Molecular biomarkers for predicting complete response to preoperative chemoradiation in people with locally advanced rectal cancer

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (prognosis). The objectives are as follows:. Primary objectives To identify and estimate the prognostic value of molecular biomarkers as predictors of pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in people with locally advanced rectal cancer. summarises the review question in population, index prognostic factor, comparator prognostic factor(s), outcome, timing, and setting (PICOTS) format. 1 PICOTS criteria (Table presented.) 1 (Figure presented.) Timing of outcome assessment. At time of surgical specimen TRG scoring for response to nCRT. LARC: locally advanced rectal cancer; nCRT: neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy; TME: total mesorectal excision; TRG: tumour regression grade. Secondary objectives To explore the following biomarker measurement, treatment, and study design factors as possible sources of heterogeneity in the association between the prognostic factor and pathological response: type of assay/measurement method, biomarker positivity criteria or cut-off point, chemotherapy regimen, and radiotherapy regimen.