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Objective:To compare the efficacy and adverse events of induction chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy alone (IC+ RT) and induction chemotherapy combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (IC+ CCRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the era of intensity-modulated radiation therapy in this Meta-analysis.Methods:Retrospective or randomized controlled clinical studies published between 2010 and 2020 were searched from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. The selected studies included nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with IC+ CCRT or IC+ RT. STATA 12 software was used to combine the hazard ratio (HR), risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), and random or fixed effect models were used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 2483 patients from eight retrospective studies were included. The overall survival in the IC+ CCRT group was similar to that in the IC+ RT group ( HR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.58-1.04, P=0.091). However, the distant metastasis-free survival ( HR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.42-0.74, P<0.001) and progression-free survival ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.54-0.77, P<0.001) were improved in the IC+ CCRT group compared with those in the IC+ RT group. In terms of adverse reactions, the acute adverse reactions in the IC+ CCRT group were increased significantly compared with those in the IC+ RT group. Conclusions:In the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the overall survival of two treatment modes is similar, but the distant metastasis-free survival and progression-free survival in the IC+ CCRT group are better than those in the IC+ RT group, whereas the incidence of adverse reactions is also increased. IC+ CCRT may be a recommended treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, but more research is needed.
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Objective:To explore the clinical significance and prognostic value of fibrinogen (FIB) in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with induction chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for the clinical data of 114 patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma receiving non-surgical treatment in the Department of Head and Neck Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from May 2011 to May 2021. The FIB critical value was determined based on the median FIB level before induction chemotherapy, by which patients were divided into high-FIB and low-FIB groups. The ROC curves were used to determine the optimal cut-off value for other hematologic-related parameters such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets. Statistical methods were used to analyze the results. The enumeration data were analyzed by Chi-square test or Fisher exact probability method. Survival curves for OS and PFS were plotted by Kalplan-Meier method and tested by Log-rank method. Prognostic factors were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard regression model.Results:There were 59 cases in the high-FIB group (FIB > 3.6 g/L) and 55 cases in the low-FIB group (FIB ≤ 3.6 g/L). The high FIB group had higher neutrophils, platelets, NLR, and PLR ( χ2= 7.84, 12.80, 15.04, 9.14; P<0.05) than the low FIB group. The 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were significantly longer in the low FIB group than those in the high-FIB group (62.9% vs. 39.6%; 46.9% vs. 25.8%), and progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the low FIB group significantly longer than those of the high-FIB group (63.3% vs. 40.3%; 48.1% vs. 26.2%). The univariate analysis showed that the OS and PFS in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were related to FIB, the application of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and the efficacy of radiotherapy for lymph nodes. The multivariate analysis showed that FIB, the application of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and the efficacy of radiotherapy for lymph nodes were independent prognostic factors of the OS [ HR (95% CI): 1.89 (1.08-3.31), 3.76 (1.12-12.65), 2.14 (1.09-4.21), P < 0.05]and PFS HR (95% CI): 1.92 (1.90-3.36), 3.93 (1.01-11.34), 2.15 (1.09-4.22), P < 0.05]of patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions:Patients with low FIB receive high OS and PFS rates after induction chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy. Therefore, FIB can be used as a prognostic factor in the evaluation of non-surgical treatment of patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
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Radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy is the main treatment for stage Ⅱ-Ⅳa nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In the era of intensity-modulated radiation therapy, the timing and implementation of chemotherapy are still controversial. In the past, the clinical guidelines for NPC generally described the specific radiotherapy technology, dose fractionation and the specific scheme of combined application of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and may lack specific practical guidance. The joint international guidelines for NPC by CSCO and ASCO elaborates the mode and specific implementation recommendations of radical chemoradiotherapy for stage Ⅱ-Ⅳa NPC. This article aims to interpret the specific details of the guideline.
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Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) combined with chemotherapy for treating patients with T 1-2N 1M 0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods:343 patients diagnosed with T 1-2N 1M 0 NPC in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2008 to December 2016 were recruited in this study. All patients received IMRT and divided into the radiotherapy (RT) and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) groups. Patients in the CRT group were further assigned into the concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), induction chemotherapy+ CCRT (IC+ CCRT) and CCRT+ adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) groups. Locoregional failure-free survival (LRFFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), progression-free survival (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated by Kaplan- Meier method. Multivariate prognostic analysis was performed by Cox models. Results:The median follow-up time for surviving patients (303/343) was 91(range: 49-138) months. The 5-year OS, CSS, PFS, LRFFS, and DMFS rates in the CRT group were not superior to those of the RT group (93.7%: 93.9%, 93.7%: 93.9%, 89.0%: 87.7%, 93.8%: 92.8%, 93.8%: 91.2%, all P>0.05). No significant difference was found in treatment outcomes of patients with T 1N 1 or T 2N 1 NPC between two groups (all P>0.05). In multivariable analyses, only age was an independent prognostic factor for OS, PFS, CSS and DMFS, and negative correlation was found between them. No survival benefits were achieved in the CCRT, IC+ CCRT, CCRT+ AC and RT groups, and no significant differences were found in clinical efficacy among the three combined (all P>0.05). Conclusions:IMRT alone yields comparable clinical efficacy to CRT in treating patients with T 1-2N 1M 0 NPC. However, whether CT can be eliminated in the T 1-2N 1M 0 population still needs further confirmation by prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trials.
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the common head and neck malignant tumors. Radiotherapy is the main treatment for NPC. The comprehensive application of chemotherapy strategies (induction, concurrent and adjuvant) in radiotherapy has improved the efficacy in the treatment of locally advanced NPC. Based on current evidence, concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with adjuvant or induction chemotherapy has been recommended as the standard treatment for locally advanced NPC. However, there are still many deficiencies in the standard treatment, and the application of induction and adjuvant chemotherapy remains controversial. Establishing a more ideal and individualized chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced NPC is still the research direction in the future.
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a cancer arising from the nasopharynx epithelium, and is one of the most frequent head and neck malignancies in adolescents. Treatment strategies for juvenile NPC follow the guidelines established for adult NPC. However, juvenile NPC has its distinct clinical characteristics. For juvenile patients in the developmental stage, the late toxicity of treatment should not be ignored. Therefore, it is important to seek appropriate treatment strategies for juvenile NPC. This review gives an overview of the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and current treatment of juvenile NPC, along with the promising strategies to reduce the intensity of treatment in adolescents. This review aims to provide new insight for improving the treatment of this disease.
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Objective:To explore the application of venetoclax in transplantation of patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:The diagnosis and treatment process of a patient with refractory AML who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) under venetoclax and hypomethylating agents bridging myeloablative preconditioning regimen after induction therapy failure in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The patient was a 28-year-old female who was diagnosed with refractory AML. The patient was initially given induction chemotherapy with IA (idarubicin+cytarabine) (3+7) regimen, but the disease did not relieve, then the induction chemotherapy with CLAG (cladribine+cytarabine+granulocyte colony stimulating factor) regimen was given, but the disease still did not relieve. After chemotherapy with venetoclax and hypomethylating agents bridging myeloablative preconditioning regimen, salvage haploid allo-HSCT was performed. Re-examination of bone marrow showed remission, and implantation was successful. The patient was followed up for 100 days and had sustained remission, and no transplantation complications occurred.Conclusion:For refractory AML patients who have failed primary induction therapy, the use of venetoclax and hypomethylating agents bridging myeloablative preconditioning regimen can be used as a preferred solution for salvage allo-HSCT.
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Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate patients with unresectable Stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving radiotherapy with induction and concurrent pemetrexed or docetaxel plus cisplatin (PP/DP) chemotherapy and to identify the subgroup most likely to benefit from induction chemotherapy (IC). Subjects and Methods: Patients with unresectable measurable Stage III NSCLC received two cycles of PP/DP IC followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy at a dose of 60–66 Gy. Statistical Analysis Used: Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic factors for survival; logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the predictors for response to IC, and the receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the independent factors predicting response. Results: Eighty patients were included; the median survival time (MST) was 22.1 months. Partial response (PR) to IC was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. For patients in the PR and stable disease groups, the MST was 36.7 and 19.5 months, respectively. The independent predictors of PR to IC included classification as stage N3 cancer, baseline carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels >10 ng/ml, and cytokeratin fragment 19 (CYFRA21-1) levels >6 ng/ml. With each additional independent predictor, the likelihood of having have PR to IC increased. Conclusions: Radiotherapy with induction and concurrent PP/DP chemotherapy is feasible for patients with unresectable Stage III NSCLC. IC may improve the survival of IC responders, as predicted by elevated CEA and CYFRA21-1 levels and classification as stage N3 cancer. Additional randomized trials on IC may consider these predictors to tailor individualized treatments
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Background: The first-line treatment for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head-and-neck cancer is concurrent chemoradiation, which is the standard of care. Concurrent chemoradiation improved locoregional control but little impact on distance metastases. Induction chemotherapy (IC) can reduce local disease and distance metastases. Objectives: The purpose of our study is to compare the outcome of disease and toxicity between IC followed by concurrent chemo-radiation and only concurrent chemoradiation in patients of locally advanced unresectable head-and-neck cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 37 patients were included in IC followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy group. IC was administered with injection paclitaxel, injection carboplatin, and injection 5-fluorouracil for three cycles. Thirty-six patients were included in Arm B, concurrent chemoradiation group. The total dose of radiation was given in both the Arms 66 Gy in 33 fractions, five fractions per week for 6.3 weeks with concurrent chemotherapy injection cisplatin 40 mg/m2 weekly. Results: Grade 4 skin reaction was 2 (7%) in Arm A and 1 (3.3%) in Arm B. Grade 3 febrile neutropenia was 1 (3.4%) in Arm A and no Grade 3 febrile neutropenia was seen in Arm B. Grade 3 thrombocytopenia was 1 (3.4%) in Arm A and 2 (6.6%) in Arm B. Complete response of disease after 6 months of completion of treatment was 19 (65.5%) in Arm A and 18 (60%) in Arm B. Conclusion: Our study showed no significant difference in disease response regarding locoregional disease control between two groups but distance recurrence can be reduced with IC with manageable toxicity.
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Background: Although concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) is the standard of care for stage III non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC), the five years overall (OS) survival is very poor. Most of the patients developed distant metastasis later which can be improved by induction chemotherapy. Aims: This study was designed to observe the difference in epidemiology, acute toxicities, overall responses [complete response (CR)+partial response (PR)] after treatment completion, disease-free survival (DFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) at the end of the study. Settings and Design: This was a prospective, interventional, randomized hospital-based study. Methods and Material: Eligible patients were randomized into arm A (CCRT with weekly paclitaxel(P) + Carboplatin(C) with 66 Gray radiation) and arm B (two cycles of induction chemotherapy consisted of P+C followed by CCRT as of arm A. During treatment weekly, after completion of treatment at 6th week and thereafter 3 monthly evaluation was done till the end of study. S tatistical analysis used: Chi-Square and Fisher Exact test did statistical analysis, t-test with 95%CI, Kaplan Meier survival analysis, Log Rank test using SPSS version 18. Results: Among 44 patients, male (88.6%), Smokers (85.1%) were predominant with the most common histology was squamous cell carcinoma (52.4%). Overall response (Complete Response +Partial Response) was higher in Arm B 66.66% but statistically non-significant. Acute toxicities in both the arms were comparable and similar. DFS and PFS in the induction chemotherapy arm (Arm B) were numerically superior to concurrent chemoradiation arm (Arm A) but statistically nonsignificant Conclusion: To conclude there were no significant differences in results between two arms in the present study population. Further studies with the larger sample size and longer duration of follow up are necessary.
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Objective: To explore the curative effect and adverse reactions of GP induction chemotherapy combined with chemoradiation contrast TP induction for local advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the non-endemic of Northwest China, our center conducted the prospective, single-center, randomized controlled clinical research so as to clarify GP regimenvalue of induction chemotherapy in local advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment. Methods: We randomly assigned patients with newly diagnosed stage III-b patients to GP regimen of induction chemotherapy in combination with concurrent chemoradiotherapy and TP. Induction chemotherapy was given 2-3 cycles. Cisplatin regimen chemotherapy was given every 3 weeks and 1-3 cycles during radiotherapy. We compared the differences in tumor shrinkage and survival between the two groups and evaluated the toxicity and compliance of the two induction chemotherapy regimens. Results: A total of 72 patients were enrolled in this study, including 34 patients in GP group and 38 patients in TP group. The general clinical data of the two groups were balanced. Short-term efficacy evaluation showed no difference between the TP group and the GP group in terms of nasopharyngeal disease and ORR of cervical lymph nodes either after induction or concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The median follow-up time of the whole group was 74.8 months(0.8-108.9 months), and the 5-year DMFS of the GP group and the TP group was 83.9% and 76.5% (χ2=4.140, P=0.042), respectively. The difference was statistically significant. During the induction chemotherapy, the incidence of neutropenia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia in the GP group was higher than that in the TP group (P<0.05). There was no difference between the two groups in other acute or late toxic or side effects. Results: In local advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in non-endemic regions of Northwest China, long-term efficacy of GP chemotherapy is better than that of TP chemotherapy. During the treatment, acute hematological toxicity of GP regimen group was heavier than that of TP group, but the compliance of subsequent chemoradiotherapy was not affected after symptomatic treatment. The late toxicity was equivalent to that of the two groups, and the treatment tolerance was acceptable.
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Radiation skin injury is a common and severe adverse event of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer or nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which not only limits the radiation dose of the tumor, but also seriously affects the follow-up treatment and quality of life of the patients. It has become a bottleneck to improve the curative effect of tumor. The occurrence of radiation skin injury is a complex process of the interaction of many factors, which is closely related to the patient's own factors, radiotherapy technology, radiotherapy dose segmentation scheme and the combined regimens of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Different regimens of radiotherapy and chemotherapy with drugs have effects on the occurrence and development of acute skin injury. There is still a lack of effective prevention and treatment of radiation-induced skin injury. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore its mechanism and radiation skin damage caused by different radiotherapy and chemotherapy regimens. This paper mainly reviews the combined application of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, induction and adjuvant chemotherapy to aggravate skin injury and its related mechanisms.
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Aim: The survival in locally advanced cervical cancer remains low. We evaluated the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), chemoradiotherapy (CRT), followed by gefitinib maintenance in locally advanced cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five patients with locally advanced carcinoma cervix were enrolled between July 2012 and May 2013. Patients received 6 weekly doses of NACT Paclitaxel (60 mg/m2) and carboplatin (AUC 2), followed by CRT and brachytherapy. The analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression was carried out by immunohistochemistry. Gefitinib (250 mg daily) was given as maintenance therapy for 1 year after completion of chemoradiation. Comparison of EGFR expression and survival outcomes was done. Results: Twenty-four of 25 patients completed the neoadjuvant chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Post-CRT, all patients were started on gefitinib maintenance, and twenty patients completed the intended 1 year of gefitinib maintenance. Nineteen (76%) patients had a radiological complete response to NACT. EGFR was moderately or strongly expressed in 86.3% of the patients. The 3-year overall survival was 69.8%, and 3-year progression-free survival was 51.4%. Expression of EGFR was not found to be a significant factor affecting overall survival or progression-free survival. Conclusions: Weekly neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with a good response rate in locally advanced cervical cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, chemoradiation, followed by gefitinib maintenance gives good survival outcome in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.
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Introduction: Induction chemotherapy in locally advancedhead and neck cancers prior to local therapy has beendemonstrated to be non-inferior to concurrent chemoradiationin terms of overall survival (OS). Despite possible lack ofsurvival advantage, downsizing of tumours, allowing organpreservation along with the possible benefit of eradication ofmicrometastases earlier in the course of therapy makes thisa desirable approach for many heads and neck oncologistsworldwide. Study aimed to assess the immediate locoregionalresponse rates and to assess the toxicity profile of sequentialtherapy with three cycles of induction PFT followed byConcurrent Chemo-Radiation with weekly Cisplatin inLocally Advanced Head and Neck Cancers.Material and methods: 30 consecutive patients with locallyadvanced head and neck cancers attending the OPD at ourinstitute were included in the study. All patients were treatedwith 3 cycles of Induction chemotherapy with PFT regimen(Paclitaxel 175mg/m2 Day1, Cisplatin 100 mg/m² split to(Day 1-3), 5-FU 750 mg/m² Day 1 to 3) every 21 days. Thepatients were then taken up for concurrent chemoradiation(66 Gy RT along with weekly Cisplatin 40mg/sq.m.). Theimmediate locoregional response rates were assessed byclinical and radiological imaging. The toxicity profile of thetreatment was assessed with RTOG acute morbidity scoringcriteria and CTCAE Version 4.Results: 30 patients (3 female) were recruited for the study.Among them 3 were laryngeal cancer patients and thehypopharyngeal, oropharyngeal and the oral cavity cancerswere 9 each. 63% of them had complete response and 30%had partial response. The sub-sites of the hypopharynx andthe oropharynx had the best outcomes from this treatmentprotocol. 2 patients did not complete the planned treatment.11patients had grade 3 leukopenia and 2 patients had grade 4/febrile neutropenia. There was no grade 3 thrombocytopeniain the study group.Conclusion: Sequential therapy with three cycles of inductionPFT followed by concurrent chemoradiation is a feasiblealternative for moderately advanced and very advanced headand neck cancer. Patient selection and supportive care duringtreatment are very important for successful outcome.
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Objective@#To analyze the therapeutic effect and prognostic factors of induction chemotherapy plus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with or without consolidation chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).@*Methods@#One hundred and eight patients with ESCC treated between January 2010 to August 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received IMRT and platinum-based chemotherapy. The overall survival (OS) and local control (LC) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the univariate prognostic analyses were tested by the Log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis.@*Results@#The follow-up rate was 97.2%. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 76.9%, 50.9% and 32.3% respectively, and the LC rates were 73.6%, 58.5% and 54.9% respectively. The median OS with and without consolidation chemotherapy were 51 and 15 months (χ2=5.076, P=0.024), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that clinical N staging, recent curative effect and consolidation chemotherapy were important prognostic factors for OS, and recent curative effect was associated with LC. The rates of acute grade 3 radiation-induced esophagitis, gastrointestinal side effects, myelosuppression and radiation-induced pulmonary injury were 7.4%, 6.5%, 12% and 0.9%, respectively, and no grade 4 occurred. The late toxicity was mainly radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis.@*Conclusions@#Induction chemotherapy plus IMRT with or without consolidation chemotherapy is safe and effective in the treatment of ESCC. The addition of consolidation chemotherapy may help prolong the survival of some patients and further research is necessary. Individualized treatment should be selected for patients who cannot tolerate or refuse concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
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Objective To analyze the therapeutic effect and prognostic factors of induction chemotherapy plus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with or without consolidation chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods One hundred and eight patients with ESCC treated between January 2010 to August 2014 were analyzed retrospectively.All patients received IMRT and platinum-based chemotherapy.The overall survival (OS) and local control (LC) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the univariate prognostic analyses were tested by the Log-rank test.The Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis.Results The follow-up rate was 97.2％.The 1-,3-and 5-year survival rates were 76.9％,50.9％ and 32.3％ respectively,and the LC rates were 73.6％,58.5％ and 54.9％ respectively.The median OS with and without consolidation chemotherapy were 51 and 15 months (x2 =5.076,P=0.024),respectively.Multivariate analysis showed that clinical N staging,recent curative effect and consolidation chemotherapy were important prognostic factors for OS,and recent curative effect was associated with LC.The rates of acute grade 3 radiation-induced esophagitis,gastrointestinal side effects,myelosuppression and radiation-induced pulmonary injury were 7.4％,6.5％,12％ and 0.9％,respectively,and no grade 4 occurred.The late toxicity was mainly radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis.Conclusions Induction chemotherapy plus IMRT with or without consolidation chemotherapy is safe and effective in the treatment of ESCC.The addition of consolidation chemotherapy may help prolong the survival of some patients and further research is necessary.Individualized treatment should be selected for patients who cannot tolerate or refuse concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
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Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety between induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by concurrent chemotherapy (CRT) and CRT alone in patients with inoperable thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods Between 2002 and 2015,clinical data of 267 thoracic ESCC patients undergoing definitive CRT based on docetaxel combined with cisplatin were retrospectively analyzed.Through a matched case-control study,85 patients receiving IC combined with CRT were matched to those undergoing CRT alone at a ratio of 1vs.1,according to age,gender,performance status,tumor location,tumor length,and TNM staging as the matching factors.Clinical efficacy and safety between two groups were statistically compared.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to analyze the survival.The log-rank test was adopted to examine within-group differences.The Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis.Results The median follow-up time for 170 patients was 18 months (range,3-72 months).The overall objective response rates in the IC and CRT groups were 74.1％ and 58.8％(P=0.035).The 3-year overall survival (OS) and progress-free survival (PFS) rates in the IC group were 44.2％ and 34.8％,significantly higher than 29.7％ and 15.4％ in the CRT group (P=0.028,P=0.015).Subgroup analysis revealed that patients responsive to IC obtained significantly better OS (P=0.002),PFS (P=0.001),and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS)(P=0.002) compared with the IC non-responder,whereas the distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) did not significantly differ (P=0.166).The incidence rate of grade 3-4 leukopenia in the IC group was significantly higher than that in the CRT group (38.8％ vs.24.7％,P=0.048).Multivariate analysis revealed that age and the addition of IC were independent prognostic factors for OS (P=0.003,0.016).Conclusions Compared with concurrent CRT,IC in combination with CRT can yield better short-term efficacy and longer survival for ESCC patients.The risk of hematological toxicity in the IC group is relatively higher but tolerable.Prospective randomized trials are required to confirm the clinical efficacy and safety of IC for thoracic ESCC patients.
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PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the feasibility of contouring target volume according to residual tumor and decreasing the dose to the tumor regression field after induction chemotherapy (IC) in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2009 to August 2013, patients with stage III–IVB NPC were treated with IC and concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Gross tumor volume of nasopharynx (GTVnx)–residual and gross tumor volume of cervical lymph node (GTVnd)–residual were contoured according to post-IC residual primary tumor and any N+ disease, respectively. The tumor regression field was included in CTVnx1/CTVnd1 and prescribed a dose of 60 Gy. Outcomes and toxicities of all patients were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 57 patients were enrolled. At a median follow-up of 68 months, three cases displayed locoregional recurrence and one case showed both distant metastasis and locoregional recurrence. All locoregional recurrences were in the GTVnx-residual/GTVnd-residual and in-field. The 5-year overall, locoregional relapse-free, distant metastasis-free, and progression-free survival rates were 82.2%, 87.7%, 85.8% and 80.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: After IC, contouring of GTVnx-residual/GTVnd-residual as residual tumor volume and distribution 60 Gy ofradiation dose to the tumorregression field may be feasible and need further investigation.
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Humans , Chemoradiotherapy , Disease-Free Survival , Follow-Up Studies , Induction Chemotherapy , Lymph Nodes , Nasopharynx , Neoplasm Metastasis , Neoplasm, Residual , Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated , Recurrence , Tumor BurdenABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Currently, neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) followed by total mesorectal resection is considered the standard of care for treating locally advanced rectal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of adding induction chemotherapy to neoadjuvant CRT in locally advanced rectal cancer. METHODS: This phase-II clinical trial included 54 patients with newly diagnosed, locally advanced (clinical T3–4 and/or N1–2, M0) rectal cancer. All patients were treated with 3 cycles of preoperative chemotherapy using the XELOX (capecitabine + oxaliplatin) regimen before and after a concurrent standard long course of CRT (45–50.4 Gy) followed by standard radical surgery. Pathologic complete response (PCR) rate and toxicity were the primary and secondary end-points, respectively. RESULTS: The study participants included 37 males and 17 females, with a median age of 59 years (range, 20–80 years). Twenty-nine patients (54%) had clinical stage-II disease, and 25 patients (46%) had clinical stage-III disease. Larger tumor size (P = 0.006) and distal rectal location (P = 0.009) showed lower PCR compared to smaller tumor size and upper rectal location. Pathologic examinations showed significant tumor regression (6.1 ± 2.7 cm vs. 1.9 ± 1.8 cm, P < 0.001) with 10 PCRs (18.5%) compared to before the intervention. The surgical margin was free of cancer in 52 patients (96.3%). Treatment-related toxicities were easily tolerated, and all patients completed their planned treatment without interruption. Grade III and IV toxicities were infrequent. CONCLUSION: The addition of induction chemotherapy to neoadjuvant CRT is an effective and well-tolerated treatment approach in patients with rectal cancer.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Drug Therapy , Induction Chemotherapy , Neoadjuvant Therapy , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Rectal Neoplasms , Standard of CareABSTRACT
Standard use of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, total mesorectal excision, and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer has tremendously improved oncologic outcomes over the past several decades. However, these improvements come with costs of significant morbidity and poor quality of life. Along with developments in imaging techniques, clinical experience and evidence have identified a certain subgroup of patients that have exceptionally good clinical outcomes while preserving quality of life. Driven by patient demand and interest in preserving quality of life, numerous organ preservation treatment strategies for managing rectal cancer are rapidly evolving. Herein, the flow of research in organ preservation strategies and counter arguments are discussed.