Dr. Eng Discusses the ADORE Trial in Rectal Cancer

Cathy Eng, MD, professor of gastrointestinal medical oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the ADORE trial in patients with rectal cancer.

The ADORE trial looked at the role of adjuvant chemotherapy based on a patient’s pathologic postoperative staging. In the trial, adjuvant oxaliplatin was added to leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; FOLFOX) and compared with leucovorin/5-FU alone. Researchers validated that there is an improvement in disease-free survival (DFS) for patients with stage III disease receiving FOLFOX, says Eng. This trial was done in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

The study met its primary endpoint of DFS, suggesting a clear benefit with the addition of oxaliplatin. Adjuvant chemotherapy remains a controversial topic in rectal cancer though, Eng says. The data from ADORE have been the most positive findings to date in support of adjuvant chemotherapy.