MOASC – Spotlight on Oncology Colorectal Cancer Abstracts
Date: August 12, 2023
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Presenter: Jason A. Zell, DO, MPH
Position: Professor, Vice Chief of Academic Affairs
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Dept. of Medicine
University of California Irvine
In this spotlight session on oncology, the focus was on Colorectal Cancer (CRC) abstracts, with special attention given to the latest advancements and research findings. The presenter, Dr. Jason A. Zell, a distinguished figure in the field, holds the position of Professor and Vice Chief of Academic Affairs within the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of California Irvine.
Abstracts were presented, shedding light on significant studies related to the treatment and management of locally advanced rectal cancer. One of the main highlights was the PROSPECT Trial (Alliance N1048), meticulously discussed by Dr. Deb Schrag MD, MPH FASCO, an esteemed expert in Gastrointestinal Oncology from Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, NY.
The trial focused on a comparative study involving preoperative chemotherapy with selective chemoradiation versus standard chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer. A comprehensive analysis was presented, including patient recruitment from 264 practice sites across the USA, Canada, and Switzerland.
Key Findings:
The study outlined the recruitment process, which spanned from 2012 to 2018 and involved various treatment approaches, including pelvic chemoradiation, FOLFOX chemotherapy cycles, and surgical resection.
The primary endpoint of the study was Disease-Free Survival (DFS), with secondary endpoints including local recurrence, overall survival, complete surgical resection, and quality of life.
Statistical analyses were conducted, evaluating non-inferiority hypotheses for Disease-Free Survival, using a hazard ratio to compare the effectiveness of different treatment approaches.
Patient characteristics, such as age, sex, tumor location, and baseline staging, were meticulously examined in relation to treatment outcomes.
Disease-Free Survival rates at 5 years were compared between different treatment approaches, shedding light on the efficacy of each method.
The study also delved into other endpoints, such as freedom from local recurrence and overall survival.
The impact of neoadjuvant treatment, patient-reported adverse events, and quality of life evaluations were also discussed in detail.
Overall, the MOASC spotlight on these Colorectal Cancer abstracts provided a comprehensive and insightful overview of the PROSPECT Trial, offering valuable insights into the advancements and challenges in treating locally advanced rectal cancer. This session marked an essential contribution to the oncology community’s ongoing pursuit of improving patient outcomes and quality of life in colorectal cancer management.