Autoantibodies against chemokines post-SARS-CoV-2 infection correlate with disease course.

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 associates with diverse symptoms, which can persist for months. While antiviral antibodies are protective, those targeting interferons and other immune factors are associated with adverse coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. Here we discovered that antibodies against specific chemokines were omnipresent post-COVID-19, were associated with favorable disease outcome and negatively correlated with the development of long COVID at 1 yr post-infection. Chemokine antibodies were also present in HIV-1 infection and autoimmune disorders, but they targeted different chemokines compared with COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies derived from COVID-19 convalescents that bound to the chemokine N-loop impaired cell migration. Given the role of chemokines in orchestrating immune cell trafficking, naturally arising chemokine antibodies may modulate the inflammatory response and thus bear therapeutic potential.

Neutralization, effector function and immune imprinting of Omicron variants.

Currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants have acquired convergent mutations at hot spots in the receptor-binding domain1 (RBD) of the spike protein. The effects of these mutations on viral infection and transmission and the efficacy of vaccines and therapies remains poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that recently emerged BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5 variants bind host ACE2 with high affinity and promote membrane fusion more efficiently than earlier Omicron variants. Structures of the BQ.1.1, XBB.1 and BN.1 RBDs bound to the fragment antigen-binding region of the S309 antibody (the parent antibody for sotrovimab) and human ACE2 explain the preservation of antibody binding through conformational selection, altered ACE2 recognition and immune evasion. We show that sotrovimab binds avidly to all Omicron variants, promotes Fc-dependent effector functions and protects mice challenged with BQ.1.1 and hamsters challenged with XBB.1.5. Vaccine-elicited human plasma antibodies cross-react with and trigger effector functions against current Omicron variants, despite a reduced neutralizing activity, suggesting a mechanism of protection against disease, exemplified by S309. Cross-reactive RBD-directed human memory B cells remained dominant even after two exposures to Omicron spikes, underscoring the role of persistent immune imprinting.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies overcome SARS-CoV-2 Omicron antigenic shift.

The recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant encodes 37 amino acid substitutions in the spike protein, 15 of which are in the receptor-binding domain (RBD), thereby raising concerns about the effectiveness of available vaccines and antibody-based therapeutics. Here we show that the Omicron RBD binds to human ACE2 with enhanced affinity, relative to the Wuhan-Hu-1 RBD, and binds to mouse ACE2. Marked reductions in neutralizing activity were observed against Omicron compared to the ancestral pseudovirus in plasma from convalescent individuals and from individuals who had been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, but this loss was less pronounced after a third dose of vaccine. Most monoclonal antibodies that are directed against the receptor-binding motif lost in vitro neutralizing activity against Omicron, with only 3 out of 29 monoclonal antibodies retaining unaltered potency, including the ACE2-mimicking S2K146 antibody1. Furthermore, a fraction of broadly neutralizing sarbecovirus monoclonal antibodies neutralized Omicron through recognition of antigenic sites outside the receptor-binding motif, including sotrovimab2, S2X2593 and S2H974. The magnitude of Omicron-mediated immune evasion marks a major antigenic shift in SARS-CoV-2. Broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that recognize RBD epitopes that are conserved among SARS-CoV-2 variants and other sarbecoviruses may prove key to controlling the ongoing pandemic and future zoonotic spillovers.

Radiation oncologists role, training and perceptions in palliative care: a systematic review.

AIM: To assess the educational needs, role and perceptions in palliative care issues of radiation oncologists (ROs) and trainees. BACKGROUND: 1/3 of radiotherapy patients are treated with palliative intent. Conversely, education and role that ROs have in the palliative care process are not well established, neither in terms of how they perceive their competence nor whether it is important to improve training, research and attention in palliative care issues at radiotherapy congresses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature systematic review in National Library of Medicine and Cochrane databases with 11 relevant issues to be identified. One doctor made first selection of articles, a second one confirmed their eligibility. RESULTS: 722 articles reviewed, 19 selected. 100% recognize the importance of palliative care in radiotherapy, 89.4% the need of training in palliative care for ROs, 68.4% the necessity of improving the resident programs, 63.1% the importance of skilled ROs in palliative care, 63.1% the need of better communication skills and pain management (47.3%), 52.6%, the perception of inadequate training in palliative care, 36.8% the lack of research and palliative care topics in radiotherapy meetings, 21% the absence of adequate guidelines regarding palliative care approaches, 42.1% the importance of the ROs in palliative care teams and 26.3% the lack of their involvement. CONCLUSION: Palliative care has an important role in radiotherapy but it seems ROs still need more training. It is necessary to improve training programs, increment palliative care research in radiotherapy, giving more attention to palliative care themes at radiotherapy congresses. This could lead to a better integration of radiotherapists in multidisciplinary palliative care teams in the future.

Factors influencing 5-year persistence to adjuvant endocrine therapy in young women with breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Although younger age has been negatively associated with persistence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET), factors contributing to non-persistence remain poorly understood. We assessed factors associated with non-persistence to ET and described the 5-year trajectories of quality of life (QoL) and symptoms in young women (≤40 years) with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (BC). METHODS: We retrieved data on clinical characteristics and non-persistence from the medical annual records in the European cohort of the "Helping Ourselves, Helping Others: The Young Women's BC Study" (IBCSG 43-09 HOHO). Women completed surveys at baseline, biannually for three years, and annually for another seven years. Data collection included sociodemographic information, QoL aspects assessed by the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System-Short Form and symptoms assessed by the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial symptom scales. Cox regression models were applied to identify factors associated with non-persistence. RESULTS: The cumulative risk of interrupting ET within 5 years was 27.7 % (95 % CI, 21.5-35.2). The QoL subscale scores remained stable over 5 years, with slight improvements in the physical subscale. Hot flashes decreased (p < 0.001), while vaginal problems intensified (p < 0.001) over time. Being married without children and having difficulties interacting and communicating with the medical team were significantly associated with non-persistence. CONCLUSIONS: Discussing the desire to conceive with partnered childless women and establishing a good relationship with the medical team may be important in addressing the non-persistence in young BC survivors. As recent data suggests the safety of pausing ET to conceive, this approach may be a reasonable future option to limit non-persistence.

Employment trajectories of young women with breast cancer: an ongoing prospective cohort study in Italy and Switzerland.

PURPOSE: Despite extensive research on cancer and work-related outcomes, evidence from longitudinal cohort studies is limited, especially in young women with breast cancer (BC). We aimed to investigate employment trajectories in young BC survivors and to identify potential factors associated with changes in work activity. METHODS: The HOHO European prospective multicenter cohort study enrolled 300 young women (≤ 40 years) with newly diagnosed BC. Women completed surveys at baseline and every 6 months for 3 years, then yearly for up to 10 years to assess, among other variables, employment status, sociodemographic, medical, and treatment data. Symptoms were assessed by the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial symptom scales and single items from the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System. Univariable and multivariable multinomial logistic regression analyses identified factors associated with changes in employment status. RESULTS: Among the 245 women included in this analysis, 85% were employed at the last individual post-baseline assessment (1 to 10 years). At 5 years, women had a 29.4% probability (95% CI: 23.6-35.5) of experiencing any reduction and a 14.9% probability (95% CI: 10.6-19.9) of experiencing any increase in work activities. Being enrolled in Switzerland (vs. Italy) and reporting more trouble in performing daily activities were significantly associated with work reduction. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that most young BC survivors remain employed in the long-term. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Regular evaluation of symptoms which may interfere with daily life and identification of financial discomfort is critical in providing timely and individually tailored interventions and in limiting unwanted reductions in work activities.

Maturation of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific memory B cells drives resilience to viral escape.

Memory B cells (MBCs) generate rapid antibody responses upon secondary encounter with a pathogen. Here, we investigated the kinetics, avidity, and cross-reactivity of serum antibodies and MBCs in 155 SARS-CoV-2 infected and vaccinated individuals over a 16-month time frame. SARS-CoV-2-specific MBCs and serum antibodies reached steady-state titers with comparable kinetics in infected and vaccinated individuals. Whereas MBCs of infected individuals targeted both prefusion and postfusion Spike (S), most vaccine-elicited MBCs were specific for prefusion S, consistent with the use of prefusion-stabilized S in mRNA vaccines. Furthermore, a large fraction of MBCs recognizing postfusion S cross-reacted with human betacoronaviruses. The avidity of MBC-derived and serum antibodies increased over time resulting in enhanced resilience to viral escape by SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 sublineages, albeit only partially for BA.4 and BA.5 sublineages. Overall, the maturation of high-affinity and broadly reactive MBCs provides the basis for effective recall responses to future SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Human neutralizing antibodies to cold linear epitopes and subdomain 1 of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein.

Emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants diminishes the efficacy of vaccines and antiviral monoclonal antibodies. Continued development of immunotherapies and vaccine immunogens resilient to viral evolution is therefore necessary. Using coldspot-guided antibody discovery, a screening approach that focuses on portions of the virus spike glycoprotein that are both functionally relevant and averse to change, we identified human neutralizing antibodies to highly conserved viral epitopes. Antibody fp.006 binds the fusion peptide and cross-reacts against coronaviruses of the four genera, including the nine human coronaviruses, through recognition of a conserved motif that includes the S2' site of proteolytic cleavage. Antibody hr2.016 targets the stem helix and neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants. Antibody sd1.040 binds to subdomain 1, synergizes with antibody rbd.042 for neutralization, and, similar to fp.006 and hr2.016, protects mice expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 against infection when present as a bispecific antibody. Thus, coldspot-guided antibody discovery reveals donor-derived neutralizing antibodies that are cross-reactive with Orthocoronavirinae, including SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Therapeutic and vaccine-induced cross-reactive antibodies with effector function against emerging Omicron variants.

Currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants acquired convergent mutations at receptor-binding domain (RBD) hot spots. Their impact on viral infection, transmission, and efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that recently emerged BQ.1.1. and XBB.1 variants bind ACE2 with high affinity and promote membrane fusion more efficiently than earlier Omicron variants. Structures of the BQ.1.1 and XBB.1 RBDs bound to human ACE2 and S309 Fab (sotrovimab parent) explain the altered ACE2 recognition and preserved antibody binding through conformational selection. We show that sotrovimab binds avidly to all Omicron variants, promotes Fc-dependent effector functions and protects mice challenged with BQ.1.1, the variant displaying the greatest loss of neutralization. Moreover, in several donors vaccine-elicited plasma antibodies cross-react with and trigger effector functions against Omicron variants despite reduced neutralizing activity. Cross-reactive RBD-directed human memory B cells remained dominant even after two exposures to Omicron spikes, underscoring persistent immune imprinting. Our findings suggest that this previously overlooked class of cross-reactive antibodies, exemplified by S309, may contribute to protection against disease caused by emerging variants through elicitation of effector functions.

A Pilot, Prospective, Observational Study to Investigate the Value of NGS in Liquid Biopsies to Predict Tumor Response After Neoadjuvant Chemo-Radiotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: The LiBReCa Study.

Introduction: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) correlates with the response to therapy in different types of cancer. However, in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), little is known about how ctDNA levels change with neoadjuvant chemoradiation (Na-ChRT) and how they correlate with treatment response. This work aimed to explore the value of serial liquid biopsies in monitoring response after Na-ChRT with the hypothesis that this could become a reliable biomarker to identify patients with a complete response, candidates for non-operative management. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five consecutive LARC patients undergoing long-term Na-ChRT therapy were included. Applying next-generation sequencing (NGS), we characterized DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded diagnostic biopsy and resection tissue and plasma ctDNA collected at the following time points: the first and last days of radiotherapy (T0, Tend), at 4 (T4), 7 (T7) weeks after radiotherapy, on the day of surgery (Top), and 3-7 days after surgery (Tpost-op). On the day of surgery, a mesenteric vein sample was also collected (TIMV). The relationship between the ctDNA at those time-points and the tumor regression grade (TRG) of the surgical specimen was statistically explored. Results: We found no association between the disappearance of ctDNA mutations in plasma samples and pathological complete response (TRG1) as ctDNA was undetectable in the majority of patients from Tend on. However, we observed that the poor (TRG 4) response to Na-ChRT was significantly associated with a positive liquid biopsy at the Top. Conclusions: ctDNA evaluation by NGS technology may identify LARC patients with poor response to Na-ChRT. In contrast, this technique does not seem useful for identifying patients prone to developing a complete response.

Human neutralizing antibodies to cold linear epitopes and to subdomain 1 of SARS-CoV-2.

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants diminishes the efficacy of vaccines and antiviral monoclonal antibodies. Continued development of immunotherapies and vaccine immunogens resilient to viral evolution is therefore necessary. Using coldspot-guided antibody discovery, a screening approach that focuses on portions of the virus spike that are both functionally relevant and averse to change, we identified human neutralizing antibodies to highly conserved viral epitopes. Antibody fp.006 binds the fusion peptide and cross-reacts against coronaviruses of the four genera , including the nine human coronaviruses, through recognition of a conserved motif that includes the S2' site of proteolytic cleavage. Antibody hr2.016 targets the stem helix and neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants. Antibody sd1.040 binds to subdomain 1, synergizes with antibody rbd.042 for neutralization and, like fp.006 and hr2.016, protects mice when present as bispecific antibody. Thus, coldspot-guided antibody discovery reveals donor-derived neutralizing antibodies that are cross-reactive with Orthocoronavirinae , including SARS-CoV-2 variants. One sentence summary: Broadly cross-reactive antibodies that protect from SARS-CoV-2 variants are revealed by virus coldspot-driven discovery.

Anti-chemokine antibodies after SARS-CoV-2 infection correlate with favorable disease course.

Infection by SARS-CoV-2 leads to diverse symptoms, which can persist for months. While antiviral antibodies are protective, those targeting interferons and other immune factors are associated with adverse COVID-19 outcomes. Instead, we discovered that antibodies against specific chemokines are omnipresent after COVID-19, associated with favorable disease, and predictive of lack of long COVID symptoms at one year post infection. Anti-chemokine antibodies are present also in HIV-1 infection and autoimmune disorders, but they target different chemokines than those in COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies derived from COVID- 19 convalescents that bind to the chemokine N-loop impair cell migration. Given the role of chemokines in orchestrating immune cell trafficking, naturally arising anti-chemokine antibodies associated with favorable COVID-19 may be beneficial by modulating the inflammatory response and thus bear therapeutic potential. One-Sentence Summary: Naturally arising anti-chemokine antibodies associate with favorable COVID-19 and predict lack of long COVID.

P1245 Polymorphic Variants of HSD3B1 Gene Confer Different Outcome in Specific Subgroups of Patients Infected With SARS-CoV-2.

Introduction: Severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses the androgen receptor (AR), through ACE2 receptor and TMPRSS2, to enter nasal and upper airways epithelial cells. Genetic analyses revealed that HSD3B1 P1245C polymorphic variant increases dihydrotestosterone production and upregulation of TMPRSS2 with respect to P1245A variant, thus possibly influencing SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our aim was to characterize the HSD3B1 polymorphism status and its potential association with clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Southern Switzerland. Materials and Methods: The cohort included 400 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 during the first wave between February and May 2020 in two different hospitals of Canton Ticino. Genomic DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks, and HSD3B1 gene polymorphism was evaluated by Sanger sequencing. Statistical associations were verified using different test. Results: HSD3B1 polymorphic variants were not associated with a single classical factor related to worse clinical prognosis in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2. However, in specific subgroups, HSD3B1 variants played a clinical role: intensive care unit admission was more probable in patients with P1245C diabetes compared with P1245A individuals without this comorbidity and death was more associated with hypertensive P1245A>C cases than patients with P1245A diabetes without hypertension. Discussion: This is the first study showing that HSD3B1 gene status may influence the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. If confirmed, our results could lead to the introduction of HSD3B1 gene status analysis in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 to predict clinical outcome.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies overcome SARS-CoV-2 Omicron antigenic shift.

The recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant harbors 37 amino acid substitutions in the spike (S) protein, 15 of which are in the receptor-binding domain (RBD), thereby raising concerns about the effectiveness of available vaccines and antibody therapeutics. Here, we show that the Omicron RBD binds to human ACE2 with enhanced affinity relative to the Wuhan-Hu-1 RBD and acquires binding to mouse ACE2. Severe reductions of plasma neutralizing activity were observed against Omicron compared to the ancestral pseudovirus for vaccinated and convalescent individuals. Most (26 out of 29) receptor-binding motif (RBM)-directed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) lost in vitro neutralizing activity against Omicron, with only three mAbs, including the ACE2-mimicking S2K146 mAb 1 , retaining unaltered potency. Furthermore, a fraction of broadly neutralizing sarbecovirus mAbs recognizing antigenic sites outside the RBM, including sotrovimab 2 , S2X259 3 and S2H97 4 , neutralized Omicron. The magnitude of Omicron-mediated immune evasion and the acquisition of binding to mouse ACE2 mark a major SARS-CoV-2 mutational shift. Broadly neutralizing sarbecovirus mAbs recognizing epitopes conserved among SARS-CoV-2 variants and other sarbecoviruses may prove key to controlling the ongoing pandemic and future zoonotic spillovers.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy delivered with helical tomotherapy under daily image guidance for rectal cancer patients: efficacy and safety in a large, multi-institutional series.

PURPOSE: Helical tomotherapy (HT) has been recently introduced in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. Aim of this study is to report the toxicity and local control rates of a large series of locally advanced rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and HT under daily image guidance followed by surgery. METHODS: Data from 117 locally advanced rectal cancer patients treated at two Swiss Radiotherapy departments were collected and analyzed. Radiotherapy consisted of 45 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction, 5 fractions/week delivered in 5 weeks) to the regional pelvic lymph nodes. Seventy patients also received a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) up to 50 Gy to the tumor and involved nodes (2 Gy/fraction, 5 fractions/week delivered in 5 weeks). Chemotherapy consisted of capecitabine 825 mg/m2, twice daily, during the irradiation days. After a median interval of 59 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 53-65 days), all patients underwent surgery. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 45 months (range 4-90 months). The overall rate of acute grade 2-4 toxicity was 18.8% (n = 22). Four patients (3.4%) presented a grade 3 dermatitis (n = 1) or diarrhea (n = 3), and 1 (0.8%) demonstrated grade 4 rectal toxicity. No patients presented with grade ≥ 3 hematologic toxicity. Six patients (5.1%) had late grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity. The 4-year local control rate was 88.4% (95% CI 87.5-88.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy delivered with HT under daily image guidance is well tolerated and shows a high 4-year local control rates.

Correction to: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy delivered with helical tomotherapy under daily image guidance for rectal cancer patients: efficacy and safety in a large, multi-institutional series.

The article "Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy delivered with helical tomotherapy under daily image guidance for rectal cancer patients: efficacy and safety in a large, multi-institutional series".

Modern intensity-modulated radiotherapy with image guidance allows low toxicity rates and good local control in chemoradiotherapy for anal cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To report outcomes of a population of anal cancer patients treated with modern intensity-modulated radiotherapy and daily image-guided radiotherapy techniques. METHODS: We analyzed data of 155 patients consecutively treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy +/- chemotherapy in three radiotherapy departments. One hundred twenty-two patients presented a stage II-IIIA disease. Chemotherapy was administered in 138 patients, mainly using mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil (n = 81). All patients received 36 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction) on the pelvic and inguinal nodes, on the rectum, on the mesorectum and on the anal canal, and a sequential boost up to a total dose of 59.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction) on the anal canal and on the nodal gross tumor volumes. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 38 months (interquartile range 12-51). Toxicity data were available for 143 patients: 22% of them presented a G3+ acute toxicity, mainly as moist desquamation (n = 25 patients) or diarrhea (n = 10). Three patients presented a late grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity (anal incontinence). No grade 4 acute or late toxicity was recorded. Patients treated with fixed-gantry IMRT delivered with a sliding window technique presented a significantly higher risk of acute grade 3 (or more) toxicity compared to those treated with VMAT or helical tomotherapy (38.5 vs 15.3%, p = 0.049). Actuarial 4-year local control rate was 82% (95% CI 76-91%). CONCLUSIONS: Modern intensity-modulated radiotherapy with daily image-guided radiotherapy is effective and safe in treating anal cancer patients and should be considered the standard of care in this clinical setting.

EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA characterization in squamous cell anal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Combined chemoradiation therapy is the gold standard in the treatment of squamous cell anal cancer (SCAC). However, even if the response rate is very high, many patients eventually relapse or experience a reccurrence, thus requiring an invasive surgical procedure that has severe side effects. Most SCAC tumors overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR); therefore, it is reasonable to consider anti-EGFR drugs as a new treatment option, as demonstrated by anecdotal reports. Promising results obtained in other solid tumors, both squamous and non-squamous, have revealed that an increase in the EGFR gene copy number may predict the efficacy of anti-EGFR therapies, while the presence of mutations in downstream members of the EGFR pathway may confer resistance. These markers have been only sporadically considered in SCAC. METHODS: We investigated the status of the EGFR gene using FISH and examined KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA hot-spots mutations using sequencing analysis in a cohort of 84 patients affected by SCAC. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (34%) showed an increase in EGFR gene copy number due to amplification (4%) or to polysomy (30%). KRAS and PIK3CA gene mutations were found in 4 (5%) and 13 patients (16%), respectively. No mutations were found in the BRAF gene. CONCLUSIONS: The characterization of the EGFR pathway may help in identifying different subgroups of SCAC that have specific molecular features, which may have implications in what targeted therapies are used to treat each patient.

Impact of preoperative radiotherapy on survival in locally advanced rectal cancer: an observational population-based study from the South of Switzerland.

Preoperative radiotherapy (RT) followed by surgery is widely accepted in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). This study aimed to estimate at the population-based level the impact of preoperative RT on overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in LARCs diagnosed in Southern Switzerland between 1996 and 2007. All patients with LARC were selected from the Ticino Cancer Registry database. Patients were categorized according to the first administered treatment: preoperative radiotherapy (RT) followed by surgery (RT+) versus surgery (RT-). Clinical-pathological characteristics and 5-year OS and CSS were analysed. Among 384 patients with LARC, 54% underwent preoperative RT, occurring more frequently in the mid-distal part of the rectum compared with the RT- group (74.8 vs. 29.8%, respectively). Both 5-year OS and CSS significantly improved in RT+ patients (OS: 68 vs. 54%, respectively; CSS: 71 vs. 63%, respectively). The adjusted hazard ratio for all death was equal to 0.66 (95% confidence interval: 0.46; 0.97); similarly, the hazard ratio for cancer-specific death was 0.63 (95% confidence interval: 0.39; 0.99). These observational population-based results, after controlling for most important diagnostic and clinical prognostic factors, confirm the benefit of preoperative RT of LARC, even if the magnitude seems greater than expected in clinical trials results. Additional studies are needed, particularly with regard to the possible effect of standardized staging procedure and multidisciplinary discussion on patient outcome.