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‹ Fri · 21 Aug 2026
Promising but preliminary

How reliable is pathological complete response (pCR) as an endpoint in rectal cancer clinical trials.

The optimal management of locally advanced rectal cancer continues to evolve with the integration of multimodality treatment strategies. While long-course chemoradiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision has traditionally been the standard approach, newer strategies such as total neoadjuvant therapy and organ-preservation protocols have significantly increased rates of pathological complete response (pCR).

The optimal management of locally advanced rectal cancer continues to evolve with the integration of multimodality treatment strategies. While long-course chemoradiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision has traditionally been the standard approach, newer strategies such as total neoadjuvant therapy and organ-preservation protocols have significantly increased rates of pathological complete response (pCR).

What the study was

Study design
Review
Category
Treatment Innovation
Maturity
Exploratory
Journal
Crit Rev Oncol Hematol

Why it surfaced

Matched watchlist topic 'Early cancer detection'. Study design: Review. Score: 8/10 (N:3, R:3, D:1, P:1).

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