Groundbreaking Findings from the PORTEC-3 Trial

A pivotal 10-year analysis from the highly anticipated phase III PORTEC-3 trial has emerged, shedding light on the battle against high-risk endometrial cancer. Published in *The Lancet Oncology*, this landmark study reveals that adjuvant chemoradiotherapy significantly boosts overall survival and recurrence-free survival compared to standard radiotherapy.

Study Overview

Conducted between November 2006 and December 2013, this international open-label trial involved 660 women, all eligible and evaluable for treatment options. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either pelvic radiotherapy (at a dose of 48.6 Gy) or chemoradiotherapy, which included pelvic radiotherapy alongside a regimen of cisplatin and carboplatin with paclitaxel.

Impressive Survival Rates Unveiled

After a median follow-up of 10.1 years, the results are striking. In the chemoradiotherapy group, the estimated 10-year overall survival rate soared to 74.4% versus 67.3% in the radiotherapy-only cohort. Similarly, recurrence-free survival reflected a similar trend, with 72.8% in the chemoradiotherapy group as opposed to 67.4% in the radiotherapy group.

Impact on p53-Abnormal Tumors

Focusing on molecular profiles, the study analyzed data from 210 patients in the chemoradiotherapy group and 201 in the radiotherapy group. For those with p53-abnormal tumors, the 10-year overall survival rate in the chemoradiotherapy group was significantly higher at 52.7%, compared to just 36.6% in the radiotherapy group.

No Benefit for Certain Cancer Types

Interestingly, the molecular analysis indicated no clear advantage of chemoradiotherapy over radiotherapy for patients with mismatch repair-deficient cancers or POLE-mutant cancers, suggesting that estrogen receptor status may influence treatment efficacy for other cancer profiles.

Conclusion: A New Hope in Treatment

The authors of the study conclude that the data indicates improved survival for high-risk endometrial cancer patients who undergo chemoradiotherapy compared to those receiving radiotherapy alone. This research heralds a new dawn in treatment strategies that could lead to better outcomes for women facing this aggressive cancer.

Dr. Cathalijne C.B. Post from Leiden University Medical Centre leads the charge in this essential research, which may reshape therapeutic approaches and offer new hope to countless women diagnosed with endometrial cancer.