Recurrence-free Survival In Group Research Articles

Increased Proportion of the Squamous Cell Carcinoma Components Is Associated with Aggressive Behavior and a Worse Prognosis in Resected Pancreatic Adenosquamous Carcinoma.

Pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma (PASC) is a subtype of pancreatic cancer with a poorer prognosis than pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDAC). The pathogenesis of this histological subtype has not been fully explained due to its rarity. Of the 245 patients who underwent pancreatic resection for pancreatic cancer, six (2.3%) were diagnosed with PASC. They were retrospectively allocated to Group A (≥ 50% adenocarcinoma components) or Group S (≥ 50% squamous cell carcinoma components). The six patients with PASC were all males between the ages of 63 and 77years, with tumors of 12 to 52mm in diameter. Tumors were located in the pancreatic head (n = 2) and the pancreatic tail (n = 4). Relative to Group A, all three patients in Group S had larger tumors diameters, ≥ 40mm with invasion to other organs. Cancer-specific survival of Group S was worse than that of the PDAC group (median survival, 1.5years vs. 4.1years). All patients in Group A were alive at the end of follow-up. Recurrence-free survival of Group S was inferior to that of the PDAC group (median survival, 0.2years vs. 1.8years; Group A, not defined). Immunohistochemistry revealed the MIB-1 positivity rate in squamous cell carcinoma regions was 1.8 times higher than that in adenocarcinoma regions in the same specimens. In PASC patients, an increased proportion of squamous cell carcinoma components was associated with aggressive behavior and a worse prognosis. This was due to the high MIB-1 positivity rate of squamous cell carcinoma components.

Efficacy of Intravesical Instillation Therapy with Low-Dose Tokyo-172 Bacillus Calmette-Guérin to Prevent Recurrence of Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer and Treat Carcinoma in situ: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study

Introduction: There are various doses, durations, and strains of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) intravesical instillation therapy, but optimal treatment has not yet been established. We retrospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of low-dose BCG therapy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and carcinoma in situ (CIS) in a multicenter study. Methods: From 1991 to 2019, 323 patients who received BCG therapy to prevent recurrence of NMIBC were analyzed as group A. Similarly, 147 patients who received BCG therapy for the treatment of CIS were analyzed as group B. Patients received low- or full-dose Tokyo-172 strain or full-dose Connaught strain, and the three strains were compared. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and independent risk factors for intravesical recurrence were examined by multivariate logistic regression. Results: Recurrence-free survival (RFS) in group A was significantly better for the Connaught strain than the low-dose Tokyo-172 strain (p = 0.026), but not between the low- and full-dose Tokyo-172 strains (p = 0.443). RFS of group B, cancer-specific survival, and progression-free survival in both groups did not show statistically significant differences. Logistic analysis of group A showed that for intravesical recurrence, only pT1 was a significant risk factor, and there were no differences between the BCG strain and dose and no significant factors in group B. There were also no differences in the completion rate in both groups, but adverse events such as urinary frequency and feeling of residual urine were significantly lower with the low-dose Tokyo-172 strain. Conclusion: There was no difference in efficacy between the low- and full-dose Tokyo-172 strains, but to minimize adverse events, the low-dose Tokyo-172 strain may be worth considering.

Comparison between preoperative chemoradiation versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy with postoperative radiation for extremity soft-tissues sarcomas.

e23527 Background: Extremity soft-tissues sarcomas are a rare entity that represent 1% of solid tumors in adults. Surgery is the main treatment and limb sparing resection with adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is associated with good local control. However, high rates of distant relapses motivated the evaluation of adjuvant systemic treatment protocols. We aim to compare survival rates between two cohorts of patients treated with two different preoperative protocols. Methods: An observational comparative cohort study were carried out. Two cohorts of patients with high grade, larger then 5.0 cm, and non-metastatic soft tissue sarcomas of extremities, treated with two distinct preoperative institutional protocols, in two different periods of time, were compared. Group 1 included patients treated in the period from January, 1995 to December, 2004, when patients with high risk extremities soft tissue sarcomas were submitted to preoperative radiation therapy (a total dose of 30 Gy) concomitant with doxorubicin (60 mg/m2); this protocol included adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin and ifosfamide. Group 2 included patients treated in the period from April, 2005 to July, 2012, when our group changed the preoperative protocol to neoadjuvant chemotherapy without radiation, with four cycles doxorubicin (60 mg/m2 per cycle) and ifosfamide (9.000 mg/m2 per cycle), followed by surgery, and postoperative radiation. Data from the group 1 were retrospectively collected, and data from group 2 were from our prospective database. Results: Eighty-eight patients were included (37 in group 1 and 51 in group 2). There were no statistical differences between the groups with regards to age, gender, location and tumor size. Predominant histological subtypes were synovial sarcoma (27.3%), pleomorphic sarcoma (15.9%), leiomyosarcoma (11.4%) and liposarcoma (8%). Relapses occurred in 60.5% of patients, most in the lungs (48.1%). Amputation rates were 14.3% in the group 1 and 4.5% in the group 2. Five-year local recurrence free survival was 81.7% for the group 1 and 91.7% for the group 2. There was no difference in median overall survival when comparing group 1 and 2 (47 versus 78 months, respectively; IC 95 3.967 – 132.033; p = 0.49), but our data showed higher recurrence free survival in group 2 (19 versus 132 months; IC 95 5.9 – 60.09; p = 0.025, respectively). Among patients from the group 2, whom presented less than 10% of viable tumor cells in the surgical specimens (good responders), no local or distant recurrences have occurred. Conclusions: In our retrospective analysis, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with greater recurrence free survival in patients with high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas as compared to neoadjuvant chemoradiation. For patients with high risk of distant relapse, neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be considered after a multidisciplinary discussion.

Utility of Perioperative Measurement of Cell-Free DNA and Circulating Tumor DNA in Informing the Prognosis of GI Cancers: A Systematic Review.

Current surveillance imaging and tumor markers lack sensitivity for the early detection of recurrence in GI cancers. This study critically evaluates the current literature on the role of sequential measurement of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) before and after curative resection in informing recurrence. A systematic search using a predefined, registered protocol was conducted for studies published between January 2010 and May 2020. Included studies described patients with GI cancers treated with curative-intent surgical resection and measurement of ctDNA both before and after surgery. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of the presence or absence of ctDNA at these time points. The primary outcome was recurrence-free survival (RFS). The search yielded 3,873 articles; five met the inclusion criteria and collectively evaluated 57 patients. Pooled median RFS was 62 months (interquartile range 19 to not reached). Although median RFS was not reached in group 1 (- to -) or group 2 (+ to -), median RFS in group 3 (+ to +) was 15 months (interquartile range 9.6-60.4 months). Cox hazard ratio was 4.46 (95% CI, 1.17 to 16.99; P = .028) between group 1 and group 2, and 10.47 (95% CI, 2.91 to 37.74; P < .001) between group 2 and group 3. Detectable ctDNA, either preoperatively or postoperatively, and its persistence after curative surgery are associated with a greater risk of recurrence and decreased RFS in GI cancers. Thus, perioperative measurement of ctDNA may be a useful postoperative risk stratification tool and guide additional therapies.

Retrospective analysis of prognosis using the Gynecology Oncology Group score of stage IB-IIA node negative uterine cervical cancer after radical hysterectomy and trachelectomy.

There is currently controversy regarding the criteria for low and intermediate risk of cervical cancer (CC) after surgery. In the present study, the Gynecology Oncology Group (GOG) score was used to detect intermediate risk. Adjuvant radiotherapy was applied in the case of a GOG score >120. The present study aimed to evaluate the validity of the recurrence risk classification using the GOG score for stage IB-IIA node-negative CC. All cases of stage IB-IIA node-negative CC who underwent radical surgery between February 2007 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The GOG scores were determined from clinical and pathological findings and accordingly, subjects were divided into 4 groups: A, ≤40; B, >40 and ≤70; C, >70 and ≤120; and D, >120. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test produced an estimated P-value by comparing the OS and RFS of group A (low-score group) with those of others. The present study included 61 patients (mean age, 47.82 years; age range, 22-76 years) and the median follow-up was 79 (39-149) months. Of these, 60 patients were observed for at least 60 months. During the follow-up period, the OS and RFS rates of group C were 94.7 and 84.2%, respectively, while those of group D were 100 and 91.7%, respectively; the OS and RFS of groups A and B were 100%. Log-rank tests for all OS and RFS indicated no significant differences compared to group A. It was indicated that a GOG score ≤70 does not require adjuvant therapy; however, a GOG score >70 requires consideration of adjuvant therapy based on the risk factors which constitute the score.

Lung Resection after Definitive and Neo-Adjuvant Chemoradiation for Stage IIIA/B Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: a Retrospective Analysis

The outcomes of so called "salvage" resections after definitive chemoradiation vs. curative resections after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (IT-resection) in patients with stage IIIA/B locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer have rarely been compared. The aim of our study was to compare perioperative results, postoperative and recurrence-free survival and to identify relevant prognostic survival factors for both therapy strategies. Between June 2008 and May 2017, 43 patients underwent pulmonary resection following induction therapy (group 1) and 14 patients underwent salvage resection after definitive chemoradiation (group 2). Retrospective analysis was performed of demographic factors, tumour stage and location, initial therapy, preoperative regression status, perioperative morbidity and mortality, postoperative and recurrence-free survival. In group 2, significantly higher radiation dose was applied (p < 0.001) and the interval between chemoradiation and lung resection was significantly longer (p = 0.02). In addition, significantly higher perioperative blood loss and more frequent blood transfusions were noted (p = 0.003 and 0.005, respectively). Perioperative morbidity and mortality were statistically comparable in the two groups (p = 0.72 and 0.395, respectively). Postoperative 5 year survival in group 1 was 55%, in group 2 48% (log-rank p = 0.353). Five year recurrence-free survival in group 1 was 53%, in group 2 42% (log-rank p = 0.180). Diffuse metastasis occurred mostly in group 2, whereas in group 1 oligometastasis was more frequently noted. Postoperative outcome after salvage resection seems statistically comparable to results following curative resection after induction therapy. Diffuse distant metastasis is frequently noted. Careful patient selection is required.

Adjuvant imatinib for patients with high-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a retrospective cohort study

The duration of adjuvant imatinib for high-risk patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is still controversial. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed the data of high-risk patients with GISTs to investigate the appropriate duration. All 185 patients were divided into 4 groups: <1 year (Group A), 1–2 years (Group B), 2–3 years (Group C) and >3 years (Group D). The mean recurrence-free survival (RFS) in Groups A, B, and C were 44.3, 62.1, and 86.8 months, respectively (P < 0.001); the mean overall survival (OS) in Groups A, B and C was 75.2, 88.1, and 94.7 months, respectively (P = 0.009). The 5-year RFS in Groups A, B, C, and D was 15%, 26%, 83%, and 100%, respectively (P < 0.001); and the 5-year OS was 64%, 88%, 88%, and 100%, respectively (P < 0.001). The greatest impact on unfavorable outcomes was the tumor mitotic rate (HR, 2.01, 95% CI, 1.38–2.94; P < 0.001). Duration of adjuvant imatinib was the only favorable factor (HR, −0.95, 95% CI, 0.93–0.97; P < 0.001). For high-risk patients with high tumor size or mitotic rate, or non-gastric GISTs, we recommend that more than 3 years of adjuvant imatinib is feasible.

Prognostic Role of Secretory Clusterin in Multiple Human Malignant Neoplasms: A Meta-Analysis of 26 Immunohistochemistry Studies.

Secretory clusterin (sCLU) is a potential prognostic tumour biomarker, but results of different sCLU studies are inconsistent. We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the precise predictive value of sCLU. Qualified studies were identified by performing online searches in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. The selected articles were divided into three groups based on scoring method for clusterin detection. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for patient survival and disease recurrence were calculated to determine the correlation between sCLU expression and cancer prognosis. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics, and specific heterogeneity in different groups was analysed. Elevated sCLU was significantly associated with recurrence-free survival in groups 1 and 3 (group 1: pooled HR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.79; group 3: pooled HR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.22 to 2.65). However, clusterin expression was not associated with overall survival in all three groups. Results showed that only the heterogeneity of group 2 was very strong (p = 0.013, I2 = 76.3%), in which the specimens were scored through sCLU staining intensity only. sCLU is a potential biomarker for tumour prognosis, and IHC methods can be more standardised if both intensity and staining proportion are considered.

Pretreatment surgical staging in cervical carcinoma: Therapeutic efficacy of pelvic lymph node resection

Pretreatment surgical staging in cervical carcinoma has been studied extensively to define a group for extended field radiation or adjuvant chemotherapy. A theoretical, but as yet unproved, benefit from this surgery is the resection of large, presumably radioresistant, pelvic nodal metastases before radiation therapy. One hundred fifty-six patients were divided by pelvic nodal status after surgical staging with excision of pelvic lymph nodes: group A, negative (n = 81); group B, microscopic metastases only (n = 18); group C, macroscopic nodal metastases resected (n = 48); and group D, unresectable nodal metastases (n = 9). The 5-year recurrence-free survival in group C (51%) approached that of group B (57%) and was significantly better than that of group D (0%). The groups are compared by International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, grade, histology, and incidence of paraaortic metastases. Patterns of recurrence imply improved pelvic control in patients undergoing resection of pelvic nodal metastases. Surgical removal of pelvic nodal metastases before radiation therapy is recommended. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1989;160:1055-61.)

Pretreatment surgical staging in cervical carcinoma: Therapeutic efficacy of pelvic lymph node resection

Pretreatment surgical staging in cervical carcinoma has been studied extensively to define a group for extended field radiation or adjuvant chemotherapy. A theoretical, but as yet unproved, benefit from this surgery is the resection of large, presumably radioresistant, pelvic nodal metastases before radiation therapy. One hundred fifty-six patients were divided by pelvic nodal status after surgical staging with excision of pelvic lymph nodes: group A, negative (n = 81); group S, microscopic metastases only (n = 18); group C, macroscopic nodal metastases resected (n = 48); and group D, unresectable nodal metastases (n = 9). The 5-year recurrence-free survival in group C (51%) approached that of group S (57%) and was significantly better than that of group D (0%). The groups are compared by International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, grade, histology, and incidence of paraaortic metastases. Patterns of recurrence imply improved pelvic control in patients undergoing resection of pelvic nodal metastases. Surgicai removal of pelvic nodal metastases before radiation therapy is recommended. (AM J OSSTET GVNECOL 1989;160:1055-61.)