Publication:

Factors influencing response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer: the role of serum carcinoembryonic antigen and tumor size

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) is a pivotal component in the management of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), offering the advantages of tumor downstaging, enhanced resectability, and potential for sphincter preservation. Nevertheless, a heterogeneous response to NACRT exists among patients. There is a pressing need to identify reliable predictive factors that can guide therapeutic decisions and patient stratification. Among these, pre-treatment serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels and primary tumor size have been extensively explored as potential markers of therapeutic efficacy. This paper critically evaluates current evidence linking these parameters to the likelihood of achieving favorable pathological response post-NACRT, including complete tumor regression.