Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without oxaliplatin after short-course radiotherapy in high-risk rectal cancer: A subgroup analysis from a prospective study

Abstract

Aim

To evaluate the role of oxaliplatin in neoadjuvant chemotherapy delivered after short-course irradiation.

Background

Using oxaliplatin in the above setting is uncertain.

Patients and methods

A subgroup of 136 patients managed by short-course radiotherapy and 3 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy within the framework of a randomised study was included in this post-hoc analysis. Sixty-seven patients received FOLFOX4 (oxaliplatin group) while oxaliplatin was omitted in the second period of accrual in 69 patients because of protocol amendment (fluorouracil-only group).

Results

Grade 3+ acute toxicity from neoadjuvant treatment was observed in 30% of patients in the oxaliplatin group vs. 16% in the fluorouracil-only group (p=0.053). The corresponding proportions of patients having radical surgery or achieving complete pathological response were 72% vs. 77% (odds ratio [OR]=0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39–1.98; p=0.75) and 15% vs. 7% (OR=2.25; 95% CI: 0.83–6.94; p=0.16), respectively. The long-term outcomes were similar in the two groups. Overall and disease-free survival rates at 5 years were 63% vs. 56% (p=0.78) and 49% vs. 44% (p=0.59), respectively. The corresponding numbers for cumulative incidence of local failure or distant metastases were 33% vs. 38% (hazard ratio [HR]=0.89; 95% CI: 0.52–1.52; p=0.68) and 33% vs. 33% (HR=0.78; 95% CI: 0.43–1.40; p=0.41), respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings do not support adding oxaliplatin to three cycles of chemotherapy delivered after short-course irradiation.