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Updated: May 30, 2026
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Pretargeted Radioimmunotherapy Based on the Inverse Electron Demand Diels-Alder Reaction
Published on: January 29, 2019
[Preoperative radiochemotherapy for rectal cancer: forecasting the next steps through ongoing and forthcoming
G Créhange1, J-F Bosset, P Maingon
1Département de radiothérapie, centre Georges-François-Leclerc, 1, rue du Professeur-Marion, 21000 Dijon, France. gcrehange@cgfl.fr
Summary
Standard neoadjuvant treatments for rectal cancer improve local control but distant recurrence rates remain high. Ongoing trials aim to optimize preoperative strategies and reduce side effects for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Standard neoadjuvant treatments for resectable stage II-III rectal cancer include 5-FU-based chemoradiotherapy or short-course radiotherapy.
- While local failure rates are low (6-15%) with Total Mesorectal Excision, distant metastatic recurrence (30-35%) and functional sequelae persist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze ongoing clinical trials investigating neoadjuvant treatments for rectal cancer.
- To identify strategies for improving distant recurrence rates and reducing treatment-related toxicities.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search of ongoing phase II-III trials using keywords like "rectal cancer", "preoperative radiotherapy", and "neoadjuvant chemotherapy".
- Trials were sourced from national cancer institutes and cooperative groups in France and the US.
- Twenty-three trials were selected and categorized based on strategic questions.
Main Results:
- Selected trials address key strategic questions including the role of adjuvant chemotherapy, optimization of preoperative radiotherapy, and novel radiosensitization/neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols.
- Further research focuses on optimizing surgical techniques, timing, and the role of radiotherapy in non-resectable or metastatic rectal cancer.
Conclusions:
- Current neoadjuvant strategies for rectal cancer require improvement to decrease distant recurrence and functional sequelae.
- Ongoing clinical trials are crucial for evaluating optimized preoperative treatments, surgical approaches, and novel therapeutic combinations to enhance patient outcomes.
