A Phase II Trial of Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy with Oral DPD-Inhibitory Fluoropyrimidines in Patients with Advanced Rectal Cancer

Background: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with 5-FU has been widely used to improve local control of disease and to preserve anal sphincter in the treatment of rectal cancer. UFT and S-1 as oral dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD)-inhibitory fluoropyrimidines enhance the therapeutic effect of 5-FU by modulating its metabolic pathways. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of CRT using UFT versus S-1 in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Methods: Fifty-nine patients who received preoperative CRT (40 Gy radiotherapy) were randomly assigned to either UFT or S-1 groups. UFT and S-1 were administered during the radiotherapy course. Response to CRT was determined using a histopathologic examination and RECIST of surgically resected specimens and classified as responders (CR, PR and grade 2, 3) or nonresponders (SD, PD and grade 0, 1). Results: All patients were randomly allocated to S-1 group (n = 30) or UFT group (n = 29). Pathological response rate (Grade2 and Grade3) was 57% in the S-1 group and 45% in the UFT group (p = 0.36). Pathological complete response (CR) rate (Grade3) was 7% in the S-1 group and 4% in the UFT group (p = 0.98). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in regard to the response rate of RECIST (p = 0.52). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups based on the downstaging rate, resection of tumor, sphincter preservation and marginal invasion. The incidence of Grade 3 diarrhea was significantly more frequent in the S-1 group (7%) compared with the UFT group (0%) (p = 0.02). Conclusion: The results supported the conclusion that CRT using UFT or S-1 is effective and feasible for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Relationship among Health Related Quality of Life, Quality of Sleep, and Oral Health Condition

Japan’s aging rate (ratio of elderly aged 65 and older to total population) has exceeded 20%. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationships between Health Related Quality of Life, Body Mass Index (BMI), and sleep quality. Subjects were 51 adults over 55 years old with chronic disease who living in the community. Instruments and structured interviews were used giving due consideration to privacy. Interviews were conducted within 10 - 20 minutes at the out-patient department. The evaluation instruments included bodymass index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). A significant positive correlation (ρ = 0.321, p < 0.05) between PSQI and QOL (OHIP-14) scores was confirmed with sleep quality being lower with lower QOL scores. A negative correlation (ρ = ?0.339, p < 0.05) between physical health component summary scores (PCS) and mental health component summary scores (MCS) of HRQOL was confirmed, demonstrating that PCS was low, and the level of MCS was high. Sleep quality was found lower among those with lower oral health-related QOL scores. Moreover, in subjects with lower MCS scores, the PCS scores were found to be higher. Accordingly, it was considered appropriate that dental treatment and care, support the maintenance of activities and sleep, and mental health promotion which are likely requisites critical for elderly persons’ maintenance of independent lifestyles in their familiar community.