Background and aims: The standard treatment of non-metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) consists of chemotherapy with mitomycin (MMC) plus 5-fluorouracil (5FU) for 1-2 cycles concomitant with pelvic radiotherapy. Subsequent studies introduced cisplatin (CDDP) combined with 5FU, with unclear results. We evaluated the doublet capecitabine (C) and CDDP as a possible alternative to MMC-5FU regimen concomitant with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).
Patients and methods: We carried out a retrospective study on 67 patients affected by stage I-III ASCC, treated with CDDP (60-70 mg/m2 every 21 days for two courses) plus C (825 mg/m2 twice daily for 5 days/week) chemotherapy concomitant with IMRT for curative intent.
Results: At a median follow up of 41 months, the clinical complete response calculated at the 6-month time-point (6-moCR), the 6-month objective response rate and the 6-month disease control rate were 93%, 94%, and 99%, respectively.Disease-free survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 89%, 87%, and 85%, while the overall survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 100% and 95%. The colostomy-free survival rates were 90% at 1 year and 88% at 2 years. Grade 3-4 acute adverse events were reported in 61% of patients; predominantly skin toxicity (46%) and limited hematological toxicity (12%).
Conclusion: In this retrospective study, chemotherapy with C plus CDDP concomitant with IMRT proved safe and effective, and may represent a possible alternative option to standard MMC-containing regimen for curative intent.
Keywords: anal cancer; capecitabine; chemotherapy; cisplatin; image-guided; intensity-modulated; radiotherapy; squamous cell neoplasms.
© The Author(s), 2020.