Safety and efficacy of adjuvant FOLFOX/FOLFIRI with versus without hepatic arterial infusion of floxuridine in patients following colorectal cancer liver metastasectomy (HARVEST trial): A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Hepatic artery infusion (HAI) chemotherapy, particularly with floxuridine (FUDR), has previously shown effectiveness in improving recurrence-free survival (RFS) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Nonetheless, its adjuvant use alongside modern systemic chemotherapy remains unevaluated.

Patients And Methods: The HARVEST trial is an open-label, randomized, controlled study conducted from May 2018 to August 2021.

Vasorin (VASN) overexpression promotes pulmonary metastasis and resistance to adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Background: LARC patients commonly receive adjuvant therapy, however, hidden micrometastases still limit the improvement of OS. This study aims to investigate the impact of VASN in rectal cancer with pulmonary metastasis and understand the underlying molecular mechanisms to guide adjuvant chemotherapy selection.

Methods: Sequencing data from rectal cancer patients with pulmonary metastasis from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) and publicly available data were meticulously analyzed.

Effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with or without PD-1 antibody sintilimab in pMMR locally advanced rectal cancer: A randomized clinical trial.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) was the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) with proficient mismatch repair (pMMR) proteins. In this randomized phase 2 trial (ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT04304209), 134 pMMR LARC patients were randomly (1:1) assigned to receive NACRT or NACRT and the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody sintilimab.

Long-term outcomes of intraoperative chemotherapy with 5-FU for colorectal cancer patients receiving curative resection (IOCCRC): a randomized, multicenter, prospective, phase III trial.

Background: The authors aimed to compare combined intraoperative chemotherapy and surgical resection with curative surgical resection alone in colorectal cancer patients.

Methods: The authors performed a multicenter, open-label, randomized, phase III trial. All eligible patients were randomized and assigned to intraoperative chemotherapy and curative surgical resection or curative surgical resection alone (1:1).

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy With CAPOX Versus Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer With Uninvolved Mesorectal Fascia (CONVERT): Initial Results of a Phase III Trial.

Objective: To compare neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) with CAPOX alone versus neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) with capecitabine in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) with uninvolved mesorectal fascia (MRF).

Background Data: nCRT is associated with higher surgical complications, worse long-term functional outcomes, and questionable survival benefits. Comparatively, nCT alone seems a promising alternative treatment in lower-risk LARC patients with uninvolved MRF.

High dose chemoradiotherapy increases chance of organ preservation with satisfactory functional outcome for rectal cancer.

Background: High dose chemoradiotherapy offers a curative chance for patients with rectal cancer that are unfit or unwilling to undergo surgical resection, yet its long-term survival and functional outcomes have been rarely investigated.

Methods: Patients with non-metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma who received pelvic radiation for curative intent from April 2006 to July 2017 were retrospectively investigated. Survival rates were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Factors associated with adherence to colonoscopy among individuals who were positive in the preliminary screening for colorectal neoplasms.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the potential factors associated with adherence to colonoscopy among participants who were preliminarily screened positive in a community-based colorectal cancer screening program in China.

Methods: This study analyzed data from 1219 out of 6971 community residents who were identified as positive cases by the well-validated high-risk factor questionnaire (HRFQ) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in the preliminary screening stage for colorectal neoplasms. Patients showing adherence to colonoscopy were defined as those who received positive results in a preliminary screening for colorectal neoplasms and later received a colonoscopy examination as required.

Programmed death-ligand 1 expression in the tumour stroma of colorectal liver oligometastases and its association with prognosis after liver resection.

Background: The clinical value of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in colorectal liver oligometastases (CLOs) remains undefined. This study aimed to detect PD-L1 in the microenvironment of CLOs and determine its association with patient prognosis.

Methods: We collected 126 liver-resection specimens from CLO patients who underwent curative liver resection between June 1999 and December 2016.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with unresectable locally advanced sigmoid colon cancer: clinical feasibility and outcome.

Background: Patients with locally advanced sigmoid colon cancer (LASCC) have limited treatment options and a dismal prognosis with poor quality of life. This retrospective study aimed to further evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) followed by surgery as treatment for select patients with unresectable LASCC.

Methods: We studied patients with unresectable LASCC who received NACRT between November 2010 and April 2019.

Primary tumor immune score fails to predict the prognosis of colorectal cancer liver metastases after hepatectomy in Chinese populations.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that the immune score is significantly associated with cancer prognosis. However, the prognostic role of primary tumor immune score in colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) after hepatectomy in Chinese patients has not been reported. The present study is designed to investigate whether the immune score of primary tumor can predict the postoperative survival of liver metastases in Chinese patients.

CMTM6 and PD-L1 coexpression is associated with an active immune microenvironment and a favorable prognosis in colorectal cancer.

Background: CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing 6 (CMTM6), a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) regulator, is widely expressed in various tumors and regulates the immune microenvironment. However, its prognostic value remains controversial, and the roles of CMTM6 in colorectal cancer (CRC) are still unknown. In this study, we aimed to elaborate the expression patterns of CMTM6 and PD-L1 in CRC and investigate their relationship with the infiltration of T cells and the prognosis of patients with CRC.

Diagnostic value, safety, and histopathologic discrepancy risk factors for endoscopic forceps biopsy and transrectal ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy in rectum lesions.

Background: Accurate preoperative pathologic diagnosis is very important for making appropriate therapeutic decisions for patients with rectal lesions. This study aimed (I) to determine diagnostic value and safety of endoscopic forceps biopsy (EFB) and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided core needle biopsy (CNB), and (II) to analyze the risk factors for their histopathologic discrepancies, with a particular focus in identifying the indicators for re-biopsy using TRUS-guided CNB after EFB.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 102 patients who received EFB and TRUS-guided CNB before surgery.

Phase III randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of monosialotetrahexosylganglioside for the prevention of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity in stage II/III colorectal cancer.

Background: Monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GM1) is a neuroprotective glycosphingolipid that repairs nerves. Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy is neurotoxic. This study assessed the efficacy of GM1 for preventing oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (OIPN) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

Genome-wide RNAi Screening Identifies RFC4 as a Factor That Mediates Radioresistance in Colorectal Cancer by Facilitating Nonhomologous End Joining Repair.

Purpose: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neoCRT) is a standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC); however, resistance to chemoradiotherapy is one of the main obstacles to improving treatment outcomes. The goal of this study was to identify factors involved in the radioresistance of colorectal cancer and to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Experimental Design: A genome-wide RNAi screen was used to search for candidate radioresistance genes.

Oxaliplatin-containing adjuvant chemotherapy improves the survival of locally advanced rectal cancer patients with pathological complete response after pre-operative chemoradiotherapy.

Background: The necessity for adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients who achieve pathological complete response (pCR) after pre-operative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is still not identified. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic value of ACT in these patients.

Methods: Clinical data were retrospectively collected from 105 consecutive LARC patients who achieved pCR after pre-operative CRT and underwent radical tumor resection between December 2008 and April 2014 in a comprehensive cancer center.

Neoadjuvant oxaliplatin and capecitabine combined with bevacizumab plus radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer: results of a single-institute phase II study.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery is recommended as the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer, reducing local recurrence but not distant metastasis. Intensified systemic therapy is warranted to reduce the risk of distant metastasis. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant oxaliplatin and capecitabine (XELOX) combined with bevacizumab plus radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer.

Dihydroartemisinin inhibits colon cancer cell viability by inducing apoptosis through up-regulation of PPARγ expression.

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of dihydroartemisinin on the colon cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. The results from MTT assay revealed a concentration and time dependent relation between the inhibition of SW 948 cell viability and dihydroartemisinin addition. The viability of SW 948 cells was reduced to 45 and 24% on treatment with 30 and 50 µM, respectively concentrations of dihydroartemisinin after 48 h.

The Immunoscore system predicts prognosis after liver metastasectomy in colorectal cancer liver metastases.

Background: The Immunoscore was initially established to evaluate the prognosis of stage I/II/III colorectal cancer patients. However, the feasibility of the Immunoscore for the prognosis of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) has not been reported.

Methods: Liver metastases in 249 CRCLM patients were retrospectively analyzed.

Lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio before chemoradiotherapy represents a prognostic predictor for locally advanced rectal cancer.

Research indicates that cancer-triggered inflammation plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. Here, we aimed to evaluate the correlation of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with clinical outcomes in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). We retrospectively enrolled 317 consecutive patients with LARC between 2004 and 2013.

Pim-3 as a potential predictor of chemoradiotherapy resistance in locally advanced rectal cancer patients.

Approximately 30% of locally advanced rectal cancer patients might not benefit from chemoradiotherapy; however, the response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in these cases is difficult to predict. Pim-3 is a member of the provirus integration site for a moloney murine leukemia virus family of proteins that contributes to cell proliferation, survival, and chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, the relationship between Pim-3 expression and response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer patients is important to evaluate.

Pathologic response after preoperative therapy predicts prognosis of Chinese colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases.

Background: Pathologic response is evaluated according to the extent of tumor regression and is used to estimate the efficacy of preoperative treatment. Several studies have reported the association between the pathologic response and clinical outcomes of colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases who underwent hepatectomy. However, to date, no data from Chinese patients have been reported.

Safety of intraoperative chemotherapy with 5-FU for colorectal cancer patients receiving curative resection: a randomized, multicenter, prospective, phase III IOCCRC trial (IOCCRC).

Purpose: The safety and efficacy of intraoperative chemotherapy in colorectal cancer have not yet been extensively investigated. This randomized control trial was designed to compare the safety and efficacy of intraoperative chemotherapy in combination with surgical resection to those of traditional surgical resection alone.

Methods: From January 2011 to January 2016, 696 colorectal cancer patients were enrolled in this study: 341 patients were randomly assigned to the intraoperative chemotherapy, which consist of portal vein chemotherapy, intraluminal chemotherapy and intraperitoneal chemotherapy, plus surgery group, whereas 344 patients were randomized to the control group to undergo surgery alone.

Endocrine therapy inhibits proliferation and migration, promotes apoptosis and suppresses survivin protein expression in colorectal cancer cells.

The majority of colorectal cancers (CRCs) are hormone‑dependent. Thus, endocrine therapy has become an attractive strategy to treat CRC. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of combined tamoxifen (TAM) plus β‑estradiol (E2) treatment on human DLD‑1 CRC cells.

Primary tumor location as a predictor of the benefit of palliative resection for colorectal cancer with unresectable metastasis.

Background: It is still under debate that whether stage IV colorectal cancer patients with unresectable metastasis can benefit from primary tumor resection, especially for asymptomatic colorectal cancer patients. Retrospective studies have shown controversial results concerning the benefit from surgery. This retrospective study aims to evaluate whether the site of primary tumor is a predictor of palliative resection in asymptomatic stage IV colorectal cancer patients.