Effect and imaging analysis of cetuximab combined with radiotherapy in patients with rectal carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Objective. To analyze the effect of cetuximab combined with radiotherapy in patients with rectal carcinoma (RC) by imaging analysis. Methods. The clinical data of 104 RC patients at our hospital from February 2021 to February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. They were separated into control group (n = 52) and experimental group (n = 52) according to the order of admission, with the former treated with radiotherapy alone and the latter receiving cetuximab and radiotherapy. The clinical efficacy, tumor marker levels and imaging parameters of different treatment regimens were compared, and Quality of Life questionnaire (QLQ-C30) was used to evaluate the quality of life. Results. The incidence of tumor regression grade (TRG) downgrade, T stage downgrade and N stage downgrade was remarkably higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The experimental group had remarkably lower tumor marker levels (P < 0.001) and higher mean score of EORTC Core QLQ-C30 (P < 0.001) than those in the control group. The relative signal intensity of tumor (SIT/M), relative signal intensity reduction rate of tumor (SIT/MRR) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were remarkably higher (P < 0.001) and the absolute signal intensity of tumor (SIT) value was remarkably lower (P < 0.001) in the experimental group than the control group. Conclusion. Treatment with cetuximab and radiotherapy can greatly reduce serum tumor marker levels in RC patients and bring them health benefits, and further studies will help establish a better solution for such patients.

KEYWORDS:

• cetuximab
• radiotherapy
• rectal carcinoma
• effect
• imaging analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Hebei Medical Science Research Program, grant number 20220583.

Notes on contributors

Shuai Zhang

Shuai Zhang, Master of Medicine, has been engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors for 8 years. Research direction: Imaging and clinical diagnosis of rectal tumors, surgical treatment, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Liangliang Liu

Liangliang Liu, Master of Pharmacy, has been working in anti-tumor pharmacology for 10 years. Research direction: Mechanisms of tumor occurrence and development, the mechanisms of action of anti-tumor drugs, and clinical efficacy.

Shuguang Li

Shuguang Li, Doctor of Medicine, has been engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors for over 30 years. Research direction: Prevention and diagnosis of early gastrointestinal cancer, surgical treatment and comprehensive treatment of gastric and colorectal cancer, and the combined treatment of traditional Chinese and Western medicine for cancer.

Xin Sun

Xin Sun, Bachelor, has been engaged in medical imaging diagnosis for over 20 years, mainly focusing on X-ray and CT imaging diagnosis. Research direction: Respiratory system, osteoarticular system, and digestive system diseases.