Abstract
Background & Aims
Determining outcomes using the total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) in patients with local
advanced rectal cancer is important for stratifying patients according to expected
outcomes in future studies in the era of treatment combination. The present meta-analysis
estimated the pathological complete response, disease-free survival, and overall survival
probabilities of rectal cancer patients and identified predictors of outcomes.
Methods
Studies reporting pathological complete response rate and time-dependent outcomes
(progression or death) after total neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced rectal
cancer (LARC) were identified in MEDLINE through January 2022. Three independent observers
extracted data on patient populations and outcomes and combined the data using a distribution-free
summary survival curve. The primary outcomes were actuarial probabilities of recurrence
and survival.
Results
Fourteen RCTs, including 18 TNT arms, met the inclusion criteria. The pooled estimate
of pathological complete response (pCR) probability was 23.6%, with moderate heterogeneity
between studies. The pooled estimates of actuarial disease-free survival rate were
70.6% at 3 years and 65.4% at 5 years. The pooled estimates of actuarial survival
rates were 93% at 3 years and 81.6% at 5 years. In both these outcomes, heterogeneity
between studies was highly significant.
Conclusion
This meta-analysis showed that Total Neoadjuvant Therapy is an optimal approach for
LARC patients. The results provide a useful benchmark for future comparisons of the
benefits of combinations of other drug families as target therapies or immunotherapies.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 17, 2022
Accepted:
July 22,
2022
Received in revised form:
July 21,
2022
Received:
March 28,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
