Potential of non-Western medicines in chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer

This editorial explores the potential integration of non-Western medicine into radiotherapy for cervical cancer.While radiotherapy remains a radical treatment for cervical cancer,its associated toxicity and decline in quality of life can significantly impact patients’lives.Currently,most treatments are supportive,with no specific treatment options available in Western medicine.Non-Western medicine,often less toxic and easier to administer,has shown promising results when used alongside radiotherapy for cervical cancer.Despite these potential benefits,challenges such as limited evidence and restricted application areas persist.While non-Western medicines may offer potential improvements in chemoradiotherapy outcomes for cervical cancer,further research is necessary to substantiate these benefits.

Chemotherapy and molecular targeting therapy for recurrent cervical cancer

For patients with primary stage IVB, persistent, or recurrent cervical cancer, chemotherapy remains the standard treatment, although it is neither curative nor associated with long-term disease control. In this review, we summarized the history of treatment of recurrent cervical cancer, and the current recommendation for chemotherapy and molecular targeted therapy. Eligible articles were identified by a search of the MEDLINE bibliographical database for the period up to November 30, 2014. The search strategy included the following any or all of the keywords： ＂uterine cervical cancer＂, ＂chemotherapy＂, and ＂targeted therapies＂. Since cisplatin every 21 days was considered as the historical standard treatment for recurrent cervical cancer, subsequent trials have evaluated and demonstrated activity for other agents including paclitaxel, gemcitabine, topotecan and vinorelbine among others. Accordingly, promising agents were incorporated into phase III trials. To examine the best agent to combine with cisplatin, several landmark phase III clinical trials were conducted by Gynecologic Oncology Group （GOG） and Japan Clinical Oncology Group （JCOG）. Through, GOG204 and JCOG0505, paclitaxel/cisplatin （TP） and paclitaxel/carboplatin （TC） are now considered to be the recommended therapies for recurrent cervical cancer patients. However, the prognosis of patients who are already resistant to chemotherapy, are very poor. Therefore new therapeutic strategies are urgently required. Molecular targeted therapy will be the most hopeful candidate of these strategies. From the results of GOG240, bevacizumab combined with TP reached its primary endpoint of improving overall survival （OS）. Although, the prognosis for recurrent cervical cancer patients is still poor, the results of GOG240 shed light on the usefulness of molecular target agents to chemotherapy in cancer patients. Recurrent cervical cancer is generally considered incurable and current chemotherapy regiments offer only modest gains in OS, particularly for patients with multiple poor prognostic factors. Therefore, it is crucial to consider not only the survival benefit, but also the minimization of treatment toxicity, and maximization of quality of life （QOL）.

Californium-252 neutron brachytherapy combined with external pelvic radiotherapy plus concurrent chemotherapy for cervical cancer: a retrospective clinical study

Background:Cervical cancer is the sixth most common cancer in Chinese women.A standard treatment modal?ity for cervical cancer is the combination of surgery,chemotherapy,external?beam radiotherapy and intracavitary brachytherapy.The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the long?term treatment outcomes of patients with cervical cancer who were treated with californium?252 neutron brachytherapy combined with external?beam radio?therapy plus concurrent chemotherapy.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 150 patients with primary stages IB?IVB cervical cancer who received neutron brachytherapy combined with external?beam radiotherapy concurrently with cisplatin chemo?therapy.All patients were followed up.Using an actuarial analysis,patient outcomes and treatment?related adverse effects were evaluated and compared.Results:The median overall survival(OS)was 33.2 months.The 3?year progression?free survival rates for patients with stages I–II,III,and IV diseases were 81.0%(68/84),65.0%(39/60),and 0%(0/6),respectively;the 3?year OS rates were 90.5%(76/84),85.0%(51/60),and 16.7%(1/6),respectively.Vaginal bleeding was controlled within the median time of4.0 days.One month after treatment,97.3%of patients achieved short?term local control.The local recurrence rates for patients with stages I–II,III,and IV disease were 4.8%(4/84),11.7%(7/60),and 33.3%(2/6),respectively,and the occurrence rates of distant metastasis were 16.7%(14/84),25.0%(15/60),and 100.0%(6/6),respectively.Cancer stage,tumor size,and lymph node metastasis were identified as prognostic risk factors,but only lymph node metastasis was found to be an independent prognostic factor.The most common adverse effects during treatment were grades 1 and 2 irradiation?related proctitis and radiocystitis.Conclusion:For patients with cervical cancer,neutron brachytherapy combined with external?beam radiotherapy plus concurrent chemotherapy produces a rapid response and greatly improves local control and long?term survival rates with tolerable adverse effects.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer reduces surgical risks and lymph-vascular space involvement

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT),which can reduce the size and therefore increase the resectability of tumors,has recently evolved as a treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer.NACT has been reported to decrease the risk of pathologic factors related to prognosis of cervical cancer.To further assess the effects of NACT on surgery and the pathologic characteristics of cervical cancer,we reviewed 110 cases of locally advanced cervical cancer treated with radical hysterectomy with or without NACT at the People's Hospital of Peking University between January 2006 and December 2010.Of 110 patients,68 underwent platinum-based NACT prior to surgery(NACT group) and 42 underwent primary surgery treatment(PST group).Our results showed 48 of 68(70.6%) patients achieved a complete response or partial response to NACT.Estimated blood loss,operation time,and number of removed lymph nodes during surgery,as well as complication rates during and after surgery were not significantly different between the NACT group and the PST group.The rates of deep stromal invasion,positive parametria,positive surgical vaginal margins,and lymph node metastasis were not significantly different between the two groups.However,the rate of lymph-vascular space involvement(LVSI) was significantly lower in the NACT group than in the PST group(P = 0.021).In addition,the response rate of NACT was significantly higher in the patients with chemotherapeutic drugs administrated via artery than via vein.Our results suggest that NACT is a safe and effective treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer and significantly decreases the rate of LVSI.

Adjuvant chemotherapy and acute toxicity in hypofractionated radiotherapy for early breast cancer

AIM: To evaluate the effect of chemotherapy to the acute toxicity of a hypofractionated radiotherapy(HFRT) schedule for breast cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 116 breast cancer patients with T1, 2N0 Mx. The patients received3-D conformal radiotherapy with a total physical dose of 50.54 Gy or 53.2 Gy in 19 or 20 fractions according to stage, over 23-24 d. The last three to four fractions were delivered as a sequential tumor boost. All patients were monitored for acute skin toxicity according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. The maximum monitored value was taken as the final grading score. Multivariate analysis was performed for the contribution of age, chemotherapy and 19 vs 20 fractions to the radiation acute skin toxicity.RESULTS: The acute radiation induced skin toxicity was as following: grade Ⅰ 27.6%, grade Ⅱ 7.8% and grade Ⅲ 2.6%. No significant correlation was noted between toxicity grading and chemotherapy(P = 0.154, χ2 test). The mean values of acute toxicity score in terms of chemotherapy or not, were 0.64 and 0.46 respectively(P = 0.109, Mann Whitney test). No significant correlation was also noted between acute skin toxicity and radiotherapy fractions(P = 0.47, χ2test). According to univariate analysis, only chemotherapy contributed significantly to the development of acute skin toxicity but with a critical value of P = 0.05. However, in multivariate analysis, chemotherapy lost its statistical significance. None of the patients during the 2-years of follow-up presented any locoregional relapse.CONCLUSION: There is no clear evidence that chemotherapy has an impact to acute skin toxicity after an HFRT schedule. A randomized trial is needed for definite conclusions.

ALTERNATING CHEMOTHERAPY AND FRACTIONATED RADIOTHERAPY AS A MODALITY FOR THE TREATMENT OF PRIMARY LIVER CANCER

Alternating chemotherapy and fractionated radiotherapy were carried out in 32 patients with surgically proven unresectable primary liver cancer (PLC).After initial surgical intervention of hepatic artery ligation and cannulation,the tumor war localized with silver clips.The cisplatin 20 mg was infused via a hepatic artery catheter per day on the first 3 consecutive days.Fractionated radiation(18MV straight linear accelerator)of 250 cGy,twice a day with an interval of 6 hours,was then followed on the 8th,9th and 10th days.The cycle was repeated 3 or 4 times.The shrinkage of tumors and decrease of AFP level were observed in 100%(32/32)and 5% (19/21)of the patients respectively.A second-stage resection was done in 37.5%(12/32)of the patients.The 1-,3- and 5-year survival rates after resection were 96.7% ,67.5% and 67. 5 % respectively.It is suggested that this modality is a choice of therapies which can convert some unresectable large PLC to resectable ones.

Efficacy of Oncoxin-Viusid on the Reduction of Adverse Reactions to Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy in Patients Diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and Endometrial Adenocarcinoma

Introduction: Oncoxin-Viusid (OV) has shown antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-tumour capabilities in experimental studies on humans and animal subjects. Acute toxicity of Radiation Therapy (RT) and Chemotherapy (CT) in patients with cervical cancer and endometrial adenocarcinoma impact quality of life and, therefore, outcomes of these therapies. Objective: To identify Oncoxin-Viusid’s efficacy in reducing acute toxicity produced by onco-specific treatments in patients with cervical cancer and endometrial adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: A controlled, randomised double-blind phase II clinical trial was performed with a sample size of 63 patients distributed into 2 groups: one receiving the standard treatment plus the Oncoxin-Viusid nutritional supplement (OV group) and another receiving the standard treatment and placebo (P group). The primary efficacy variable is the proportion of secondary disruptions to acute adverse reactions produced by RT and CT. Results: The number of patients suffering adverse events from chemotherapy was 20.6% less in the OV group (70.0%) than in the placebo group (90.6%) (p = 0.04). We recorded consistently normal values of haemoglobin (-6.2 OV group vs -8.3 P group, p = 0.009), platelet count (-17.4 OV group vs -27.6 P group, p = 0.009) and leukocytes (-31.8 OV group vs -41.4 P group, p = 0.025) in the OV group, tolerating 4 more cytostatic doses on average than the placebo group. Significant increase in quality of life (QLQ-30) was registered in the OV group with a large effect size on such issues as emotional and social function (Cohen’s d = 0.9), as well as in the reduction of symptoms like dyspnea 60%, insomnia 15% and anorexia 30% (item CX-2), (Cohen’s d = 0.98), which were higher than the placebo group. Conclusions: OV administration reduces onco-specific adverse events and improves quality of life in patients diagnosed with cervical cancer and endometrial adenocarcinoma undergoing radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Prognostic value of post-treatment ^(18)F-FDG PET/CT for advanced head and neck cancer after combined intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Objective：To clarify the prognostic value of post-treatment 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose （FDG） positron emission tomography （PET）/computed tomography （CT） in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma （HNSCC） after combined intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy （IACR）.Methods：Thirty-six patients with HNSCC who underwent IACR were recruited.The period from the end of IACR to the last post-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT examination was 8-12 weeks.Both patient-based and lesion-based analyses were used to evaluate the PET/CT images.For lesion-based analysis,36 regions （12 lesions of recurrences and 24 scars at primary sites） were selected.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the overall survival （OS） stratified by 18F-FDG uptake or visual interpretation results.Results：Twelve patients with recurrence were identified by six months after IACR.The sensitivity and specificity in the patient-based analysis were 67％ （8/12） and 88％ （21/24）,respectively.The mean OS was estimated to be 12.1 months （95％ CI,6.3-18.0 months） for the higher maximum standardized uptake value （SUVmax） group （n=7） and 44.6 months （95％ CI,39.9-49.3 months） for the lower SUVmax group （n=29）.OS in the higher SUVmax group （cut-off point,6.1） or positive visual interpretation group was significantly shorter than that in the lower SUVmax or negative visual interpretation group （P＜0.001 and P＜0.05,respectively）.Conclusions：The SUVmax and visual interpretation of HNSCC on post-IACR 18F-FDG PET/CT can provide prognostic survival estimates.

Endu combined with concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for stage IIB-IVA cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients

BACKGROUND In recent years,the incidence of cervical cancer has increased with increasing life pressures and changes in women's social roles,posing a serious threat to women's physical and mental health.AIM To explore the clinical effect of Endo combined with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma.METHODS A total of 120 patients admitted to the oncology department of our hospital were selected as the research subjects.They were equally divided into the test group and the control group(60 patients each)with a random number table.The test group was treated with Endo combined with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy,and the control group was treated with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy.We compared the serum thymidine kinase 1(TK1),human epididymis protein 4(HE4),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),and squamous cell carcinoma-associated antigen(SCC-Ag)levels,the clinical effects and survival before and after radiotherapy and chemotherapy,the quality score,and the 3-year follow-up outcomes between the two groups.RESULTS After chemotherapy,the complete remission+partial remission rate was 85.00%in the test group and 68.33%in the control group;the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Before chemotherapy,the serum TK1,HE4,VEGF,and SCC-Ag levels of the two groups were not significantly different(P>0.05).After chemotherapy,the levels of serum TK1(1.27±0.40 pmol/L),HE4(81.4±24.0 pmol/L),VEGF(235.1±38.0 pg/mL),and SCC-Ag(1.76±0.55 ng/mL)were lower than those in the control group[TK1(1.58±0.51 pmol/L),HE4(98.0±28.6)pmol/L,VEGF(284.2±54.1 pg/mL),and SCC-Ag(2.34±0.78 ng/mL)].The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Before chemotherapy,there were no significant differences in the physical,role,mood,cognition,social and symptom scale scores of the two groups(P>0.05).After chemotherapy,the physical,role,mood,cognitive and social scores were higher in the test group than in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The symptom scale scores of the test group were all lower than those of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The 3-year progression-free survival(PFS)rate was 43.33%in the test group and 26.67%in the control group;the overall survival(OS)rate was 48.33%in the test group and 33.33%in the control group;the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05).The 3-year PFS time of the test group was 20.0 mo,which was longer than that of the control group(15.0 mo),and the difference was significant(P<0.05).The OS time of the test group was 30.0 mo,which was longer than that of the control group(18.0 mo),and the difference was significant(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Endo combined with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma has a positive effect on reducing the level of tumor markers in patients,prolonging the PFS and OS times of patients,and improving the quality of life.

Postoperative sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of postoperative sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer.Methods From January 2003 to December 2010, 146 gastric cancer patients at our institution(Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China) received postoperative sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy after radical surgery. Radiotherapy was administered as a dose of 4500 cGy in 25 fractions. For patients with positive margins, the dose was raised to 5040 cGy in 28 fractions. Three cycles of m FOLFOX or PF(cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil) chemotherapy regimen were applied before and after radiotherapy. Three-and 5-year survival rates were analyzed; any adverse effects with respect to hematology, hepatic and renal function, or the gastrointestinal tract that occurred during the treatment were evaluated.Results This cohort consisted of non-metastatic patients: 104 men and 42 women with a median age of 51.0 years. The full course of sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy(4500–5040 cGy) was completed by 129 patients(88.4%). Seventeen regional relapses(9.8%) and 46 distant relapses(23.8%) were recorded. Fifty patients(34.2%) died during follow-up. The 3-and 5-year overall survival rates(OS) were 60% and 54%, and disease-free survival rates(DFS) were 53% and 47%, respectively. There were no significant differences in survival rate with respect to age, sex, histopathology, N stage, site of the tumor, or margin status. Multivariate analysis showed that only the depth of tumor invasion(T stage) was an independent prognostic factor for OS(P = 0.009) and DFS(P = 0.006). The rates of grades 3 and 4 neutropenia and vomiting were 9.6% and 3.4%, respectively, during the treatment.Conclusion Postoperative sequential chemotherapy with an m FOLFOX or PF regimen and radiotherapy were found to be an effective means of treating advanced gastric cancer patients with T3–T4 disease. The adverse effects of this treatment were tolerable.

Clinical observation of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3D-CRT) with concurrent chemotherapy in treatment of recurrent cervical cancers

Objective： The aim of the study was to explore the efficacy of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy （3D- CRT） combined with TP concurrent chemotherapy in treatment of recurrent cervical cancers. Methods： From May 2005 to May 2009, 36 patients with recurrent cervical cancer were treated by 3D-CRT of 60-66 Gy and TP （docetaxel 70 mg/m^2, d1; cisplatin 20 mg/m^2, dl-d3; 21 days per cycle, totally 2 cycles） concurrent chemotherapy. Results： All of the patients had finished the 3D-CRT, the total response rate, complete response rate and partial response rate were 80.0% （28/35）, 45.7% （16/35）, and 34.3% （12/35）, respectively. The pain-alleviation rate was 91.4% （32/35）. The hemorrhage control rate was 94.3% （33/35）. The median overall survival was 21.2 months. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 54.3%, 37.1% and 22.8%, respectively. The life qualities of the patients were improved, without any treatment related death. Conclusion： Radiotherapy is effective and well-tolerated for recurrent cervical cancers, and it can promote regional control of the disease and prolong survival time.

Efficacy and safety of short duration radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy for advanced rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy is widely used for the treatment of rectal cancer preoperatively.Although the combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy as an established preoperative neoadjuvant therapy shows high efficacy in the treatment of rectal cancer,some patients experience a response of poor tolerance and outcomes due to the long duration radiotherapy.The study compared short duration radiotherapy plus chemotherapy vs long duration radiotherapy plus chemotherapy for rectal cancer to determine whether short duration radiation treatment should be considered to diminish complications,reduce risk of recurrence and improve survival in patients with rectal cancer.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short duration radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced rectal cancer.METHODS One hundred patients with stage IIIB or higher severe rectal cancer were selected as the study subjects at The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University between December 2018 and December 2019.The patients were assigned to different groups based on the treatment regimens.Fifty patients who received preoperative short durations of radiotherapy plus chemotherapy were enrolled in an observation group and fifty patients who received conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy were enrolled in a control group.Colonoscopic biopsy was performed for all patients with pathological diagnosis of rectal cancer.The expression of tumor-related factors such as RUNX3 and Ki-67 was quantitatively analyzed using immunohistochemistry in the tissues of the patients before and after treatment.Moreover,the duration of procedure,the amount of bleeding during the operation,the anus-conserving rate,the incidence of postoperative complications(wound infection,anastomotic leakage,postoperative intestinal obstruction,etc.)and postoperative pathology were compared between the two groups.The overall survival rate,recurrence rate and distant metastasis rate were also compared through postoperative reexamination and regular follow-up.RESULTS There was no significant difference in the positive expression rate of RUNX3 and Ki-67 between the two groups before the treatment(P>0.05).Compared with the pretreatment value,the positive rate of RUNX3 was increased and the positive rate of Ki-67 was decreased in both groups after the treatment(all P<0.05).The incidence of leukopenia,thrombocytopenia,neutropenia and diarrhea were higher in the observation group than in the control group(all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of anemia,fatigue,neurotoxicity and nausea and vomiting between the two groups(all P>0.05).No significant difference was observed in the duration of procedure,intraoperative bleeding,the anus-conserving rate and the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups(P>0.05).After 1 year of follow-up,the 1-yr survival rate was 80.0%in the observation group and 68.0%in the control group,the recurrence rate was 8.0%in the observation group and 10.0%in the control group,the distant metastasis rate was 6.0%in the observation group and 8.0%in the control group difference(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION Short duration radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy can improve the cure rate,prolong the survival time and reduce the incidence of complications in patients with advanced rectal cancer.

Postoperative UFT-/Tegafur-based Chemotherapy Versus Postoperative Radiotherapy for Early-stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer:A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

Background:Both of UFT-/Tegafur-based postoperative chemotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy have made large progress in treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.While it is unclear that,whether UFT-/Tegafur-based postoperative chemotherapy is superior to postoperative radiotherapy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer with no direct evidence.Methods:Electronic databases(Pubmed,embase,cochrane library and clinicaltrials.gov)were searched to obtain relevant studies.This systematic review and meta-analysis is reported in accordance with the Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis(PRISMA)Statement and was registered at International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews(number CRD42018095979).Sensitive analysis was conducted by excluding overweight studies.Funnel plot and egger’s test were performed to conduct publication bias.Results:Twenty-one randomized control trials were included.Our results suggested UFT-/Tegafur-based postoperative chemotherapy could improve overall survival over postoperative radiotherapy[HR=0.69(0.59-0.80),p=0.000].But subgroup analysis about stage showed there was no significant difference between them,no matter of stage I,II and III.As to chemotherapy regime,both UFT-/Tegafur+platinum+vinca alkaloid[HR=0.68(0.56-0.82),p=0.000]and UFT-/Tegafur only[HR=0.66(0.54-0.79),p=0.000]were superior to radiotherapy.Subgroup analysis about radiotherapy delivery method and dose showed,significant improvement of chemotherapy over radiotherapy for Cobalt-60 only[HR=0.54(0.39-0.75),p=0.000],Cobalt-60 and linac[HR=0.69(0.59-0.81),p=0.000]and≥45 Gy[HR=0.64(0.54-0.75),p=0.000],but not for linac only[HR=0.78(0.60-1.03),p=0.081]and≥45 Gy[HR=0.86(0.67-1.11),p=0.241].Conclusion:UFT-/Tegafur-based postoperative chemotherapy was superior to postoperative radiotherapy for improving overall survival of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer,but it is not always so under certain circumstance,such as RT delivery method and radiation dose.Of course,it is imperative to further explore differences in specific stage,such as I A and I B.

Turning the tide:From cervical cancer's grip to complete response:A case report

BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is a formidable global health issue,particularly affecting women in lower-middle-income countries with little or no access to preventative vaccines,screening programs,and treatment modalities.The case report presents a unique case of a large cervical cancer achieving complete response(CR)with concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT),highlighting the effectiveness of this treatment approach even in advanced stages and underscoring the importance of adaptive radiotherapy(RT)in optimizing patient outcomes.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with four years of abnormal vaginal bleeding and was found to have p16-positive,moderately differentiated cervical squamous cell carcinoma.The tumor measured 14 cm×12 cm×8 cm,the largest size reported in the literature to achieve CR with CCRT.Despite this monumental feat,the patient remained disease-free and is currently on follow-up for 2 years;however,she continued to suffer from substantial morbidity caused by a vesicovaginal fistula and hydronephrosis,underscoring the continuing impact of cervical cancer on quality of life.CONCLUSION In this case report,we highlight the effectiveness of CCRT in achieving CR,even in cases of bulky cervical cancer,with adaptive RT offering a customized strategy to improve patient outcomes.We also emphasize the necessity for multidisciplinary team discussions and highlight the need for strategies to mitigate treatment-related toxicities and long-term complications.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy:Could they contribute to the development of new tumors and metastases?

Objective: Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy have demonstrated high effectiveness as the best mechanisms in the fight against cancer;however, various studies seem to confirm that they could also favor the development of other unwanted effects of great importance for the patient. The main objective of this study is to find out the possible existence of this type of links. Method: This is a systematic literature review that seeks to find out which and how long cases of late interactions related to chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments have been known. The bibliographic review was carried out based on references published in the last five years. Results: Various studies confirm the possible relationship between chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments with the development of new undesirable side effects, especially as a consequence of the hepatotoxicity generated in the case of chemotherapy and radiation in radiotherapy. However, in this last type of treatment, the problems raised are really few. Conclusions: The existence of a risk of suffering new unwanted side effects after different types of treatment seems to have been demonstrated, especially in the case of chemotherapy. In the case of radiotherapy, adverse effects are practically non-existent, although they are no less important.

Recent developments in palliative chemotherapy for locally advanced and metastatic pancreas cancer

In spite of advances made in the management of the other more common cancers of the gastrointestinal tract,significant progress in the treatment of pancreatic cancer remains elusive.Nearly as many deaths occur from pancreatic cancer as are diagnosed each year reflecting the poor prognosis typically associated with this disease.Until recently,the only treatment with an impact on survival was surgery.In the palliative setting,gemcitabine(Gem) has been a standard treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer since it was shown a decade ago to result in a superior clinical benefit response and survival compared with bolus 5-fluorouracil.Since then,clinical trials have explored the pharmacokinetic modulation of Gem by fixed dose administration and the combination of Gem with other cytotoxic or the biologically"targeted"agents.However,promising trial results in small phaseⅡtrials have not translated into survival improvements in larger phaseⅢrandomized trials in the advanced disease setting.Two trials have recently reported modest survival improvements with the use of combination treatment with Gem and capecitabine(United Kingdom National Cancer Research GEMCAP trial) or erlotinib(National Cancer Institute of CanadaClinical Trials Group PA.3 trial) .This review will focus on the use of systemic therapy for advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer,summarizing the results of several recent clinical trials and discuss their implications for clinical practice.We will also discuss briefly the second-line chemotherapy options for advanced pancreatic cancer.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer:Current evidence and future challenges

Gastric cancer still represents one of the major causes of cancer mortality worldwide.Patients survival is mainly related to stage,with a high proportion of patients with metastatic disease at presentation.Thus,the cure rate largely depend upon surgical resection.Despite the additional,albeit small,benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy has been clearly demonstrated,no general consensus has been reached on the best treatment option.Moreover,the narrow therapeutic index of adjuvant chemotherapy(i.e.,limited survival benefit with considerable toxicity)requires a careful assessment of expected risks and benefits for individual patients.Treatment choices vary widely based on the different geographic areas,with chemotherapy alone more often preferred in Europe or Asia and chemoradiotherapy in the United States.In the present review we discuss the current evidence and future challenges regarding adjuvant chemotherapy in curatively resected gastric cancer with particular emphasis on the recently completed landmark studies and meta-analyses.The most recent patient-level meta-analysis demonstrated the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy over curative surgery;the same Authors also showed that disease free survival may be used as a surrogate end-point for overall survival.We finally discuss future research issues such as the need of economic evaluations,development of prognostic or predictive biomarkers,and the unmet clinical need of trials comparing perioperative chemotherapy with adjuvant treatment.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage cervical cancer

The aim of this review is to address the current status of adjuvant chemotherapy alone in early-stage cervical cancer treatments in the literature. At present, the therapeutic effect of adjuvant chemotherapy alone after radical surgery （RS） has not yet been established, and radiation therapy （RT） or concurrent chemoradiotherapy （CCRT） is recommended as the standard adjuvant therapy after RS for early-stage cervical cancer in various guidelines. The main purpose of adjuvant therapy after RS, however, should be to reduce extrapelvic recurrence rather than local recurrence, although adjuvant RT or CCRT has survival benefits for patients with intermediate- or high-risk factors for recurrence. Moreover, several studies reported that adjuvant therapies including RT were associated with a higher incidence of complications, such as lymphedema, bowel obstruction and urinary disturbance, and a lower grade of long-term quality of life （QOL） or sexual functioning than adjuvant chemotherapy alone. The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy alone for early-stage cervical cancer with intermediate- or high-risk factors for recurrence were not fully investigated in prospective studies, but several retrospective studies suggest that the adjuvant effects of chemotherapy alone are at least similar to that of RT or CCRT in terms of recurrence rate, disease-free survival, or overall survival （OS） with lower incidence of complications. Whereas cisplatin based combination regimens were used in these studies, paclitaxel/cisplatin （TP） regimen, which is currently recognized as a standard chemotherapy regimen for patients with metastatic, recurrent or persistent cervical cancer by Gynecologic Oncology Group （GOG）, had also survival benefit as an adjuvant therapy. Therefore, it may be worth considering a prospective randomized controlled trial （RCT） of adjuvant chemotherapy alone using TP regimen versus adjuvant RT as an alternative adjuvant therapy. Because early-stage cervical cancer is a curable condition, it is necessary that the therapeutic strategies should be improved with considering adverse events and QOL for long-term survivors.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery （NCS） has not been fully evaluated clinically. Currently, the main regimen of neoadjuvant chemotherapy （NAC） used in NCS includes cisplatin. The antitumor effects of NAC reduce lymph node metastasis and the tumor diameter in patients prior to surgery, and this can reduce the number of high risk patients who require postoperative radiation therapy. Many randomized controlled trials （RCTs） have examined the long-term prognosis of NCS compared to primary surgery, but the utility of NCS remains uncertain. The advent of concurrent chemoradiotherapy （CCRT） has markedly improved the outcome of radiotherapy （RT）, and CCRT is now used as a standard method in many cases of advanced bulky cervical cancer. NCS gives a better treatment outcome than radiation therapy alone, but it is important to verify that NCS gives a similar or better outcome compared to CCRT.

Self-perceived burden and influencing factors in patients with cervical cancer administered with radiotherapy

BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is the fourth commonest malignancy in women around the world.It represents the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in South East Asian women,and an important cancer death cause in women of developing nations.Data collected in 2018 revealed 5690000 cervical cancer cases worldwide,85%of which occurred in developing countries.AIM To assess self-perceived burden(SPB)and related influencing factors in cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.METHODS Patients were prospectively included by convenient sampling at The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University,China between March 2018 and March 2019.The survey was completed using a self-designed general information questionnaire,the SPB scale for cancer patients,and the self-care self-efficacy scale,Strategies Used by People to Promote Health,which were delivered to patients with cervical cancer undergoing radiotherapy.Measurement data are expressed as the mean±SD.Enumeration data are expressed as frequencies or percentages.Caregivers were the spouse,offspring,and other in 46.4,40.9,and 12.7%,respectively,and the majority were male(59.1%).As for pathological type,90 and 20 cases had squamous and adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinomas,respectively.Stage IV disease was found in 12(10.9%)patients.RESULTS A total of 115 questionnaires were released,and five patients were excluded for too long evaluation time(n=2)and the inability to confirm the questionnaire contents(n=3).Finally,a total of 110 questionnaires were collected.They were aged 31-79 years,with the 40-59 age group being most represented(65.4%of all cases).Most patients were married(91.8%)and an overwhelming number had no religion(92.7%).Total SPB score was 43.13±16.65.SPB was associated with the place of residence,monthly family income,payment method,transfer status,the presence of radiotherapy complications,and the presence of pain(P<0.05).The SPB and self-care self-efficacy were negatively correlated(P<0.01).In multivariate analysis,self-care self-efficacy,place of residence,monthly family income,payment method,degree of radiation dermatitis,and radiation proctitis were influencing factors of SPB(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Patients with cervical cancer undergoing radiotherapy often have SPB.Self-care self-efficacy scale,place of residence,monthly family income,payment method,and radiation dermatitis and proctitis are factors independently influencing SPB.