Aims Preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision is the current standard of care for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. The use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for rectal cancer is increasing in the UK. However, the extent of IMRT implementation and current practice was not previously known. A national survey was commissioned to investigate the landscape of IMRT use for rectal cancer and to inform the development of national rectal cancer IMRT guidance. Materials and methods A web-based survey was developed by the National Rectal Cancer IMRT Guidance working group in collaboration with the Royal College of Radiologists and disseminated to all UK radiotherapy centres. The survey enquired about the implementation of IMRT with a focus on the following aspects of the workflow: dose fractionation schedules and use of a boost; pre-treatment preparation and simulation; target volume/organ at risk definition; treatment planning and treatment verification. A descriptive statistical analysis was carried out. Results In total, 44 of 63 centres (70%) responded to the survey; 30/44 (68%) and 36/44 (82%) centres currently use IMRT to treat all patients and selected patients with rectal cancer, respectively. There was general agreement concerning several aspects of the IMRT workflow, including patient positioning, use of intravenous contrast and bladder protocols. Greater variation in practice was identified regarding rectal protocols; use of a boost to primary/nodal disease; target volume delineation; organ at risk delineation and dose constraints and treatment verification. Delineation of individual small bowel loops and daily volumetric treatment verification were considered potentially feasible by most centres. Conclusion This survey identified that IMRT is already used to treat rectal cancer in many UK radiotherapy centres, but there is heterogeneity between centres in its implementation and practice. These results have been a valuable aid in framing the recommendations within the new National Rectal Cancer IMRT Guidance.

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients aged under 55 years is on the rise, constituting approximately 10% of cases. Our aim was to determine the survival and clinico-pathological details of young-onset CRC (yCRC), as well as audit the referral rate to genetic services and thus establish the incidence of microsatellite instability (MSI). Methods A retrospective case note review was conducted for patients aged under 55 years who were diagnosed with CRC between 2005-2015 in the North East of Scotland. Cases were identified by pathology records and data was obtained from patient notes then crosschecked with the NHS Grampian genetics electronic case records. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 (IBM, New York, USA) to produce Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, descriptive statistics and markers predictive for genetic referral. Results Data from 345 patients (age range 22-54 years) were analysed. The one year, five year and overall survival rates were found to be 89%, 63% and 55%, respectively. A majority of patients (61%) presented with advanced Dukes’ C or D disease. Of 201 patients that met criteria for genetic referral, only 93 (46%) were referred to genetics services. MSI was identified in 14% of those referred. Conclusions Survival in yCRC was found to be better than that in later onset disease, despite higher rates of advanced disease. Patients were under-referred to genetic services, where a significant proportion were found to be MSI positive.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients aged under 55 years is on the rise, constituting approximately 10% of cases. Our aim was to determine the survival and clinico-pathological details of young-onset CRC (yCRC), as well as audit the referral rate to genetic services and thus establish the incidence of inherited cancer syndromes. Methods: A retrospective case note review was conducted for patients aged under 55 years who were diagnosed with CRC between 2005 and 2015 in the North East of Scotland. Cases were identified by pathology records and data was obtained from patient notes. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 (IBM, New York, USA) to produce Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, descriptive statistics and markers predictive for genetic referral.Results: Data from 345 patients (age range 22-54 years) were identified. The one year, five year and overall survival rates were found to be 89, 63 and 55%, respectively. Most patients (61%) presented with advanced disease. Of 201 patients that met criteria for genetic referral, only 93 (46%) were referred to genetic services. Microsatellite instability (MSI) was identified in 14% of those referred. Conclusion: Survival in yCRC was found to be better than that in later onset disease, despite higher rates of advanced disease. Patients were under-referred to genetic services, where a significant proportion were found to be MSI positive and investigated for Lynch syndrome.

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients aged under 55 years is on the rise, constituting approximately 10% of cases. Our aim was to determine the survival and clinico-pathological details of young-onset CRC (yCRC), as well as audit the referral rate to genetic services and thus establish the incidence of inherited cancer syndromes. Methods A retrospective case note review was conducted for patients aged under 55 years who were diagnosed with CRC between 2005-2015 in the North East of Scotland. Cases were identified by pathology records and data was obtained from patient notes then crosschecked with the NHS Grampian genetics electronic case records. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 (IBM, New York, USA) to produce Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, descriptive statistics and markers predictive for genetic referral. Results Data from 345 patients (age range 22-54 years) were identified. The one year, five year and overall survival rates were found to be 89%, 63% and 55%, respectively. Most patients (61%) presented with advanced disease. Of 201 patients that met criteria for genetic referral, only 93 (46%) were referred to genetics services. Microsatellites instability (MSI) was identified in 14% of those referred. Conclusions Survival in yCRC was found to be better than that in later onset disease, despite higher rates of advanced disease. Patients were under-referred to genetic services, where a significant proportion were found to be MSI positive and investigated for Lynch syndrome.

Objectives To provide real-world performance data and identify clinical factors associated with survival outcomes for patients receiving first-line pembrolizumab-containing treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the palliative setting. Materials and Methods We analysed the electronic records of patients who initiated pembrolizumab-containing treatment between 01/03/2020-30/09/2021. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response (DOR), disease control rate (DCR). Data were compared with the KEYNOTE-048 study and clinical factors were evaluated for association with survival. Results Our cohort included 91 patients (median follow-up 10.8 months). For patients receiving monotherapy (n=76), 12-month and 24-month OS was 45% and 27%, respectively, 12-month PFS was 22%, median DOR was 13.3 months, and DCR was 56.6%. For patients receiving pembrolizumab-chemotherapy (n=15), 12-month OS was 60%, 12-month PFS was 20%, median DOR was 7.3 months and DCR was 60.0%. Experiencing ≥1 irAE (versus no irAEs), of any grade, was associated with favourable OS and PFS for patients receiving monotherapy in both univariable log-rank analysis (median OS 17.4 months versus 8.6 months, respectively, P=0.0033; median PFS 10.9 months versus 3.0 months, respectively, P<0.0001) and multivariable analysis (Cox proportional hazards regression: OS HR: 0.31, P=0.0009; PFS HR: 0.17, P<0.0001). Conclusion Our real-world data, first from a European population, support the KEYNOTE-048 study findings. Additionally, our data is first to show irAEs are associated with better outcomes in this patient group, adding to the growing body of evidence showing irAEs are generally a positive marker of PD-L1 inhibitor response.

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621 Background: Neoadjuvant long course chemoradiotherapy is well recognised as a standard treatment in locally advanced, margin threatening rectal cancer, in order to downstage and reduce local recurrence. We investigated retrospectively whether long term outcomes could be predicted by response to neoadjuvant treatment, and which factors specifically seemed to predict a risk of poorer outcome. Methods: All patients treated with long course chemoradiotherapy between January 2008 and December 2009 were identified retrospectively. Patients were excluded if the treatment indication was for inoperable disease, postoperative, recurrence, or palliative intent. A total of 231 patients were analysed with retrospective analysis of all electronic records and case notes. The following information was collated: preoperative staging, chemoradiotherapy treatment planned and received, operation performed, postoperative pathology (including nodal status, margins, presence of LVSI, and evidence of response to neoadjuvant treatment), disease free survival, and overall survival. Results: Kaplan Meier curves are presented showing patients with either a complete or partial response to neoadjuvant treatment appear to have a statistically significant improvement in long term outcomes, compared to those with no response (Mean survival 55 months, 56 months and 43months respectively, p<0.01). Furthermore, those who remain node positive or have evidence of LVSI following neoadjuvant treatment appear to have a statistically significant poorer outcome. Conclusions: Our study further develops on previous work looking at the prediction of outcomes following response to neoadjuvant treatment in rectal cancer. It appears that those who respond to initial treatment will have a better outcome than those who do not, including those who remain node positive or with LVSI following treatment. This study is limited because it is retrospective. Randomised controlled trial data is required to enable identification of poor risk imaging and pathology features that might suggest the need for adjuvant therapy following combined modality treatment with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery.

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