Correlation and predictive value of pathological complete response and ultrasound characteristic parameters in neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast

BACKGROUND Breast cancer ranks as one of the most prevalent malignant tumors among women,significantly endangering their health and lives.While radical surgery has been a pivotal method for halting disease progression,it alone is insufficient for enhancing the quality of life for patients.AIM To investigate the correlation between ultrasound characteristic parameters of breast cancer lesions and clinical efficacy in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC).METHODS Employing a case-control study design,this research involved 178 breast cancer patients treated with NAC at our hospital from July 2019 to June 2022.According to the Miller-Payne grading system,the pathological response,i.e.efficacy,of the NAC in the initial breast lesion after NAC was evaluated.Of these,59 patients achieved a pathological complete response(PCR),while 119 did not(non-PCR group).Ultrasound characteristics prior to NAC were compared between these groups,and the association of various factors with NAC efficacy was analyzed using univariate and multivariate approaches.RESULTS In the PCR group,the incidence of posterior echo attenuation,lesion diameter≥2.0 cm,and Alder blood flow grade≥II were significantly lower compared to the non-PCR group(P<0.05).The area under the curve values for predicting NAC efficacy using posterior echo attenuation,lesion diameter,and Alder grade were 0.604,0.603,and 0.583,respectively.Also,rates of pathological stage II,lymph node metastasis,vascular invasion,and positive Ki-67 expression were significantly lower in the PCR group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis identified posterior echo attenuation,lesion diameter≥2.0 cm,Alder blood flow grade≥II,pathological stage III,vascular invasion,and positive Ki-67 expression as independent predictors of poor response to NAC in breast cancer patients(P<0.05).CONCLUSION While ultrasound characteristics such as posterior echo attenuation,lesion diameter≥2.0 cm,and Alder blood flow grade≥II exhibit limited predictive value for NAC efficacy,they are significantly associated with poor response to NAC in breast cancer patients.

Prediction of pathological complete response and prognosis in locally advanced rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is currently the third most common malignant tumor and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide.Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(nCRT)is standard for locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC).Except for pathological examination after resection,it is not known exactly whether LARC patients have achieved pathological complete response(pCR)before surgery.To date,there are no clear clinical indicators that can predict the efficacy of nCRT and patient outcomes.AIM To investigate the indicators that can predict pCR and long-term outcomes following nCRT in patients with LARC.METHODS Clinical data of 128 LARC patients admitted to our hospital between September 2013 and November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were categorized into pCR and non-pCR groups.Univariate analysis(using the χ^(2) test or Fisher’s exact test)and logistic multivariate regression analysis were used to study clinical predictors affecting pCR.The 5-year disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis,and differences in survival curves were assessed with the log-rank test.RESULTS Univariate analysis showed that pretreatment carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)level,lymphocyte-monocyte ratio(LMR),time interval between neoadjuvant therapy completion and total mesorectal excision,and tumor size were correlated with pCR.Multivariate results showed that CEA≤5 ng/mL(P=0.039),LMR>2.73(P=0.023),and time interval>10 wk(P=0.039)were independent predictors for pCR.Survival analysis demonstrated that patients in the pCR group had significantly higher 5-year DFS rates(94.7%vs 59.7%,P=0.002)and 5-year OS rates(95.8%vs 80.1%,P=0.019)compared to the non-pCR group.Tumor deposits(TDs)were significantly correlated with shorter DFS(P=0.002)and OS(P<0.001).CONCLUSION Pretreatment CEA,LMR,and time interval contribute to predicting nCRT efficacy in LARC patients.Achieving pCR demonstrates longer DFS and OS.TDs correlate with poor prognosis.

Tumor recurrence after pathological complete response in locally advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant therapy:Two case reports

BACKGROUND The pathological complete response(ypCR)rate following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer remains low and lacks a universally accepted treatment protocol.Immunotherapy has achieved breakthrough progress.CASE SUMMARY We report two female patients with gastric cancer defined as clinical stage cT4N1-2M0.Detection of mismatch repair protein showed mismatch repair function defect,and perioperative treatment with programmed death protein 1 inhibitor combined with S-1+oxaliplatin achieved ypCR.Surprisingly,the patients underwent clinical observation after surgery but developed different degrees of metastasis at~6 mo after surgery.CONCLUSION PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy provides a more strategic choice for comprehensive perioperative treatment of gastric cancer.

Clinical parameters predicting pathologic complete response following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer

Introduction:Preoperative chemoradiotherapy(CRT),followed by total mesorectal excision,has become the standard of care for patients with clinical stages II and III rectal cancer.Patients with pathologic complete response(pCR) to preoperative CRT have been reported to have better outcomes than those without pCR.However,the factors that predict the response to neoadjuvant CRT have not been well defined.In this study,we aimed to investigate the impact of clinical parameters on the development of pCR after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer.Methods:A total of 323 consecutive patients from a single institution who had clinical stage II or III rectal cancer and underwent a long-course neoadjuvant CRT,followed by curative surgery,between 2005 and 2013 were included.Patients were divided into two groups according to their responses to neoadjuvant therapy:the pCR and non-pCR groups.The clinical parameters were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses,with pCR as the dependent variable.Results:Of the 323 patients,75(23.2%) achieved pCR.The two groups were comparable in terms of age,sex,body mass index,tumor stage,tumor location,tumor differentiation,radiation dose,and chemotherapy regimen.On multivariate analysis,a pretreatment carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) level of <5 ng/mL[odds ratio(OR) = 2.170,95%confidence interval(CI) = 1.195-3.939,P = 0.011]and an interval of >7 weeks between the completion of chemoradiation and surgical resection(OR = 2.588,95%CI = 1.484-4.512,P = 0.001) were significantly associated with an increased rate of pCR.Conclusions:The pretreatment CEA level and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy-surgery interval were independent clinical predictors for achieving pCR.These results may help clinicians predict the prognosis of patients and develop adaptive treatment strategies.

Pathologic complete response confirmed by surgical resection for liver metastases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor after treatment with imatinib mesylate

A 39-year-old male underwent distal gastrectomy for a high grade gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) . Computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) 107 mo after the operation,revealed a cystic mass(14 cm in diameter) and a solid mass(9 cm in diameter) in the right and left lobes of the liver,respectively. A biopsy specimen of the solid mass showed a liver metastasis of GIST. The patient received imatinib mesylate(IM) treatment,400 mg/day orally. Following the IM treatment for a period of 35 mo,the patient underwent partial hepatectomy(S4 + S5) . The effect of IM on the metastatic lesions was interpreted as pathologic complete response(CR) . Pathologically verified cases showing therapeutic efficacy of IM have been rarely reported.

Unfavorable Pathological Complete Response Rate of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Epirubicin plus Taxanes for Locally Advanced Triple-negative Breast Cancer

Anthracycline-Taxane chemotherapy is widely used in neoadjuvant treatment for breast cancers. However, there is limited data reported in patients with triple negative breast cancer （TNBC）. Here, we evaluated the pathologic responses and survival of neoadjuvant epirubicin and taxanes chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced TNBC to provide some useful information for clinical practice. A total of 43 patients with locally advanced TNBC were enrolled in this study. Patients were administered with epirubicin 75 mg/m^2 plus paclitaxel 175 mg/m^2 or docetaxel 75 mg/m^2 every 3 weeks for at least 2 cycles. The primary endpoint was pathologic complete response （pCR）, which was defined as no residual invasive cancer, or only carcinoma in situ in both the excised breast and axillary lymph node, while relapse-free survival （RFS） and overall survival （OS） were secondary endpoints. Thirty-nine （90.7%） patients were at clinical stages II B-IIIC. Thirty-seven （86%） completed 4-6 cycles of preop- erative chemotherapy, and objective response rate （ORR） was 81.4% （35/43）. Forty-two patients un- derwent radical surgery subsequently. The pCR rate was 14.3% （6/42）. The most common adverse events in neoadjuvant chemotherapy were nausea/vomiting （88.4%, 38/43） and neutropenia （88.4%）. After a median follow-up period of 34.0 months, 3-year RFS and OS rate was 53.6% and 80.1%, respectively. All events of recurrence and death occurred in non-pCR patients, in whom the 3-year RFS and OS rates were 44.3% and 76.6%, respectively. This study suggest that neoadjuvant chemotherapy with epirubicin plus taxanes has a relatively low pCR rate and high early recurrence risk in locally ad- vanced TNBC, which indicates the necessity for more efficacious treatment. Further study is needed to validate these results.

Nomogram for predicting pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Survival benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)for advanced gastric cancer(AGC)is a debatable issue.Studies have shown that the survival benefit of NAC is dependent on the pathological response to chemotherapy drugs.For those who achieve pathological complete response(pCR),NAC significantly prolonged prolapsed-free survival and overall survival.For those with poor response,NAC yielded no survival benefit,only toxicity and increased risk for tumor progression during chemotherapy,which may hinder surgical resection.Thus,predicting pCR to NAC is of great clinical significance and can help achieve individualized treatment in AGC patients.AIM To establish a nomogram for predicting pCR to NAC for AGC patients.METHODS Two-hundred and eight patients diagnosed with AGC who received NAC followed by resection surgery from March 2012 to July 2019 were enrolled in this study.Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed by logistic regression analysis to determine the possible predictors for pCR.Based on these predictors,a nomogram model was developed and internally validated using the bootstrap method.RESULTS pCR was confirmed in 27 patients(27/208,13.0%).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher carcinoembryonic antigen level,lymphocyte ratio,lower monocyte count and tumor differentiation grade were associated with higher pCR.Concordance statistic of the established nomogram was 0.767.CONCLUSION A nomogram predicting pCR to NAC was established.Since this nomogram exhibited satisfactory predictive power despite utilizing easily available pretreatment parameters,it can be inferred that this nomogram is practical for the development of personalized treatment strategy for AGC patients.

Potential predictive factors for pathologic complete response after the neoadjuvant treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma:a single center experience

Objective:To assess the response rate of patients with rectal adenocarcinoma to neoadjuvant therapy and to identify the predictors of histological regression after neoadjuvant radiotherapy(RT)or concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT).Methods:This study recruited 64 patients.The patients had resectable cancer of the lower and the middle rectum(T3/T4 and/or N+)without distant metastasis and received neoadjuvant RT or CCRT followed by radical surgery with total mesorectal excision(TME)between January 2006 and December 2011.The patients were classified into non-response(NR),partial response(PR),and pathologic complete response(p CR)based on the Dworak tumor regression grading system.Results:The median age of patients was 57 years(ranging from 22 to 85).A total of 24 patients were treated with neoadjuvant CCRT,whereas 40 patients were treated with RT alone.Abdominoperineal resection(APR)was performed on 29 patients(45%).Anterior resection with TME was performed on 34 patients(53%).One patient had local resection.Histologically,12(19%),24(73%),and 28(44%)patients exhibited p CR,PR,and NR,respectively.Univariate analysis revealed that the predictors of tumor regression were as follows:the absence of lymph node involvement from initial imaging(c N0)(P=0.021);normal initial carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)level(P=0.01);hemoglobin level≥12 g/dl(P=0.009);CCRT(P=0.021);and tumor downstaging in imaging(P=0.001).Multivariate analysis showed that the main predictors of p CR were CT combined with neoadjuvant RT,c N0stage,and tumor regression on imaging.Conclusions:Identifying the predictors of p CR following neoadjuvant therapy aids the selection of responsive patients for nonaggressive surgical treatment and possible surveillance.

Predictors of pathologic complete response in patients with residual flat mucosal lesions after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer

Objective:The accurate prediction of tumor response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(nCRT)remains challenging.Few studies have investigated pathologic complete response(ypCR)prediction in patients with residual flat mucosal lesions after treatment.This study aimed to identify variables for predicting ypCR in patients with residual flat mucosal lesions after nCRT for locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC).Methods:Data of patients with residual flat mucosal lesions after nCRT who underwent radical resection between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively collected from the LARC database at Peking University Cancer Hospital.Univariate and multivariate analyses of the association between clinicopathological factors and ypCR were performed,and a nomogram was constructed by incorporating the significant predictors.Results:Of the 246 patients with residual flat mucosal lesions included in the final analysis,56(22.8%)had ypCR.Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that pretreatment cT stage(pre-cT)≤T2(P=0.016),magnetic resonance tumor regression grade(MR-TRG)1-3(P=0.001)and residual mucosal lesion depth=0 mm(P<0.001)were associated with a higher rate of ypCR.A nomogram was developed with a concordance index(C-index)of0.759 and the calibration curve showed that the nomogram model had good predictive consistency.The follow-up time ranged from 3.0 to 113.3 months,with a median follow-up time of 63.77 months.The multivariate Cox regression model showed that the four variables in the nomogram model were not risk factors for disease-free survival(DFS)or overall survival(OS).Conclusions:Completely flat mucosa,early cT stage and good MR-TRG were predictive factors for ypCR instead of DFS or OS in patients with LARC with residual flat mucosal lesions after nCRT.Endoscopic mucosal re-evaluation before surgery is important,as it may contribute to decision-making and facilitate nonoperative management or organ preservation.

Mismatch repair protein expression and intratumoral budding in rectal cancer are associated with an increased pathological complete response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy: A case-control study

AIM To determine whether the association of rectal adenocarcinoma with a defective-mismatch repair system(dMMR) was associated with a pathological complete response(pCR) to preoperative chemoradiotherapy.METHODS A case-control study was designed with the aim of determining if patients with rectal adenocarcinoma with dM MR had an associated high pCR rate in response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(nCRT).RESULTS Seventy-two cases with pCR were compared against 144 controls without pCR. Across 216 cases, the mean age was 56.8 years, 140(64.8%) were men, and 63(29.2%) demonstrated the dMMR system. The pCR was associated with G1 tumors, dMMR, the absence of vascular invasion, and low tumor budding in the pretreatment biopsy. In a multivariant analysis, the factors associated with pCR were dMMR(OR: 2.61; 95%CI: 1.355-5.040, P = 0.004) and a low degree of tumor budding(OR: 2.52; 95%CI: 1.366-4.894, P = 0.025).CONCLUSION We found an independent association between dMMR and a low rate of tumor budding, with a higher rate of pCR, in the basal biopsies of patients with rectal carcinoma subjected to nCRT.

Complete pathological response in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patient: A case report

BACKGROUND Chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed by durvalumab is currently the standard treatment for locally advanced node-positive non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC).We describe the case of a patient with locally advanced node-positive NSCLC(LA-NSCLC)treated in a phase II prospective protocol with chemotherapy,accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy(AHRT)and surgery in the preimmunotherapy era.CASE SUMMARY A 69-year-old male,ex-smoker(20 PY),with a Karnofsky performance status of 90,was diagnosed with locally advanced squamous cell lung carcinoma.He was staged by total body computed tomography(CT)scanning,and integrated 18Ffluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT scan[cT4 cN3 cM0,stage IIIC according to TNM(tumor-node-metastasis)8th edition]and received AHRT between chemotherapy cycles,in accordance with the study protocol(EudractCT registration 2008-006525-14).At the end of the study the patient underwent surgery,which was not part of the protocol,and showed a complete pathological response.CONCLUSION This case report confirms that AHRT can be used successfully to treat primary LA-NSCLC with bilateral mediastinal lymph node involvement.Our case is of particular interest because of the pathological response after AHRT and the lack of surgical complications.We hypothesize that this radiotherapeutic approach,with its proven efficacy,could be delivered as a short course reducing treatment costs,increasing patient compliance and reducing toxicity.We are currently investigating the possibility of combining hypofractionation,chemotherapy and immunotherapy for patients with LA-NSCLC.

Nomograms for predicting pathological response to neoadjuvant treatments in patients with rectal cancer

BACKGROUND In recent decades, neoadjuvant therapy(NT) has been the standardized treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC). Approximately 8%-35% of patients with LARC who received NT were reported to have achieved a complete pathological response(pCR). If the pathological response(PR) can be accurately predicted, these patients may not need surgery. In addition, no response after NT implies that the tumor is destructive, resistant to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and prone to having a high metastatic potential. Therefore,developing accurate models to predict PR has great clinical significance and can help achieve individualized treatment in LARC patients.AIM To establish nomograms for predicting PR to different NT regimens based on pretreatment parameters for patients with LARC.METHODS Rectal cancer patients were identified from the database of The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from January 2012 to December 2016. Logistic regression and nomograms were developed to predict the probability of pCR and good downstaging to ypT0-2N0M0(ypTNM 0-I), respectively, based on pretreatment parameters for all LARC patients. Nomograms were also developed for three NT regimens(capecitabine/deGramont-RT, mFOLFOX6, and m FOLFOX6-RT) to predict pCR probability.RESULTS Four hundred and three patients were included in this study; 72(17.9%) had pCR at the final pathology report, and 177(43.9%) achieved good downstaging to ypT0-2N0M0(ypTNM 0-I). The nomogram for predicting pCR probability showed that NT regimens, tumor differentiation, mesorectal fascia(MRF) status,and tumor length significantly influenced pCR probability. When predicting the probability of good downstaging, tumor differentiation, MRF status, and clinical T stage were the significant factors. Nomograms were developed based on NT regimens. For the capecitabine/de Gramont-RT group, the multivariate analysis showed that the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) was the only significant factor, thus we could not develop a nomogram for this regimen. For the m FOLFOX6-RT group, the analysis showed that the significant factors were tumor length and MRF status; and for the mFOLFOX6 group, the significant factors were tumor length and tumor differentiation.CONCLUSION We established accurate nomograms for predicting the PR to preoperative NT regimens based on pretreatment parameters for LARC patients.

Clinicopathological predictors of long-term benefit in breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

AIM To investigate the survival impact of clinicopathological factors, including pathological complete response(p CR) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes(s TIL) levels according to subtypes, in breast cancer(BC) patients who received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy(NAC).METHODS We evaluated 435 BC patients who presented and received NAC at the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas from 2003 to 2014. s TIL was analyzed as the proportion of tumor stroma occupied by lymphocytes, and was prospectively evaluated on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the preN AC core biopsy. p CR was considered in the absence of infiltrating cancer cells in primary tumor and axillary lymph nodes. Analysis of statistical association between clinical pathological features, s TIL, p CR and survival were carried out using SPSSvs19.RESULTS Median age was 49 years(range 24-84 years) and the most frequent clinical stage was ⅢB(58.3%). Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-enriched and(triple-negative) TN phenotype was found in 24.6%, 37.9%, 17.7% and 19.8%, respectively. p CR was observed in 11% and median percentage of s TIL was 40%(2%-95%) in the whole population. p CR was associated to Ct1-2(P = 0.045) and to high s TIL(P = 0.029) in the whole population. There was a slight trend towards significance for s TIL(P = 0.054) in Luminal A. s TIL was associated with grade Ⅲ(P < 0.001), no-Luminal A subtype(P < 0.001), RE-negative(P < 0.001), PgR-negative(P < 0.001), HER2-positive(P = 0.002) and p CR(P = 0.029) in the whole population. Longer disease-free survival was associated with grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ(P = 0.006), cN 0(P < 0.001), clinical stage Ⅱ(P = 0.004), ER-positive(P < 0.001), Pg R-positive(P < 0.001), luminal A(P < 0.001) and p CR(P = 0.002). Longer disease-free survival was associated with grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ in Luminal A(P < 0.001), N0-1 in Luminal A(P = 0.045) and TNBC(P = 0.01), clinical stage Ⅱ in Luminal A(P = 0.003) and TNBC(P = 0.038), and pC R in TNBC(P < 0.001). Longer overall survival was associated with grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ(P < 0.001), ER-positive(P < 0.001), PgR-positive(P < 0.001), Luminal A(P < 0.001), cN 0(P = 0.002) and p CR(P = 0.002) in the whole population. Overall survival was associated with clinical stage Ⅱ(P = 0.017) in Luminal A, older age(P = 0.042) in Luminal B, and pC R in TNBC(P = 0.005).CONCLUSION Predictive and prognostic values of clinicopathological features, like p CR and s TIL, differ depending on the evaluated molecular subtype.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy and pathological complete response in rectal cancer

The management of rectal cancer has evolved significantly in the last few decades.Significant improvements in local disease control were achieved in the 1990s,with the introduction of total mesorectal excision and neoadjuvant radiotherapy.Level 1 evidence has shown that,with neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy(CRT)the rates of local recurrence can be lower than 6%and,as a result,neoadjuvant CRT currently represents the accepted standard of care.This approach has led to reliable tumor down-staging,with 15–27%patients with a pathological complete response(pCR)—defined as no residual cancer found on histological examination of the specimen.Patients who achieve pCR after CRT have better long-term outcomes,less risk of developing local or distal recurrence and improved survival.For all these reasons,sphincter-preserving procedures or organ-preserving options have been suggested,such as local excision of residual tumor or the omission of surgery altogether.Although local recurrence rate has been stable at 5–6%with this multidisciplinary management method,distal recurrence rates for locally-advanced rectal cancers remain in excess of 25%and represent the main cause of death in these patients.For this reason,more recent trials have been looking at the administration of full-dose systemic chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting(in order to offer early treatment of disseminated micrometastases,thus improving control of systemic disease)and selective use of radiotherapy only in non-responders or for low rectal tumors smaller than 5 cm.

Nomogram for predicting pathological complete response and tumor downstaging in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer on the basis of a randomized clinical trial

Background:Preoperative fluoropyrimidine with radiotherapy was regarded as the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC).The model for predicting pCR in LARC patients was based on standard treatment only.This study aimed to establish a nomogramwith pretherapeutic parameters and different neoadjuvant regimens for predicting pathologic complete response(pCR)and tumor downstaging or good response(ypT0-2N0M0)after receiving neoadjuvant treatment in patients with LARC based on a randomized clinical trial.Methods:Between January 2011 and February 2015,309 patients with rectal cancer were enrolled from a prospective randomized study(NCT01211210).All pretreatment clinical parameters were collected to build a nomogram for predicting pCR and tumor downstaging.The model was subjected to bootstrap internal validation.The predictive performance of the model was assessed with concordance index(C-index)and calibration plots.Results:Of the 309 patients,53(17.2%)achieved pCR and 132(42.7%)patients were classified as tumor downstaging with ypT0-2N0M0.Based on the logistic-regression analysis and clinical consideration,tumor length(P=0.005),tumor circumferential extent(P=0.036),distance from the anal verge(P=0.019),and neoadjuvant treatment regimen(P<0.001)showed independent association with pCR following neoadjuvant treatment.The tumor length(P=0.015),tumor circumferential extent(P=0.001),distance from the anal verge(P=0.032),clinical T category(P=0.012),and neoadjuvant treatment regimen(P=0.001)were significantly associated with good tumor downstaging(ypT0-2N0M0).Nomograms were developed to predict the probability of pCR and tumor downstaging with a C-index of 0.802(95%confidential interval[CI],0.736-0.867)and 0.730(95%CI,0.672-0.784).Internal validation revealed good performance of the calibration plots.Conclusions:The nomogramprovided individual prediction responses to different preoperative treatment for patients with rectal cancer.This model might help physicians in selecting an optimized treatment,but warrants further external validation.

Advances for achieving a pathological complete response for rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy

Neoadjuvant therapy has become the standard of care for locally advanced mid-low rectal cancer. Pathological complete response (pCR) can be achieved in 12%e38% of patients. Patients with pCR have the most favorable long-term outcomes. Intensifying neoadjuvant therapy and extending the interval between termination of neoadjuvant treatment and surgery may in-crease the pCR rate. Growing evidence has raised the issue of whether local excision or observation rather than radical surgery is an alternative for patients who achieve a clinical complete response after neoadjuvant therapy. Herein, we highlight many of the advances and resultant controversies that are likely to dominate the research agenda for pCR of rectal cancer in the modern era.

Oxaliplatin-containing adjuvant chemotherapy improves the survival of locally advanced rectal cancer patients with pathological complete response after pre-operative chemoradiotherapy

Background:The necessity for adjuvant chemotherapy(ACT)in locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC)patients who achieve pathological complete response(pCR)after pre-operative chemoradiotherapy(CRT)is still not identified.We aimed to investigate the therapeutic value of ACT in these patients.Methods:Clinical data were retrospectively collected from 105 consecutive LARC patients who achieved pCR after pre-operative CRT and underwent radical tumor resection between December 2008 and April 2014 in a comprehensive cancer center.Perioperative chemotherapy(CT)was administered by combining oxaliplatin with capecitabine(XELOX regimen).Disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)rates of patients with or without ACT were compared.Results:Eighty-three(79.0%)patients received ACT and 22(21.0%)did not.With a median follow-up of 49 months,the ACT group had a significantly higher 3-year DFS rate(92.8 vs 86.4%,p=0.029)and 3-year OS rate(95.1 vs 86.1%,p=0.026)than the non-ACT group.In multivariable analyses,the presence of ACT was an independent prognostic factor for DFS(hazard ratio[HR]:0.271;95%confidence interval(CI):0.080–0.916;p=0.036)but not for OS.This benefit was more obvious in patients younger than 60 years via subgroup analysis(adjusted HR:0.106;95%CI:0.019–0.606;p=0.012).Conclusions:Oxaliplatin-containing ACT may confer survival benefits to patients with pCR,particularly younger patients.However,the routine use of ACT in patients with pCR needs further validation.

CEA levels predict tumor response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)in the prediction of pathological complete response(pCR)in locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC)patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(nCRT).Methods A total of 925 LARC patients who underwent nCRT followed by TME between March 2006 and February 2018 were enrolled at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center.Using logistic regression models,we investigated the associations between serum CEA levels and pathological complete remission(pCR).Further stratified analyses were performed according to different CEA thresholds.Results We found that pre-nCRT CEA and post-nCRT CEA were negatively correlated with pCR(P<0.001).Stratified analyses revealed that when the CEA cutoff value was set to 5 ng/mL,10.6%of patients with post-nCRT CEA levels>5 ng/mL achieved pCR.Meanwhile,when the CEA cutoff value was set to 10 ng/mL,only 6.8%of the patients with post-nCRT CEA levels>10 ng/mL achieved pCR.Conclusion In summary,pre and post-nCRT CEA levels≤5 ng/mL were favorable predictors of pCR in LACR patients,and the“watch and wait”strategy is not recommended for patients with post-nCRT CEA levels>10 ng/mL.

Advances of pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Only 15% to 20% of patients present with a primarily resectable tumor at the time of diagnosis. There has been an increasing interest in the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone or combination with radiotherapy in patients with resectable, borderline resectable, and locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Although the benefit of neoadjuvant therapy on resectable patients remains controversial, around one third of borderline resectable and locally advanced patients could be expected to have resectable tumors following neoadjuvant therapy, with comparable survival as those with primary resectable tumors. A pathological complete response (Pcr) in PDAC is an indicator for significantly better survival although it's rather rare. In this review, we present recent progress of Pcr and the controversies in pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant therapy.

白蛋白结合型紫杉醇或多西他赛联合卡铂新辅助治疗HER2阳性乳腺癌疗效比较

目的比较在真实世界临床实践中曲妥珠单抗和帕妥珠单抗(HP)分别配伍白蛋白结合型紫杉醇加卡铂方案与多西他赛加卡铂方案新辅助治疗HER2阳性乳腺癌的疗效。方法回顾性收集2019年6月至2021年12月在河北省共11家三级甲等医院接受HP分别配伍白蛋白结合型紫杉醇加卡铂方案与多西他赛加卡铂方案新辅助治疗并完成后续手术的HER2阳性乳腺癌患者的临床资料,比较两组患者的总体病理完全缓解(tpCR)率。结果共纳入76例患者,其中白蛋白结合型紫杉醇组47例,多西他赛组29例。白蛋白结合型紫杉醇组tpCR率显著高于多西他赛组(72.3%vs.48.3%,χ^(2)=4.463,P=0.035)。亚组分析表明,年龄大于40岁、cN2-3、cTNMⅢ期、激素受体(+)、Ki67>30%患者中,白蛋白结合型紫杉醇组tpCR率高于多西他赛组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论在真实世界临床实践中,HP配伍白蛋白结合型紫杉醇加卡铂方案新辅助治疗HER2阳性乳腺癌的疗效优于HP配伍多西他赛加卡铂方案。