopenia on univariate regression analysis; however, only pre-S TLCs (p = 0.026) were significantly associated with severe lymphopenia on multivariate regression analysis. Severe lymphopenia was a predictor of poorer DFS in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer receiving adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Pre-S TLCs were predictors of severe lymphopenia. Further study is warranted to reduce the rate of severe lymphopenia.

Can lymphocytes serve as a predictor of response to preoperative chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer?

Introduction

The aim of this study is to identify factors that may predict the response of locally advanced rectal cancer tumors (LARC) to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and to evaluate the effect of circulating lymphocytes on pathological tumor response.

Methods

This retrospective study included neoadjuvant CRT-treated, LARC-diagnosed patients at the Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, Israel. CHAID analysis, t-test, χ2 test, and ROC curve analyses were performed to explore the association between pathological complete response (pCR) and several factors including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, type of treatment, and levels of circulating lymphocytes measured on a weekly basis.

Results

Out of 198 patients enrolled in the study, pCR was achieved in 50 patients (25%). ROC curve and CHAID analyses showed that absolute lymphopenia was significantly associated with lower pCR rates (p=0.046 and p=0.001, respectively). Other factors that were found to have a significant impact were radiation therapy type (p=0.033) and tumor distance from the anal verge (p= 0.041).

Conclusion

An absolute decrease in the level of circulating lymphocytes during preoperative CRT to LARC is associated with poorer tumor response to treatment and thus may serve as a predictive biomarker for treatment resistance.

Promises and Challenges of Predictive Blood Biomarkers for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

The treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) requires a multimodal approach combining neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery. Predicting tumor response to CRT can guide clinical decision making and improve patient care while avoiding unnecessary toxicity and morbidity. Circulating biomarkers offer both the advantage to be easily accessed and followed over time. In recent years, biomarkers such as proteins, blood cells, or nucleic acids have been investigated for their predictive value in oncology. We conducted a comprehensive literature review with the aim to summarize the status of circulating biomarkers predicting response to CRT in LARC. Forty-nine publications, of which forty-seven full-text articles, one review and one systematic review, were retrieved. These studies evaluated circulating markers (CEA and CA 19-9), inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, albumin, and lymphocytes), hematologic markers (hemoglobin and thrombocytes), lipids and circulating nucleic acids (cell-free DNA [cfDNA], circulating tumor DNA [ctDNA], and microRNA [miRNA]). Post-CRT CEA levels had the most consistent association with tumor response, while cfDNA integrity index, MGMT promoter methylation, ERCC-1, miRNAs, and miRNA-related SNPs were identified as potential predictive markers. Although circulating biomarkers hold great promise, inconsistent results, low statistical power, and low specificity and sensibility prevent them from reliably predicting tumor response following CRT. Validation and standardization of methods and technologies are further required to confirm results.

Predicting Factors of Complete Pathological Response in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Background: Current treatment of choice for locally advanced rectal cancer is neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neo-CRT) followed by surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. Some patients may experience complete pathological response (cPR) after the neoadjuvant treatment. However, the predicting factors are still debated. Methods: In this registry-based retrospective cohort study, 258 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were included. Patients were categorized into two groups with or without cPR. Logistic regression analysis was recruited to investigate the odds ratio for all independent variables, and those with significant results were included in multivariate regression analysis. Results: Achievement of cPR was 21.3%. The odds ratio of cPR was significantly lower when the tumor distance from the anal verge was>10 centimeters (OR=0.24, P=0.040). Also, the odds of cPR with N1 involvement in comparison with N0 involvement decreased for 0.41 (P=0.043). It was also true for patients with N2 involvement in comparison with N0 involvement (OR=0.31, P=0.031). Higher odds ratio of cPR was observed in patients who underwent surgery in>12 weeks after neo-CRT (OR=2.9, P=0.022). Furthermore, the odds of cPR decreased for 0.9 with increasing in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (P=0.044). Conclusion: Patients with rectal cancer in clinical stage II or lower, without the involvement of the lymphatic system at diagnosis, and with tumors located in the lower parts of the rectum, with lower levels of CEA, and longer duration between neo-CRT and surgery were more likely to achieve cPR after neo-CRT. With the current knowledge, the "wait and watch policy" is still debated and needs to be defined more precisely by upcoming studies.

Histopathological and Haemogram Features Correlate with Prognosis in Rectal Cancer Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation without Pathological Complete Response

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NCRT) followed by surgery is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC); approximately 80% of patients do not achieve complete response. Identifying prognostic factors predictive of survival in these patients to guide further management is needed. The intratumoural lymphocytic response (ILR), peritumoural lymphocytic reaction (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PtLR) are correlated with the tumour microenvironment and cancer-related systemic inflammation. This study aimed to explore the ability of the ILR, PLR, NLR, and PtLR to predict survival in LARC patients without a complete response to NCRT. Methods: Sixty-nine patients who underwent NCRT and surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The ILR and PLR were assessed in surgical specimens, and the NLR and PtLR were calculated using pre- and post-NCRT blood count data. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analyses were performed for survival analysis. Results: A high PLR and high post-NCRT NLR and PtLR were significantly associated with better prognosis. Lymphovascular invasion (LVI), post-NCRT neutrophil count, and lymphocyte count were significant predictors of overall survival. LVI and the PLR were independent predictors of disease-free survival. Conclusions: NCRT-induced local and systemic immune responses are favourable prognostic predictors in LARC patients without complete response to NCRT.

Impact of Platelets to Lymphocytes Ratio and Lymphocytes during Radical Concurrent Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy on Patients with Nonmetastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose

This study examined the importance of hematological parameters as prognostic markers for people with esophageal cancer receiving radical concurrent chemoradiation.

Methods

106 patients with esophageal cancer are included in this study. Cox regression analysis, Kaplan-Meier method, and chi-square test were used to analyze our data.

Results

The median follow-up time for patients was 15.5 months (3-55). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that age, the change of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (ΔPLR), and the change rate of circulating lymphocyte count (ΔCLC%) were independent influencing factors of OS and DFS. The patients were grouped according to the median of ΔPLR and ΔCLC%, and analysis showed that a higher ΔPLR and a higher ΔCLC% was related to poor OS and DFS (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, P < 0.001). By subgroup analysis, the OS of T1-4N1-2 were better in the low ΔPLR group than the high one (P = 0.03, P < 0.001, P = 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.008). DFS of T3-4N1-2 in the low ΔPLR group were better than the high one (P < 0.001, P = 0.016 and P < 0.001, P = 0.022). For patients with T1-4N0-2, the OS in the low ΔCLC% group were better than in the high ΔCLC% group (P = 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.002, P = 0.012, P < 0.001, and P = 0.024). For T1-4N1-2, the DFS were better in the low ΔCLC% group than others (P = 0.042, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.006).

Conclusion

ΔPLR and ΔCLC% are independent factors of OS and DFS, and a lower ΔPLR and ΔCLC% are associated with a better OS and DFS. And T3-4N1-2 patients in the low ΔPLR group and low ΔCLC% group have greater survival benefit.

Predicting stage ypT0–1N0 for nonradical management in patients with middle or low rectal cancer who undergo neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: a retrospective cohort study

Purpose

It is important to discover predictive factors that can identify rectal cancer patients who will respond well to neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) to develop management strategies, preserve sphincter and avoid over-treatment. This study explored clinical factors that would predict the adequacy of nonradical management after CCRT in patients with middle or low rectal cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 447 patients with middle or low rectal cancer who were treated with curative surgery after neoadjuvant CCRT between January 2010 and December 2019. The good response group comprised patients with stages ypT0–1N0 on resection after CCRT; the remaining patients were included in the poor response group.

Results

Of 447 patients (mean age, 60.37 ± 11.85 years), 108 (24.2%) had ypT0–1N0 (71.3% with ypT0N0, 4.6% with ypTisN0, and 24.1% with ypT1N0). Overall, 19 patients with cT1–2 (50.0% vs. 21.8% with cT3–4, P < 0.001), 22 with well-differentiated tumors (51.2% vs. 21.3% with moderately/poorly differentiated tumors, P < 0.001), 16 with fungating tumors (47.1% vs. 22.3% with other types, P = 0.001), and 66 with anterior/posterior circumference direction (28.9% vs. 19.2% with lateral/encircling direction, P = 0.016) had stage ypT0–1N0. On multivariable analysis, cT1–2 (P = 0.021) and well-differentiated tumor (P = 0.001) were independent predictors of ypT0–1N0. Fungating tumors were not significantly associated with ypT0–1N0 (P = 0.054).

Conclusion

Stage cT1–2 and well differentiation are predictors of ypT0–1N0, while fungating tumors could be considered clinically meaningful, possibly identifying candidates for nonradical treatment post-CCRT.

Prognostic value of changes in serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels for preoperative chemoradiotherapy response in locally advanced rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a standard treatment modality for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, CRT alone cannot improve overall survival. Approximately 20% of patients with CRT-resistant tumors show disease progression. Therefore, predictive factors for treatment response are needed to identify patients who will benefit from CRT. We theorized that the prognosis may vary if patients are classified according to pre- to post-CRT changes in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels.

AIM

To identify patients with locally advanced rectal cancer for preoperative chemoradiotherapy based on carcinoembryonic antigen levels.

METHODS

We retrospectively included locally advanced rectal cancer patients who underwent preoperative CRT and curative resection between 2011 and 2017. Patients were assigned to groups A, B, and C based on pre- and post-CRT serum CEA levels: Both > 5; pre > 5 and post ≤ 5; and both ≤ 5 ng/mL, respectively. We compared the response to CRT based on changes in serum CEA levels. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine optimal cutoff for neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and platelet–lymphocyte ratio. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic factors for pathologic complete response (pCR)/good response.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 145 patients; of them, 27, 43, and 65 belonged to groups A, B, and C, respectively, according to changes in serum CEA levels before and after CRT. Pre- (P < 0.001) and post-CRT (P < 0.001) CEA levels and the ratio of down-staging (P = 0.013) were higher in Groups B and C than in Group A. The ratio of pathologic tumor regression grade 0/1 significantly differed among the groups (P = 0.003). Group C had the highest number of patients showing pCR (P < 0.001). Most patients with pCR showed pre- and post-CRT CEA levels < 5 ng/mL (P < 0.001, P = 0.008). Pre- and post-CRT CEA levels were important risk factors for pCR (OR = 18.71; 95%CI: 4.62–129.51, P < 0.001) and good response (OR = 5.07; 95%CI: 1.92–14.83, P = 0.002), respectively. Pre-CRT neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and post-CRT T ≥ 3 stage were also prognostic factors for pCR or good response.

CONCLUSION

Pre- and post-CRT CEA levels, as well as change in CEA levels, were prognostic markers for treatment response to CRT and may facilitate treatment individualization for rectal cancer.

Lymphopenia During Definitive Chemoradiotherapy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Association with Dosimetric Parameters and Patient Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between clinical characteristics, as well as dosimetric parameters, and the risk of treatment-related lymphopenia in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical characteristics and dosimetric parameters were collected from 436 patients with ESCC who received definitive CRT from 2010 through 2017. Absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) were obtained before, during, and 1 month after CRT. Grade 4 (G4) lymphopenia was defined as ALC <0.2 × 10⁹ /L during CRT. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of each factor on predicting G4 lymphopenia. The relationship between lymphopenia and overall survival (OS) was examined, and a nomogram was developed to predict OS.

RESULTS

G4 lymphopenia was observed in 103 patients (23.6%) during CRT. Multivariate analysis indicated that planning target volume (PTV), lung V₁₀ , heart V₁₀ , performance status, and pretreatment lymphopenia were significant risk factors for G4 lymphopenia. Patients with G4 lymphopenia had significantly worse survival than those without. Based on multivariate analysis, clinical TNM stage, radiotherapy modality, pretreatment ALC, and G4 lymphopenia were predictive of OS and were incorporated into the nomogram, yielding a concordance index of 0.71.

CONCLUSIONS

G4 lymphopenia during definitive CRT was associated with larger PTVs, higher lung V₁₀ and heart V₁₀ , and worse survival.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between clinical characteristics, as well as dosimetric parameters, and the risk of treatment-related lymphopenia in 436 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received definitive chemoradiotherapy. Grade 4 (G4) lymphopenia was observed in 23.6% of patients during radiotherapy. G4 lymphopenia was associated with larger planning target volumes, higher lung V₁₀ and heart V₁₀ , and worse survival. Then, a nomogram was built based on multivariate analysis, yielding excellent performance to predict overall survival. Prospective studies are needed to investigate potential approaches for mitigating severe lymphopenia, which may ultimately convert into survival benefits.

Prediction of Pathologic Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Incorporating Hematological Biomarkers

PURPOSE

This study aimed to develop a nomogram for predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by integrating hematological biomarkers and clinicopathological characteristics.

Materials and Methods

Between 2003 and 2017, 306 ESCC patients who underwent neoadjuvant CRT followed by esophagectomy were analyzed. Besides clinicopathological factors, hematological parameters before, during, and after CRT were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictive factors for pCR. A nomogram model was built and internally validated.

RESULTS

Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio, albumin, hemoglobin, white blood cell, neutrophil, and platelet count generally declined, whereas neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) increased significantly following neoadjuvant CRT. After surgery, 124 patients (40.5%) achieved a pCR. The pCR group demonstrated significantly more favorable survival than the non-pCR group. On multivariate analysis, significant factors associated with pCR included sex, chemotherapy regimen, post-CRT endoscopic finding, pre-CRT NLR, ALC nadir during CRT, and post-CRT PLR, which were incorporated into the prediction model. The nomogram indicated good accuracy in predicting pCR, with a C-index of 0.75 (95% confidence interval, 0.71 to 0.78).

CONCLUSION

Female, chemotherapy regimen of cisplatin/vinorelbine, negative post-CRT endoscopic finding, pre-CRT NLR (≤ 2.1), ALC nadir during CRT (> 0.35 ×109/L), and post-CRT PLR (≤ 83.0) were significantly associated with pCR in ESCC patients treated with neoadjuvant CRT. A nomogram incorporating hematological biomarkers to predict pCR was developed and internally validated, showing good predictive performance.

Dose-volume parameters of MRI-based active bone marrow predict hematologic toxicity of chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer

Purpose

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely used for locoregional staging of rectal cancer and offers promise for the prediction of hematologic toxicity. The present study compares the clinical utility of MRI-based active bone marrow (BMact) delineation with that of CT-based bone marrow total (BMtot) delineation for predicting hematologic toxicity.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed. Eligible patients had stage II/III rectal cancer and qualified for preoperative chemoradiotherapy. The BMact areas on T1-weighted MRI were contoured. The impact of the dose–volume parameters of BMact/BMtot and clinical data on hematologic toxicity were assessed. Basic endpoints were the occurrence of grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity and peripheral blood parameters reaching a nadir. Linear regression models were generated for the nadirs and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for the occurrence of grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity.

Results

Thirty-five patients were enrolled. Women presented higher dose–volume parameters of BMact, BMtot, and lymphocyte nadir (ALCnadir%) than men. Models for the prediction of ALCnadir% (V5-V20BMtot, V5-V30BMact) and platelet nadir (PLTnadir%; V5-V10BMtot, V5-V20BMact) were statistically significant. In the ROC curves, a baseline lymphocyte level of 1.81 × 10³/ml was adopted as the cutoff for predicting grade 3/4 lymphopenia, with specificity of 77.8% and sensitivity of 73.1%. The multivariate linear regression model for ALCnadir% had R² = 0.53, p = 0.038. In the tenth step of selection, V5BMact (p = 0.002) and gender (p = 0.019) remained. The multivariate linear regression model for PLTnadir% had R² = 0.20, p = 0.34. In the sixth step of selection, V15BMact remained (p = 0.026).

Conclusion

The dose–volume parameters of BMact serve as better predictors of ALCnadir% and PLTnadir% than BMtot.

Low Lymphocyte Count Is Associated With Radiotherapy Parameters and Affects the Outcomes of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients

Purpose: Lymphocytes are central players in systemic anti-tumor immune responses. In this study, we aimed to identify the relationship between absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) nadir during definitive radiotherapy (RT) and survival outcomes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), as well as evaluate the effect of RT parameters on ALC during RT.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 189 patients with stage I-IVA ESCC, who were treated with definitive RT at a single institution between 2012 and 2015. ALC values were assessed before, weekly during RT, and 1 month after the end of RT. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between ALC nadir during RT and patient outcomes. Predictors of low ALC nadir were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results: The median ALC before treatment was 1.73 × 10³ cells/μL. Fifty-eight (58.2) percent of the patients exhibited low ALC nadir (≤ 0.38 × 10³ cells/μL) during RT. A low ALC nadir during RT was significantly associated with poor OS, PFS, and LRFS. The planning target volume (PTV) was larger in patients with low ALC nadir compared with patients with high ALC nadir (418.5 vs. 347.7 cm³, P = 0.023). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that tumor stage III-IVA (P = 0.002), low ALC before treatment (P = 0.028), large Log₁₀(PTV) (P = 0.01), high heart V10 (P = 0.003), and high heart V20 (P = 0.028) were associated with low ALC nadir during RT.

Conclusions: In ESCC patients who received definitive RT, a low ALC nadir during RT was associated with large PTVs, and it was an independent prognostic factor of outcomes.

Association of pre-surgery to pre-radiotherapy lymphocyte counts ratio with disease-free survival in rectal cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Background

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer globally and neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and surgery are the standard treatments for locally advanced colorectal carcinoma. This study investigated the association between dynamic changes in absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) and disease-free survival (DFS) in rectal cancer patients receiving nCRT and identified factors associated with these changes.

Methods

We retrospectively examined 34 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received nCRT followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. The association between ALCs and DFS and that between ALCs and downstaging were analyzed and potential clinical- and treatment-related factors related to dynamic changes in ALCs were subsequently evaluated. The patient eligibility criteria were as follows: pathologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma, clinical stages II–III, ≥ 18 years of age, and so on. Pre-RTL was defined as ALCs obtained before the initiation of nCRT and pre-SL was defined as ALCs obtained before surgery. We measured pre-SL to pre-RTL ratio (pre-SLR), DFS, and ALCs.

Results

The median ALC declined significantly during nCRT. A lower pre-SLR was associated with poorer DFS with statistical significance in Kaplan–Meier (p = 0.007), univariate regression (hazard ratio [HR] = 6.287, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.374–28.781, p = 0.018), and multivariable regression (HR = 7.347, 95% CI 1.595–33.850, p = 0.011) analyses. Neither patient characteristics nor treatment-related factors were related to downstaging. The pelvic bone marrow (PBM) volume receiving at least 30 Gy (V30) was significantly associated with pre-SLR in the univariate (HR = 5.760, 95% CI 1.317–25.187, p = 0.020) and multivariable (HR = 5.760, 95% CI 1.317–25.187, p = 0.020) regression analyses.

Limitations

Our study had several limitations. The sample size was small and the study was performed in a selected population, which may limit the generalization of the findings.

Conclusions

Radiotherapy had a profound impact on the change in ALCs. A lower pre-SLR was significantly associated with poorer DFS in rectal cancer patients receiving nCRT. The V30 of PBM was a predictor of pre-SLR.

Pretreatment blood biomarkers predict pathologic responses to neo-CRT in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer

Aim: To evaluate the value of pretreatment blood biomarkers in predicting pathologic responses to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neo-CRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Materials & methods: We conducted logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic to assess the predictive value of blood biomarkers. The outcome was defined by the pathologic complete response and good response. Results: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (p < 0.001), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.024), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.006) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of pathologic complete response, with area under the curve of 0.785, 0.794, 0.740 and 0.913, respectively; CEA (p = 0.007) and LMR (p < 0.001) correlated significantly with good response, with area under the curve of 0.743 and 0.771, respectively. Conclusion: Lower LMR and higher CEA, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio before treatment could predict poorer pathologic response to neo-CRT in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Lymphopenia in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Relationship to Malnutrition, Various Disease Parameters, and Response to Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

Management of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma remains challenging, because detection often occurs at advanced stages and because of the high incidence of lymph node metastasis. This article focuses on whether lymphopenia is associated with response and tumor progression in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received concurrent chemotherapy.

Background.

Lymphopenia occurs commonly in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and may influence treatment outcomes. We aimed to examine its association with treatment response and tumor progression in patients with locally advanced ESCC treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Materials and Methods.

A total of 286 patients with stage II–IVa ESCC treated with CCRT between 2015 and 2017 were analyzed. Total lymphocyte counts were assessed at baseline, weekly, and 4 weeks after CCRT. Pretreatment lymphopenia was defined as total lymphocyte count <1,000 cells per mm³ at diagnosis, and treatment‐related lymphopenia was defined as total lymphocyte count <200 cells per mm³ with 6 weeks after starting CCRT. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were used to analyze factors associated treatment‐related lymphopenia and treatment response.

Results.

Lymphopenia was observed in 44 patients (15.4%) at initial diagnosis. Pretreatment lymphopenia was significantly associated with greater tumor length, worse T status, body mass index ≤18.5 kg/m², and weight loss ≥3 kg in the previous 3 months. Six weeks after starting CCRT, 89 patients (31%) developed treatment‐related lymphopenia. Tumor progression and cancer‐related death were more frequently observed in treatment‐related lymphopenia group than those without (76.4% vs. 52.8% and 58.4% vs. 39.6%). A complete response (CR) was achieved in 62 patients (21.7%). In multivariate analysis, treatment‐related lymphopenia was significantly associated with lack of clinical CR, and older age, lower tumor location, greater tumor length, and larger planning target volume were independent predictors of treatment‐related lymphopenia.

Conclusion.

Treatment‐related lymphopenia during CCRT is an independent predictor for poor treatment response in ESCC.

Implications for Practice.

A total of 286 patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), and treatment‐related lymphopenia occurred in 31% of patients within 6 weeks from the start of CCRT. Treatment‐related lymphopenia was significantly associated with lack of treatment response, and older age, lower tumor location, greater tumor length, and larger planning target volume were independent predictors of treatment‐related lymphopenia. Lymphocyte count is an inexpensive biomarker that may be easily used by clinicians to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from CCRT.

Prognostic impact of persistent lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio during preoperative chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer patients: A propensity score matching analysis

Purpose

This study investigated the significance of change in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) during preoperative chemoradiotherapy (preop-CRT) in patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer using a propensity score matching method (PSM).

Methods

Patients who underwent surgery after completion of preop-CRT for non-metastatic rectal cancers from Jan 2004 to Dec 2013 were retrospectively enrolled. NLRs were obtained before commencement of CRT (pre-NLR) and between completion of CRT and surgery (post-NLR). Using Cox regression hazards models, the association of NLRs with survival after PSM was examined.

Results

A total of 131 patients were grouped as follows: group A, pre-NLR < 3 & post-NLR < 3 (n = 47); group B, pre-NLR < 3 & post-NLR ≥ 3 (n = 45); group C, pre-NLR ≥ 3 & post-NLR < 3 (n = 5); group D, pre-NLR ≥ 3 & post-NLR ≥ 3 (n = 34). There was no difference in disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) rate according to group. When dichotomized into group A versus groups B-D, DFS was higher in group A (84.7%) than groups B-D (67.5%, p = 0.021). After PSM (n = 94), multivariable analysis identified persistent lower NLR as an independent favorable prognosticator of DFS (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15–0.92, p = 0.033).

Conclusions

Persistent non-inflammatory state measured by NLR may be an indicator of decreased risk of recurrence in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with preop-CRT.

Lymphocyte nadir predicts tumor response and survival in locally advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: Immunologic relevance

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) could reduce tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. We examined absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) nadir during nCRT, pathologic response and prognosis for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

102 patients with LARC (cT3-4N0, or node-positive) treated between 2010 and 2015 with nCRT followed by complete resection were analyzed. The ALC value was obtained prior to, weekly during the treatment, and one month after nCRT. Associations of ALC nadir with immune cells' infiltrations, pathologic response and survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-four (23.5%) and 60 (58.9%) patients achieved pathologic complete response and partial response respectively. Response rate was higher in high ALC nadir group than low nadir group (89.7% vs. 67.6%, p = 0.006). Compared to low ALC nadir group, increased tumor infiltrates of CD4+ (4% vs. 17.5%, p < 0.001), CD8+ (8% vs.30%, p < 0.001) T cells and CD68+ macrophages (6% vs. 25%, p < 0.001) were observed in high ALC nadir group. High ALC nadir [OR = 4.32 (95% CI, 1.22-15.26), p = 0.023] and well differentiation [OR = 10.53 (1.87-59.36), p = 0.008] were associated with pathologic response. Patients with high ALC nadir yielded better DFS [HR = 0.36 (0.16-0.81), p = 0.010] and OS [HR = 0.24 (0.08-0.69), p = 0.004].

CONCLUSIONS

Higher ALC nadir during nCRT is associated with a higher rate of pathologic response and better survival for LARC patients, suggesting that ALC may be a potential stratification strategy for LARC patients.

Absolute Lymphocyte Count in Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy for Rectal Cancer: Changes Over Time and Prognostic Significance

We analyzed the changes in absolute lymphocyte count and its changes over time in 139 patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. The baseline absolute lymphocyte count was defined as the median of absolute lymphocyte count levels measured during 30 days before preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Absolute lymphocyte count at 1 month, 0.5 to 1 year, 1 to 2 years, and 2 to 3 years were determined by the median values of the absolute lymphocyte counts during the respective periods. Absolute lymphocyte count decreased after delivering preoperative chemoradiotherapy, reached minimum level at 1 month, and then gradually increased after the completion of chemoradiotherapy. Baseline absolute lymphocyte count had significant correlations with the absolute lymphocyte count of every period (range of coefficient, 0.41-0.64, P < .001). The overall survival of the group with high baseline absolute lymphocyte count was significantly higher than that of the group with low baseline absolute lymphocyte count (5-year overall survival: 82.4% vs 62.9%, P = .012). In multivariable analyses, the baseline absolute lymphocyte count remained as a significant prognostic factor for overall survival, favoring the group with a high baseline absolute lymphocyte count (hazard ratio = 0.405, P = .017). This study showed that the level of baseline absolute lymphocyte count was an independent prognostic factor, and it correlated with the absolute lymphocyte counts across varying periods of treatments and follow-up in patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal adenocarcinoma.

Clinical and molecular diagnosis of pathologic complete response in rectal cancer: an update

INTRODUCTION

The standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer includes neoadjuvant chemoradiation with subsequent total mesorectal excision. This approach has shown various degrees of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (ranging from complete response to further tumor growth), which have substantial prognostic and therapeutic implications. A total regression of the tumor is a predictor of superior oncologic outcomes compared with partial responders and non-responders. Further, this concept has opened the possibility of nonoperative strategies for complete responders and explains the widespread research interest in finding clinical, radiographic, pathologic, and biochemical parameters that allow for identification of these patients. Areas covered: The present review evaluates the most recent efforts in the literature to identify predictors of patients likely to achieve a complete response following neoadjuvant treatment for the management of rectal cancer. This includes clinical predictors of pathologic complete response such as tumor location, size, and stage, molecular predictors such as tumor biology and microRNA, serum biomarkers such as carcinoembryogenic antigen and nomograms. Expert commentary: There has been significant progress in our ability to predict pathological complete response. However, more high-quality research is still needed to use this concept to confidently dictate clinical management.

[Inflammatory and immune biomarkers of radiation response]

In radiotherapy, the treatment is adapted to each individual to protect healthy tissues but delivers most of time a standard dose according to the tumor histology and site. The only biomarkers studied to individualize the treatment are the HPV status with radiation dose de-escalation strategies, and tumor hypoxia with dose escalation to hypoxic subvolumes using FMISO- or FAZA-PET imaging. In the last decades, evidence has grown about the contribution of the immune system to radiation tumor response. Many preclinical studies have identified some of the mechanisms involved. In this context, we have realised a systematic review to highlight potential inflammatory and immune biomarkers of radiotherapy response. Some are inside the tumor microenvironment, as lymphocyte infiltration or PD-L1 expression, others are circulating biomarkers, including different types of hematological cells, cytokines and chemokines.

LMR predicts outcome in patients after preoperative chemoradiotherapy for stage II-III rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Recently, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) has attracted attention as a new marker of the chronic systemic inflammatory response and has been associated with patient prognosis in those who underwent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for several solid cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the association between LMR and the prognosis of patients with rectal cancer.

METHODS

A total of 183 stage II-III rectal cancer patients who underwent preoperative CRT followed by surgical R0 resection were retrospectively reviewed. The LMR was calculated from pre- and post-CRT blood samples. To determine the optimal cutoff value for pre- and post-CRT LMR for predicting relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), a receiver operator characteristic curve was used. Cox's proportional hazard models were applied to identify risk factors for recurrence and overall mortality.

RESULTS

Low LMR was observed in 54 patients (pre-CRT <4.0) and 29 patients (post-CRT <1.5). Although pre-CRT LMR correlated with tumor size and ypT stage, post-CRT LMR showed no correlation to any pathologic features. Median follow-up term was 66.3 months; the 5-year RFS and OS of all patients were 72.5% and 88.7%, respectively. We found that a low pre-CRT LMR was an independent risk factor for OS (hazard ratio, 2.83; 95% confidence interval 1.03-8.13; P = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

In rectal cancer patients who have undergone preoperative CRT, a low pre-CRT LMR is a poor prognostic factor for OS.

The neutrophil to albumin ratio as a predictor of pathological complete response in rectal cancer patients following neoadjuvant chemoradiation

Pathological complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and total mesorectal excision (TME), in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, occurs in 15-27% of patients. Because blood cell counts and albumin are a direct indicator of the host environment, a response to nCRT might be predicted by these markers. This study was carried out to determine whether the neutrophil to albumin ratio (NAR) was predictive of pCR in veteran patients. Ninety-eight patients with rectal cancer who underwent standard nCRT, followed by TME were analyzed. Pre-nCRT and post-nCRT hematologic data were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed with our primary endpoint of pCR. Male patients (99%), age 62.4±9.1 years, BMI=27.4±5.9 kg/m, rectal cancer distance from anal verge=7.1±4.5 cm (SD), interval between nCRT and TME=8 weeks, 55% patients=low anterior resection, 95% received 5-fluorouracil, and all patients received radiation, with 15% achieving a pCR. Univariate analysis showed that pre-nCRT carcinoembryonic antigen (15.8±45.1 vs. 3.5±5.3 ng/dl; P=0.002) and the pre-nCRT NAR (16.4±4.8 vs. 14.2±1.6; P=0.002) were associated with pCR. On multivariate analysis, pre-nCRT carcinoembryonic antigen (odds ratio=0.41, 95% confidence interval 0.22-0.77) and pre-nCRT NAR (odds ratio=0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.60-0.97) remained independent predictors of pCR. Overall survival between nonresponders and pCR patients at 1, 5, and 10 years was 96, 62, and 44% versus 93, 85, and 61%, P=0.13, and disease-free survival was 95, 60, and 47% versus 93, 85, and 61%, P=0.17; respectively. Our study shows that the pre-nCRT NAR is an independent predictor of pCR. These findings should be applied to other cohorts to determine its validity and reliability for use as a potential predictor of pCR.

Clinical utility of pretreatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy response in rectal cancer: a review

Approximately 20% of all patients with locally advanced rectal cancer experience pathologically complete responses following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and standard surgery. The utility of radical surgery for patients exhibiting good CRT responses has been challenged. Organ-sparing strategies for selected patients exhibiting complete clinical responses include local excision or no immediate surgery. The subjects of this tailored management are patients whose presenting disease corresponds to current indications of neoadjuvant CRT, and their post-CRT tumor response is assessed by clinical and radiological examinations. However, a model predictive of the CRT response, applied before any treatment commenced, would be valuable to facilitate such a personalized approach. This would increase organ preservation, particularly in patients for whom upfront CRT is not generally prescribed. Molecular biomarkers hold the greatest promise for development of a pretreatment predictive model of CRT response. A combination of clinicopathological, radiological, and molecular markers will be necessary to render the model robust. Molecular research will also contribute to the development of drugs that can overcome the radioresistance of rectal tumors. Current treatments for rectal cancer are based on the expected prognosis given the presenting disease extent. In the future, treatment schemes may be modified by including the predicted CRT response evaluated at presentation.

Nodal tumor response according to the count of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations during preoperative chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer

PURPOSE

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the relationship between the circulating lymphocyte subpopulation counts during preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and tumor response in locally advanced rectal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From August 2015 to June 2016, 10 patients treated with preoperative CRT followed by surgery were enrolled. Patients received conventional fractionated radiotherapy (50.4 Gy) with fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. Surgical resection was performed at 4 to 8 weeks after the completion of preoperative CRT. The absolute blood lymphocyte subpopulation was obtained prior to and after 4 weeks of CRT. We analyzed the association between a tumor response and change in the lymphocyte subpopulation during CRT.

RESULTS

Among 10 patients, 2 (20%) had evidence of pathologic complete response. In 8 patients with clinically node positive, 4 (50%) had nodal tumor response. All lymphocyte subpopulation counts at 4 weeks after CRT were significantly lower than those observed during pretreatment (p < 0.01). A high decrease in natural killer (NK) cell, count during CRT (baseline cell count - cell count at 4 weeks) was associated with node down staging (p = 0.034).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the change of lymphocyte subset to preoperative CRT may be a predictive factor for tumor response in rectal cancer.

Outcomes of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in Japanese locally advanced rectal carcinoma patients

Background

We investigated the efficacy and prognosis of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) for Japanese locally advanced rectal carcinoma patients.

Methods

Fifty-seven patients diagnosed with cT3-4 or any cT/cN+ disease using enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging from 2002 to 2014 were enrolled. The male/female ratio was 42/15, and the median age was 67 years. Ra/Rb/Rb-P/P was expressed by 6/35/14/2 patients. Histological tumor types were tub1/tub2/por/muc in 22/30/4/1 patients. For NACRT, radiotherapy doses were 40–50.4 Gy chemotherapy consisted of 5′-DFUR, capecitabine, or S1.

Results

All 57 patients received curative surgical treatment. The anal preservation rate was 65.0 %. The ypStage of 0/I/II/IIIa/IIIb was 7/10/25/11/4 cases. The histological antitumor effect (HATE) was ≥grade (G) 2 and G3 in 31 (54.4 %) and 7 (12.3 %) cases, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 17 patients and exceeded GIII (Clavien–Dindo classification) in four patients. Recurrence was observed in 19 patients; the primary local recurrence rate was 5.3 %. The 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 64.8 and 95.5 %, respectively; the 5-year RFS and OS rates were 60.2 and 61.0 %, respectively. In multivariate analysis, ypN+ was a high-risk factor for distant organ recurrence. As predictive factors regarding the efficacy of NACRT, a neutrophil concentration <70 % and a neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio <3.0 in peripheral blood prior to treatment indicated that NACRT would be significantly more effective.

Conclusions

NACRT was effective in reducing local recurrence but did not suppress distant organ recurrence in Japanese locally advanced rectal carcinoma patients. A further investigation of an extension of the NACRT regimen is required.

The effect of 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin chemotherapy on CpG methylation, or the confounding role of leukocyte heterogeneity: An illustration

Blood-based epigenome-wide association studies that aim at comparing CpG methylation between colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and controls can lead to the discovery of diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. Numerous confounders can lead to spurious associations. We aimed to see if 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin chemotherapy administered to cases prior to the collection of their blood has an effect on methylation. 304 patients who received treatment and 273 who did not were profiled on the HumanMethylation450 array. Association tests were adjusted for confounders, including proxies for leukocyte cell counts. There were substantial methylation differences between these two groups that vanished once the leukocyte heterogeneity was accounted for. We observed a significant decrease of T cells in the treatment group (CD4+: p=10(-6); CD8+: p=0.036) and significant increase of NK cells (p=0.05) and monocytes (p=0.0006). 5-FU/leucovorin has no effect on global and local blood-based methylation profiles, other than through differences in the leukocyte compositions that the treatment induced.

Radiation-related lymphopenia as a new prognostic factor in limited-stage small cell lung cancer

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the minimum absolute lymphocyte count during radiotherapy (min ALC) and the absolute lymphocyte count 1 month after radiotherapy (post ALC) could predict clinical outcome in limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) patients. We analyzed 73 LS-SCLC patients treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy; we collected data on the min ALC from 62 patients and on the post ALC from 60 patients. Both min ALC and post ALC were statistically significant predictors of overall survival in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [95 % confidence interval] 2.67 [1.06-6.75], P = 0.038 and 2.62 [1.19-5.74], P = 0.016, respectively). The median overall survival of the patients with min ALC ≤297 and >297 cells/μL was 12.2 and 35.3 months, respectively (P < 0.001). Patients with post ALC ≤698 and >698 cells/μL had an overall survival of 19.3 and 46.9 months, respectively (P = 0.001). The median overall survival of the lymphopenia (min ALC ≤ 297 cells/μL or post ALC ≤ 698 cells/μL) and the non-lymphopenia group (min ALC > 297 cells/μL and post ALC > 698 cells/μL) was 19.0 and 131.7 months, respectively, while the median progression survival was 8.1 and 16.6 months, respectively (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001). Radiation-related lymphopenia could predict poor survival in LS-SCLC. Its prognostic role should be evaluated in further prospective studies.