Primary Tumour Response to Induction Chemotherapy in Synchronously Metastasized Colorectal Cancer

We performed a retrospective analysis regarding the response of the primary tumour and the liver metastases of patients with colorectal carcinoma to an induction chemotherapy with antibody therapy, either with a VEGF antibody, or with an EGFR antibody.

We investigated 100 Patients with synchronous metastatic colorectal carcinoma, who underwent hepatic resection in Clinic Landstraße or Clinic Favoriten between 2014 and 2021.

We investigated the tumour response of the primary tumour, using Rödel score, which is a tumour regression score.

We also investigated the tumour response of the liver metastases using Rubbia Brandt tumour regression score.

The pathological response was assessed postoperatively in the surgical specimen. In order to ensure a uniform assessment, the pathologists in our HPB center assessed the histological specimens from both treatment locations prior to this analyses.

The tumour response of the liver metastases was assessed twice: by radiological tumour assessment via computer tomography (CT) of the abdomen or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver with RECIST criteria.

Postoperative complications less than 90 days after liver resection were assessed and described according to the classification system by Dindo et al.

Day of tumour recurrence and/or death was assessed.

We also investigated the difference of recurrence free Survival (RFS) and Overall surcical (OS) between the patients, who received EGFR and the patients, who received VEGF antibody treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• older than 18 years
• synchronously hepatic metastasized patients with colorectal carcinoma
• indication of surgical treatment

Exclusion criteria

• younger than 18 years
• metachronously metastasized patients