Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Using Infusional Gemcitabine: Immune Cell Infiltration Analysis and Updated Survival.

ABSTRACT: Background: Standard neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer typically employs capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil. Gemcitabine, an alternative radiosensitizer, has a well-established immunomodulatory effect. The role of preoperative concurrent gemcitabine with radiotherapy on rectal cancer microenvironment and long-term survival has not been fully elucidated. Methods: In this phase II clinical trial update and secondary analysis, 40 adult patients with stage T3/T4 or node-positive, non-metastatic rectal cancer received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy consisting of external beam radiation (45-54 Gy) with weekly 24-hour infusional gemcitabine (100 mg/m², later 75 mg/m² for toxicity) followed by surgery and adjuvant capecitabine. The prot

SUBMITTER: Bazarbashi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12730363 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature