What does the PRODIGE 7 study teach us?

What exactly did PRODIGE 7 analyze?

Phase III, multicenter, randomized trial conducted in 17 specialized centers in France, with 265 patients aged 18-70 with colorectal cancer and resectable peritoneal metastases (Peritoneal Cancer Index ≤25 and good general condition).

All patients underwent cytoreductive surgery seeking macroscopically complete resection and received systemic chemotherapy before and/or after surgery; the addition of HIPEC with oxaliplatin was compared versus not adding it.

Key study results

Treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis with systemic chemotherapy alone (without cytoreductive surgery) has a median survival of only 16 months. The study demonstrated that survival was three times higher in cases of complete cytoreduction surgery, which gives the study great relevance.

Likewise, good quality of life was observed in patients included in PRODIGE 7, by significantly reducing the rate of late postoperative complications.

"Less is More!" — Press headline after the study presentation at ASCO, Chicago

What implications does it have for patients?

PRODIGE 7 shows that when complete cytoreductive surgery is achieved at expert centers and systemic chemotherapy is associated, HIPEC with oxaliplatin does not provide more survival and does increase the risk of complications.

The study is very positive as these data reinforce the idea that the pillar of curative treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin is radical surgery in the hands of specialized teams, within a multidisciplinary approach and with very careful patient selection.

Prof. Dr. François Quenet is one of the great international names in peritoneal oncological surgery and leader of the PRODIGE 7 trial. His work has been key in providing high-quality evidence on when HIPEC adds value and when it can be avoided, helping to design safer and more rational treatments for patients with peritoneal metastases of colorectal origin.

His leadership in this study has significantly contributed to optimizing treatment protocols worldwide, prioritizing quality surgery and appropriate patient selection over the indiscriminate application of additional techniques.