Effect of perioperative chemotherapy on resection of isolated pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer:A single center experience

BACKGROUND Numerous studies have assessed surgical resection as a standard treatment option for patients with colorectal cancer(CRC)and resectable pulmonary metastases(PM).However,the role of perioperative chemotherapy after complete resection of isolated PM from patients with CRC patients remains controversial.We hypothesize that perioperative chemotherapy does not provide significant survival benefits for patients undergoing resection of PM from CRC.AIM To determine whether perioperative chemotherapy affects survival after radical resection of isolated PM from CRC.METHODS We retrospectively collected demographic,clinical,and pathologic data on patients who underwent radical surgery for isolated PM from CRC.Cancerspecific survival(CSS)and disease-free survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.Inter-group differences were compared using the log-rank test.For multivariate analysis,Cox regression was utilized when indicated.RESULTS This study included 120 patients with a median age of 61.6 years.The 5-year CSS rate was 78.2%,with 36.7% experiencing recurrence.Surgical resection for isolated PM resulted in a 5-year CSS rate of 50.0% for second metastases.Perioperative chemotherapy(P=0.079)did not enhance survival post-resection.Factors associated with improved survival included fewer metastatic lesions[hazard ratio(HR):2.51,P=0.045],longer disease-free intervals(HR:0.35,P=0.016),and wedge lung resections(HR:0.42,P=0.035).Multiple PM predicted higher recurrence risk(HR:2.22,P=0.022).The log-rank test showed no significant difference in CSS between single and repeated metastasectomy(P=0.92).CONCLUSION Perioperative chemotherapy shows no survival benefit post-PM resection in CRC.Disease-free intervals and fewer metastatic lesions predict better survival.Repeated metastasectomy is warranted for eligible patients.

D2 plus radical resection combined with perioperative chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer with pyloric obstruction

A patient with advanced gastric cancer complicated with pyloric obstruction was treated using D2 ＋ radical resection combined with perioperative chemotherapy, and had satisfying outcomes. The perioperative chemotherapy regimen was Taxol and S1 （tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil）. Three cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were delivered before surgery, and three cycles of adjuvant therapy after surgery. PR was achieved after chemotherapy. D2 ＋ dissection of stations 8p, 12b, 12p, 13 and 14v lymph nodes was performed on September 10, 2012.

Normal carcinoembryonic antigen indicates benefit from perioperative chemotherapy to gastric carcinoma patients

AIM:To evaluate pretreatment serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) as a predictor of survival for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer receiving perioperative chemotherapy.METHODS:We retrospectively studied a cohort of 228 gastric cancer patients who underwent D2 gastrectomy combined with chemotherapy at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2005 and December 2009.Among them,168 patients received 6-12 cycles of oxaliplatin-based adjuvant(post-operative) chemotherapy,while 60 received perioperative chemotherapy(2 cycles of FOLFOX6 or XELOX before surgery and 4-10 cycles after surgery).Serum CEA was measured using an enzyme immunoassay.The followup lasted until December 2010.RESULTS:In the group that had elevated serum CEA,the difference in survival time between patients receiving perioperative chemotherapy and those receiving adjuvant chemotherapy had no statistical significance(P > 0.05).However,in the group that had normal serum CEA,patients receiving perioperative chemotherapy had a longer survival time.In multivariate analysis,T staging and lymph node metastatic rate were independent prognostic factors for the patients.Perioperative chemotherapy improved the overall survival of patients who had a normal pretreatment CEA level(P = 0.070).CONCLUSION:Normal pretreatment serum CEA is a predictor of survival for patients receiving perioperative chemotherapy.

Use of perioperative chemotherapy in colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver

A curative-intent approach may improve survival in carefully selected patients with oligometastatic colorectal cancer.Aggressive treatments are most frequently administered to patients with isolated liver metastasis,though they may be judiciously considered for other sites of metastasis.To be considered for curative intent with surgery,patients must have disease that can be definitively treated while leaving a sufficient functional liver remnant.Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be used for upfront resectable disease as a test of tumor biology and/or for upfront unresectable disease to increase the likelihood of resectability(so-called‘conversion’chemotherapy).While conversion chemotherapy in this setting aims to improve survival,the choice of a regimen remains a complex and highly individualized decision.In this review,we discuss the role of RAS status,primary site,sidedness,and other clinical features that affect chemotherapy treatment selection as well as key factors of patients that guide individualized patient-treatment recommendations for colorectal-cancer patients being considered for definitive treatment with metastasectomy.

Towards personalized perioperative treatment for advanced gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide. Although the rate of gastric cancer has declined dramatically over the past decades in most developed Western countries, it has not declined in East Asia. Currently, a radical gastrectomy is still the only curative treatment for gastric cancer. Over the last twenty years, however, surgery alone has been replaced by a multimodal perioperative approach. To achieve the maximum benefit from the perioperative treatment, a thorough evaluation of the tumor must first be performed. A complete assessment of gastric cancer is divided into two parts: staging and histology. According to the stage and histology of the cancer, perioperative chemotherapy or radiochemotherapy can be implemented, and perioperative targeted therapies such as trastuzumab may also play a role in this field. However, perioperative treatment approaches have notbeen widely accepted until a series of clinical trials were performed to evaluate the value of perioperative treatment. Although multimodal perioperative treatment has been widely applied in clinical practice, personalization of perioperative treatment represents the next stage in the treatment of gastric cancer. Genomic-guided treatment and efficacy prediction using molecular biomarkers in perioperative treatment are of great importance in the evolution of treatment and may become an ideal treatment method.

Perioperative Treatment in Gastric Cancer—Developments in Patient Selection

Gastric cancer (GC) is a major public health issue. It is considered the 5th most common cancer diagnosed worldwide and it is one of the main causes of malignant disease-associated morbidity and mortality. The cornerstone of curative treatment is still surgery, and since the rate of relapse is high, a multidisciplinary approach is warranted in most developed countries. And while there have been recent developments in the perioperative scenario namely the FLOT regimen, little has advanced considering patient selection. We have reviewed the major trials in this setting and provide some insights from recently reported microsatellite instability (MSI) in a subgroup analysis in the MAGIC trial patients that seem to suggest an opportunity to patient selection. Furthermore, GC subtyping may prove helpful selecting candidates to immunotherapy or even multimodal therapy in the future. As the paradigm is moving towards a precision oncology model, GC patient selection remains one the biggest challenges in oncology but seems closer to clinical practice reality as new developments are being reported.

Update on the prevention of local recurrence and peritoneal metastases in patients with colorectal cancer

The prevention of a disease process has always been superior to the treatment of the same disease throughout the history of medicine and surgery. Local recurrence and peritoneal metastases occur in approximately 8% of colon cancer patients and 25% of rectal cancer patients and should be prevented. Strategies to prevent colon or rectal cancer local recurrence and peritoneal metastases include cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic perioperative chemotherapy (HIPEC). These strategies can be used at the time of primary colon or rectal cancer resection if the HIPEC is available. At institutions where HIPEC is not available with the treatment of primary malignancy, a proactive second-look surgery is recommended. Several phase II studies strongly support the proactive approach. If peritoneal metastases were treated along with the primary colon resection, 5-year survival was seen and these results were superior to the results of treatment after peritoneal metastases had developed as recurrence. Also, prophylactic HIPEC improved survival with T3/T4 mucinous or signet ring colon cancers. A second-look has been shown to be effective in two published manuscripts. Unpublished data from MedStar Washington Cancer Institute also produced favorable date. Rectal cancer with peritoneal metastases may not be so effectively treated. There are both credits and debits of this proactive approach. Selection factors should be reviewed by the multidisciplinary team for individualized management of patients with or at high risk for peritoneal metastases.

Between evidence and new perspectives on the current state of the multimodal approach to gastric cancer:Is there still a role for radiation therapy?

In patients affected by gastric cancer(GC), especially those in advanced stage, the multidisciplinary app-roach of treatment is fundamental to obtain a good disease control and quality of life. Although many chemotherapeutics in combination to radiotherapy are adopted in the peri- or postoperative setting, the most optimal timing, regimens and doses remains con-troversial. In the era of radical surgery performed with D2-lymphadenectomy, the role of radiation therapy remains to be better defined. Categories of patients, who could benefit more from an intensified local trea-tment rather than more toxic systemic therapy, are still under investigation. Evidence and recent updates of the randomized trials, meta-analysis and prospective trials show that the postoperative radiotherapy plays a fundamental role in reducing the loco-regional recurrence and in turn the disease-free survival in operable advanced GC patients, also after a well performed D2 surgery. Therapeutic decisions should be taken considering the individual patients, but the multimodal approach is necessary to guarantee a longer survival and a good quality of life. Ongoing randomized trials could better define the timing and the combination of radiotherapy and systemic therapy.