ObjectiveApproximately 10–40% of rectal patients have a complete response (CR) to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT), and these patients have improved survival. Thus, non-operative management (“watch-and-wait” approach) may be an option for select patients. We aimed to identify clinical predictors of CR following CRT.MethodsPatients treated with definitive CRT for T3–T4, locally unresectable T1–T2, low-lying T2, and/or node-positive rectal cancer from August 2004 to February 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Most patients were treated with 50.4 Gy radiation and concurrent 5-fluoruracil or capecitabine. Patients were considered to have a CR if surgical pathology revealed ypT0N0M0 (operative management), or if they had no evidence of residual disease on clinical and radiographic assessment (non-operative management). Statistical analysis was carried out to determine predictors of CR and long-term outcomes.ResultsComplete records were available on 138 patients. The median follow-up was 24.5 months. Thirty-six patients (26.3%) achieved a CR; 30/123 operatively managed patients (24.5%) and 6/15 (40%) non-operatively managed patients. None of the 10 patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma achieved a CR. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) ≥5 μg/L at diagnosis (OR 0.190, 95% CI 0.037–0.971, p = 0.046), tumor size ≥3 cm (OR 0.123, 95% CI 0.020–0.745, p = 0.023), distance of tumor from the anal verge ≥3 cm (OR 0.091, 95% CI 0.013–0.613, p = 0.014), clinically node-positive disease at diagnosis (OR 0.201, 95% CI 0.045–0.895, p = 0.035), and interval from CRT to surgery ≥8 weeks (OR 5.267, 95% CI 1.068–25.961, p = 0.041) were independent predictors of CR. The CR group had longer 3-year distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (93.7 vs. 63.7%, p = 0.016) and 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) (91.1 vs. 67.8%, p = 0.038). Three-year locoregional control (LRC) (96.6 vs. 81.3%, p = 0.103) and overall survival (97.2 vs. 87.5%, p = 0.125) were higher in the CR group but this did not achieve statistical significance. CR was not an independent predictor of LRC, DMFS, or DFS.ConclusionCEA at diagnosis, tumor size, tumor distance from the anal verge, node positivity at diagnosis, and interval from CRT to surgery were predictors of CR. These clinical variables may offer insight into patient selection and timing of treatment response evaluation in the watch-and-wait approach.

Background: Registry studies broadly describing the safety of systemic drugs in psoriasis are needed.Objective: To describe the safety findings of the systemic drugs acitretin, adalimumab, apremilast, cyclosporine, etanercept, infliximab, methotrexate, secukinumab, and ustekinumab used for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis in patients included in the Spanish Registry of Adverse Events for Biological Therapy in Dermatological Diseases (BIOBADADERM) Registry. Methods:The incidence rate ratio (IRR) and adjusted IRR (including propensity scores) of identified adverse events for each drug, using methotrexate as reference, were determined by means of a prospective cohort.Results: Our study included 2845 patients (8954 treatment cycles; 9642 patient-years). Ustekinumab and secukinumab had the lowest rate of adverse events for several of the system organ classes, with a statistically significant decreased rate ratio (IRR of \1), whereas cyclosporine and infliximab had the highest, with an increased rate ratio (IRR of $5).

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BackgroundThe results of RTOG-MRC randomized trial of photon (n=15) versus neutron (n=17) therapy in the 1980’s reported an improved local control (LC) with neutron radiotherapy for unresectable salivary gland tumors. Due to increased severe toxicity with neutron radiotherapy and the paucity of neutron-therapy centers, we analyzed our institution’s results of photon radiotherapy for unresectable salivary gland tumors.Patients and methodsFrom 1990 to 2009, 27 patients with unresectable salivary gland cancer underwent definitive photon radiotherapy at our institution. Nodal involvement on presentation was found in 9 patients. Median dose of radiotherapy was 70 Gy. Chemotherapy was given to 18 patients, most being platinum-based regimens. Local control (LC), locoregional control (LRC), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity outcomes were assessed.ResultsWith a median follow-up of 52.4 months, the 2/5-year actuarial LC was 69% (95%CI ± 21.0%)/55% (± 24.2%), LRC was 65% (± 21.4%)/47% (± 21.6%), and DMFS was 71% (± 21.8%)/51% (± 22.8%), respectively using competing risk analysis. The median OS was 25.7 months, and the 2/5-year OS rates were 50% (± 19.0%)/29% (± 16.6%), respectively. Higher histologic grade was significant for an increased rate of DM (intermediate grade vs. low grade, p=0.04, HR 7.93; high grade vs. low grade, p=0.01, HR 13.50). Thirteen (48%) patient’s experienced acute grade 3 toxicity. Late grade 3 toxicity occurred in three (11%) patients.ConclusionsOur data compares favorably to neutron radiotherapy with fewer late complications. Photon radiotherapy is an acceptable alternative to neutron radiotherapy in patients who present with unresectable salivary gland tumors.

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