Hoendervangers S, et al. - The pathologic complete response (pCR) rates between neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) and short-course radiotherapy followed by delayed surgery (SCRT-delay) were compared in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) in a nationwide database from the Netherlands. Patients receiving SCRT and delayed surgery less frequently developed pCR compared to those treated with neoadjuvant CRT. For organ-sparing treatments in patients not fit for CRT, novel neoadjuvant treatment strategies are required to enhance their eligibility.