Treatment-related morbidity and toxicity of CRS and oxaliplatin-based HIPEC compared to a mitomycin and doxorubicin-based HIPEC protocol in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis: a matched-pair analysis

Intra- and Interpatient Drug Response Heterogeneity Exist in Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Nongynecologic Cancers

BACKGROUND

Select patients with peritoneal metastases are treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC). We assayed for intra- and interpatient drug response heterogeneity through testing of patient-derived tumor organoids (PDTOs).

METHODS

PDTOs were generated from CRS/HIPEC patients from December 2021 to September 2022 and subjected to an in vitro HIPEC drug screen. Drug response was assessed with a cell viability assay and cleaved caspase-3 staining.

RESULTS

A total of 31 patients were consented for tissue collection. Viable tissue was harvested from 23, and PDTO generation was successful in 13 (56%). PDTOs were analyzed from six appendiceal, three colorectal, two small bowel, one gastric, and one adrenal tumor. Drug screen results were generated in as few as 7 days (62%), with an average time of 12 days. Most patients received mitomycin-C (MMC) intraoperatively (n = 9); however, in only three cases was this agent considered the optimal choice in vitro. Three sets of PDTOs were resistant (defined as > 50% PDTO viability) to all agents tested and two were pan-sensitive (defined as 3 or more agents with < 50% PDTO viability). In three patients, organoids were generated from multiple metastatic sites and intrapatient drug response heterogeneity was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Both intra- and interpatient drug response heterogeneity exist in patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC for nongynecologic abdominal cancers. Caution must be used when interpreting patient response to chemotherapeutic agents based on a single site of testing in those with metastatic disease.

2022 Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International Consensus on HIPEC Regimens for Peritoneal Malignancies: Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Selected patients with peritoneal metastases of colorectal cancer (PM-CRC) can benefit from potentially curative cytoreductive surgery (CRS) ± hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), with a median overall survival (OS) of more than 40 months.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this evidence-based consensus were to define the indications for HIPEC, to select the preferred HIPEC regimens, and to define research priorities regarding the use of HIPEC for PM-CRC.

METHODS

The consensus steering committee elaborated and formulated pertinent clinical questions according to the PICO (patient, intervention, comparator, outcome) method and assessed the evidence according to the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Standardized evidence tables were presented to an international expert panel to reach a consensus (4-point, weak and strong positive/negative) on HIPEC regimens and research priorities through a two-round Delphi process. The consensus was defined as ≥ 50% agreement for the 4-point consensus grading or ≥ 70% for either of the two combinations.

RESULTS

Evidence was weak or very weak for 9/10 clinical questions. In total, 70/90 eligible panelists replied to both Delphi rounds (78%), with a consensus for 10/10 questions on HIPEC regimens. There was strong negative consensus concerning the short duration, high-dose oxaliplatin (OX) protocol (55.7%), and a weak positive vote (53.8-64.3%) in favor of mitomycin-C (MMC)-based HIPEC (preferred choice: Dutch protocol: 35 mg/m2, 90 min, three fractions), both for primary cytoreduction and recurrence. Determining the role of HIPEC after CRS was considered the most important research question, regarded as essential by 85.7% of the panelists. Furthermore, over 90% of experts suggest performing HIPEC after primary and secondary CRS for recurrence > 1 year after the index surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the available evidence, despite the negative results of PRODIGE 7, HIPEC could be conditionally recommended to patients with PM-CRC after CRS. While more preclinical and clinical data are eagerly awaited to harmonize the procedure further, the MMC-based Dutch protocol remains the preferred regimen after primary and secondary CRS.

Assessing morbidity, mortality, and survival in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) indicates advanced stage cancer, which is generally associated with a poor outcome and a 6 to 12 months. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an option for treating patients with primary PC, such as mesothelioma, or secondary PC, such as colorectal cancer (CRC) or pseudomixoma. Until recently, such patients were deemed untreatable. The purpose of this study was to assess the results of CRS + HIPEC in patients with PC. Postoperative complications, mortality and survival rates were evaluated according to the diagnosis.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients with PC, undergoing full CRS + HIPEC between October 2004 and January 2020, were enrolled. The mortality rate was 3.8% and the morbidity rate was 61.5%. Complications were significantly higher in proportion to the duration of surgery (p<0.001). The overall survival rates, as shown in the Kaplan-Meyer curve, were respectively 81%, 74% and 53% at 12, 24 and 60 months. Survival rates according to each diagnosis for the same periods were 87%, 82% and 47% in patients with pseudomixoma, and 77%, 72% and 57% in patients with CRC (log-rank 0.371, p=0.543).

CONCLUSION

CRS with HIPEC is an option for pacients with primary or secondary PC. Although complication rates are high, a longer survival rate may be attained compared to those seen in previously published results; in some cases, patients may even be cured.

New trends in diagnosing and treating ovarian cancer using nanotechnology

Ovarian cancer stands as the fifth most prevalent cancer among women, causing more mortalities than any other disease of the female reproductive system. There are numerous histological subtypes of ovarian cancer, each of which has distinct clinical characteristics, risk factors, cell origins, molecular compositions, and therapeutic options. Typically, it is identified at a late stage, and there is no efficient screening method. Standard therapies for newly diagnosed cancer are cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. The difficulties of traditional therapeutic procedures encourage researchers to search for other approaches, such as nanotechnology. Due to the unique characteristics of matter at the nanoscale, nanomedicine has emerged as a potent tool for creating novel drug carriers that are more effective and have fewer adverse effects than traditional treatments. Nanocarriers including liposomes, dendrimers, polymer nanoparticles, and polymer micelles have unique properties in surface chemistry, morphology, and mechanism of action that can distinguish between malignant and normal cells, paving the way for targeted drug delivery. In contrast to their non-functionalized counterparts, the development of functionalized nano-formulations with specific ligands permits selective targeting of ovarian cancers and ultimately increases the therapeutic potential. This review focuses on the application of various nanomaterials to the treatment and diagnosis of ovarian cancer, their advantages over conventional treatment methods, and the effective role of controlled drug delivery systems in the therapy of ovarian cancer.

Current Trends in Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) for Peritoneal Disease from Appendiceal and Colorectal Malignancies

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a poor prognostic factor for all malignancies. This extent of metastatic disease progression remains difficult to treat with systemic therapies due to poor peritoneal vascularization resulting in limited drug delivery and penetration into tissues. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are surgical interventions that directly target peritoneal tumors and have improved outcomes for PC resulting from appendiceal and colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite these radical therapies, long-term survival remains infrequent, and recurrence is common. The reasons for these outcomes are multifactorial and signal the need for the continued development of novel therapeutics, techniques, and approaches to improve outcomes for these patients. Here, we review landmark historical studies that serve as the foundation for current recommendations, recent discoveries, clinical trials, active research, and areas of future interest in CRS/HIPEC to treat PC originating from appendiceal and colorectal malignancies.

GECOP-MMC: phase IV randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) with mytomicin-C after complete surgical cytoreduction in patients with colon cancer peritoneal metastases

BACKGROUND

The French PRODIGE 7 trial, published on January 2021, has raised doubts about the specific survival benefit provided by HIPEC with oxaliplatin 460 mg/m² (30 minutes) for the treatment of peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer. However, several methodological flaws have been identified in PRODIGE 7, specially the HIPEC protocol or the choice of overall survival as the main endpoint, so its results have not been assumed as definitive, emphasizing the need for further research on HIPEC. It seems that the HIPEC protocol with high-dose mytomicin-C (35 mg/m²) is the preferred regime to evaluate in future clinical studies.

METHODS

GECOP-MMC is a prospective, open-label, randomized, multicenter phase IV clinical trial that aims to evaluate the effectiveness of HIPEC with high-dose mytomicin-C in preventing the development of peritoneal recurrence in patients with limited peritoneal metastasis from colon cancer (not rectal), after complete surgical cytoreduction. This study will be performed in 31 Spanish HIPEC centres, starting in March 2022. Additional international recruiting centres are under consideration. Two hundred sixteen patients with PCI ≤ 20, in which complete cytoreduction (CCS 0) has been obtained, will be randomized intraoperatively to arm 1 (with HIPEC) or arm 2 (without HIPEC). We will stratified randomization by surgical PCI (1-10; 11-15; 16-20). Patients in both arms will be treated with personalized systemic chemotherapy. Primary endpoint is peritoneal recurrence-free survival at 3 years. An ancillary study will evaluate the correlation between surgical and pathological PCI, comparing their respective prognostic values.

DISCUSSION

HIPEC with high-dose mytomicin-C, in patients with limited (PCI ≤ 20) and completely resected (CCS 0) peritoneal metastases, is assumed to reduce the expected risk of peritoneal recurrence from 50 to 30% at 3 years.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

EudraCT number: 2019-004679-37; Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05250648 (registration date 02/22/2022, ).

Carrier-free multifunctional nanomedicine for intraperitoneal disseminated ovarian cancer therapy

Background

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer which is characterized by extensive peritoneal implantation metastasis and malignant ascites. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment in recent years, the five-year survival rate is only 25–30%. Therefore, developing multifunctional nanomedicine with abilities of promoting apoptosis and inhibiting migration on tumor cells would be a promising strategy to improve the antitumor effect.

Methods and results

In this study, we developed a novel ACaT nanomedicine composed of alendronate, calcium ions and cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) inhibitor THZ1. With the average size of 164 nm and zeta potential of 12.4 mV, the spherical ACaT nanoparticles were selectively internalized by tumor cells and effectively accumulated in the tumor site. Results of RNA-sequencing and in vitro experiments showed that ACaT promoted tumor cell apoptosis and inhibited tumor cell migration by arresting the cell cycle, increasing ROS and affecting calcium homeostasis. Weekly intraperitoneally administered of ACaT for 8 cycles significantly inhibited the growth of tumor and prolonged the survival of intraperitoneal xenograft mice.

Conclusion

In summary, this study presents a new self-assembly nanomedicine with favorable tumor targeting, antitumor activity and good biocompatibility, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for advanced ovarian cancer.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-022-01300-4.

The impact of postoperative complications following cytoreductive surgery combined with oxaliplatin based heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy

INTRODUCTION

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS + HIPEC) has become the mainstream treatment for peritoneal metastases of colorectal origin. This extensive treatment is known for its increased morbidity rate. In this study, the impact of postoperative complications on survival was evaluated in a high-volume centre.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Between November 2016 through October 2018, all 106 patients with peritoneal metastases of colorectal origin treated with CRS + HIPEC with oxaliplatin were evaluated. Data on patient characteristics, Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI), operative procedure, post-operative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification grade III or higher) and survival were collected. In-hospital postoperative complications were analysed for their association with patient characteristics, tumour load (PCI), and operative procedure with logistic regression analyses. Survival was analysed with the Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of 106 patients, 78% had an un-eventful in-hospital recovery. Of those patients who experienced complications, 52% patients had one complication and 48% had more than one. The median follow-up time was 33.8 months. Median survival was 22.4 months (95% CI 12.2-NR) for patients who experienced complications and not reached for those who did not. Survival was significantly associated with complications (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.0) as well as with PCI (HR 1.1, 95% CI 1.1-1.2) in univariate analyses. A stepwise Cox regression analysis showed both PCI and complications had an independent negative impact on survival.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative complications, independently of tumour load, led to reduced survival in patients with peritoneal metastases of colorectal origin when treated with CRS + HIPEC with oxaliplatin.

Coagulopathy and Venous Thromboembolic Events Following Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Background

Coagulopathy after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is recognized but few details have been studied.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in coagulation biomarkers and their predictive ability for venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods

Patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC at Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden, from 2004 to 2014 were included in a prospective study of coagulation biomarkers. Prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT-INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, antithrombin, D-dimer, and platelets were sampled on postoperative days 1, 2, 5, and 10. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate predictive capacity for coagulation-related complications.

Results

Overall, 380 patients were included (214 females, mean age 56 years); 38 patients had a history of thromboembolism and 57 were active smokers. Mean perioperative blood loss was 1228 mL and 231 (61%) received perioperative blood transfusions. PT-INR and APTT were elevated directly after surgery but returned to normal levels on postoperative day 5. Conversely, fibrinogen, platelet count, D-dimer, and antithrombin increased by postoperative day 5 and continued to increase up to day 10. There were 23 radiologically verified cases of VTE within 6 months. The multivariate analysis identified a completeness of cytoreduction score of 2–3 (p = 0.047) and day 2 D-dimer (p = 0.0082) as independent risk factors for postoperative VTE.

Conclusion

Significant postoperative changes in coagulation biomarkers occur with dynamic changes over 10 days postoperatively. The incidence of symptomatic VTE was low. Residual tumor at completion of surgery and elevated D-dimer on day 2 were independent risk factors for postoperative VTE.

Oxaliplatin versus mitomycin C in HIPEC for peritoneal metastasis from colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

BACKGROUND

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy (HIPEC) following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) has been applied for peritoneal metastasis (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to compare oxaliplatin (OX) with mitomycin C (MMC) in HIPEC for PM from CRC in surgical and survival outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed and Ovid databases for studies comparing OX with MMC in HIPEC for PM from CRC. The last search was performed on June 21, 2020.

RESULTS

Eleven articles published between 2006 and 2020 with 2091 patients were included. When compared with MMC group, the OX group showed significantly higher rate of major complications (P = 0.006, OR = 1.57, 95% CI [1.14, 2.16], I² = 0%). Besides, no significant difference was observed between the two groups for survival outcomes, regardless of 3-year overall survival (P = 0.98, OR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.83, 1.22], I² = 0%), 3-year disease-free survival (P = 0.98, OR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.83, 1.22], I² = 0%), or 5-year overall survival (P = 0.91, OR = 1.01, 95% CI [0.81, 1.26], I² = 0%).

CONCLUSION

OX and MMC could achieve comparable survival in HIPEC for PM from CRC. However, in consideration of the high incidence of major complication in OX group, MMC might be the safer one in clinical routines.

Personalized Identification of Optimal HIPEC Perfusion Protocol in Patient-Derived Tumor Organoid Platform

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy dosing duration and perfusion temperature vary significantly in HIPEC protocols. This study investigates patient-derived tumor organoids as a platform to identify the most efficacious perfusion protocol in a personalized approach.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Peritoneal tumor tissue from 15 appendiceal and 8 colon cancer patients who underwent CRS/HIPEC were used for personalized organoid development. Organoids were perfused in parallel at 37 and 42 °C with low- and high-dose oxaliplatin (200 mg/m² over 2 h vs. 460 mg/m² over 30 min) and MMC (40 mg/3L over 2 h). Viability assays were performed and pooled for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

An adequate organoid number was generated for 75% (6/8) of colon and 73% (11/15) of appendiceal patients. All 42 °C treatments displayed lower viability than 37 °C treatments. On pooled analysis, MMC and 200 mg/m² oxaliplatin displayed no treatment difference for either appendiceal or colon organoids (19% vs. 25%, p = 0.22 and 27% vs. 31%, p = 0.55, respectively), whereas heated MMC was superior to 460 mg/m² oxaliplatin in both primaries (19% vs. 54%, p < 0.001 and 27% vs. 53%, p = 0.002, respectively). In both appendiceal and colon tumor organoids, heated 200 mg/m² oxaliplatin displayed increased cytotoxicity as compared with 460 mg/m² oxaliplatin (25% vs. 54%, p < 0.001 and 31% vs. 53%, p = 0.008, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Organoids treated with MMC or 200 mg/m² heated oxaliplatin for 2 h displayed increased susceptibility in comparison with 30-min 460 mg/m² oxaliplatin. Optimal perfusion protocol varies among patients, and organoid technology may offer a platform for tailoring HIPEC conditions to the individual patient level.

Treatment of PERItoneal disease in Stomach Cancer with cytOreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraPEritoneal chemotherapy: PERISCOPE I initial results

BACKGROUND

The role of cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in gastric cancer is unknown. This non-randomized dose-finding phase I-II study was designed to assess the safety and feasibility of HIPEC, following systemic chemotherapy, in patients with gastric cancer and limited peritoneal dissemination. The maximum tolerated dose of normothermic intraperitoneal docetaxel in combination with a fixed dose of intraperitoneal oxaliplatin was also explored.

METHODS

Patients with resectable cT3-cT4a gastric adenocarcinoma with limited peritoneal metastases and/or tumour-positive peritoneal cytology were included. An open HIPEC technique was used with 460 mg/m² hyperthermic oxaliplatin for 30 min followed by normothermic docetaxel for 90 min in escalating doses (0, 50, 75 mg/m² ).

RESULTS

Between 2014 and 2017, 37 patients were included. Of 25 patients who completed the full study protocol, four were treated at dose level 1 (0 mg/m² docetaxel), six at dose level 2 (50 mg/m² ) and four at dose level 3 (75 mg/m² ). At dose level 3, two dose-limiting toxicities occurred, both associated with postoperative ileus. Thereafter, another 11 patients were treated at dose level 2, with no more dose-limiting toxicities. Based on this, the maximum tolerated dose was 50 mg/m² intraperitoneal docetaxel. Serious adverse events were scored in 17 of 25 patients. The reoperation rate was 16 per cent (4 of 25) and the treatment-related mortality rate was 8 per cent (2 patients, both in dose level 3).

CONCLUSION

Gastrectomy combined with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC was feasible using 460 mg/m² oxaliplatin and 50 mg/m² normothermic docetaxel.

Readmissions after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy-a national population-based study

Background

Comprehensive readmission morbidity studies after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are scarce. This study aimed to investigate readmissions and in-hospital morbidity after CRS and HIPEC.

Methods

The national in-hospital patient register was used to identify patients via the HIPEC ICD code JAQ10 2004–2014. Data were retrieved from the index CRS/HIPEC treatment and from all HIPEC-related readmissions within 6 months. Univariate/multivariate logistical analyses were performed to identify risk factors for reinterventions and readmissions.

Results

A total of 519 patients (mean age 56 years) had a mean hospital stay of 27 days. Within 6 months, 150 readmissions for adverse events were observed in 129 patients (25%) with 67 patients requiring an intervention (13%). Totally 179 patients (34%) required a reintervention during the first 6 months with 85 (16%) requiring a reoperation. Of these 179 patients, 83 patients (46%) did not undergo the intervention at the HIPEC centre. Gastric resection was the only independent risk factor for in-hospital intervention, and advanced age for readmission.

Conclusion

Morbidity causing HIPEC-related readmission was higher than expected with almost half of the interventions occurring outside the HIPEC centre. Gastric resection and high age are independent predictors of morbidity and readmission.

Health-Related Quality of Life After Cytoreductive Surgery/HIPEC for Mucinous Appendiceal Cancer: Results of a Multicenter Randomized Trial Comparing Oxaliplatin and Mitomycin

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using patient-reported outcomes in subjects with mucinous appendiceal neoplasms who underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) as part of a randomized trial comparing mitomycin with oxaliplatin.

METHODS

In this prospective multicenter study, 121 mucinous appendiceal cancer patients, with evidence of peritoneal dissemination who underwent CRS, were randomized to receive mitomycin (divided 40 mg) or oxaliplatin (200 mg/m²) for HIPEC. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Neurotoxicity (FACT-G/NTX) questionnaire was utilized to assess HRQOL. The Trial Outcome Index (TOI) is a summary index responsive to changes in physical/functional outcomes. Repeated measures mixed models with an unstructured variance matrix were applied to assess changes in HRQOL longitudinally.

RESULTS

Baseline questionnaire compliance was 95.9%. Baseline physical well-being (PWB) was independently associated with overall survival (hazard ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.66-0.96; p = 0.017). The TOI was significantly lower in the mitomycin group compared with the oxaliplatin arm at 12 weeks (p = 0.044; score difference 6.35) and 24 weeks after surgery (p = 0.049; score difference 5.61). At 12 weeks after surgery, declines from baseline were significant in the TOI (p = 0.004; score decline 8.99), PWB (p < 0.001; score decline 2.83), and FWB (p < 0.001; score decline 3.42) in the mitomycin group but not the oxaliplatin group.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with mitomycin, HIPEC perfusion with oxaliplatin results in significantly better physical and functional outcomes. With similar survival outcomes and complication rates, oxaliplatin should be considered as the chemoperfusion agent of choice in mucinous appendiceal cancer patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC.

Toxicity profile of chemotherapy agents used in cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal surface malignancies

INTRODUCTION

Morbidity associated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is due to the synergistic effect of cytoreduction, effect hyperthermia and the cytotoxic agents used for HIPEC. This study was done to analyse the postoperative morbidity in relation to the chemotherapy agent used in patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC for peritoneal surface malignancy (PSM) in Indian set up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patient with PSM, underwent CRS-HIPEC as per the institutional protocol. Patients were stratified as per the chemotherapy drug used during HIPEC & perioperative outcome were documented.

RESULTS

163 patients underwent CRS-HIPEC for PSM: 67.4% were of ovarian primary. Others were colorectal, appendicular, gastric primary and rare tumors.Cisplatin was the most common drug used: as alone (57.05%) or in combination with Adriamycin (12.88%). Mitomycin-C (MMC) was used in 20% and oxaliplatin in 10%.Grade 3-5 morbidity in the whole cohort was 44.8% and grade 1-2 was 74%.Grade 1-2 electrolyte abnormality was the most common morbidity overall and grade 3-4 hematological toxicity was the most common severe morbidity. Frequency of grade 3-5 morbidity were 38.7%, 48.5%,50% and 61.9% for Cisplatin alone, MMC, oxaliplatin and Adriamycin + cisplatin respectively. None of the patients had grade 3-4 nephrotoxicity as sole complication. All major complications were highest in the group who received Adriamycin. Cisplatin was associated with higher rate of electrolyte imbalance, oxaliplatin with post-operative bleeding. Rates of other complications did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSION

Cisplatin followed by MMC were the well tolerated drugs during HIPEC and tolerance to Adriamycin combination regimen in Indian patients was poor.

Evaluation and management of toxicity of cytoreductive surgery/hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: the initial experience of a single centre study

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a treatment modality for peritoneal surface malignancies with efficacy reported in many trials. Discrepancies, however, in the indication criteria, the extent of the surgical procedure, HIPEC regimens and toxicity evaluation represent a problem when comparing this method with other therapeutic modalities.

METHODS

We describe the initial experience with CRS/HIPEC using different chemotherapy regimens (oxaliplatin, cisplatin, mitomycin C and doxorubicin) at the Comprehensive Oncology Centre Olomouc.

RESULTS

A perioperative mortality of 2% and perioperative morbidity of 11%, according to Clavien-Dindo were observed. Interestingly, all these patients underwent HIPEC with oxaliplatin 460 mg/m². The median duration of admission to hospital was 6 days in the intensive care unit (range 2-28 days) and 7 days in the surgical ward (range 1-21 days). Hospital admission did not exceed 2 weeks in 75% of patients. These results are consistent with the published results of large centres performing this treatment modality mainly due to pre-operative preparation of patients and pre-treatment and post-treatment management of HIPEC/CRS toxicity. Evaluation of the efficacy in terms of time to progression and overall survival (OS) is limited by the short follow up period.

CONCLUSION

CRS/HIPEC performed is a safe method with low perioperative mortality.

Perioperative Systemic Chemotherapy, Cytoreductive Surgery, and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Patients With Colorectal Peritoneal Metastasis: Results of the Prospective Multicenter Phase 2 COMBATAC Trial

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) as parts of an interdisciplinary treatment concept including systemic chemotherapy can improve survival of selected patients with peritoneal metastatic colorectal cancer (pmCRC). Nevertheless, the sequence of the therapeutic options is still a matter of debate. Thus, the COMBATAC (COMBined Anticancer Treatment of Advanced Colorectal cancer) trial was conducted to evaluate a combined treatment regimen consisting of preoperative systemic polychemotherapy + cetuximab followed by CRS + HIPEC and postoperative systemic polychemotherapy + cetuximab.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The COMBATAC trial is a prospective, multicenter, open-label, single-arm, single-stage phase 2 trial. Twenty-six patients with synchronous or metachronous colorectal or appendiceal peritoneal carcinomatosis were included. Enrollment was terminated prematurely by the sponsor because of slow recruitment. Progression-free survival as primary end point and overall survival were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Also evaluated were morbidity according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0 and feasibility of the combined treatment concept.

RESULTS

Median progression-free survival for the intention-to-treat population (n = 25) was 14.9 months. Median overall survival was not reached during the study duration. Ninety-two adverse events were documented in 16 patients, including 14 serious adverse events in 9 patients. The overall morbidity rate was 64%, and the grade 3/4 morbidity rate was 44%. Of all grade 3/4 morbidity events, 36.4% were related to systemic chemotherapy and 22.7% to surgery, whereas 40.9% were not directly related. There was no treatment-related mortality.

CONCLUSION

The results of the COMBATAC trial show that the multimodal treatment concept consisting of perioperative systemic chemotherapy and CRS + HIPEC is safe and feasible. Progression-free survival in selected patients with colorectal or appendiceal peritoneal metastasis might be improved.

A proposal of Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology (BSSO/SBCO) for standardizing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedures in Brazil: pseudomixoma peritonei, appendiceal tumors and malignant peritoneal mesothelioma

Cytoreductive surgery plus hypertermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy has emerged as a major comprehensive treatment of peritoneal malignancies and is currently the standard of care for appendiceal epithelial neoplasms and pseudomyxoma peritonei syndrome as well as malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Unfortunately, there are some worldwide variations of the cytoreductive surgery and hypertermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy techniques since no single technique has so far demonstrated its superiority over the others. Therefore, standardization of practices might enhance better comparisons between outcomes. In these settings, the Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology considered it important to present a proposal for standardizing cytoreductive surgery plus hypertermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy procedures in Brazil, with a special focus on producing homogeneous data for the developing Brazilian register for peritoneal surface malignancies.

Safety of intraperitoneal Mitomycin C versus intraperitoneal oxaliplatin in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC

BACKGROUND

Colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is commonly treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). There is an ongoing international debate about which intraperitoneal chemotherapeutic agent is preferred, Mitomycin C (MMC) or oxaliplatin. We questioned whether the type of chemotherapeutic agent influenced postoperative complication rates or short-term survival.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study patients with colorectal PC who underwent CRS-HIPEC between January 2010 and December 2016 were included. Until March 2014 patients had preferentially been treated with MMC and thereafter with oxaliplatin in an iso-osmotic glucose/electrolyte dialysis (Dianeal^®) carrier solution. Main outcomes were postoperative complications, disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Survival analyses and multivariable analyses were performed.

RESULTS

One hundred four patients received MMC and 73 patients oxaliplatin. Postoperative complications did not differ between groups (44.2% (MMC) versus 43.8% (oxaliplatin); P = 0.958). Median DFS was 12.5 months (IQR 6.4-32.4) in the MMC-group and 13.1 months (IQR 6.1-NA) in the oxaliplatin-group (P = 0.669). Median OS was 37.2 months (IQR 17.2-NA) in the MMC-group and 29.4 months (IQR 17.0-NA) in the oxaliplatin-group (P = 0.764). The type of chemotherapeutic agent did not influence OS in multivariable analysis (oxaliplatin versus MMC HR 1.09 (95%CI 0.58-2.06)). The HIPEC-phase was shorter for oxaliplatin (median 32 (IQR 31-34) versus 91 min (IQR 90-92) for MMC (P < 0.001)).

CONCLUSION

Intraperitoneal oxaliplatin reduced the chemoperfusion time when compared to intraperitoneal MMC without adversely influencing complication rates or short-term survival. It may therefore be the preferential drug in CRS-HIPEC procedures for colorectal PC.

Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia after cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Background

Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia are well-recognised complications of systemic chemotherapy. In cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), the interplay between surgical factors and systemic toxicity of chemotherapeutics must be considered when considering post-operative haematological outcomes. We sought to quantify the incidence of these events in cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC at our institution.

Methods

We conducted a single centre, a retrospective cohort study of 50 consecutive patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC from 2002 to 2015. Routine haematological data were analysed and complications classified according to CTCAE 4.0. Subgroup analysis was undertaken to compare those who received or not perioperative systemic chemotherapy.

Results

The rate of all-grade post-procedure neutropenia was 4 % (n=2/50); one grade 1, and one grade 4 neutropenia. The patient with grade 4 neutropenia died day 57 post-operatively, despite subsequent growth factor support. Eight percent (n=4/50) of patients had thrombocytopenia preoperatively. The overall rate of post-procedure thrombocytopenia was 46 % with grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia of 4 %. If not present preoperatively, thrombocytopenia onset was on day 1 or 2 post-operatively, with a median duration of 3 days.

Conclusions

Intraperitoneal delivery of chemotherapy as HIPEC can cause haematological toxicity with potentially fatal outcomes. However, the incidence of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia after CRS and HIPEC is low.

Prognostic factors of hemorrhagic complications after oxaliplatin-based hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: Toward routine preoperative dosage of Von Willebrand factor?

BACKGROUND

Oxaliplatin-based hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC-ox) induces specific morbidity with hemorrhagic complications (HC). The aim of this study was to identify preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative HC predictive factors after HIPEC-ox.

METHODS

A prospective single center study that included all consecutive patients treated with curative-intent HIPEC-ox, whatever the origin of peritoneal disease, was conducted. All patients underwent systematic blood tests exploring primary hemostasis and endothelial activation before surgical incision (D0) and on postoperative days 2 (POD2) and 5 (POD5).

RESULTS

Between May 2012 and August 2015, 47 patients were enrolled in the study. The overall HC rate was 38%. Major morbidity was significantly higher in patients with HC. Patients presenting HC were significantly more often affected with pseudomyxoma peritonei and had less preoperative chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher plasmatic level of Von Willebrand factor antigen at D0 (D0 VWF:Ag) was a protective predictive factor for HC (p = 0.049, HR: 0.97 CI 95% [0.94-1.00]). A D0 VWF:Ag level below 138% had a sensitivity of 87.5%, a specificity of 67% and an area under the curve of 80.3% (CI 95% [66.5-94], p < 0.01) for predicting HC.

CONCLUSIONS

Through the identification of prognostic factors, this study highlighted a subgroup of patients with low risk of HC after HIPEC-ox. Based on these results, we propose a routine preoperative dosage of VWF that would help the surgeon to select the most suitable patients for HIPEC-ox.

Therapeutic options for peritoneal metastasis arising from colorectal cancer

Peritoneal metastasis is a common sign of advanced tumor stage, tumor progression or tumor recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer. Due to the improvement of systemic chemotherapy, the development of targeted therapy and the introduction of additive treatment options such as cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), the therapeutic approach to peritoneal metastatic colorectal cancer (pmCRC) has changed over recent decades, and patient survival has improved. Moreover, in contrast to palliative systemic chemotherapy or best supportive care, the inclusion of CRS and HIPEC as inherent components of a multidisciplinary treatment regimen provides a therapeutic approach with curative intent. Although CRS and HIPEC are increasingly accepted as the standard of care for selected patients and have become part of numerous national and international guidelines, the individual role, optimal timing and ideal sequence of the different systemic, local and surgical treatment options remains a matter of debate. Ongoing and future randomized controlled clinical trials may help clarify the impact of the different components, allow for further improvement of patient selection and support the standardization of oncologic treatment regimens for pmCRC. The addition of further therapeutic options such as neoadjuvant intraperitoneal chemotherapy or pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy, should be investigated to optimize therapeutic regimens and further improve the oncological outcome.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a review of factors contributing to morbidity and mortality

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is associated with prolonged survival for appropriately selected patients with peritoneal dissemination of abdominal malignancies. CRS and HIPEC has been criticized for perceived high rates of morbidity and mortality. Morbidity and mortality rates of CRS and HIPEC, however, do not appear dissimilar to those of other large abdominal surgeries, particularly when relevant patient and operative factors are accounted for. The risk of morbidity and mortality following this surgery for a given individual can be predicted in part by a variety of patient and operative factors. While strong data are lacking, the limited data that exists on the matter suggests that the independent contribution of the heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy to CRS and HIPEC morbidity is relatively small. A more thorough understanding of the patient and operative factors associated with CRS and HIPEC morbidity and mortality, as well as the specific complications related to the intraperitoneal chemotherapy, can better inform clinicians in multidisciplinary teams and patients alike in the decision-making for this surgery.

Impact of surgical volume of centers on post-operative outcomes from cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemoperfusion

Complex surgical operations performed at centers of high volume have improved outcomes due to improved surgical proficiency, and betters systems of care including avoidance of errors. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC), which has been shown to be an oncologically effective strategy for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), is one such procedure with significant morbidity and mortality. The learning curve to reach technical proficiency in CRS + HIPEC is about 140-220 cases for a center. Focus on improving surgical proficiency through training, improving systems of care through partnerships and reporting mechanisms for quality could reduce the time to proficiency.

Selection of chemotherapy for hyperthermic intraperitoneal use in gastric cancer

PURPOSE

Several studies have shown the potential benefit of cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in gastric cancer patients. At present the most effective chemotherapeutic regime in HIPEC for gastric cancer is unknown. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of chemotherapeutic agents used for HIPEC in gastric cancer.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database to identify studies on chemotherapy used for HIPEC in gastric cancer patients.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The chemotherapeutic regime of choice in HIPEC for gastric cancer has yet to be determined. The wide variety in studies and study parameters, such as chemotherapeutic agents, dosage, patient characteristics, temperature of perfusate, duration of perfusion, carrier solutions, intraperitoneal pressure and open or closed perfusion techniques, warrant more experimental and clinical studies to determine the optimal treatment schedule. A combination of drugs probably results in a more effective treatment.

Challenges in the multidisciplinary management of stage IV colon and rectal cancer

Colorectal metastases still represent a challenge to all oncologists despite progresses achieved by improved resectability, systemic chemotherapy and targeted therapies. In particular in patients with oligo-metastases, the role of surgical resections has been redefined. Resection is the most effective treatment method for liver metastases performed with curative intent; however, primary rate of resectability is low. Several methods to increase resectability have been developed: conversion chemotherapy, portal vein embolization, two-stage resections, vascular reconstruction of the liver veins, combination of resection and intraoperative ablation. Liver resections can be performed at present with low mortality. Patients with isolated peritoneal metastases, no extra-abdominal disease, low volume tumor and complete surgical cytoreduction do benefit from surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Several national guidelines recommend multimodality treatment for highly selected patients. The management of stage IV colorectal cancer includes several disciplines with focus on resection. A multidisciplinary evaluation of all patients is of crucial importance to define the treatment sequence and individual strategies for each patient.

Benchmarking of gastric cancer sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs ex vivo as a basis for drug selection in systemic and intraperitoneal therapy

Background

The choice of drugs for treatment of advanced gastric cancer (GC) is empirical. The purpose of the current study was to benchmark ex vivo the sensitivity of GC tumor cells from patients to standard cytotoxic and some newly introduced targeted drugs (TDs), as a basis for drug selection in the treatment of GC.

Methods

Tumor cell samples from patients with GC were analyzed for sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, mitomycin C, doxorubicin and docetaxel as well as for the targeted drugs bortezomib, sorafenib, sunitinib and rapamycin using a short-term in vitro assay based on retention of viable tumor cells of fluorescent fluorescein. Samples of normal mononuclear cells, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer were included for comparison.

Results

The GC samples were essentially as sensitive to the standard drugs and the TDs as those from colorectal cancer whereas the ovarian cancer samples were more sensitive. The individual GC samples varied considerably in sensitivity to increasing concentrations of the clinically used standard drugs. In GC, cisplatin was cross-resistant to oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil which, on the other hand, was not cross-resistant to the other cytotoxic drugs. The activity of sunitinib did not obviously correlate to that of the standard drugs.

Conclusion

Ex vivo assessment of drug sensitivity of tumor cells from patients with GC is feasible and may provide information that could be useful for selection of drugs for treatment. Drug sensitivity varies considerably between and within individual samples arguing for individualized selection of drugs for chemotherapy.

Oxaliplatin-based versus irinotecan-based hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients with peritoneal metastasis from appendiceal and colorectal cancer: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) provide an effective treatment option for selected patients with colorectal peritoneal metastasis with encouraging survival results. Many different drug combinations and HIPEC regimens including bidirectional, i.e. synchronous intravenous and intraperitoneal, drug application have been used. However, there is still no standardization of the HIPEC regimen.

METHODS

Between 05/2007 and 04/2010 190 patients underwent CRS and HIPEC at the University Hospital Regensburg. Thirty-two patients with peritoneal metastasis arising from colorectal or appendiceal cancer underwent complete macroscopic cytoreduction (CC-0/1) and bidirectional HIPEC and completed at least 3-year follow-up. Twenty patients received oxaliplatin-based (OX) and twelve patients received irinotecan-based HIPEC (IRI). Group-specific perioperative morbidity and 3-year survival has been determined.

RESULTS

The grade 3/4 morbidity rate according to CTCAE v4 was 35.0% in the OX group vs. 33.3% in the IRI group (p = 1.000). There was no perioperative mortality in both groups. Median survival was 26.8 months (95% CI 15.7-33.1 months) in the IRI group and has not yet been reached in the OX group during a median follow-up of 39.4 months. Three-year survival rates were 65.0% in the OX group vs. 41.7% in the IRI group (p = 0.295).

CONCLUSIONS

The morbidity and toxicity rates of bidirectional irinotecan-based and oxaliplatin-based HIPEC are comparable. Nevertheless, in the absence of contraindications oxaliplatin-based HIPEC might be preferred due to the positive trend regarding 3-year and median survival.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for management of recurrent/relapsed ovarian granulosa cell tumor: a single-center experience

AIM

The aim of this study was to retrospectively report our experience (efficacy/morbidity) with cytoreductive surgery+hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC) for the management of recurrent/relapsed ovarian granulosa cell tumors (OGCT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From 2010 to 2013, six patients underwent CRS+HIPEC. CRS was performed with standard peritonectomy procedures and visceral resections directed towards complete elimination of tumors from the abdominopelvic cavity. HIPEC was performed with cisplatin (50 mg/m²) and doxorubicin (15 mg/m²) and allowed to circulate in the abdominopelvic cavity for 90 min at 41.0-42.2°C.

RESULTS

Cytoreduction completeness (CC-0) was achieved in all except one patient (CC-1). Five patients had OGCT recurrences in abdomen+pelvis and one patient in abdomen only. No grade V morbidity (Clavien-Dindo classification) occurred. Two patients developed lung atelectasis, which was managed by mere chest physiotherapy (grade I). One patient developed urinary tract infection (grade II) and another patient developed pneumonia (grade II) - both of which were managed by antibiotics. One patient developed splenic bed and anterior abdominal wall collections requiring ultrasound-guided aspiration without general anesthesia (grade III). One patient developed pulmonary embolism requiring intensive care-unit management (grade IV). Four chemo-naïve patients received adjuvant chemotherapy whereas the remaining two previously chemo-exposed patients received no adjuvant therapy. All patients were alive and disease-free without proof of recurrence/relapse at 40, 32, 27, 24, 20 and 16 months. The average interval of follow-up after CRS+HIPEC was roughly 27 months (range: 16-40 months).

CONCLUSION

CRS+HIPEC appears to be an efficacious and morbidly well-tolerated therapeutic modality for recurrent/relapsed OGCT. Long-term follow-up data and further research are needed.

Impact of maximal cytoreductive surgery plus regional heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) on outcome of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric origin: results of the GYMSSA trial

BACKGROUND

A prospective randomized trial was conducted to compare the impact of systemic chemotherapy versus multi-modality therapy (complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS), hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), and systemic chemotherapy) on overall survival (OS) in patients with gastric carcinomatosis.

METHODS

Patients with measurable metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma involving the peritoneum, and resectable to "no evidence of disease" were randomized to gastrectomy, metastasectomy, HIPEC, and systemic FOLFOXIRI (GYMS arm) or FOLFOXIRI alone (SA arm).

RESULTS

Seventeen patients were enrolled (16 evaluable); 7 of 9 patients in the multi-modality GYMS arm achieved complete cytoreduction (CCR0). Median OS was 11.3 months in the GYMS arm and 4.3 months in the SA arm. Four patients in the GYMS arm survived >12 months, 2 patients close to 2 years at last follow-up, and 1 patient more than 4 years, with 2 of these patients still alive. No patient in the SA arm lived beyond 11 months. All patients surviving beyond 12 months in the surgery arm achieved complete cytoreduction and had an initial Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) of ≤ 15.

CONCLUSION

Maximal cytoreductive surgery combined with regional (HIPEC) and systemic chemotherapy in selected patients with gastric carcinomatosis and limited disease burden can achieve prolonged survival.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with bevacizumab may improve outcome after cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) for colorectal carcinomatosis

BACKGROUND

In selected patients with colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) may improve survival. We aimed to assess whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab is indicated in this patient population.

METHODS

Colorectal PC patients were treated with CRS and HIPEC using oxaliplatin (200-460 mg/m(2)) or mitomycin C (35 mg/m(2)). Postoperative outcome and long-term survival were prospectively recorded. The impact of clinical variables on overall survival (OS) was assessed using univariate and Cox multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Between October 2002 and May 2012, 166 patients were treated with CRS and HIPEC. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone was administered to 21 % and neoadjuvant chemotherapy with bevacizumab to 16 % of patients. Postoperative mortality and major morbidity were 2.4 and 35 %, respectively. Half of the patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 18 months, OS was 27 months (95 % confidence interval 20.8-33.2). On univariate analysis, OS was associated with extent of disease (P < 0.001), neoadjuvant chemotherapy with bevacizumab (P = 0.021), completeness of cytoreduction (CC) (P < 0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.04), but not with primary disease site, synchronous presentation, or chemoperfusion drug. In multivariate Cox regression, independent predictors of OS were CC (hazard ratio 0.29, P < 0.001) and neoadjuvant therapy containing bevacizumab (hazard ratio 0.31, P = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term OS after CRS and HIPEC for colorectal cancer is associated with CC and neoadjuvant therapy containing bevacizumab. This regimen merits prospective study in patients with resectable PC of colorectal origin.

A prospective multicenter phase II study evaluating multimodality treatment of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis arising from appendiceal and colorectal cancer: the COMBATAC trial

Background

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is regarded as a common sign of advanced tumor stage, tumor progression or local recurrence of appendiceal and colorectal cancer and is generally associated with poor prognosis. Although survival of patients with advanced stage CRC has markedly improved over the last 20 years with systemic treatment, comprising combination chemotherapy +/− monoclonal antibodies, the oncological outcome—especially of the subgroup of patients with peritoneal metastases—is still unsatisfactory. In addition to systemic therapy, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are specific treatment options for a selected group of these patients and may provide an additional therapeutic benefit in the framework of an interdisciplinary treatment concept.

Methods/design

The COMBATAC trial is a prospective, multicenter, open-label, single-arm, single-stage phase II trial investigating perioperative systemic polychemotherapy including cetuximab in combination with CRS and HIPEC patients with histologically proven wild-type KRAS colorectal or appendiceal adenocarcinoma and synchronous or metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis. The planned total number of patients to be recruited is 60. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), perioperative morbidity and treatment-associated toxicity, feasibility of the combined treatment regimen, quality of life (QoL) and histopathological regression after preoperative chemotherapy.

Discussion

The COMBATAC trial is designed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the combined multidisciplinary treatment regimen consisting of perioperative systemic combination chemotherapy plus cetuximab and CRS plus bidirectional HIPEC with intraperitoneal oxaliplatin.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01540344, EudraCT number: 2009-014040-11

Surgical Approach Including Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in Patients with Peritoneal Metastasis

<b><i>Background: </i></b>Peritoneal metastasis arising from colorectal cancer, appendiceal cancer, gastric cancer and gynecologic malignancies, or primary peritoneal surface malignancies such as peritoneal mesothelioma and primary peritoneal adenocarcinoma may be efficiently treated by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in selected patients. <b><i>Method: </i></b>CRS is based on the technique of parietal and visceral peritonectomy and consists of multiple surgical procedures. HIPEC combines high local doses of cytostatics with the additional cytotoxic effects of hyperthermia. <b><i>Results: </i></b>The goal of CRS is to achieve a complete macroscopic cytoreduction (CC-0/1) as a precondition for consecutive HIPEC that should destroy residual tumor cells within the abdominal cavity. <b><i>Conclusion: </i></b>CRS and HIPEC can be performed with acceptable morbidity and low mortality in specialized centers. However, due to long learning curves, consistent surgical training is strongly recommended.