Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer with peritumoral abscesses and fistulas.

PURPOSE: Rectal cancer patients who present with peritumoral abscesses and fistulas at the time of diagnosis may be denied chemoradiotherapy (CRT) as the safety is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of preoperative CRT in this patient group. METHODS: We performed a retrospective nested case-control study to compare outcomes between patients with locally advanced rectal cancer with peritumoral abscesses and fistulas (study group) and patients with T4 locally advanced rectal cancer with no evidence of abscesses and fistulas (control group). These groups were matched by treatment center and radiotherapy delivery method. All patients received 50-54 Gy of conventionally fractionated RT with concurrent chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was grade 3-5 toxicity (by National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE). Secondary endpoints included postoperative morbidity, pathologic complete response (pCR), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) at 2 years. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients were included in each group. Grade 3 toxicity was observed in 2 (6.1%) patients in the study group and 4 (12.1%) patients in the control group (p = 0.672). No patients developed grade 4-5 toxicity. Grade 3-4 Clavien-Dindo complications were observed in 5 (15.2%) patients in the study group and in 6 (18.2%) patients in the control group (p = 1.0). Pathologic CR was achieved in 3 (9.1%) and 5 (15.2%) patients, respectively (p = 0.708). Two-year OS was 78.3% vs. 81.8% (p = 0.944), 2­year DFS was 62.8% vs. 69.7% (p = 0.693), respectively. CONCLUSION: The presence of peritumoral abscesses and fistulas in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer is not associated with increased toxicity or inferior clinical outcomes after preoperative CRT.

Synthesis of an end-capped sexithiophene bearing fused tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) units.

[structure: see text] We report the synthesis of a novel end-capped sexithiophene derivative bearing two pendent, fused tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) units linked to the main chain through 1,4-dithiin heterocycles. Cyclic voltammetry and absorption spectroscopy are used to investigate the electronic properties of this hybrid electroactive material. The oligomer has a band gap of 2.1 eV, and the material can be oxidized through the sexithiophene and TTF units simultaneously.

Regioregular poly(3-hexyl)selenophene: a low band gap organic hole transporting polymer.

The synthesis of regioregular poly(3-hexyl)selenophene is reported, and its optical and electrical properties are compared to those of regioregular poly(3-hexyl)thiophene.

Concurrent paclitaxel, capecitabine, mitomycin C and pelvic radiation therapy for patients with squamous cell anal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The goals of this study were to assess safety and efficacy of triplet chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with paclitaxel for squamous cell anal carcinoma (SCAC). METHODS: Patients with stage I-IIIB SCAC were enrolled and received 52-58 Gy intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) (with dose based on the T stage) in consecutive daily 1.8-2.2 Gy fractions. The concurrent chemotherapy consisted of paclitaxel 45 mg/m2 days 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, capecitabine 625 mg/m2 bid on treatment days and mitomycin C 10 g/m2 on day 1. Primary endpoints were complete clinical response at 26 weeks and protocol compliance; secondary endpoints included toxicity, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were enrolled. The percentage of patients with stage I, II, IIIA, and IIIB disease were 1 (2.6%), 5 (13.2%), 15 (39.5%), and 17 (44.7%), respectively. 32 patients (84.2%) completed CRT without significant alterations. Grade 3-4 toxicity occurred in 23 (60.5%) patients. 33 (86.8%) patients had complete clinical response at 26 weeks. Median follow-up was 25.6 months. Seven (18.4%) patients experienced disease progression: four patients had residual tumor after CRT, 2 patients developed distant metastases and 1 patient developed a local recurrence 12 months after CRT. Two-year OS was 93.6%, 2-year PFS was 83.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Investigated treatment scheme is feasible despite high toxicity profile, and may be beneficial for patients with advanced SCAC. Further research is warranted.