A141 IS SURGERY STILL THE ONLY TREATMENT OPTION FOR CURABLE RECTAL CANCER?

Background

Rectal cancer is curable by standard surgery with Total Mesorectal Excision (TME). However, there are well known associated long-term bowel and sexual dysfunctions. Non-operative management (NOM) is an emerging treatment for patients with operable rectal cancer. There is evidence supporting dose response for tumor control in rectal adenocarcinoma.

Aims

In the era of modern technologies, Image-guided adaptive endorectal brachytherapy is a means to deliver local radiotherapy boost treatments. We explored its role in a randomized phase II/III trial (NCT03051464) for patients aiming to achieve cure without surgery. Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) free survival at 2 years was the primary endpoint. We now present the interim analysis upon accrual of the first 40 patients.

Methods

In randomized trial, patients with operable cT2-3ab N0 M0 rectal cancer received 45 Gy in 25 fractions of pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with concurrent 5-FU/ Capecitabine. They were randomized to receive either an EBRT boost of 9 Gy in 5 fractions (Arm A), or three weekly adaptive brachytherapy boosts for a total of 30 Gy in 3 fractions (Arm B).

Results

Forty patients were included (20 per arm). The median age was 66 years; baseline characteristics were well balanced in terms of age, tumor location, T stage and tumor size (Table 1). The acute treatment related toxicities are similar as shown in table 2 but in arm B, there were two deaths: one patient died during his chemotherapy and external beam treatment from congestive heart failure and one patient from a heart attack after treatment prior to salvage TME surgery. The proportion of complete clinical response was 50% (n=10/20) in Arm A and 90% in Arm B (n=18/20). With a median follow-up of 2.2 years, local regrowth at 2 years occurred in 4/10 patients (40%) in Arm A and 4/18 patients (22%) in Arm B. TME-free survival rate at 2 years was 45.9% in Arm A and 85.1% in Arm B (p=0.0036) (Figure 1).

Conclusions

The interim analysis of this trial suggests that these two strategies of radiation dose escalation are feasible and lead to high chances of organ preservation in patients with operable rectal cancer. The Independent Monitoring Comittee (IDMC) approved the continuation of patient recruitment in the phase III study as planned.

Funding Agencies

Elekta

A157 REAL-WORLD TIGHT OBJECTIVE MONITORING WITH ADALIMUMAB LEADS TO EARLIER DOSE OPTIMIZATION AND HIGHER CLINICAL REMISSION RATES AT 12 MONTHS

Background

Data suggests that tight objective monitoring of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) may improve one-year clinical outcomes.

Aims

The goal of this study is to assess the adherence to serial tight objective monitoring, via clinical symptoms and biomarkers, and the effect of such tight monitoring on one year outcome in IBD patients at an academic and an university-affiliated center.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the chart of 428 consecutive IBD patients who started adalimumaby at the McGill University Health Center and Jewish General Hospital (Montreal, Canada) between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2019 [338 Crohn’s disease(CD), 90 ulcerative colitis(UC)]. Clinical symptoms (assessed by Harvey-Bradshaw-Index and partial Mayo), C-Reactive Protein(CRP), and fecal calprotectin(FCAL) were captured at treatment initiation and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Combined adherence was defined as the evaluation of ≥2 of 3 parameters(clinical, CRP, FCAL). Dose optimization and drug sustainability curves were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Clinical symptoms were assessed in nearly all patients at 3 (CD-UC:95-94%), 6 (90-83%), 9 (86-85%) and 12 (96-89%) months. CRP was also available for most patients but the frequency of assessment decreased in CD patients over the study period. In comparison, compliance to serial FCAL testing was low throughout the follow-up period. Clinical remission at one-year was significantly higher in patients who were adherent to early assessment visit at 3 months (p=0.001 both for CD and UC). Adherence to early follow-up also resulted in earlier dose optimisation in both CD and UC patients(pLogrank=0.026 for UC and p=0.09 for CD). However, the overall drug sustainability did not differ.

Conclusions

Clinical assessment and CRP, but not FCAL, were frequently assessed in patients starting adalimumab. Adherence to early objective combined follow-up visits resulted in earlier dose optimization and improved one-year clinical outcomes but did not change drug sustainability rates.

Funding Agencies

None

Eastern Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference 2016

The annual Eastern Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference 2016 was held in Montreal, Quebec, 5-7 February. Experts in radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, and infectious diseases involved in the management of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies participated in presentations and discussion sessions for the purpose of developing the recommendations presented here. This consensus statement addresses multiple topics: ■ Follow-up and survivorship of patients with resected colorectal cancer■ Indications for liver metastasectomy■ Treatment of oligometastases by stereotactic body radiation therapy■ Treatment of borderline resectable and unresectable pancreatic cancer■ Transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma■ Infectious complications of antineoplastic agents.

Using a family history questionnaire to identify adult patients with increased genetic risk for sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Sarcomas in adults can be associated with hereditary cancer syndromes characterized by early-onset predisposition to numerous types of cancer. Because of variability in familial presentation and the largely unexplained genetic basis of sarcomas, ascertainment of patients for whom a genetics evaluation is most indicated poses challenges. We assessed the utility of a Sarcoma Clinic Genetic Screening (scgs) questionnaire in facilitating that task.

METHODS

Between 2008 and 2012, 169 patients (median age: 53 years; range: 17-88 years) completed a self-administered scgs questionnaire. A retrospective chart review was completed for all respondents, and descriptive statistics were reported. Probands were divided into two groups depending on whether they did or did not report a family history of Li-Fraumeni syndrome-type cancers.

RESULTS

A family history of cancer (as far as 3rd-degree relatives) was reported in 113 of 163 sarcoma patients (69%). Eeles Li-Fraumeni-like (lfl) criteria were fulfilled in 46 probands (28%), Chompret lfl in 21 (13%), Birch lfl in 8 (5%), and classic Li-Fraumeni in none. In the 10 probands tested for TP53 mutations, 1 pathogenic mutation was found. Further investigation of selected families led to the discovery of germline mutations in MLH1, MSH2, and APC genes in 3 individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

The scgs questionnaire was useful for ascertaining probands with sarcoma who could benefit from a genetic assessment. The tool allowed us to identify high-risk families fitting the criteria for lfl and, surprisingly, other hereditary cancer syndromes. Similar questionnaires could be used in other cancer-specific clinics to increase awareness of the genetic component of these cancers.