Neoadjuvant Treatment for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Velenik Vaneja, Ocvirk Janja, Music Maja, Bracko Matej, Anderluh Franc, Oblak Irena, Edhemovic Ibrahim, Brecelj Erik, Kropivnik Mateja, Omejc Mirko
Primary Institution: Institute of Oncology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Hypothesis
Does the addition of bevacizumab to capecitabine and radiotherapy improve outcomes in locally advanced rectal cancer?
Conclusion
The study shows that preoperative chemoradiotherapy with bevacizumab and capecitabine is feasible, but the pathological complete response rate was lower than expected.
Supporting Evidence
- 95% of patients achieved radical resection.
- 13.3% of patients had a pathological complete response.
- Adverse events were comparable to previous studies.
Takeaway
Doctors tested a new treatment for patients with advanced rectal cancer to see if it helps them get better. They found it works, but not as well as hoped.
Methodology
Patients received bevacizumab before and during chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine and radiotherapy, followed by surgery.
Limitations
The pCR rate was lower than expected, and the study included patients with advanced disease.
Participant Demographics
Median age was 60 years, with 64% male participants.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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