Contact x-ray brachytherapy for the treatment of rectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Authors: Powell Simon George , Wyatt James , Haq Muneeb , Than Nguwah , Javed Ahsan , Ahmed Shakil , Rao Christopher , Pritchard D Mark , Mills Jamie , Stewart Alexandra J. , Dhadda Amandeep Singh , Gerard Jean-Pierre , Sun Myint Arthur 
Published: June 2024

e15628 Background: Rectal cancer is a highly prevalent disease, particularly among the elderly and frail populations. While surgical resection has traditionally been the primary management approach, it carries inherent risks, including operative mortality, morbidity, and poor long-term functional outcomes. These risks are particularly pronounced in older, co-morbid individuals. Evidence presented in the 2023 phase III OPERA randomised trial suggests that Contact X-ray Brachytherapy (CXB) is a viable organ-preserving alternative to radical surgery. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the clinical effectiveness of CXB in the treatment of rectal cancer. Methods: This systematic review was prospectively registered (CRD42021284969) and reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Cochrane CENTRAL Libraries were interrogated using the search terms “Rectal cancer”, “Contact Brachytherapy”, and synonym terms. Literature search and data extraction were conducted by two reviewers, with recourse to a senior author for resolution of conflicts. Clinical complete response (cCR) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include local regrowth, regional recurrence, salvage surgery rates, long-term disease control post-salvage surgery and survival outcomes. Proportional meta-analyses were conducted and presented as forest plots with summary proportions and 95% confidence intervals. The Higgins I2 statistic was used to assess for heterogeneity. The random effects model was employed in studies reporting substantial heterogeneity (I2> 50%). Results: The literature search identified 973 studies, of which 48 studies encompassing 5,447 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled estimates of outcomes were as follows: cCR rate = 80% (95% CI 76-88%), local regrowth = 15% (95% CI 12-18%), regional failure rate = 3% (95% CI 2-4%), salvage surgery rate = 14% (95% CI 11-18%), long-term disease control post-salvage surgery rate = 88% (95% CI 78-96%) and organ preservation 82% (95% CI 75-88%). A subgroup analysis was conducted and stratified by concomitant therapy (CXB alone, CXB & EBRT, CXB & EBCRT). CXB, in conjunction with EBCRT, leads to a statistically significant reduction in both local regrowth and regional failure. The local regrowth rates were 16% (95% CI 11-21%), 17% (95% CI 11-23%), and 10% (95% CI 8-13%) respectively, with a p-value of 0.05. The regional failure rates were 4% (95% CI 2-8%), 4% (95% CI 2-5%), and 1% (95% CI 0-2%), p = 0.02. Conclusions: CXB, combined with EBCRT, in the appropriately selected patient can achieve long-term disease control whilst avoiding major surgery. Salvage surgery is a viable option for patients who experience disease regrowth, with excellent long-term disease control. CXB may be considered a safe alternative to surgery in the appropriately selected patient.