Background: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pre-operative chemoradiation, using capecitabine, oxaliplatin and bevacizumab with standard doses of radiation, in patients with high-risk rectal cancer.
Methods: Patients with locally advanced or low rectal cancer were treated with capecitabine 825 mg/m(2) twice daily on days 1-14 and 22-35, oxaliplatin 50mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, 22 and 29, bevacizumab 5mg/kg on days 14, 1, 15 and 29, and radiation 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions including boost. Total mesorectal excision was performed 7-9 weeks after chemoradiation. The primary end-point was complete tumour regression (ypT0NX) by central review.
Findings: Forty-two evaluable patients were enrolled, and 38 proceeded to definitive surgery. Eighteen patients (43%) had clinical T4 tumours and/or N2 tumours. Mean relative dose intensity was >90% for all systemic agents, and 97% for radiation. Grade 3/4 diarrhoea occurred in 10 patients (24%) and pain in 4 patients (10%) pre-operatively, while grade 3/4 pain, fatigue and infection were each reported among 5 patients (13%) post-operatively. Re-operation due to complications occurred in 4 patients (11%). Complete tumour regression (ypT0) was seen in 9 patients (23.7%) of which two had N1 disease and the pathological complete response (pCR) rate (ypT0N0) was 18.4%. Central review changed pathologic stage in six cases (16%).
Interpretation: In this study, pre-operative bevacizumab added to oxaliplatin, capecitabine and radiation was safe and resulted in a promising tumour regression rate. Surgical complications were closely monitored and occurred with the expected frequency. Central pathology review should be considered for trials with pathologic response as the primary end-point.
Funding: British Columbia Cancer Agency, Hoffmann-La Roche Canada and Sanofi-Aventis.
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