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802 Background: Clinical trials are criticized due to inclusion of selected populations. The aim of this analysis is to compare populations included in clinical trials which justify treatment recommendations in stage III and IV colorectal cancer (CRC) to patient populations in our area. Methods: Data related to age, sex, primary tumor and stage of CRC patients consecutively diagnosed in Vega Baja Hospital and Elche University General Hospital were collected. Also data regarding the same variables were collected from the publications of clinical trials which justify adjuvant treatment in stage III colon cancer and combination treatment with chemotherapy and targeted therapies in stage IV CRC. Results: We analyzed 249 patients with stage III colon cancer and 237 patients with stage IV CRC from our area. In our experience, 56.6% of stage III colon cancer were males, and median age was 66.2 years (23 - 91), with 41.8% ≥ 70 years. In clinical trials supporting adjuvant treatment 54 - 56.1% of patients were males, and median age was 59 - 61 years (19-83), with 14 - 21.7% ≥ 70 years. In our experience 64.4% of stage IV CRC patients were males, and median age was 67.2 years (38-89), 76.4% primary tumor in colon. In clinical trials supporting combination treatment with chemotherapy and targeted therapies 60-67% of patients were males, and median age was 59.2 – 62 years, primary tumor in colon 57.9 – 81% (Table). Conclusions: Patient populations included in clinical trials which support standard treatment in CRC are younger to those in our area. This fact, added to the restrictions based on inclusion and exclusion criteria of clinical trials, justify the qualification of “selected” to these populations not being representative of our clinical practice. [Table: see text] |
