In recent years, we have seen significant changes in the adjuvant management of rectal cancer. For example, total mesorectal excision (TME) is now the preferred surgical technique,[1] local failure is related not only to stage but also to the location of the tumor in the rectum and the status of the circumferential margin,[2] at least 12 nodes need to be examined to accurately determine the nodal stage,[3] and subsets of patients with pT3, N0 or pT1–2, N1 disease may not require postoperative radiation.[4] For patients with cT3 and or N+ disease, the German CAO/ARO/AIO 94 trial confirmed that preoperative combined-modality therapy significantly improves local control, with less acute and long-term toxicity, and increased sphincter preservation compared with postoperative combined-modality therapy.[5]
Parallel Developments
Paralleling the improvements in rectal cancer treatment, significant advances in systemic therapy for colon cancer have been introduced. Clinical trials have evolved from identifying the preferred method of administering and/or modulating fluorouracil(Drug information on fluorouracil) (5-FU) therapy to more interesting questions. For example, numerous studies have investigated the impact of cytotoxic agents such as oxaliplatin(Drug information on oxaliplatin) (Eloxatin) and irinotecan (Camptosar) on response rate and survival, as well as the additional benefit of targeted therapies including bevacizumab (Avastin), cetuximab(Drug information on cetuximab) (Erbitux), gefitinib(Drug information on gefitinib) (Iressa), and panitumumab (Vectibix) when combined with 5-FU– or capecitabine(Drug information on capecitabine) (Xeloda)-based regimens.
In contrast to colon cancer, node-positive rectal cancer requires the addition of pelvic irradiation to systemic chemotherapy. This is due to the high local recurrence rate, which, even following TME, is at least 20%. As these cytotoxic and targeted agents are incorporated in the management of metastatic and adjuvant colon cancers, we need to understand how to safely and effectively combine them with pelvic radiation. Since 3-year disease-free survival is an acceptable endpoint for adjuvant colon cancer trials,[6] data have become available far more rapidly than in rectal cancer trials, providing a unique opportunity for clinical trial development, mostly in the preoperative setting.
Willett and colleagues present a comprehensive, articulate, and timely review of the combined-modality trials in rectal cancer incorporating these targeted agents. They address the rationale, possible mechanisms of action, and preliminary results of these investigations. Since most of the agents are radiosentisizers, careful phase I trials are required. These authors are leaders in clinical trial design as well as in the identification and evaluation of markers of response such as interstitial fluid pressure, tumor microvascular density, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-uptake.
Remaining Questions
Most phase I/II trials combining these new agents with pelvic irradiation report higher pathologic response rates compared with 5-FU alone. However, many questions remain. For example, do these higher response rates translate into improved local control and/or survival,[7] and are there molecular markers that can help predict which tumors will respond?[7] As the standard of care for rectal cancer has evolved from postoperative to preoperative combined-modality therapy, the identification of predictive markers has become an important component in the design of our clinical trials.
The combination of targeted agents and pelvic radiation is promising but investigational. I look forward to the results from Chris Willett's group and others, as we begin to understand the clinical outcome and molecular mechanisms of action involved in this treatment approach.
—Bruce D. Minsky, MD
A 52-year-old man presented with an erythematous lesion in the axilla of unknown duration. Surgical excision was performed. What is your diagnosis?
