A biopsy-based Immunoscore in patients with treatment-naïve resectable gastric cancer.

Background: The prognostic significance of T-cell densities in gastric cancer (GC) was previously demonstrated in surgical resection specimens. For prognosis or response prediction, it is preferable to identify biomarkers in pre-treatment biopsies; yet, its representativeness of the tumor immune microenvironment is unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the concordance and prognostic value of T-cell densities in paired biopsies and resections.

Surgical Outcomes after Radiotherapy in Rectal Cancer.

Over the past decade, the treatment of rectal cancer has changed considerably. The implementation of TME surgery has, in addition to decreasing the number of local recurrences, improved surgical morbidity and mortality. At the same time, the optimisation of radiotherapy in the preoperative setting has improved oncological outcomes even further, although higher perineal infection rates have been reported.

Oncological outcomes after a pathological complete response following total neoadjuvant therapy or chemoradiotherapy for high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer in the RAPIDO trial.

Background: A pathological complete response (pCR) following chemoradiation (CRT) or short-course radiotherapy (scRT) leads to a favourable prognosis in patients with rectal cancer. Total neo-adjuvant therapy (TNT) doubles the pCR rate, but it is unknown whether oncological outcomes remain favourable and whether the same characteristics are associated with pCR as after CRT.

Methods: Comparison between patients with pCR in the RAPIDO trial in the experimental [EXP] (scRT, chemotherapy, surgery, as TNT) and standard-of-care treatment [STD] (CRT, surgery, postoperative chemotherapy depending on hospital policy) groups.

Validation of the Prognostic Performance of Breast Cancer Index in Hormone Receptor-Positive Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients in the TEAM Trial.

Purpose: Patients with early-stage hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer face a prolonged risk of recurrence even after adjuvant endocrine therapy. The Breast Cancer Index (BCI) is significantly prognostic for overall (0-10 years) and late (5-10 years) distant recurrence (DR) risk in N0 and N1 patients. Here, BCI prognostic performance was evaluated in HR+ postmenopausal women from the Tamoxifen and Exemestane Adjuvant Multinational (TEAM) trial.

Lymph node regression after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer.

Aims: Lymph node metastases (LNM) are one of the most important prognostic indicators in solid tumours and a major component of cancer staging. Neoadjuvant therapy might influence nodal status by induction of regression. Our aim is to determine the prevalence and role of regression of LNM on outcomes in patients with rectal cancer.

Results of a diagnostic imaging audit in a randomised clinical trial in rectal cancer highlight the importance of careful planning and quality control.

Background: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the modality used for baseline assessment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) and restaging after neoadjuvant treatment. The overall audited quality of MR imaging in large multicentre trials on rectal cancer is so far not routinely reported.

Materials And Methods: We collected MR images obtained within the Rectal Cancer And Pre-operative Induction Therapy Followed by Dedicated Operation (RAPIDO) trial and performed an audit of the technical features of image acquisition.

Relevance of shrinkage versus fragmented response patterns in rectal cancer.

Aims: Partial response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) presents with one of two main response patterns: shrinkage or fragmentation. This study investigated the relevance of these response patterns in rectal cancer, correlation with other response indicators, and outcome.

Methods And Results: The study included a test (n = 197) and a validation cohort (n = 218) of post-CRT patients with rectal adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified and a partial response.

Prognostic Value of T-Cell Density in the Tumor Center and Outer Margins in Gastric Cancer.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with the survival of gastric cancer patients. T-cell densities in the tumor and its periphery were previously identified as prognostic T-cell markers for resectable gastric cancer. Immunohistochemistry for 5 T-cell markers, CD3, CD45RO, CD8, FOXP3, and granzyme B was performed on serial sections of N = 251 surgical resection specimens of patients treated with surgery only in the D1/D2 trial.

Effects of tamoxifen and exemestane on cognitive function in postmenopausal patients with breast cancer.

Background: Cognitive effects of tamoxifen have been described. We augment data from a previous short-term (ST) follow-up study with long-term (LT) data to evaluate ST and LT cognitive effects of tamoxifen followed by exemestane and exemestane in breast cancer patients.

Methods: Patients from the Tamoxifen and Exemestane Adjuvant Multinational trial received 5 years exemestane (exemestane group, n = 114) or 2.

Risk and location of distant metastases in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer after total neoadjuvant treatment or chemoradiotherapy in the RAPIDO trial.

Introduction: Although optimising rectal cancer treatment has reduced local recurrence rates, many patients develop distant metastases (DM). The current study investigated whether a total neoadjuvant treatment strategy influences the development, location, and timing of metastases in patients diagnosed with high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer included in the Rectal cancer And Pre-operative Induction therapy followed by Dedicated Operation (RAPIDO) trial.

Material And Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to short-course radiotherapy followed by 18 weeks of CAPOX or FOLFOX4 before surgery (EXP), or long-course chemoradiotherapy with optional postoperative chemotherapy (SC-G).

Locoregional Failure During and After Short-course Radiotherapy Followed by Chemotherapy and Surgery Compared With Long-course Chemoradiotherapy and Surgery: A 5-Year Follow-up of the RAPIDO Trial.

Objective: To analyze risk and patterns of locoregional failure (LRF) in patients of the RAPIDO trial at 5 years.

Background: Multimodality treatment improves local control in rectal cancer. Total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) aims to improve systemic control while local control is maintained.

The Risk of Distant Metastases in Patients With Clinical Complete Response Managed by Watch and Wait After Neoadjuvant Therapy for Rectal Cancer: The Influence of Local Regrowth in the International Watch and Wait Database.

Background: Nearly 30% of patients with rectal cancer develop local regrowth after initial clinical complete response managed by watch and wait. These patients might be at higher risk for distant metastases.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate risk factors for distant metastases using time-dependent analyses.

Radiotherapy or Surgery of the Axilla After a Positive Sentinel Node in Breast Cancer: 10-Year Results of the Randomized Controlled EORTC 10981-22023 AMAROS Trial.

Purpose: The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 10981-22023 AMAROS trial evaluated axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) versus axillary radiotherapy (ART) in patients with cT1-2, node-negative breast cancer and a positive sentinel node (SN) biopsy. At 5 years, both modalities showed excellent and comparable axillary control, with significantly less morbidity after ART. We now report the preplanned 10-year analysis of the axillary recurrence rate (ARR), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS), and an updated 5-year analysis of morbidity and quality of life.

The Impact of Postoperative Complications on Short- and Long-Term Health-Related Quality of Life After Total Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer.

Background: Survival for rectal cancer patients has improved over the past decades. In parallel, long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is gaining interest. This study focuses on the effect of complications following rectal cancer surgery on HRQoL and survival.

Microsatellite instability in rectal cancer: what does it mean? A study of two randomized trials and a systematic review of the literature.

Aim: Currently, compelling evidence illustrates the significance of determining microsatellite instability (MSI) in colorectal cancer (CRC). The association of MSI with proximal CRC is well established, however, its implications in patients with rectal cancer remain undefined. We therefore aimed to determine the role of MSI with respect to incidence and outcome in patients with rectal cancer.