Preoperative chemotherapy in patients with intermediate-risk rectal adenocarcinoma selected by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging: the GEMCAD 0801 Phase II Multicenter Trial.

Background: The need for preoperative chemoradiation or short-course radiation in all T3 rectal tumors is a controversial issue. A multicenter phase II trial was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant capecitabine and oxaliplatin combined with bevacizumab in patients with intermediate-risk rectal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: We recruited 46 patients with T3 rectal adenocarcinoma selected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) who were candidates for (R0) resection located in the middle third with clear mesorectal fascia and who were selected by pelvic MRI.

Phase II, randomized study of concomitant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) compared with induction CAPOX followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy and surgery in magnetic resonance imaging-defined, locally advanced rectal cancer: Grupo cancer de recto 3 study.

PURPOSE The optimal therapeutic sequence of the adjuvant chemotherapy component of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer is controversial. Induction chemotherapy before preoperative CRT may be associated with better efficacy and compliance. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 108 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were randomly assigned to arm A-preoperative CRT with capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and concurrent radiation followed by surgery and four cycles of postoperative adjuvant capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX)-or arm B-induction CAPOX followed by CRT and surgery.

Effectiveness of physical activity advice and prescription by physicians in routine primary care: a cluster randomized trial.

Background: Physical activity promotion is a priority, but contribution of physicians' interventions is unclear. The effectiveness of the PEPAF ("Experimental Program for Physical Activity Promotion"), which was implemented exclusively by physicians in routine primary care from October 2003 to December 2004, was assessed.

Methods: Fifty-six Spanish family physicians were randomized to either the intervention (n = 29) or standard care (n = 27) arm of the trial.

Targeting physical activity promotion in general practice: characteristics of inactive patients and willingness to change.

Background: Counselling in routine general practice to promote physical activity (PA) is advocated, but inadequate evidence is available to support this intervention, and its sustainable implementation over time is difficult.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of physically inactive adults visiting GPs and the factors associated with their willingness to change PA.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 4317 Spanish people aged 20-80 years, selected by systematic sampling among those attending 56 public primary health care practices identified as inactive by their GPs in 2003.