Patterns of recurrence after surgery alone versus preoperative chemoradiotherapy and surgery in the CROSS trials

The role of surgery or definitive chemoradiotherapy in management of localized squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus - What is the verdict?

The management of squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) of esophagus has significantly changed over last decade with the development of newer surgical techniques such as endoscopic submucosal dissection for early superficial esophageal cancer and refinement of existing surgical techniques (e.g., Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy) that has been associated with an improvement in patient outcomes. The data from the pivotal CROSS study has established neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) as standard of care for patients with locally advanced disease progressing to esophagectomy Simultaneously, definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) has emerged as an effective therapeutic modality with an added advantage of organ preservation. The present review focuses on reviewing the management of localized esophageal SqCC and exploring the evidence regarding the efficacy and caveats of different therapeutic modalities. One of the key objectives is to identify any specific features which may influence choosing a particular modality (e.g. surgery cf. dCRT) and definition of an appropriate evidence-based algorithm for management of early (superficial) and locally advanced SqCC of esophagus.

Patterns of recurrent disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophageal cancer surgery with curative intent in a tertiary referral center

BACKGROUND

Recurrence is frequently observed after esophageal cancer surgery, with dismal post-recurrence survival. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by esophagectomy is the gold standard for resectable esophageal tumors in the Netherlands. This study investigated the recurrence patterns and survival after multimodal therapy.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients with recurrent disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by esophagectomy for an esophageal adenocarcinoma in the Amsterdam UMC between 01 and 01-2010 and 31-12-2018. Post-recurrence treatment and survival of patients were investigated and grouped by recurrence site (loco-regional, distant, or combined loco-regional and distant).

RESULTS

In total, 278 of 618 patients (45.0%) developed recurrent disease after a median of 49 weeks. Thirty-one patients had loco-regional (11.2%), 145 distant (52.2%), and 101 combined loco-regional and distant recurrences (36.3%). Post-recurrence survival was superior for patients with loco-regional recurrences (33 weeks, 95%CI 7.3-58.7) compared to distant (12 weeks, 95%CI 6.9-17.1) or combined loco-regional and distant recurrent disease (18 weeks, 95%CI 9.3-26.7). Patients with loco-regional recurrences treated with curative intent had the longest survival (87 weeks, 95%CI 6.9-167.4).

CONCLUSION

Recurrent disease after potentially curative treatment for esophageal cancer was most frequently located distantly, with dismal prognosis. A subgroup of patients with loco-regional recurrence was treated with curative intent and had prolonged survival. These patients may benefit from intensive surveillance protocols, and more research is needed to identify these patients.

Gut microbiome can predict chemoradiotherapy efficacy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

The gut microbiome plays an important role in cancer pathogenesis and therapy. Some studies have reported that specific bacteria in tumor tissues may contribute to the prognosis and treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, there is limited evidence that the gut microbiome is associated with ESCC. This study assessed the utility of the gut microbiome as a predictive marker of the therapeutic effect in patients with ESCC undergoing chemo-radiotherapy (CRT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fecal samples were collected from 51 patients with ESCC who had never undergone treatment between April 2021 and May 2022 in the Department of Frontier Surgery, Chiba University. The gut microbiome was analyzed using 16S metagenomics sequencing. The association between the gut microbiome composition and stage according to the TNM classification (American Joint Committee on Cancer 7.0) and CRT response according to the RECIST criteria was evaluated.

RESULTS

The relative abundance of Fusobacteriaceae was enriched in cStage III-IVb group. Among the 27 patients who received CRT, the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae was enriched in those with a partial and complete response. Lactobacillaceae also did not correlate with any clinical data, but the high Lactobacillales group had a higher LMR (P = 0.032) and lower PLR (P = 0.045) than in the low Lactobacillales group.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, we found that the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae was enriched in patients with a partial or complete response among CRT those with ESCC, thus suggesting that the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae can predict the effect of CRT.

Perioperative immunotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Now and future

Esophageal cancer (EC) ranks among the most prevalent malignant tumors affecting the digestive tract. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) stands as the prevailing pathological subtype, encompassing approximately 90% of all EC patients. In clinical stage II-IVA locally advanced ESCC cases, the primary approach to treatment involves a combination of neoadjuvant therapy and surgical resection. Despite concerted efforts, the long-term outcomes for ESCC patients remain unsatisfactory, with dismal prognoses. However, recent years have witnessed remarkable strides in immunotherapy, particularly in the second- and first-line treatment of advanced or metastatic ESCC, with the development of monoclonal antibodies that inhibit programmed death 1 or programmed death ligand 1 demonstrating encouraging responses and perioperative clinical benefits for various malignancies, including ESCC. This comprehensive review aims to present the current landscape of perioperative immunotherapy for resectable ESCC, focusing specifically on the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors during the perioperative period. Additionally, the review will explore promising biomarkers and offer insights into future prospects.

Patients with Isolated Brain Metastases from Esophageal Carcinoma After Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy May Not Have a Dismal Prognosis

BACKGROUND

After esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma, 2-13% of patients develop brain metastases (BM) which are associated with a poor prognosis. Further investigation into treatment and prognosis is beneficial given the limited available literature and varying outcomes.

METHODS

Case files of all 339 patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) in a single high-volume center between January 2015 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with BM and isolated brain metastases (iBM) were identified and a survival analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Fifteen out of 339 patients (4,4%) undergoing MIE developed BM of which 9 (60,0%) had iBM. Most patients were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (55,6%), localized in the middle third of the esophagus (66,7%), and had a pathologic complete response (66,7%) after initial treatment. Treatment of iBM consisted of gamma knife (GK) radiosurgery (44,4%), surgical resection (22,2%), GK and surgical resection (11,1%), and best supportive care (22,2%). Median time to diagnose iBM was 8,4 months (range 0,2-37,5) and survival after detection of iBM was 14,3 months (95% CI 0,0-45.9). The 2-year survival rate after detection of iBM was 44,4%.

CONCLUSIONS

iBM after esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma is rare, but when encountered can and should be treated with a curative intent in selected cases in close collaboration with large neurosurgical centers. A large-scale study should be conducted to confirm our findings.

Combined regression score predicts outcome after neoadjuvant treatment of oesophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Histopathologic regression following neoadjuvant treatment (NT) of oesophageal cancer is a prognostic factor of survival, but the nodal status is not considered. Here, a score combining both to improve prediction of survival after neoadjuvant therapy is developed.

METHODS

Seven hundred and fifteen patients with oesophageal squamous cell (SCC) or adenocarcinoma (AC) undergoing NT and esophagectomy were analysed. Histopathologic response was classified according to percentage of vital residual tumour cells (VRTC): complete response (CR) without VRTC, major response with <10% VRTC, minor response with >10% VRTC. Nodal stage was classified as ypN0 and ypN+. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used for survival analysis.

RESULTS

Survival analysis identified three groups with significantly different mortality risks: (1) low-risk group for CR (ypT0N0) with 72% 5-year overall survival (5y-OS), (2) intermediate-risk group for minor/major responders and ypN0 with 59% 5y-OS, and (3) high-risk group for minor/major responders and ypN+ with 20% 5y-OS (p < 0.001). Median survival in AC and SCC cohorts were comparable (3.8 (CI 95%: 3.1, 5.3) vs. 4.6 years (CI 95%: 3.3, not reached), p = 0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Histopathologic regression and nodal status should be combined for estimating AC and SCC prognosis. Poor survival in the high-risk group highlights need for adjuvant therapy.

Sintilimab as maintenance treatment for local/regional recurrent esophageal squamous carcinoma after concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a single-arm Ib/II phase study

Background

Esophageal cancer (EC) is an aggressive neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy (RT), and/or surgery, according to disease status. Despite the availability of multimodal therapeutic strategies, local recurrence is frequently observed. However, there is no standard treatment or promising therapeutic approach for local recurrence or metastatic esophageal carcinoma after the RT. This study tended to investigate the efficacy and safety of sintilimab maintenance after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for local/regional recurrent esophageal squamous carcinoma.

Methods

This study was a single-arm, phase Ib/II trial conducted in a single site in China. Patients previously radically treated (surgery or CCRT), histologically confirmed, local or regional recurrence esophageal squamous carcinoma, qualified for the study design, were treated with 25-28 times radiotherapy plus raltitrexed once every 3 weeks for up to two cycles. Patients who have not progressed after CCRT received sintilimab as maintenance once every 3 weeks up to 1 year. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and safety. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and duration of response (DOR).

Results

Between September 2019 and March 2022, in a total of 36 enrolled patients, 34 pts completed CCRT. Three patients excluded due to violation of the exclusion criteria (1 pt) and consent withdrawal (2 pts). Finally, 33 pts were included in the final analysis, in which 3 pts had disease progression, and the remaining 30 entered maintenance therapy with sintilimab. The median follow-up time was 12.3 months. Median OS was 20.6 months (95%CI 10.5-NA) and the 1-year OS rate was 64%. Median PFS was 11.5 months (95%CI 5.29-21.3) and the 1-year PFS rate was 43.6%. The ORR was 63.6% (95%CI 44.6-77.8), including 2 cases of CR and 19 cases of PR. The DCR was 19.9%, the median DOR was 19.5 months, and the median TTR was 2.4 months. The rate of any grade TRAEs was 96.7%; ≥Grade 3 TRAE was 23.4%. The incidence of immune-related AE was 60%, most of which were grade 1-2, and only one case of thyroid-stimulating hormone increased was irAE with grade 3 or above.

Conclusion

Sintilimab has shown promising clinical efficacy and a manageable safety profile as maintenance therapy after CCRT for local/regional recurrent esophageal squamous carcinoma. In addition, further confirmation from a large-scale real-world study is still needed.

Incidence and management of esophageal cancer recurrence to regional lymph nodes after curative esophagectomy

Up to 50% of patients treated with curative esophagectomy for esophageal cancer will develop recurrence, contributing to the dismal survival associated with this disease. Regional recurrence may represent disease that is not yet widely metastatic and may therefore be amenable to more-aggressive treatment. We sought to assess all patients treated with curative esophagectomy for esophageal cancer who developed regional recurrence. We retrospectively identified all patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal adenocarcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma at a single institution from January 2000 to August 2019. In total, 1626 patients were included in the study cohort. As of June 2022, 595 patients had disease recurrence, which was distant or systemic in 435 patients (27%), regional in 125 (7.7%) and local in 35 (2.2%). On multivariable analysis, neoadjuvant chemoradiation with a total radiation dose <45 Gy (hazard ratio [HR], 3.5 [95% CI, 1.7-7.3]; P = .001), pathologic node-positive disease (HR, 1.9 [95% CI, 1.3-3.0]; P = .003) and lymphovascular invasion (HR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.0-2.5]; P = .049) were predictors of isolated nodal recurrence, whereas increasing age (HR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.96-0.99]; P = .001) and increasing number of excised lymph nodes (HR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.95-1.00]; P = .021) were independently associated with decreased risk of regional recurrence. Patients treated with a combination of local and systemic therapies had better survival outcomes than patients treated with systemic therapy alone (P < .001). In patients with recurrence of esophageal cancer limited to regional lymph nodes, salvage treatment may be possible. Higher radiation doses and more-extensive lymphadenectomy may reduce the risk of regional recurrence.

The effect of anastomotic leakage on the incidence of recurrence after tri-modality therapy for esophageal adenocarcinomas

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRTx) reduces the incidence of recurrence, while anastomotic leakage has shown increase the risk of recurrence. The primary objective of this retrospective study was to investigate the incidence and pattern of recurrence and secondary median recurrence-free interval and post-recurrence survival in patients with and without anastomotic leakage after multimodal therapy for esophageal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Patients with recurrence after multimodal therapy between 2010 and 2018 were included.

RESULTS

Six hundred and eighteen patients were included, 91 (14.7%) had leakage and 278 (45.0%) recurrence. Patients with leakage did not develop recurrence more often (48.4%) than those without (44.4%, [p = 0.484]). Recurrence-free interval for patients with (n = 44) and without leakage (n = 234) was 39 and 52 weeks, respectively (p = 0.049). Post-recurrence survival was 11 and 16 weeks, respectively (p = 0.702). Specified by recurrence site, post-recurrence survival for loco-regional recurrences was 27 versus 33 weeks (p = 0.387) for patients with and without leakage, for distant 9 versus 13 (p = 0.999), and for combined 11 versus 18 weeks (p = 0.492).

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

No higher incidence of recurrent disease was observed in patients with anastomotic leakage, however it is associated with a shorter recurrence-free interval. This could have implications for surveillance, as early detection of recurrent disease could influence therapeutic options.

Neoadjuvant Management of Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus and Esophagogastric Junction: Review of Randomized Evidence and Definition of Optimum Treatment Algorithm

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) or chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) are accepted standards of care for the management of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction.

SUMMARY

The MRC-OEO2 study established the role of 2 cycles of neoadjuvant cisplatin/fluoropyrimidine. More recently, the FLOT-AIO4 study demonstrated the superiority of perioperative FLOT chemotherapy (5FU, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel) compared to ECX (epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine) regime. The results from the pivotal CROSS study established neoadjuvant CRT as a new standard of care in OG cancer. The survival benefits observed in FLOT and CROSS studies are similar [FLOT - hazard ratio 0.75 (0.62-0.92); CROSS - 0.741 (0.55-0.98)].

KEY MESSAGES

Both nCT and nCRT have been shown to be associated with survival benefit compared to surgery alone. We have performed a comprehensive review of the available evidence to define the optimum treatment algorithm and identify specific patient sub-groups who may be appropriate for the use of one or more of these neoadjuvant options.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus tislelizumab followed by surgery for esophageal carcinoma (CRISEC study): the protocol of a prospective, single-arm, phase II trial

BACKGROUND

The failure rate after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery is approximately 34.6%-48% for resectable esophageal carcinoma. Pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is an important factor in predicting lower recurrence and better survival. Whether the sequential addition of immunotherapy to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy will be beneficial to improving the pathologic complete response rate is unknown.

METHODS

Patients with pathologically confirmed thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and at clinical T1-2N1-3M0 or T3-4aN0-3M0 (stage II-IVA) according to the eighth edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer staging will be allocated to receive neoadjuvant radiotherapy (41.4 Gy with 23 fractions to planning target volume) with concurrent chemotherapy (albumin-bound paclitaxel, 100 mg/m2, once weekly for five weeks; carboplatin, area under the curve of 2 mg/mL/min, once weekly for five weeks) plus tislelizumab monotherapy sequentially (200 mg every three weeks for three cycles, beginning from the first to the 14th day after the end of radiotherapy). Then, subtotal esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy, including the whole mediastinum and abdomen, will be performed. The primary endpoint for this study is the pathologic complete response rate after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus tislelizumab.

DISCUSSION

The optimal timing of the combination of immunotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in esophageal carcinoma is not determined. The results of this phase II trial will be helpful to clarify the safety and efficacy of the sequential addition of tislelizumab after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced resectable esophageal carcinoma.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was approved on January 26, 2021 and retrospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT04776590 ) on March 1, 2021.

Single-cell transcriptomic analysis deciphers key transitional signatures associated with oncogenic evolution in human intramucosal oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The early diagnosis and intervention of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are particularly important because of the lack of effective therapies and poor prognosis. Comprehensive research on early ESCC at the single-cell level is rare due to the need for fresh and high-quality specimens obtained from ESD. This study aims to systematically describe the cellular atlas of human intramucosal ESCC.

METHODS

Five paired samples of intramucosal ESCC, para-ESCC oesophageal tissues from endoscopically resected specimens and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were adopted for scRNA-seq analysis. Computational pipeline scMetabolism was applied to quantify the metabolic diversity of single cells.

RESULTS

A total of 164 715 cells were profiled. Epithelial cells exhibited high intra-tumoural heterogeneity and two evolutionary trajectories during ESCC tumorigenesis initiated from proliferative cells, and then through an intermediate state, to two different terminal states of normally differentiated epithelial cells or malignant cells, respectively. The abundance of CD8+ TEX s, Tregs and PD1+ CD4+ T cells suggested an exhausted and suppressive immune microenvironment. Several genes in immune cells, such as CXCL13, CXCR5 and PADI4, were identified as new biomarkers for poor prognosis. A new subcluster of malignant cells associated with metastasis and angiogenesis that appeared at an early stage compared with progressive ESCC was also identified in this study. Intercellular interaction analysis based on ligand-receptor pairs revealed the subcluster of malignant cells interacting with CAFs via the MDK-NCL pathway, which was verified by cell proliferation assay and IHC. This indicates that the interaction may be an important hallmark in the early change of tumour microenvironment and serves as a sign of CAF activation to stimulate downstream pathways for facilitating tumour invasion.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the changes of cell subsets and transcriptional levels in human intramucosal ESCC, which may provide unique insights into the development of novel biomarkers and potential intervention strategies.

Response prediction in patients with gastric and esophagogastric adenocarcinoma under neoadjuvant chemotherapy using targeted gene expression analysis and next-generation sequencing in pre-therapeutic biopsies

OBJECTIVES

Perioperative chemo-(radio-) therapy is the accepted standard in European patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction or stomach (AEG/AS). However, 30-85% of patients do not respond to this treatment. The aim of our study was the identification of predictive biomarkers in pre-therapeutic endoscopic tumor biopsies from patients with histopathologic response (Becker-1) versus non-response (Becker-2/3) to preoperative chemotherapy.

METHODS

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsies from 36 Caucasian patients (Becker-1 n = 11, Becker-2 n = 7, Becker-3 n = 18) with AEG/AS, taken prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy were selected. For RNA expression analysis, we employed the NanoString nCounter System. To identify genomic alterations like single nucleotide variants (SNV), copy number variation (CNV) and fusion events, we used Illumina TST170 gene panel. For HER2 and FGFR2 protein expression, immunostaining was performed. Furthermore, we analyzed the microsatellite instability (MSI) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection status by EBER in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

Heat map and principal component analyses showed no clustering by means of gene expression according to regression grade. Concerning two recently proposed predictive markers, our data showed equal distribution for MSI (Becker-1: 2; Becker-2: 1; Becker-3: 3; out of 29 tested) and EBV infection was rare (1/32). We could not reveal discriminating target genes concerning SNV, but found a higher mutational burden in non-responders versus responders and fusion (in 6/14) and CNV events (in 5/14) exclusively in Becker-3.

CONCLUSIONS

Although we could not identify discriminating target genes, our data suggest that molecular alterations are in general more prevalent in patients with AEG/AS belonging to the non-responding Becker group 3.

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Parameters can Predict Long-Term Outcome Following Trimodality Treatment for Oesophageal Cancer

AIMS

¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸FDG-PET/CT) is routinely used for the pre-treatment staging of oesophageal or gastro-oesophageal junction cancers (EGEJC). The aim of this study was to identify objective ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT-derived parameters that can aid in predicting the patterns of recurrence and prognostication in patients with EGEJC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

EGEJC patients referred for consideration of preoperative chemoradiation therapy were identified and clinicopathological data were collected. ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT imaging data were reviewed and correlated with treatment outcomes. Maximum standardised uptake value (SUV_max), metabolic tumour volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis were assessed and association with recurrence-free survival (RFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LR-RFS), oesophageal cancer-specific survival (ECSS) and overall survival were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves, as well as Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier models.

RESULTS

In total, 191 EGEJC patients completed trimodality treatment and 164 with ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT data were included in this analysis. At the time of analysis, 15 (9.1%), 70 (42.7%) and two (1.2%) patients were noted to have locoregional, distant and both locoregional and distant metastases, respectively. The median RFS was 30 months (9.6-50.4) and the 5-year RFS was 31.1%. The 5-year overall survival and ECSS were both noted to be 34.8%. Pre-treatment MTV₂₅ > 28.5 cm³ (P = 0.029), MTV₄₀ > 12.4 cm³ (P = 0.018) and MTV₅₀ > 10.2 cm³ (P = 0.005) predicted for worse LR-RFS, ECSS and overall survival for MTV definition of voxels ≥25%, 40% and 50% of SUV_max.

CONCLUSION

¹⁸FDG-PET/CT parameters MTV and total lesion glycolysis are useful prognostic tools to predict for LR-RFS, ECSS and overall survival in EGEJC. MTV had the highest accuracy in predicting clinical outcomes. The volume cut-off points we identified for different MTV thresholds predicted outcomes with significant accuracy and may potentially be used for decision making in clinical practice.

Tri-modality therapy in advanced esophageal carcinoma: long-term results and insights from a developing world, institutional cohort

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate treatment outcomes in patients from a low-middle income country (LMIC) with esophageal carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NACRT/S).

METHODS

Between 2010 and 2020, 254 patients (median follow-up: 53 months) met our inclusion criteria. Out-of-field nodal regions were determined by reviewing individual radiotherapy plans. Cox regression modelling was performed to analyze overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), while pathological complete response (pCR) prediction utilized Poisson regression.

RESULTS

The median OS was 71.4 months (interquartile range: 19.6-∞), RFS did not reach the median and pCR rate was 46%. On multivariable Cox regression, BMI [0.93 (0.89-0.98); 0.94 (0.89-0.99)] and absence of out-of-field node with extranodal extension (ENE)[0.22 (0.09-0.53); 0.30 (0.12-0.75)] influenced OS and RFS, respectively. Age [1.03 (1.01-1.06)], nodal stage [cN2-3 vs cN0: 2.67 (1.08-6.57)] and adventitial involvement [2.54 (1.36-4.72)] also influenced OS, while involved margins [3.12 (1.24-7.81)] influenced RFS. On multivariable Poisson regression, non-CROSS-chemotherapy regimens [0.65 (0.44-0.95)] and residual primary disease on pre-surgical imaging [0.73 (0.57-0.93)] were significantly associated with pCR. The most frequently involved in-field and out-of-field nodal regions were the periesophageal and perigastric (greater and lesser curvature) regions, respectively.

CONCLUSION

NACRT/S is feasible and effective in patients from LMIC. Out-of-field ENE merits further investigation as a prognostic factor since it significantly influenced both OS and RFS.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

The results of clinical trials are replicable in LMICs. Out-of-field ENE is an independent prognostic factor for OS and RFS.

Aspirin-Loaded Cross-Linked Lipoic Acid Nanodrug Prevents Postoperative Tumor Recurrence by Residual Cancer Cell Killing and Inflammatory Microenvironment Improvement

In addition to residual cancer cells, the surgery resection-induced hyperinflammatory microenvironment is a key factor that leads to postsurgical cancer recurrence. Herein, we developed a dual-functional nanodrug Asp@cLANVs for postsurgical recurrence inhibition by loading the classical anti-inflammatory drug aspirin (Asp) into cross-linked lipoic acid nanovesicles (cLANVs). The Asp@cLANVs can not only kill residual cancer cells at the doses comparable to common cytotoxic drugs by synergistic interaction between Asp and cLANVs, but also improve the postsurgical inflammatory microenvironment by their strongly synergistic anti-inflammation activity between Asp and cLANVs. Using mice bearing partially removed NCI-H460 tumors, we found that Asp@cLANVs gave a much lower recurrence rate (33.3%) compared with the first-line cytotoxic drug cisplatin (100%), and no mice died for at least 60 days after Asp@cLANV treatment while no mouse survived beyond day 43 in the cisplatin group. This dual-functional nanodrug constructs the first example that combines residual cancer cell killing and postoperative inflammation microenvironment improvement to suppress postsurgical cancer recurrence.

Extensive clinical target volume in postoperative chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a phase II clinical trial (ESO-Shanghai 9)

BACKGROUND

To compare the efficacy and safety of postoperative extensive target volume irradiation with elevated radiation dose and concurrent chemotherapy with radiotherapy only for the postoperative treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

This trial was a single-arm phase II trial. Patients who underwent a radical transthoracic resection with negative margins within 3 months and histologically confirmed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (pT3-4N0M0 or pTxN + M0, AJCC 7th) were eligible for this study. Postoperative radiotherapy was performed at a total dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions with clinical target volumes of the tumor bed, anastomosis, bilateral supraclavicular, mediastinal, left gastric and celiac trunk lymph node areas. Five cycles of weekly TC (paclitaxel 50 mg/m², d1, carboplatin AUC = 2, d1) were given as concurrent chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was the 2-year local control rate, and the secondary endpoints were overall survival, disease free survival, local-regional recurrence free survival, distant metastasis free survival and adverse events. All endpoints were compared with those in ESO-Shanghai 8 study with postoperative radiotherapy alone (40 Gy/20Fx).

RESULTS

A total of 70 patients were enrolled from 2016 to 2018. The 2-year local control rate was 87.9% (95% CI: 83.3-92.3) in this study, which achieved the hypothesized 2-year local control rate of at least 83%. Overall survival, disease free survival, local-regional recurrence free survival and distant metastasis free survival in this study were also longer than those in previous ESO-Shanghai 8 study while most toxicities were increased and two patients in this study died of radiation pneumonitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative extensive target volume irradiation with elevated radiation dose and concurrent chemotherapy was effective. Treatment related toxicity was increased due to higher treatment intensity. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02916511.

The role of surveillance and salvage esophagectomy in previously treated esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer remains a significant cause of cancer-related mortality among men and women in the United States. The utility of surgery, as either an immediate or delayed resection in the form of esophagectomy following neoadjuvant therapy in local-regionally advanced esophageal cancer, remains controversial. While neoadjuvant therapy followed by immediate surgery is a guideline-concordant treatment, emerging data suggests that active surveillance with delayed resection at the time of local-regional recurrence may be considered.

SPARC expression in tumor microenvironment induces partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of esophageal adenocarcinoma cells via cooperating with TGF-β signaling

Secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) has been characterized as an oncoprotein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but its involvement in the pathological development of esophageal adenocarcinoma (ESAD) remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the sources of SPARC in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its functional role in ESAD. Bioinformatic analysis was conducted using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-esophageal cancer (ESCA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx). ESAD tumor cell line OE33 and OE19 cells were used as in vitro cell models. Results showed that SPARC upregulation was associated with unfavorable disease-specific survival (DSS) in ESAD. ESAD tumor cells (OE33 and OE19) had no detectable SPARC protein expression. In contrast, IHC staining in ESAD tumor tissues suggested that peritumoral stromal cells (tumor-associated fibroblasts and macrophages) were the dominant SPARC source in TME. Exogenous SPARC induced partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of ESAD cells, reflected by reduced CDH1 and elevated ZEB1/VIM expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Besides, exogenous SPARC enhanced tumor cell invasion. When TGFBR2 expression was inhibited, the activation of TGF-β signaling induced by exogenous SPARC was impaired. However, the activating effects were rescued by overexpressing mutant TGFBR2 resistant to the shRNA sequence. Copresence of exogenous SPARC and TGF-β1 induced higher expression of mesenchymal markers and enhanced the invading capability of ESAD cells than TGF-β1 alone. In conclusion, this study suggests a potential cross-talk between ESAD tumor stromal cells and cancer cells via a SPARC-TGF-β1 paracrine network.

The application of radiomics in esophageal cancer: Predicting the response after neoadjuvant therapy

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the fatal malignant neoplasms worldwide. Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) combined with surgery has become the standard treatment for locally advanced EC. However, the treatment efficacy for patients with EC who received NAT varies from patient to patient. Currently, the evaluation of efficacy after NAT for EC lacks accurate and uniform criteria. Radiomics is a multi-parameter quantitative approach for developing medical imaging in the era of precision medicine and has provided a novel view of medical images. As a non-invasive image analysis method, radiomics is an inevitable trend in NAT efficacy prediction and prognosis classification of EC by analyzing the high-throughput imaging features of lesions extracted from medical images. In this literature review, we discuss the definition and workflow of radiomics, the advances in efficacy prediction after NAT, and the current application of radiomics for predicting efficacy after NAT.

Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in resectable esophageal or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma: A pooled analysis of prospective clinical trials

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) plus radical esophagectomy is currently the standard treatment for resectable esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) carcinoma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in resectable esophageal or GEJ carcinoma. Prospective clinical trials investigating efficacy and/or safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) followed by radical esophagectomy in patients with newly diagnosed resectable esophageal or GEJ carcinoma were identified through literature search. Quality assessment was performed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Preliminary treatment outcomes of pathologically complete response (pCR, ypT0N0) and grade 3-4 adverse effects (AEs) were pooled together and then compared with standard NCRT of the historical control CROSS study by Chi-square (χ2) test. A two-sided P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 17 eligible non-randomized trials with 455 participants were included into analysis. The most common primary endpoint was pCR (n = 7, 41%), and the median sample size and follow-up period was 23 patients and 7.9 months, respectively. For patients receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy, the overall pCR, R0 resection, and grade 3-4 AE rates were 33.2%, 95.5%, and 35.1%, respectively. For esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and adenocarcinoma (EAC), neoadjuvant immunochemoradiotherapy showed no significant improvement in pCR rate than NCRT (ESCC, 50% vs 48.7%, P = 0.9; EAC, 32.6% vs 23.1%, P = 0.22). Grade 3-4 AEs were the most common in patients with neoadjuvant immunochemoradiotherapy, significantly higher than immunochemotherapy (46.7% vs 32.8%, P = 0.04) and NCRT (46.7% vs 18.1%, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, for patients with resectable esophageal or GEJ carcinoma, the addition of ICIs to standard NCRT could not improve pCR rate in both ESCC and EAC, but significantly increased the risk of severe AEs. Large-scale phase 3 randomized trials were urgently needed to further confirm the survival benefit and safety profile of neoadjuvant immunotherapy.

Population-based study of treatment and outcome of recurrent oesophageal or junctional cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with cancer of the oesophagus or gastro-oesophageal junction have a high risk of recurrence after treatment with curative intent. The aim of this study was to analyse the site of recurrence, treatment, and survival in patients with recurrent disease.

METHODS

Patients with non-metastatic oesophageal or junctional carcinoma treated with curative intent between January 2015 and December 2016 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Data on recurrence were collected in the second half of 2019. Overall survival (OS) was assessed by Kaplan-Meier methods.

RESULTS

In total, 862 of 1909 patients (45.2 per cent) for whom information on follow-up was available had disease recurrence, and 858 patients were included. Some 161 of 858 patients (18.8 per cent) had locoregional recurrence only, 415 (48.4 per cent) had distant recurrence only, and 282 (32.9 per cent) had combined locoregional and distant recurrence. In all, 518 of 858 patients (60.4 per cent) received best supportive care only and 315 (39.6 per cent) underwent tumour-directed therapy. Patients with locoregional recurrence alone more often received chemoradiotherapy than those with distant or combined locoregional and distant recurrence (19.3 per cent versus 0.7 and 2.8 per cent), and less often received systemic therapy (11.2 per cent versus 30.1 and 35.8 per cent). Median OS was 7.6, 4.2, and 3.3 months for patients with locoregional, distant, and combined locoregional and distant recurrence respectively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Disease recurred after curative treatment in 45.2 per cent of patients. Locoregional recurrence developed in only 18.8 per cent. The vast majority of patients presented with distant or combined locoregional and distant recurrence, and received best supportive care.

Pathologic responses and surgical outcomes after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy versus neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Currently, the role of immunotherapy in neoadjuvant setting for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is gradually attracting attention. Few studies compared the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT) and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT). Our study aimed to compare treatment response and postoperative complications after NICT followed by surgery with that after conventional NCRT in patients with locally advanced ESCC.

METHODS

Of 468 patients with locally advanced ESCC, 154 received conventional NCRT, whereas 314 received NICT. Treatment response, postoperative complications and mortality between two groups were compared. Pathological response of primary tumor was evaluated using the Mandard tumor regression grade (TRG) scoring system. Pathological complete response (pCR) of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) was defined as no viable tumor cell within all resected metastatic LNs. According to regression directionality, tumor regression pattern was summarized into four categories: type I, regression toward the lumen; type II, regression toward the invasive front; type III, concentric regression; and type IV, scattered regression. Inverse probability propensity score weighting was performed to minimize the influence of confounding factors.

RESULTS

After adjusting for baseline characteristics, the R0 resection rates (90.9% vs. 89.0%, P=0.302) and pCR (ypT0N0) rates (29.8% vs. 34.0%, P=0.167) were comparable between two groups. Patients receiving NCRT showed lower TRG score (P<0.001) and higher major pathological response (MPR) rate (64.7% vs. 53.6%, P=0.001) compared to those receiving NICT. However, NICT brought a higher pCR rate of metastatic LNs than conventional NCRT (53.9% vs. 37.1%, P<0.001). The rates of type I/II/III/IV regression patterns were 44.6%, 6.8%, 11.4% and 37.1% in the NICT group, 16.9%, 8.2%, 18.3% and 56.6% in the NCRT group, indicating a significant difference (P<0.001). Moreover, there were no significant differences in the incidence of total postoperative complications (35.8% vs. 39.9%, P=0.189) and 30-d mortality (0.0% vs. 1.1%, P=0.062).

CONCLUSION

For patients with locally advanced ESCC, NICT showed a R0 resection rate and pCR (ypT0N0) rate comparable to conventional NCRT, without increased incidence of postoperative complications and mortality. Notablely, NICT followed by surgery might bring a promising treatment response of metastatic LNs.

Estrogen-related receptor alpha drives mitochondrial biogenesis and resistance to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in esophageal cancer

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) improves outcomes in resectable esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), but acquired resistance precludes long-term efficacy. Here, we delineate these resistance mechanisms. RNA sequencing on matched patient samples obtained pre-and post-neoadjuvant treatment reveal that oxidative phosphorylation was the most upregulated of all biological programs following nCRT. Analysis of patient-derived models confirms that mitochondrial content and oxygen consumption strongly increase in response to nCRT and that ionizing radiation is the causative agent. Bioinformatics identifies estrogen-related receptor alpha (ESRRA) as the transcription factor responsible for reprogramming, and overexpression and silencing of ESRRA functionally confirm that its downstream metabolic rewiring contributes to resistance. Pharmacological inhibition of ESRRA successfully sensitizes EAC organoids and patient-derived xenografts to radiation. In conclusion, we report a profound metabolic rewiring following chemoradiation and demonstrate that its inhibition resensitizes EAC cells to radiation. These findings hold broader relevance for other cancer types treated with radiation as well.

Recurrent Disease After Esophageal Cancer Surgery: A Substudy of The Dutch Nationwide Ivory Study

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the patterns, predictors, and survival of recurrent disease following esophageal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND

Survival of recurrent esophageal cancer is usually poor, with limited prospects of remission.

METHODS

This nationwide cohort study included patients with distal esophageal and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma after curatively intended esophagectomy in 2007 to 2016 (follow-up until January 2020). Patients with distant metastases detected during surgery were excluded. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify predictors of recurrent disease. Multivariable Cox regression was used to determine the association of recurrence site and treatment intent with postrecurrence survival.

RESULTS

Among 4626 patients, 45.1% developed recurrent disease a median of 11 months postoperative, of whom most had solely distant metastases (59.8%). Disease recurrences were most frequently hepatic (26.2%) or pulmonary (25.1%). Factors significantly associated with disease recurrence included young age (≤65 y), male sex, adenocarcinoma, open surgery, transthoracic esophagectomy, nonradical resection, higher T-stage, and tumor positive lymph nodes. Overall, median postrecurrence survival was 4 months [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 3.6-4.4]. After curatively intended recurrence treatment, median survival was 20 months (95% CI: 16.4-23.7). Survival was more favorable after locoregional compared with distant recurrence (hazard ratio: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.65-0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides important prognostic information assisting in the surveillance and counseling of patients after curatively intended esophageal cancer surgery. Nearly half the patients developed recurrent disease, with limited prospects of survival. The risk of recurrence was higher in patients with a higher tumor stage, nonradical resection and positive lymph node harvest.

Safety and Efficacy of Computed Tomography-Guided Iodine-125 Brachytherapy as a Salvage Treatment for Locoregional Lymph Node Recurrence of Esophageal Cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical safety and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided iodine-125 (¹²⁵I) brachytherapy as a salvage treatment for esophageal cancer with locoregional lymph node recurrence (LNR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with esophageal cancer who developed locoregional LNR after initial curative resection followed by CT-guided ¹²⁵I brachytherapy as a salvage treatment (January 2014 to January 2020). Local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS) was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, v1.1. Clinical response was evaluated with the Numerical Rating Scale pain score, and adverse events were evaluated with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (v5.0). A layered Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine independent factors affecting LTPFS.

RESULTS

A total of 52 patients (mean age, 60 years) were included in this study. The median follow-up was 9.3 months (range, 4.3-12 months). The median LTPFS was 7.0 months (interquartile range, 5.0-9.5 months). The local control rates were 100%, 94.2%, 59.6%, and 13.4% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. The overall survival rates were 100%, 100%, 82.6%, and 36.5% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. The number of locoregional LNRs (hazard ratio [HR], 2.38 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.11-5.10]; P = .026), clinical stage at diagnosis (HR, 8.12 [95% CI, 3.19-20.66]; P < .001), and pathologic stage (HR, 5.74 [95% CI, 2.14-15.39]; P = .001) were independent factors for LTPFS. The rate of pain relief was 96.4% (27 of 28). Treatment-related death was not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

CT-guided ¹²⁵I radioactive seed implantation resulted in pain relief and short to midterm local control.

Survival benefit after neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiotherapy for stage II–III gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: A large population-based cohort study

Objective

The standard treatment for stage II–III gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJA) remains controversial, and the role of radiotherapy (RT) in stage II–III GEJA is unclear. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the prognosis of different RT sequences and identify potential candidates to undergo neoadjuvant RT (NART) or adjuvant RT (ART).

Materials and methods

In total, we enrolled 3,492 patients with resectable stage II–III GEJA from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, subsequently assigned to three categories: T_1–2N⁺, T_3–4N⁻, and T_3–4N⁺. Survival curves were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method along with the log-rank test. We compared survival curves for NART, ART, and non-RT in the three categories. To further determine histological types impacting RT-associated survival, we proposed new categories by combining the tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) stage with Lauren’s classification.

Results

ART afforded a significant survival benefit in patients with T_1–2N⁺ and T_3–4N⁺ tumors. In addition, NART conferred a survival advantage in patients with T_3–4N⁺ and T_3–4 exhibiting the intestinal type. Notably, ART and NART were both valuable in patients with T_3–4N⁺, although no significant differences between treatment regimens were noted.

Conclusions

Both NART and ART can prolong the survival of patients with stage II–III GEJA. Nevertheless, the selection of NART or ART requires a concrete analysis based on the patient’s condition.

Oesophageal cancer metastases: An observational study of a more aggressive approach

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for oesophageal carcinoma is poor, but once distant metastases emerge the prognosis is considered hopeless. There is no consistent protocol for the early identification and aggressive management of metastases.

AIM

To examine the outcome of a policy of active postoperative surveillance with aggressive treatment of confirmed metastases.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained database of 205 patients diagnosed with oesophageal carcinoma between 1998 and 2019 and treated with curative intent was interrogated for patients with metastases, either at diagnosis or on follow-up surveillance and treated for cure. This cohort was compared with incomplete clinical responders to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) who subsequently underwent surgery on their primary tumour. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used to compare survival differences between groups.

RESULTS

Of 205 patients, 11 (5.4%) had metastases treated for cure (82% male; median age 60 years; 9 adenocarcinoma and 2 squamous cell carcinomas). All had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, followed by surgery in all but 1 case. Of the 11 patients, 4 had metastatic disease at diagnosis, of whom 3 were successfully downstaged with nCRT before definitive surgery; 2 of these 4 also developed oligometastatic recurrence and were treated with curative intent. Following definitive treatment, 7 had treatment for metachronous oligometastatic disease; 5 of whom underwent metastasectomy (adrenal × 2; lung × 2; liver × 1). The median overall survival was 10.9 years [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7-21.0 years], which was statistically significantly longer than incomplete clinical responders undergoing surgery on the primary tumour without metastatic intervention [n = 62; median overall survival = 1.9 (95%CI: 1.1-2.7; P = 0.012]. The cumulative proportion surviving 1, 3, and 5 years was 100%, 91%, and 61%, respectively compared to 71%, 36%, and 25% for incomplete clinical responders undergoing surgery on the primary tumour who did not undergo treatment for metastatic disease.

CONCLUSION

Metastatic oesophageal cancer represents a unique challenge, but aggressive treatment can be rewarded with impressive survival data. In view of recent advances in targeted therapies, intensive follow-up may yield a greater number of patients with curative potential and thus improved long-term survival.

[Dose-escalated radiotherapy in esophageal cancer: A review of the literature]

For non-operable, localized esophageal cancer, definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment. Currently, the radiation dose recommended is 50 to 50,4Gy. However, the optimal radiation dose remains controversial. Many studies have demonstrated that locoregional failure remains a common failure pattern, most likely to occur within the original gross tumor volume. Several retrospective studies have indicated that higher radiation dose may improve local control and survival while others failed to demonstrate improved oucomes. In three randomized trials (INT0123, ARTDECO, and CONCORDE), dose escalation did not improve locoregional control nor survival, establishing 50Gy as the standard chemoradiation dose for patients who will not undergo surgery. Here, we reviewed the results of dose escalation in the literature in the neoadjuvant and definitive settings.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Pathological Node-Positive Disease in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Plus Surgery

Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to determine the impact on survival using adjuvant chemotherapy on patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. Materials and Methods: From 2007 to 2016, we enrolled 127 locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with combined neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and surgery. For patients with the pathological residual primary disease (pT+) and/or residual node disease (pN+) after nCRT, adjuvant chemotherapy was also given after consideration of the toxicity of nCRT, patient performance, and/or comorbidity. The regimen of adjuvant chemotherapy was cisplatin 20 mg/m²/day and 5-fluorouracil 800 mg/m²/day on days 1 through 4 and 22 through 25. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results: From a total of 127 patients, 26 of them (20.5%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. In the multivariate analysis, pN+ diseases were independently associated with poor OS (hazard ratio (HR): 4.117, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.366–12.404; p = 0.012). For those with pN+ diseases, their 5-year OS was 36.4% in the follow-up arm compared with 45.8% in the adjuvant chemotherapy arm (p = 0.094). Conclusions: Pathologic node-positive disease is associated with poor OS in locally advanced esophagus cancer patients after combined treatments with nCRT and surgery. Adjuvant chemotherapy appeared to have improved OS in pathologic node-positive diseases.

Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in surgically resectable esophageal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy for patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (EC) has developed rapidly in recent years. The efficacy and safety outcomes may change the recommended neoadjuvant therapeutic regimens for patients with EC.

METHODS

Systematic screening for articles focusing on the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in locally advanced and surgically resectable EC was performed using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and international tumor congresses. Meta-analysis of non-comparative binary outcomes was carried out to combine the main results. The pooled results were compared with the traditional neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) and chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) using direct comparative analysis. The results were expressed as the risk ratio (RR).

RESULTS

A total of 20 articles with 621 patients were included in the present study. The pooled pathological complete response and major pathological response rates were 33.8% (95% CI: 29.6%-37.9%) and 53.5% (95% CI: 47.9%-59%), respectively, in the neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy (nICT) group and 39.8% (95% CI: 27%-53.9%) and 88.8% (95% CI: 64.8%-97.2%) in the neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemoradiotherapy (nICRT) group, respectively. In addition, the pooled grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) rate was 19.4% (95% CI: 11.5%-31.5%) in the nICT group. The results of direct comparison showed that compared with nCRT and nICRT, nICT could improve safety while achieving comparable efficacy. The results of subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and publication bias evaluation indicated that the above findings were stable and reliable.

CONCLUSION

The current meta-analysis revealed that neoadjuvant immunotherapy in patients with locally advanced EC was safe and effective and nICT could be used as the recommended neoadjuvant therapeutic option for patients with EC. However, additional studies are urgently needed to reveal the long-term outcomes of neoadjuvant immunotherapy.

The Key Clinical Questions of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Resectable Esophageal Cancer—A Review

Over 50% of individuals with esophageal cancer (EC) present with advanced stages of the disease; therefore, their outcome following surgery alone is poor, with only 25%–36% being alive 5 years post-surgery. Based on the evidence that the CROSS and NEOCRTEC5010 trials provided, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is now the standard therapy for patients with locally advanced EC. However, there are still many concerning clinical questions that remain controversial such as radiation dose, appropriate patient selection, the design of the radiation field, the time interval between chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery, and esophageal retention. With immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) rapidly becoming a mainstay of cancer therapy, along with radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, the combination mode of immunotherapy is also becoming a hot topic of discussion. Here, we try to provide constructive suggestions to answer the perplexing problems and clinical concerns for the progress of nCRT for EC in the future.

SCOPE 2 - Still Answering the Unanswered Questions in Oesophageal Radiotherapy? SCOPE 2: a Randomised Phase II/III Trial to Study Radiotherapy Dose Escalation in Patients with Oesophageal Cancer Treated with Definitive Chemoradiation with an Embedded Phase II Trial for Patients with a Poor Early Response using Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography

The SCOPE 2 trial of definitive chemoradiotherapy in oesophageal cancer investigates the benefits of radiotherapy dose escalation and systemic therapy optimisation. The trial opened in 2016. The landscape of oesophageal cancer treatment over the lifetime of this trial has changed significantly and the protocol has evolved to reflect this. However, with the recent results of the Dutch phase III ART DECO study showing no improvement in local control or overall survival with radiotherapy dose escalation in a similar patient group, we sought to determine if the SCOPE 2 trial is still answering the key unanswered questions for oesophageal radiotherapy. Here we discuss the rationale behind the SCOPE 2 trial, outline the trial schema and review current data on dose escalation and outline recommendations for future areas of research.

Postoperative Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Phase II Clinical Trial

Background

This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) covering partial regional lymph node areas combined with chemotherapy for locally advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Methods

This was a single-center, single-arm phase II clinical trial that began in 2014. Patients who underwent radical transthoracic resection within 3 months and were histologically confirmed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (pT3-4 or N+, M0 determined according to AJCC Guidelines, Edition 7) were recruited. Postoperative radiotherapy was performed with a total dose of 50.4Gy in 28 fractions using IMRT. Clinical target volumes (CTVs) included tumor bed, anastomosis, bilateral supraclavicular region, and superior mediastinal lymph nodes. Synchronous chemotherapy for 2 cycles (paclitaxel 150mg/m², day1; Cisplatin 25mg/m², day1-3; every 4 weeks), followed by 2 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy with the same regimen. The primary endpoint was the 2-year local control rate, and the secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AEs).

Results

A total of 75 eligible patients were included from 2014 to 2017. The 2-year LRFS rate, as the primary endpoint, was 73.3%. The 1-year and 3-year OS rates were 88.0% and 68.0%, respectively. Local recurrence occurred in 13/75 (17.4%) patients, of which 2.7% (2/75) were extra-target lymph nodes. Grade 4 adverse events reported in this study included 10 cases (13.3%) of neutropenia, 1 case (1.3%) of anemia, and 2 cases (2.7%) of thrombocytopenia, without toxic-related deaths. Almost all (96%) patients completed the entire postoperative radiotherapy course, and 62 (82.7%) patients completed at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Postoperative IMRT (clinical target volume including tumor bed, anastomosis, bilateral supraclavicular region, and superior mediastinal lymph nodes) combined with synchronous chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was well tolerated, with a high local control rate and a low probability of recurrence outside the irradiation field.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ChiCTR1900022689.

The comparisons of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cancer

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the short-term outcomes of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy followed by oesophagectomy for locally advanced oesophageal squamous carcinoma.

METHODS

Patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy or chemoradiotherapy between September 2019 and September 2021 were identified. The primary outcomes were tumour response and survival. Secondary outcomes were toxic effects and postoperative complications. The propensity score matching for enrolled patients was performed.

RESULTS

Data of 149 patients with clinical stage II-IV oesophageal squamous cancer, including 55 receiving neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy and 94 receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, were analyzed after propensity score matching. With regard to tumour response score, 24 (43.6%) and 59 (62.8%) patients were scored 0/1 in the neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy groups, respectively (p = 0.023). Of note, 17 (30.9%) patients in the neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy group achieved pathological complete response (ypT0N0), while 48 (51.1%) patients in neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy group achieved pathological complete response (P = 0.026). Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was associated with higher risk of postoperative pneumonia (p = 0.034) and less lymph nodes and stations dissected (p ≤ 0.001). The 1-year cumulative overall survival rate was 94.5% and 86.2% in the NACI and NACR groups, respectively (p = 0.170).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy compared with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was associated with lower pneumonia rate and was safe and feasible for locally advanced oesophageal squamous cancer. However, the tumour regression score and the pathological complete response rate of patients treated with neoadjuvant immunotherapy was lower than those of patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The short-term follow-up results were comparable between two treatment modalities.

Does Loosening the Inclusion Criteria of the CROSS Trial Impact Outcomes in the Curative-Intent Trimodality Treatment of Oesophageal and Gastroesophageal Cancer Patients?

AIM

To determine the efficacy of preoperative chemoradiotherapy as per the CROSS protocol for oesophageal/gastroesophageal junction cancer (OEGEJC), when expanded to patients outside of the inclusion/exclusion criteria defined in the original clinical trial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected retrospectively on 229 OEGEJC patients referred for curative-intent preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Outcomes including pathological complete response (pCR), overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients who met CROSS inclusion criteria (MIC) versus those who failed to meet criteria (FMIC) were determined.

RESULTS

In total, 42.8% of patients MIC, whereas 57.2% FMIC; 16.6% of patients did not complete definitive surgery. The MIC cohort had higher rates of pCR, when compared with the FMIC cohort (33.3% versus 20.6%, P = 0.039). The MIC cohort had a better RFS, cancer-specific survival and OS compared with the FMIC cohort (P = 0.006, P = 0.004 and P = 0.009, respectively). Age >75 years and pretreatment weight loss >10% were not associated with a poorer RFS (P = 0.541 and 0.458, respectively). Compared with stage I-III patients, stage IVa was associated with a poorer RFS (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.158; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.339-3.480, P = 0.001). Tumours >8 cm in length or >5 cm in width had a trend towards worse RFS (HR = 2.060; 95% CI = 0.993-4.274, P = 0.052).

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that the robust requirements of the CROSS trial may limit treatment for patients with potentially curable OEGEJC and can be adapted to include patients with a good performance status who are older than 75 years or have >10% pretreatment weight loss. However, the inclusion of patients with celiac nodal metastases or tumours >8 cm in length or >5 cm in width may be associated with poor outcomes.

Phase Ib trial of camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy and apatinib for neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective

This is a prospective, single-arm, phase Ib study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy and apatinib as neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

The regimen encompassed 2-4 cycles of neoadjuvant camrelizumab, nab-paclitaxel, nedaplatin, and apatinib to treatment-naive patients with resectable locally advanced ESCC. The treatment was repeated every 14 days. Initially, six patients were planned to receive two cycles of neoadjuvant therapy as safety assessment, and then 24 patients received four cycles of neoadjuvant therapy, followed by esophagectomy after 4-8 weeks. The primary endpoint was safety. The key secondary endpoints were pathologic complete response (pCR) and major pathologic response (MPR).

Results

This study enrolled 30 patients, among whom, five patients received two cycles of neoadjuvant therapy, and one patient missed the second cycle of therapy due to grade 3 elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) level. The remaining 24 patients received four planned cycles of neoadjuvant therapy. Eleven patients (36.7%) developed grade 3 neoadjuvant treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). No patient developed grade 4 or 5 TRAEs. Neutropenia (23.3%) was the most common grade 3 TRAE. Twenty-nine patients underwent esophagectomy after neoadjuvant therapy. Among them, 15 patients (51.7%) achieved MPR, including seven patients with pCR (24.1%). Radiographic analyses established a significant correlation between maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) reduction and pathologic regression (P = 0.00095).

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy plus apatinib demonstrated a manageable safety profile for patients with locally advanced ESCC, and an encouraging efficacy was observed in most of the treated patients. A decrease in SUVmax of the primary tumor may be a predictor of pathologic response to neoadjuvant camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy plus apatinib in ESCC.

Patterns of Recurrence After Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) has been proven to be a feasible surgical approach for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study aimed to investigate the recurrence pattern and potential risk factors after RAMIE. Consecutive patients with ESCC who received RAMIE with McKeown technique at a single Esophageal Cancer Institute from November 2015 to September 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with available data, radical resection (R0), and a minimum 2-year follow-up period were eligible for the recurrence analysis. Risk factors of recurrence were examined by logistic regression analysis. R0 resection was achieved in 95.1% of patients (310/326). Of the 298 eligible patients with a median follow-up period of 30.6 months, recurrence was recognized in 95 patients (31.9%), with 4 (1.3%) local-only, 40 (13.4%) regional-only, 44 (14.8%) hematogenous-only and 7 (2.3%) combined recurrences. Cervical lymph nodes and lungs were the most frequent sites of regional and hematogenous recurrence, respectively. The median disease-free interval until recurrence was 12.1 (range 1.7-37.6) months and 83.2% of relapses occurred within 2 years after surgery. Multivariable analysis indicated that tumor in the upper esophagus, larger tumor length and positive lymph nodes as independent risk factors for recurrence. Hematogenous recurrence is the prevailing pattern after RAMIE for ESCC. For patients with advanced disease, neoadjuvant therapy is a key factor in reducing recurrence rather than surgical approaches.

Long-Term Outcome After Histopathological Complete Response with and Without Nodal Metastases Following Multimodal Treatment of Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND

This study analyzed the long-term survival after pathological complete response (pCR) with and without nodal metastases and associated recurrence following multimodal treatment of esophageal cancer. The recurrence pattern after pCR is of importance for different postoperative surveillance strategies.

METHODS

A cohort of 890 patients with esophageal cancer received neoadjuvant therapy followed by transthoracic esophagectomy. Only patients with pCR of the primary tumor with and without nodal metastasis were analyzed. A clinicopathological database was set up and completed with long-term follow up information on recurrent disease.

RESULTS

The specimen of 201 patients (23%) demonstrated pCR, 84% without (ypT0N0) and 16% with residual nodal disease (ypT0N+). For ypT0N0 patients, the 5-year overall survival was significantly higher than for patients with metastatic nodes (77% vs. 24%) (p < 0.0001). Sixty-eight percent of patients had no evidence of tumor recurrence, whereas 32% had proven relapse. For patients with and without tumor recurrence, 5-year survival rates were 14% and 93%, respectively (p < 0.0001). For patients with recurrent disease, median survival time was 27 for locoregional, 44 for distant, and 24 months for combined recurrence (p = 0.302). In the multivariable Cox-regression analysis, node-positive disease predicted both locoregional and metastatic recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathological CR offers long-term survival in patients without nodal metastases but outcome significantly deteriorates with the presence of nodal metastases. Follow-up recommendations may therefore be adopted in patients with pCR. Furthermore, "watch-and-wait" surveillance strategies with suspected clinical complete response have to be considered with caution.

Surgical Efficacy and Safety of Patients with Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer following Neoadjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy and Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The safety and efficacy of gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) following neoadjuvant therapy have gained increasing attention. In this article, we present our preliminary treatment results and compare the surgical safety and outcomes of neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with those of chemotherapy in patients with LAGC. Patients and Methods. Sixty-three patients with a diagnosis of LAGC (clinical staging cT3N2+, cT4aN+, or cT4b) who had received neoadjuvant therapy at any period from January 2014 to December 2020 were enrolled. Among 63 patients who received neoadjuvant therapy, 38 were treated with CCRT and 25 were treated with chemotherapy. They regularly received follow-up until July 2021. The patients' characteristics, including their clinical data, perioperative results, and pathologic outcomes, were analyzed.

RESULTS

The CCRT and chemotherapy groups did not significantly differ with respect to age, sex, or clinical stage (all p > 0.05). Finally, radical gastrectomy was performed in 15 (39.5%) patients with neoadjuvant CCRT and 10 (40.0%) patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Both groups did not significantly differ with respect to operation time, blood loss, operative morbidities, or postoperative length of stay (both p > 0.05). The patients in the CCRT group exhibited favorable pathologic responses after treatment: three patients exhibited a pathologic complete response (pCR) and four, seven, and one patients exhibited a response at pathologic stages I, II, and III, respectively. By contrast, among the patients in the chemotherapy group after treatment, one patient exhibited a pCR and one, four, and four patients exhibited a response at pathologic stages I, II, and III, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Radical resection in patients with LAGC is challenging. This study reports that neoadjuvant CCRT is associated with better pathologic response with no increase in serious postoperative complications. However, further prospective randomized trials involving patients with LAGC receiving neoadjuvant CCRT should be conducted to verify the findings of this retrospective study.

Salvage radiotherapy for postoperative locoregional failure in esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Locoregional recurrences following surgery for esophageal cancers represent a significant clinical problem with no standard recommendations for management. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis with the objective of studying safety and efficacy of salvage radiotherapy in this setting. All prospective and retrospective cohort studies, which studied patients who developed locoregional recurrence following initial radical surgery for esophageal cancer and subsequently received salvage radiation therapy (RT)/chemoradiation with all relevant information regarding survival outcome and toxicity available, were included. The quality of eligible individual studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score for risk of bias. R package MetaSurv was used to obtain a summary survival curve from survival probabilities and numbers of at-risk patients collected at various time points and to test the overall heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. Thirty studies (27 retrospective, 3 prospective) published from 1995 to 2020 with 1553 patients were included. The median interval between surgery and disease recurrence was 12.5 months. The median radiation dose used was 60 Gy and 57% received concurrent chemotherapy. The overall incidence of acute grade 3/4 mucositis and dermatitis were 8 and 4%, respectively; grade 3/4 acute pneumonitis was reported in 5%. The overall median follow-up of all studies included was 27 months. The 1-, 2- and 3-year overall survival (OS) probabilities were 67.9, 35.9 and 30.6%, respectively. Factors which predicted better survival on multivariate analysis were good PS, lower group stage, node negativity at index surgery, longer disease-free interval, nodal recurrence (as compared to anastomotic site recurrence), smaller disease volume, single site of recurrence, RT dose >50 Gy, conformal RT, use of concomitant chemotherapy and good radiological response after radiotherapy. Salvage radiotherapy with or without concomitant chemotherapy for locoregional recurrences after surgery for esophageal cancer is safe and effective. Modern radiotherapy techniques may improve outcomes and reduce treatment-related morbidity.

Expression of Neighbor of Punc E11 (NOPE) in early stage esophageal adenocarcinoma is associated with reduced survival

Current recommendations suggest neoadjuvant treatment in node-positive esophageal cancer or tumors staged T3 and upwards but some T2 N0 patients might benefit from neoadjuvant therapy. It is of clinical relevance to identify this subgroup. Loss of epithelial apicobasal polarity is a key factor in the development of invasive capabilities of carcinoma. The oncofetal stem/progenitor cell marker NOPE is expressed in adult depolarized murine hepatocytes and in murine/human hepatocellular carcinoma. We analyzed NOPE expression in 363 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma using an RNA Scope Assay on a tissue microarray and correlated results with clinical data. Median follow-up was 57.7 months with a 5-year survival rate of 26.6%. NOPE was detectable in 32 patients (8.8%). In pT1/2 stages, NOPE expression was associated with a significantly reduced median OS of 6.3 months (95% CI 1.2-19.4 months), the median OS is not reached in the NOPE-negative group (calculated mean OS 117.1 months) (P = 0.012). In advanced tumor stages, a NOPE dependent survival difference was not detected. This is the first report of NOPE expression demonstrating a prognostic value in esophageal cancer. Early stage, NOPE positive patients are at a high risk of tumor progression and may benefit from neoadjuvant treatment analogous to advanced stage cancer.

Progression-Free Survival as Early Efficacy Endpoint in Resectable Esophageal Cancer Treated With Neoadjuvant Therapy: A Systematic Review

To investigate literature-based evidence regarding progression-free survival (PFS) as an early efficacy endpoint in patients with resectable esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer receiving neoadjuvant therapy, this study identified large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with strict quality control. Twenty-four RCTs involving 7,514 patients were included. Trial-level correlation analysis was conducted to analyze the relationship between PFS hazard ratio (HR) and overall survival (OS) HR, Δ median PFS and Δ median OS. Correlation analysis at the neoadjuvant treatment arm level was performed between 1- to 5-year PFS and 5-year OS, median PFS and median OS. Subgroup analysis was performed in patients treated with standard neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT). The correlation was evaluated using the Pearson correlation coefficient r in weighted linear regression, with weight equal to patient size. In trial-level correlation, PFS were strongly associated with OS HR (r, 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.42-0.97]) and Δ median survival (r, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.54-0.96]). In neoadjuvant treatment arms, there was a strong correlation between 1 to 5-year PFS rates and 5-year OS (r, 0.83-0.95), and median PFS and median OS (r, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.85-0.99]). NCRT subgroup analysis demonstrated acceptable consistency. In conclusion, we recommend PFS as an early efficacy endpoint in resected esophageal or GEJ cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapy.

Modern Management of Esophageal Cancer: Radio-Oncology in Neoadjuvancy, Adjuvancy and Palliation

The modern management of esophageal cancer is crucially based on a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach. Radiotherapy is involved in neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings; moreover, it includes radical and palliative treatment intention (with a focus on the use of a stent and its potential integration with radiotherapy). In this review, the above-mentioned settings and approaches will be described. Referring to available international guidelines, the background evidence bases will be reviewed, and the ongoing, more relevant trials will be outlined. Target definitions and radiotherapy doses to administer will be mentioned. Peculiar applications such as brachytherapy (interventional radiation oncology), and data regarding innovative approaches including MRI-guided-RT and radiomic analysis will be reported. A focus on the avoidance of surgery for major clinical responses (particularly for SCC) is detailed.