Current Status and Research Progress of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours worldwide, with a high degree of malignancy and a poor prognosis. While early gastric cancer can be cured by surgical treatment, locally advanced gastric cancer requires neoadjuvant therapy to shrink the tumour, suppress potential metastases, achieve down-staging, and provide patients with the opportunity for radical surgery to prolong their survival. This article reviews the current status and progress of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer.

Decrease in the Ki67 index during neoadjuvant chemotherapy predicts favorable relapse-free survival in patients with locally advanced breast cancer

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the optimal cutoffs of the three parameters of Ki67 during NAC for predicting patient prognosis and investigate whether the optimal cutoffs of the Ki67 values were associated with relapse-free survival(RFS) or breast cancer-specific survival(BCSS).Methods: A total of 92 patients with locally advanced breast cancer(LABC), who had residual disease after NAC were retrospectively investigated.The optimal cutoff values of the Ki67 parameters were assessed by the online algorithm Cutoff Finder.Kaplan-Meier analysis, the log-rank test and Cox regression analysis were carried out to analyze survival.Results: The optimal cutoff values for the postsurgical Ki67 level and the decrease in the Ki67 level during NAC were defined as 25% and 12.5%, respectively.According to the univariate survival analysis, a higher Ki67 level in residual disease was associated with poor RFS(P = 0.004) and BCSS(P = 0.014).In addition, a Ki67 expression decrease > 12.5% during NAC was related to favorable RFS(P = 0.007), but was not related to BCSS(P = 0.452).Cox regression analysis showed that the Ki67 expression decrease(> 12.5% vs.≤ 12.5%) and histological grade(grade 3 vs.grade 1-2) were the independent factors associated with RFS(P =0.020 and P = 0.023, respectively), with HR values of 0.353(95% CI: 0.147-0.850) and 3.422(95% CI: 1.188-9.858), respectively.Conclusions: The Ki67 decrease was one of the independent factors associated with RFS in LABC patients with residual disease after receiving NAC.

Role of prophylactic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is the second most common malignant tumor in China,ranking third among all malignant tumor mortality rates.Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy(HIPEC)has been shown to increase significantly the effectiveness of intraperitoneal chemotherapeutic drugs,prolong the action time of these drugs on intraperitoneal tumor cells,and enhance their diffusion in tumor tissues.HIPEC may be one of the best choices for the eradication of residual cancer cells in the abdominal cavity.AIM The aim of this study was to study the role of preventive HIPEC after radical gastrectomy.METHODS A prospective analysis was performed with patients with c T4 N0-3 M0 gastric cancer to compare the effects of postoperative prophylactic HIPEC plus intravenous chemotherapy with those of routine adjuvant chemotherapy.Patients’medical records were analyzed,and differences in the peritoneal recurrence rate,diseasefree survival time,and total survival time between groups were examined.RESULTS The first site of tumor recurrence was the peritoneum in 11 cases in the conventional adjuvant chemotherapy group and in 2 cases in the HIPEC group(P=0.020).The 1-year and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 91.9%and 60.4%,respectively,in the conventional adjuvant chemotherapy group and 92.1%and 63.0%,respectively,in the HIPEC group.The 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates were 95.2%and 66.3%,respectively,in the conventional adjuvant chemotherapy group and 96.1%and 68.6%,respectively,in the HIPEC group.No significant difference in postoperative or chemotherapy complications was observed between groups.CONCLUSION In patients with c T4 N0-3 M0 gastric cancer,prophylactic HIPEC after radical tumor surgery is beneficial to reduce peritoneal tumor recurrence and prolong survival.

Safety and Efficacy of Neoadjuvant DOF [Docetaxel, Oxaliplatin, 5-Fluorouracil] Chemotherapy Regimen in Patients with Locally Advanced Gastric and Gastro-Esophageal Junction Cancers: A Single Center Experience from India

Background:?The role of chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer is constantly evolving?with various neoadjuvant and adjuvant strategies. Several chemotherapeutic agents are used in the treatment of locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) namely Platinum based compounds (Cisplatin, Oxaliplatin), Fluoropyrimidines like 5-Flurouracil [(5-FU), Capecitabine)], Taxanes (Docetaxel) and Anthracyclines (Epirubicin). Various doublet and triplet combination chemotherapy regimens have been used for neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in LAGCs. In this study we evaluated the safety and efficacy of docetaxel based triplet regimen DOF [Docetaxel, Oxaliplatin, 5-Fluorouracil] in LAGC. Material and methods:?50 Newly diagnosed patients of Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer (stage II or III) deemed fit to receive chemotherapy were included in our study. After 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, patients were assessed based on radiological and pathological response.?Results: 50 Patients were included in our study of which majority were male (32), median age at presentation was 55 years and 24 patients presented with a history of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). The most common hematological toxicities observed in our study were anemia (61.2%), neutropenia (42.6%, febrile neutropenia constituted 6%) and thrombocytopenia (13.2%). The most common gastro-intestinal [GI] toxicities observed in our study included nausea (69.2%), vomiting (31.2%), diarrhea (34%), oral mucositis (14%) and constipation (6.6%). We found that safety profile of DOF regimen was favorable with majority of patients tolerating the regimen well. The Overall Response Rate (68%), Disease Control Rate (96%) and Resectability Rate (80%) were higher compared to western studies. Pathological CR (17.5%), ypN0?disease status (42.5%) and nodal down staging (52%), all showed positive correlations with survival outcomes. Conclusion:?DOF regimen is an effective and feasible option for neoadjuvant treatment of LAGC in an Indian population.

Comparison between upfront surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a major health concern worldwide.Surgical resection and chemotherapy is the mainstay treatment for gastric carcinoma,however,the optimal approach remains unclear and should be different in each individual.Chemotherapy can be administered both pre-and postoperatively,but a multidisciplinary approach is preferred when possible.This is particularly relevant for locally advanced GC(LAGC),as neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAT)could potentially lead to tumor downsizing thus allowing for a complete resection with curative intent.Even though the recent progress has been impressive,European and International guidelines are still controversial,thus attenuating the need for a more standardized approach in the management of locally advanced cancer.AIM To investigate the effects of NAT on the overall survival(OS),the disease-free survival(DFS),the morbidity and the mortality of patients with LAGC in comparison to upfront surgery(US).METHODS For this systematic review,a literature search was conducted between November and February 2023 in PubMed,Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials.gov for studies including patients with LAGC.Two independent reviewers conducted the research and extracted the data according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria.The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was used to form the search strategy and the study protocol has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews.RESULTS Eighteen studies with 4839 patients with LAGC in total were included in our systematic review.Patients were separated into two groups;one receiving NAT before the gastrectomy(NAT group)and the other undergoing upfront surgery(US group).The OS ranged from 41.6%to 74.2%in the NAT group and from 30.9%to 74%in the US group.The DFS was also longer in the NAT group and reached up to 80%in certain patients.The complications related to the chemotherapy or the surgery ranged from 6.4%to 38.1%in the NAT group and from 5%to 40.5%in the US group.Even though in most of the studies the morbidity was lower in the NAT group,a general conclusion could not be drawn as it seems to depend on multiple factors.Finally,regarding the mortality,the reported rate was higher and up to 5.3%in the US group.CONCLUSION NAT could be beneficial for patients with LAGC as it leads to better OS and DFS than the US approach with the same or even lower complication rates.However,patients with different clinicopathological features respond differently to chemotherapy,therefore currently the treatment plan should be individualized in order to achieve optimal results.

Oncoplastic Breast Surgery after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Replacing Mastectomy in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer (LABC): Single Institute Experience

Background: Integration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) in early 70s resulted that many LABC tumors become resectable but with total mastectomy especially those with partial response, oncoplastic techniques give better oncological outcome with better cosmetic results. Objective: We evaluate the oncological safety of oncoplastic breast surgery (OS) in LABC showing partial response to NCT. Methods: We prospectively analyzed the data of 32 out of 58 patients with LABC who showed partial response to NCT and could have conservative surgery with advanced oncoplastic techniques rather than total mastectomy. Results: Out of 58 patients with LABC, received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, complete response was observed in 8 patients (13%), partial response reported in 32 (55.1%) cases, 12 patients (20%) had stable disease and 6 patients (10%) showed progressive disease. Data of 32 cases were studied (mean age 44.84 ± 9.10 years;range 26 - 59 years). Inferior pedicle was performed in 9 cases, mini LD flap in 3 patients, 5 had Grissotti technique, 6 with superomedial pedicle, 4 had V mammoplasty and 3 with J mammoplasty and 2 had vertical mammoplasty. Margins were positive in 5 cases (15.6%) with mean margin width 9.63 ± 5.72 (range 0 - 22 mm), and the local recurrence was reported in 2 cases (6.2%). Complications were reported in 3 cases (9.3%). The follow up was 1.67 ± 1.03 (range 0 - 3.3 years). Conclusions: Integration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy together with advanced oncoplastic techniques opens a new way for management of LABC especially those showing partial response with avoidance of total mastectomy, and comparable oncological safety in addition to better aesthetic and psychological outcome.

Consolidation chemotherapy with capecitabine after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in high-risk patients with locally advanced rectal cancer:Propensity score study

BACKGROUND The effects of consolidation chemotherapy(CC) in neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC) have been explored. However, the optimal neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(NCRT) and surgery interval, regimen, and cycles of chemotherapy remains unclear.AIM To evaluate the effects of one to two cycles of CC with capecitabine on high-risk patients with LARC without extending NCRT and surgery interval.METHODS We retrospectively evaluated high-risk patients with LARC, who were defined as having at least one of the following factors by magnetic resonance imaging: depth of invasion beyond the muscularis propria of more than 5 mm(c T3c-c T3d), T4, meso-rectal fascia or extramural vascular invasion positive, and treatment date between January 2015 and July 2019 in our center. Patients were divided into the CC and non-CC group according to whether they received CC(capecitabine 1000 mg/m^(2) twice daily from days 1 to 14 every 21 d) after NCRT. Propensity score matching(PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weight(IPTW) were used to balance the differences between the two groups. The main outcome was the complete response(CR) rate.RESULTS A total of 265 patients were enrolled: 136 patients in the CC group and 129 patients in the non-CC group. The median interval was 70 d(range, 37-168). The CR rate was 24.3% and 16.3%(P = 0.107) in the CC and non-CC groups’ original samples, respectively. After PSM and IPTW, the CR rate in the CC group was higher than that in non-CC group(27.6% vs 16.2%, P = 0.045;25.9% vs 16.3%, P = 0.045). The median follow-up was 39.8 mo(range, 2.9-74.8), and there were no differences in 3-year non-regrowth disease-free survival nor overall survival in the original samples(73.2% vs 71.9%, P = 0.913;92.3% vs 86.7%, P = 0.294), PSM(73.2% vs 73.5%, P = 0.865;92.5% vs 89.3%, P = 0.612), and IPTW(73.8% vs 72.1%, P = 0.913;92.4% vs 87.4%, P = 0.294). There was also no difference in grade 2 or higher acute toxicity during neoadjuvant therapy in the two groups(49.3% vs 53.5%, P = 0.492).CONCLUSION One to two cycles of CC with capecitabine after NCRT was safe and increased the CR rate in highrisk LARC but failed to improve the long-term outcomes.

Evaluation of the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on tumor and axillary lymph nodes in locally advanced breast cancer: a study of 50 patients

Objective： The purpose of the study was to correlate between effect of pre-neoadjuvant chemotherapy （NACT） and post-NACT clinical, sonographic and pathologic features of the tumor and axillary lymph nodes （ALNs） and to raise the possibility of applying the concept of sentinel lymph node biopsy （SLNB） in patients with initially positive ALNs before NACT. Methods： A prospective study of 50 female patients with locally advanced breast cancer （LABC） with clinically palpable.and cytologically （under ultrasonographic guidance） positive ALNs. All patients received NACT and then referred for ultrasono- graphic assessment of the axilla regarding any detectable sonographic criteria of metastatic deposits in ALNs as well as the tumor size in relation to its prechemotherapy size, All patients were then subjected either to modified radical mastectomy or breast conserving surgery. The clinical, sonographic and pathological response of the tumor and the ALNs were documented, classified and correlated with each other. Results： Patients＇ mean age was 47.7±9.1 years. The mean clinical tumor size was 6.7 ± 1.4 cm; stage IliA that was presented in 32 patients （64%） and IIIB was presented in 18 patients （36%）. Chemotherapy was given for a median of 4 cycles, there was reduction of the mean clinical tumor size from 6.7 ± 1.4 cm to 4.3 ± 2.7 cm （P 〈 0.001）. Clinical response was complete in 5 （10%） tumors, complete pathological tumor response （post-neoadjuvant） was detected in 6 （16%） of patients. Complete clinical nodal response （post-neoadjuvant） in 23 （46%） axillae, on sonographic assessment of the axilla, response was complete in 17 （34%） axillae. Complete pathological nodal response occurred in 16 （32%） axillae. Out of 17 axillae that showed complete sonographic response 11 axillae showed complete pathological nodal response （P 〈 0.001）. Conclusion： Formal axillary lymph node dissection can be avoided and replaced by SLNB post NACT in patients with LABC with metastatic ALNs if there were complete clinical and sonographic criteria of nodal response as well as complete pathological tumor response.

Neoadjuvant intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy followed by surgery in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the role of preoperative neoadjuvant intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy （NAIC） in treating locally advanced cervical caner. Methods： Nineteen locally advanced cervical cancer （LACC） patients from November 2003 to November 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. NAIC was administrated 2 courses every 2 weeks using a combination of 30 mg/m^2 bleomycin and 50 mg/m^2 cisplatin via bilateral femur artedes. The response to NAIC was assessed by pelvic examination and imaging diagnostics and histological analysis. Two weeks after NAIC radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. Results： Radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy were performed in 18 patients successfully. The mean tumor reduction rate was 73.04%. The overall clinical response rate of NAIC was 84.2% with 2 complete responses and 16 partial responses. Only 1 nonresponder. Six of 7 cases who had parametrial infiltration had a absence after chemotherapy, no significant change was observed in 1 case who followed by radiotherapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that tumor volume prior to treatment was determining factor affecting the efficacy of NAIC in LACC. Conclusion： pre-operative NAIC inhibited the growth of LACC, minimized the size, eliminate effectively the pathologic dsk factors in the pelvic cavity, to improve the operability in cervical cancer patients with stage lib or above, considered inoperable.

Evaluation of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in monitoring early response of locally advanced breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Objective： The aim of our study was to assess the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （DMRI） in predicting early response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy （NAC） in patients with locally advanced breast cancer （LABC） and to assess the accuracy of DMRI in evaluating residual disease after NAC. Methods： DMRI were per- formed in 43 women with LABC （44 lesions, all were invasive ductal carcinoma） before, after the first and final cycle of NAC. Tumour volume, early enhanced ratio （El）, maximum enhanced ratio （Emax）, and maximum enhanced time （Tmax）, dynamic signal intensity-time curve were obtained during treatment. Residual tumour volumes obtained using DMRI were compared with pathological findings to assess the accuracy of DMRI. Results： After 1st cycle of NAC, the mean volume of responders decreased insignificantly, P 〉 0.05, but after NAC, mean volume of residual tumor decreased significantly （P 〈 0.01）. Morphol- ogy change： 29 cases showed a concentric shrinkage pattern while 7 cases showed a dendritic shrinkage pattern. Significant differences were found in El, Emax and Tmax between responders and non-responders （P 〈 0.05）. After 1st cycle of NAC, El, Emax and Tmax of responders changed significantly （P 〈 0.001）; while there is no significant change in non-responders （P 〉 0.05）. After NAC, dynamic signal intensity-time types were changed in responders, and tended to be significantly flat- tening, while no significant change was found in non-responders. The residual tumour volume correlation coefficient between DMRI and pathology measurements was very high （r = 0.866, P = 0.000）. Conclusion： DMRI is useful to evaluate the early response to NAC in LABC. The presence and volume of residual disease in LABC patients treated with NAC could be ac- curately evaluated by DMRI.

Effects of Yiqi Gu Ben Decoction combined with DC chemotherapy on serum tumor markers, inflammatory factors and immune function in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: To investigate the effects of Yiqi Gu decoction combined with DC chemotherapy on serum tumor markers, inflammatory factors and immune function in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: A total of 95 patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer were selected as the research objects, according to the random data table they were divided into control group (n=48) and observation group (n=47), patients in the control group were given DC chemotherapy, On the basis of this treatment, the patients in the observation group were given Yiqi Gu decoction treatment, Comparison of the levels of serum tumor markers [antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9)], inflammatory factor [C reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] and immune function (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+)Results: Before treatment, there were no significant difference in the levels of CEA, CA19-9, CRP, TNF-α, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ between the two groups;After treatment, the CEA, CA19-9, CRP, TNF-α, CD8+ levels of two groups were significantly lower than those in the same group before treatment, and the decreased range in observation group was significantly higher than the control group, moreover the levels after treatment were obviously lower than control group;After treatment, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ in the observation group were (64.72±5.25)% , (39.51±5.14)% and (1.35±0.27), which were significantly higher than the same group before treatment, and significantly higher than the control group [(58.57±5.09)%, (31.34±5.06)%, (1.14±0.33)], differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: DC chemotherapy combined with Yiqi Guben Decoction in the treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, can effectively reduce the serum tumor marker levels, decrease inflammatory stress, improve immune function, has an important clinical value.

Effect of systemic intravenous chemotherapy combined with regional arterial perfusion chemoembolization on the malignancy of locally advanced gastric cancer

Objective:To study the effect of systemic intravenous chemotherapy combined with regional arterial perfusion chemoembolization on the malignancy of locally advanced gastric cancer. Methods:A total of 90 patients with primary gastric cancer who received treatment in Tianyou Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science & Technology between January 2014 and May 2016 were collected and divided into control group and observation group according to the random number table method, 45 cases in each group. The control group of patients received routine systemic intravenous chemotherapy + surgical treatment, and the observation group of patients received systemic intravenous chemotherapy combined with local arterial perfusion chemoembolization + surgical treatment. Levels of tumor markers and angiogenesis factors in serum as well as the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in gastric cancer tissue were compared between the two groups of patients before and after chemotherapy.Results:Before chemotherapy, the levels of tumor markers and angiogenesis factors in serum as well as the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in gastric cancer tissue were not significantly different between the two groups of patients;after chemotherapy, serum CEA, CA724, CA242, AFP, VEGF, Ang-2, COX2 and PD-ECGF levels of observation group were lower than those of control group, andiASPP, p130Cas, ERBB2 and C-myc mRNA expression in gastric cancer tissue were lower than those of control group while GKN1, p16, PTEN, TSPYL5 and merlin mRNA expression in gastric cancer tissue were higher than those of control group.Conclusions: Preoperative systemic intravenous chemotherapy combined with regional arterial perfusion chemoembolization can effectively reduce the malignancy of locally advanced gastric cancer and provide favorable conditions for the operation.

A pilot study of weekly docetaxel chemotherapy combined with regional hyperthermia for pretreated stage Ⅲ non-small cell lung cancer

Objective： To evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic effect of chemotherapy combined with regional radio frequency hyperthermia for pretreated locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Methods： 29 patients with stage Ⅲb non- small cell lung cancer were enrolled in present study, administered chemotherapy up to 4 cycles and radio frequency hyperthermia up to 32 times. The primary end points were grade 3, 4 hematological or non-hematological toxicities and progression free survival, the secondary end points were response rate, tumor control rate and overall survival. Method of Kaplan-Meier was used to do the survival analysis. Results： 21 patients completed whole treatment. The most common grade 3, 4 toxicity was neutropenia （24.1%）. Median progression free survival was 4 months （range 0-13 months）, one year progression free survival rate was 10.3%, Overall response rate was 25.9%, tumor control rate was 66.6%. Median overall survival was 11 months （range 2-18^＊ months）, one year overall survival rate was 44.8%. Conclusion： Treatment of chemotherapy in conjunction with regional hyperthermia was safe and well tolerant, and it showed an impressive tumor control rate and an acceptable one year progression free survival.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced penile cancer:an updated evidence

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)has shown promising results in patients with locally advanced penile cancer.However,no consensus exists on its applications for locally advanced penile cancer.Thus,it is unclear which kind of chemotherapy regimen is the best choice.Consequently,a systematic search of PubMed,Web of Science,and EMBASE was performed in March 2021 to assess the efficacy and safety of NAC for the treatment of patients with locally advanced penile cancer.The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias in each study.This study synthesized 14 published studies.The study revealed that patients who achieved an objective response to NAC obtained a better survival outcome compared with those who did not achieve an objective response.In addition,the objective response rates(ORRs)and pathological complete response(pCR)rates were 0.57 and 0.11,respectively.The incidence of grade≥3 toxicity was 0.36.Subgroup analysis found that the ORR and pCR of the taxane–platinum(TP)regimen group performed better than those of the nontaxane–platinum(NTP)regimen group(0.57 vs 0.54 and 0.14 vs 0.07,respectively).Moreover,the TP regimen group had more frequent toxicity than the NTP regimen group(0.41 vs 0.26).However,further studies were warranted to confirm the findings.

Epidemiology and prognostic nomogram for locally advanced gastric signet ring cell carcinoma:A population-based study

BACKGROUND Gastric signet ring cell carcinoma(GSRC)represents a specific subtype of gastric cancer renowned for its contentious epidemiological features,treatment principles,and prognostic factors.AIM To investigate the epidemiology of GSRC and establish an improved model for predicting the prognosis of patients with locally advanced GSRC(LAGSRC)after surgery.METHODS The annual rates of GSRC incidence and mortality,covering the years 1975 to 2019,were extracted from the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results(SEER)database to explore the temporal trends in both disease incidence and mortality rates using Joinpoint software.The clinical data of 3793 postoperative LAGSRC patients were collected from the SEER database for the analysis of survival rates.The Cox regression model was used to explore the independent prognostic factors for overall survival(OS).The risk factors extracted were used to establish a prognostic nomogram.RESULTS The overall incidence of GSRC increased dramatically between 1975 and 1998,followed by a significant downward trend in incidence after 1998.In recent years,there has been a similarly optimistic trend in GSRC mortality rates.The trend in GSRC showed discrepancies based on age and sex.Receiver operating characteristic curves,calibration curves,and decision curve analysis for 1-year,3-year,and 5-year OS demonstrated the high discriminative ability and clinical utility of this nomogram.The area under the curve indicated that the performance of the new model outperformed that of the pathological staging system.CONCLUSION The model we established can aid clinicians in the early prognostication of LAGSRC patients,resulting in improved clinical outcomes by modifying management strategies and patient health care.

Evaluation of oxaliplatin and tigio combination therapy in locally advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Locally advanced gastric cancer(LAGC)is a common malignant tumor.In recent years,neoadjuvant chemotherapy has gradually become popular for the treatment of LAGC.AIM To investigate the efficacy of oxaliplatin combined with a tigio neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen vs a conventional chemotherapy regimen for LAGC.METHODS Ninety patients with LAGC were selected and randomly divided into control and study groups with 45 patients in each group,according to the numerical table method.The control group was treated with conventional chemotherapy,and the study group was treated with oxaliplatin combined with tigio-neoadjuvant che-motherapy.The primary outcome measures were the clinical objective response rate(ORR)and surgical resection rate(SRR),whereas the secondary outcome measures were safety and Karnofsky Performance Status score.RESULTS The ORR in the study group was 80.00%,which was significantly higher than that of the control group(57.78%).In the study group,SRR was 75.56%,which was significantly higher than that of the control group(57.78%).There were 15.56%adverse reactions in the study group and 35.56%in the control group.These differences were statistically significant between the two groups.CONCLUSION The combination of oxaliplatin and tigio before surgery as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with LAGC can effectively improve the ORR and SRR and is safe.

Combined chemo-radiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinomas

AIM:To provide efficacy and safety data about the combined use of radiotherapy and chemo-radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).METHODS:We reviewed data of 40 patients with locally advanced NPC treated with induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemo-radiotherapy(CCRT)(22/40 patients)or CCRT alone(18/40)from March 2006 to March 2012.Patients underwent fiberoscopy with biopsy of the primitive tumor,and computed tomography scan of head,neck,chest and abdomen with and without contrast.Cisplatin was used both as induction and as concomitant chemotherapy,while 3D conformal radiation therapy was delivered to the nasopharynx and relevant anatomic regions(total dose,70 Gy).The treatment was performed using 6 MV photons of the linear accelerator administered in 2 Gy daily fraction for five days weekly.This retrospective analysis was approved by the review boards of the participating institutions.Patients gave their consent to treatment and to anonymous analysis of clinical data.RESULTS:Thirty-three patients were males and 7 were females.Median follow-up time was 58 mo(range,1-92 mo).In the sub-group of twenty patients with a follow-up time longer than 36 mo,the 3-year survival and disease free survival rates were 85%and 75%,respectively.Overall response rate both in patients treated with induction chemotherapy followed by CCRT and in those treated with CCRT alone was 100%.Grade 3 neutropenia was the most frequent acute side-effect and it occurred in 20 patients.Grade 2 mucositis was seen in 29 patients,while grade 2 xerostomia was seen in 30 patients.Overall toxicity was manageable and it did not cause any significant treatment delay.In the whole sample population,long term toxicity included grade 2 xerostomia in 22 patients,grade 1 dysgeusia in 17 patients and grade 1 subcutaneous fibrosis in 30 patients.CONCLUSION:Both CCRT and induction chemotherapy followed by CCRT showed excellent activity in locally advanced NPC.The role of adjuvant chemotherapy remains to be defined.

Management of borderline and locally advanced pancreatic cancer:Where do we stand?

Many patients with pancreas cancer present with locally advanced pancreatic cancer(LAPC).The principle tools used for diagnosis and staging of LAPC include endoscopic ultrasound,axial imaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging,and diagnostic laparoscopy.The definition of resectability has historically been vague,as there is considerable debate and controversy as to the definition of LAPC.For the patient with LAPC,there is some level of involvement of the surrounding vascular structures,which include the superior mesenteric artery,celiac axis,hepatic artery,superior mesenteric vein,or portal vein.When feasible,most surgeons would recommend possible surgical resection for patients with borderline LAPC,with the goal of an R0 resection.For initially unresectable LAPC,neoadjuvant should be strongly considered.Specifically,these patients should be offered neoadjuvant therapy,and the tumor should be assessed for possible response and eventual resection.The efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy with this approach as a bridge to potential curative resection is broad,ranging from 3%-79%.The different modalities of neoadjuvant therapy include sin-gle or multi-agent chemotherapy combined with radiation,chemotherapy alone,and chemotherapy followed by chemotherapy with radiation.This review focuses on patients with LAPC and addresses recent advances and controversies in the field.

Bevacizumab in the pre-operative treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer: A systematic review

Despite advances in the management of patients with locally advanced, non-metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma (LARC), prognosis remains largely unsatisfactory due to a high rate of distant relapse. In fact, currently available neoadjuvant protocols, represented by fluoropyrimidine-based chemo-radiotherapy (CT-RT) or short-course RT, together with improved surgical techniques, have largely reduced the risk of local relapse, with limited impact on distant recurrence. Available results of phase III trials with additional cytotoxic agents combined with standard CT-RT are disappointing, as no significant reduction in the risk of recurrence has been demonstrated. In order to improve the control of micrometastatic disease, integrating targeted agents into neoadjuvant treatment protocols thus offers a rational approach. In particular, the antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab has demonstrated synergistic activity with both CT and RT in pre-clinical and clinical models, and thus may represent a suitable companion in the neoadjuvant treatment of LARC. Preliminary results of phase I-II clinical studies are promising and suggest potential clinical parameters and molecular predictive biomarkers useful for patient selection: treatment personalization is indeed the key in order to maximize the benefit while reducing the risk of more complex neoadjuvant treatment schedules.

Longer Overall Survival in A Patient with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Chinese Medicine and Chemotherapy

Non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） is the leading cause of cancer death in the industrialized world. Despite significant progress in early stage of the disease, the overall survival rates for advanced disease remain low. Herein we present a case of NSCLC who was treated with Chinese medicine and chemotherapy with a longer overall survival.