Characteristics of the Patients
T4 disease
MAY
Between May 15, 2008, and December 23, 2016, 1,053 (41%) of 2,591 potentially eligible patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to the NAC group (n = 699) or control group (n = 354), from 85 centers: 79 in the the United Kingdom (n = 949), three in Denmark (n = 88), and three in Sweden (n = 16). Baseline characteristics were balanced across groups (Data Supplement). Chosen chemotherapy was OxFU in 756 (72%), OxCap in 297 (28%); the planned total chemotherapy duration was 24 weeks in 992 (94%), and 12 weeks in 61 (6%). A total of 279 patients participated in the NAC ± panitumumab subrandomization. The median age was 63 years; baseline CT suggested T4 disease in 268 (25%) and lymph-node involvement in 792 (75%). The median follow-up was 3.1 (IQR, 2.5-4.9) years.