Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed at investigating the long-term outcomes of oxaliplatin and capecitabine (XELOX) administered concurrently with preoperative radiation and extended to the resting period in patients with high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Methods: From January 2010 to December 2013, 45 patients were recruited. Study treatment consisted two cycles of XELOX regimen concomitant with preoperative radiation and then followed by an additional cycle of XELOX regimen between completion of neoadjuvant radiotherapy and surgery. Disease-free survival (DFS) time and overall survival (OS) time were analyzed. Results: The median follow-up was 51 months. Twelve (26.7%) patients developed local recurrence or distant metastasis, including 10 (22.2%) patients developing distant metastasis only, 1 (2.2%) patient local recurrence only, and 1 (2.2%) patient both local recurrence and distant metastasis. The estimated 3-year DFS and OS was 75.5% (95% CI, 63.0%-88.0%) and 88.6% (95% CI, 98.0%-79.2%), respectively. Receiving adjuvant chemotherapy was a significant predictor for DFS, with hazard ratio 0.24 (95% CI: 0.08-0.74). Conclusion: This intensified strategy with oxaliplatin and capecitabine (XELOX) administered concomitantly with neoadjuvant radiotherapy and then extended to the resting period in high-risk LARC patients is efficient. The long-term outcome is promising. Further study of this strategy is warranted.