Real-world Scenario: CROSS Regimen as Preoperative Therapy for Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Impact of extending the original criteria in the Chemoradiotherapy for Oesophageal Cancer followed by Surgery Study (CROSS) regimen on treatment outcome in locally advanced esophageal cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The Chemoradiotherapy for Oesophageal Cancer followed by Surgery Study (CROSS) regimen is currently offered to locally advanced esophageal cancer patients beyond the original eligibility criteria. This national population-based study assessed the safety in implementation regarding treatment outcome when extending these criteria.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Locally advanced esophageal cancer (cT1N+/T2-4aN0-3/M0) patients (n = 5061) from the Netherlands Cancer Registry treated according to the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) CROSS regimen between 2015 and 2022 were analyzed. A total of 1958 complied with the original criteria (O-CROSS group) and 1348 with one or more extended criteria (tumor length >8 cm, age >75 years, WHO score >2 and/or weight loss >10%) (E-CROSS group), eventually followed by resection in 1342 O-CROSS patients and 852 E-CROSS patients. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS), i.e. time interval from onset of nCRT (OS-nCRT) and from date of surgery (OS-surgery) until death or last follow-up. Secondary outcomes were disease-free survival, pathological complete response (pCR), surgical radicality, post-operative morbidity and mortality. Data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

OS-nCRT was significantly lower in the E-CROSS compared with the O-CROSS (median of 30.3 months, 95% confidence interval 27.2-33.5 months versus 45.9 months, 95% CI 38.4-53.4 months, P < 0.001). Similarly, differences were observed in OS-surgery. When OS-nCRT and OS-surgery were adjusted for baseline covariates, however, no difference was found between both groups. Moreover, no differences were observed in disease-free survival, surgical radicality, and pCR. While not affecting post-operative mortality, significantly more anastomotic leakages and thromboembolic post-operative complications were seen in the O-CROSS group.

CONCLUSION

Extending the CROSS criteria was associated with lower OS, which was caused by the higher age, weight loss >10% and WHO score in the E-CROSS group. The CROSS regimen can be used in a 'real-world' setting but individual factors that may contribute to OS should be considered in decision-making.

Phase III randomized trial comparing neoadjuvant paclitaxel plus platinum with 5-fluorouracil plus platinum in esophageal or gastroesophageal junction squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced esophageal or gastroesophageal junction squamous cancer, 5-fluorouracil plus platinum, is toxic and logistically challenging; alternative regimens are needed.

METHODS

This was a phase III randomized open-label noninferiority trial at Tata Memorial Center, India, in resectable locally advanced esophageal or gastroesophageal junction squamous cancer. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to 3 cycles of 3-weekly platinum (cisplatin 75 mg/m2 or carboplatin area under the curve 6) with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 (day 1) or 5-fluorouracil 1000 mg/m2 continuous infusion (days 1-4), followed by surgery.

RESULTS

Between August 2014 and June 2022, we enrolled 420 patients; 210 to each arm. Statistically significantly more patients on paclitaxel plus platinum (n =194, 92.3%) received all 3 chemotherapy cycles than on 5-fluorouracil with platinum (n = 170, 85.9%; P = .009). 5-fluorouracil plus platinum caused more grade 3 or higher toxicities (n = 124, 69.7%) than paclitaxel plus platinum (n = 97, 51.9%; P = .001). Surgery was performed in 131 (62.4%) patients on 5-fluorouracil plus platinum vs 139 (66.2%) on paclitaxel plus platinum (P = .415). Paclitaxel plus platinum resulted in higher pathologic primary tumor clearance (n = 33, 25.8%, vs n = 17, 15%; P = .04) and pathologic complete responses in 21.9% compared with 12.4% from 5-fluorouracil plus platinum (P = .053). Median overall survival was 27.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 18.6 to 43.5 months) from paclitaxel plus platinum, which was noninferior to 27.1 months (95% CI = 18.8 to 40.7 months) from 5-fluorouracil plus platinum (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.72 to 1.09; P = .346).

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant paclitaxel plus platinum chemotherapy is safer and results in similar R0 resections, higher pathologic tumor clearance and noninferior survival compared with 5-fluorouracil plus platinum. Paclitaxel plus platinum should replace 5-fluorouracil plus platinum as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable locally advanced esophagealor gastroesophageal junction squamous cancer.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY INDIA NUMBER

CTRI/2014/04/004516.

Pathological response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Eastern versus Western countries: meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma can be treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy followed by oesophagectomy. Discrepancies in pathological response rates have been reported between studies from Eastern versus Western countries. The aim of this study was to compare the pathological response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in Eastern versus Western countries.

METHODS

Databases were searched until November 2022 for studies reporting pCR rates after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Multi-level meta-analyses were performed to pool pCR rates separately for cohorts from studies performed in centres in the Sinosphere (East) or in Europe and the Anglosphere (West).

RESULTS

For neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, 51 Eastern cohorts (5636 patients) and 20 Western cohorts (3039 patients) were included. Studies from Eastern countries included more men, younger patients, more proximal tumours, and more cT4 and cN+ disease. Patients in the West were more often treated with high-dose radiotherapy, whereas patients in the East were more often treated with a platinum + fluoropyrimidine regimen. The pooled pCR rate after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was 31.7% (95% c.i. 29.5% to 34.1%) in Eastern cohorts versus 40.4% (95% c.i. 35.0% to 45.9%) in Western cohorts (fixed-effect P = 0.003). For cohorts with similar cTNM stages, pooled pCR rates for the East and the West were 32.5% and 41.9% respectively (fixed-effect P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

The pathological response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is less favourable in patients treated in Eastern countries compared with Western countries. Despite efforts to investigate accounting factors, the discrepancy in pCR rate cannot be entirely explained by differences in patient, tumour, or treatment characteristics.

Comparison of therapeutic outcomes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: A prospective observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) may not always receive resection despite the possible achievement of a pathologic complete response (pCR) being associated with superior survival benefit. We aimed to compare outcomes among ESCC patients with or without pCR and those refusing surgery.

METHODS

In total, 111 medically operable, non-cervical ESCC patients after the same protocol of nCRT (platinum/5-fluorouracil plus radiation 50Gy) were prospectively enrolled between 2011 and 2021. Eighty-three of them underwent esophagectomy comprising pCR (n = 32) and non-pCR (n = 51), while 28 operable patients declined surgery (refusal-of-surgery group). Predictors and survival data were analyzed.

RESULTS

In terms of esophagectomy, 38.5% (32/83) patients achieved pCR. The pCR group exhibited better pretreatment performance status than the non-pCR group (adjusted odds ratio: 0.11, 95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.58; p = 0.01). Among pCR, non-pCR, and refusal-of-surgery groups, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 56%, 29% and 50% (p = 0.08) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 52%, 28% and 36% (p = 0.07) respectively. The pCR group had significantly better OS and PFS than the non-PCR group (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.33 and 1.93, p = 0.02 and 0.049 respectively) but not the refusal-of-surgery group.

CONCLUSION

Better pretreatment performance status is associated with higher chance of pCR. Consistent with previous studies, we found attainment of pCR confers the best OS and PFS. Suboptimal OS in the refusal-of-surgery group reflects some of them would have residual disease in addition to complete remission. Further studies are needed to identify prognostic factors of pCR to select candidates who could validly decline esophagectomy.

Reproducibility of the CROSS Trial Results in the Multimodal Treatment of Esophageal Cancer in Daily Practice: A Single Center Retrospective Observational Study

Background

Treatment of nonmetastatic esophageal cancer with curative intention remains a major challenge. Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by surgery, as described in the CROSS trial in 2012, has been established as a standard of care. With this retrospective observational study, we aimed to analyze the results of the CROSS regimen in daily practice over the last 10 years at the St. Clara Hospital, a Swiss center for esophageal surgery.

Methods

To determine the clinical outcome in our daily practice, the medical records of all patients with potentially curable localized esophageal cancer (T1N1 or T2-3N0-1 M0) treated with radiochemotherapy in neoadjuvant intention according to the CROSS regimen were reviewed. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Furthermore, an overall survival analysis of the subgroups of patients who exactly met the inclusion criteria of the CROSS trial with respect to age and weight loss before therapy was performed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival and compared by the log-rank test.

Results

From January 2012 to January 2022, 91 patients with T1N1 or T2-3N0-1M0 esophageal cancer underwent neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy according to the CROSS regimen. The median age was 70 years (range 31-86 years), and 26 (29%) patients were over 75 years of age. Weight loss of more than 10% was observed in 23 (25%) patients. 77 (85%) patients underwent esophagectomy, and complete resection (R0) was obtained in 73 (95%) of them. The median overall survival was 41 months, compared to 49.4 months in the CROSS trial. The overall survival rate at 12 months was 85% and at 24 months, it was 68%, very similar to the CROSS trial results. 51% of the patients fully met the inclusion criteria of the CROSS trial with respect to age and pretherapeutic weight loss. Their overall survival rate at 12 months was 94% at St. Clara Hospital versus 82% in the CROSS trial (p=0.04), and at 24 months, 81% versus 67% (p=0.05).

Conclusion

Overall, in a center specialized for the multimodal treatment of nonmetastatic esophageal cancer, the results of the CROSS trial seem to be well reproducible in daily practice.

Pathological response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: multicentre East Asian and Dutch database comparison

BACKGROUND

Patients with different ethnic and genetic backgrounds may respond differently to anticancer therapies. This study aimed to assess whether patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in East Asia had an inferior pathological response compared with patients treated in Northwest Europe.

METHODS

Patients with OSCC who underwent nCRT according to the CROSS regimen (carboplatin and paclitaxel with concurrent 41.4 Gy radiotherapy) followed by oesophagectomy between June 2012 and April 2020 were identified from East Asian and Dutch databases. The primary outcome was pCR, defined as ypT0 N0. Groups were compared using propensity score matching, adjusting for sex, Charlson Co-morbidity Index score, tumour location, cT and cN categories, interval between nCRT and surgery, and number of resected lymph nodes.

RESULTS

Of 725 patients identified, 133 remained in each group after matching. A pCR was achieved in 37 patients (27.8 per cent) in the Asian database and 58 (43.6 per cent) in the Dutch database (P = 0.010). The rate of ypT1-4 was higher in Asian than Dutch data (66.2 and 49.6 per cent; P = 0.004). The ypN1-3 rate was 44.4 per cent in the Asian and 33.1 per cent in the Dutch data set. Clear margins were achieved in 92.5 per cent of Asian and 95.5 per cent of Dutch patients.

CONCLUSION

Regional differences in responses to CROSS nCRT for oesophageal cancer were apparent, the origin of which will need evaluation.

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.

Neoadjuvant Therapy for Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancers

Esophageal carcinoma is one of the most aggressive malignant diseases. At present, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy are regarded as the standard modalities for the treatments of locally advanced esophageal cancers based on several landmark trials. However, the optimal regimen, radiation dose, and surgical intervals are uncertain and the rate of recurrence after neoadjuvant therapy is high. Patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy and reaching a pathological complete response have been reported to have a better survival benefit and a fewer recurrence risk than those non-pathological complete responses. Nevertheless, less than half of patients will reach a pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy, and the methods to evaluate the efficacy after neoadjuvant therapy accurately are limited. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been recommended for the treatments of advanced esophageal cancers. Recently, research has been beginning to evaluate the safety and efficacy of immunotherapy combined with neoadjuvant therapy. Here, we will review and discuss the development of the neoadjuvant therapy of locally advanced esophageal cancers and unsolved clinical problems.

Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Patients with Esophageal Cancer: An Analysis of a Multidisciplinary Tumor Board Database

BACKGROUND

Multidisciplinary management strategies are standard in esophageal cancer. Based on a multidisciplinary tumor board (MTB) database in a high-volume center, we aimed to evaluate real-world treatment patterns and patient outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer. In addition, we determined the impact of MTB discussions on patient prognosis.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer between 2010 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The pattern of treatment modalities and overall survival (OS) of patients with limited, locally advanced, and advanced/metastatic disease were reported.

RESULTS

Data from 1132 patients, including 247 patients with limited esophageal cancer, 606 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, and 279 patients with advanced/metastatic esophageal cancer were included. Upfront surgery was the most common (56.3%) treatment modality for patients with limited esophageal cancer, while treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer included upfront surgery (19.1%), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (44.9%), and definitive chemoradiotherapy (36.0%); however, 27.9% of patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy did not receive planned esophagectomy. Definitive chemoradiotherapy was mainly used for patients with locally advanced and advanced/metastatic disease, but had an incompletion rate of 22.0% and 33.7%, respectively. Regarding survival, the 5-year OS rates were 56.4%, 26.3%, and 5.1% in patients with limited, locally advanced, and advanced/metastatic disease, respectively. Additionally, patients whose clinical management was discussed in the MTB had a significantly better 5-year OS rate than the other patients (27.3% vs. 20.5%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We report the real-world data of treatment patterns and patient outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer with respect to multidisciplinary management, and demonstrate the positive impact of MTB discussions on patient prognosis.

Outcomes of oesophageal cancer treated with neoadjuvant compared with definitive chemoradiotherapy

Introduction: We report outcomes of patients with oesophageal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) plus surgery or definitive chemoradiotherapy (chemoRT) at our institution. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent chemoRT from 2005 to 2017. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes were disease-free survival (DFS) and toxicities. Results: We identified 96 patients with median age of 64 years and squamous cell carcinoma in 82.3%. Twenty-nine patients (30.2%) received NACRT plus surgery, 67 patients (69.8%) received definitive chemoRT. Median follow-up was 13.5 months. The 3/5-year OS were 26.4%/13.4%, and 59.6%/51.6% in the definitive chemoRT and NACRT plus surgery groups, respectively. The 3/5-year DFS were 19.3%/12.3%, and 55.7%/37.2% in the definitive chemoRT and NACRT plus surgery groups, respectively. NACRT plus surgery significantly improved OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22–0.72, P<0.01) and DFS (subhazard ratio [SHR] 5.21, 95 CI 1.20–22.7, P=0.03). Multivariable analysis for OS in the definitive chemoRT group indicated stage (1–2 vs 3–4a; HR 2.17, 95% CI 1.15–4.11, P=0.02) and feeding tube (no tube versus tube; HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.00–3.43, P=0.05) as significantly associated with OS. The cumulative incidence of local recurrence was significantly higher in the definitive chemoRT group (SHR 5.21, 95 CI 1.2022.7, P=0.03). Nineteen patients (65.5%) had postoperative complications. Conclusion: NACRT plus surgery improved OS and DFS. However, in view of treatment-related complications, careful selection of patients is warranted. With the predominant histology of our cohort being squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), our results may be more re levant for those with SCC. Keywords: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, oesophageal cancer, surgery

Thinking through the multimodal treatment of localized oesophageal cancer: the point of view of the surgeon

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review examines current developments and controversies in the multimodal management of oesophageal cancer, with an emphasis on surgical dilemmas and outcomes from the surgeon's perspective.

RECENT FINDINGS

Despite the advancement of oncological neoadjuvant treatments, there is still no consensus on what regimen is superior. The majority of patients may still fail to respond to neoadjuvant therapy and suffer potential harm without any survival advantage as a result. In patients who do not respond, adjuvant therapy is still often recommended after surgery despite any evidence for its benefit. We examine the implications of different regimens and treatment approaches for both squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.

SUMMARY

The efficacy of neoadjuvant treatment is highly variable and likely relates to variability of tumour biology. Ongoing work to identify responders, or optimize treatment on an individual patient, should increase the efficacy of multimodal therapy and improve patient outcomes.

Silencing of SETD6 inhibits the tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma by inhibiting methylation of PAK4 and RelA

BACKGROUND

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most comment types of oral malignancies. SET-domain-containing protein 6 (SETD6) was recently identified as an important regulator of multiple signaling pathways through methylating protein substrates. Meanwhile, SETD6 is known to participate in multiple cancers. However, the role of SETD6 in OSCC remains unclear.

METHODS

Gene and protein expressions in OSCC cells or tissues were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively. In addition, CCK-8 assay was used to test the cell viability. A transwell assay was performed to measure cell migration and invasion. Flow cytometry was used to test cell apoptosis and cycle. Meanwhile, methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to detect the status of promoter methylation.

RESULTS

SETD6 was significantly upregulated in OSCC tissues. In addition, knockdown of SETD6 notably inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of OSCC cells. Furthermore, silencing of SETD6 notably suppressed the migration and invasion of OSCC cells. Meanwhile, SETD6 siRNA significantly inhibited the promoter methylation of RelA (NF-κB p65) and PAK4. Furthermore, SETD6 siRNA induced G1 arrest in OSCC cells.

CONCLUSION

Knockdown of SETD6 inhibits the tumorigenesis of OSCC by suppressing promoter methylation of PAK4 and RelA. Therefore, our study might shed new light on exploring strategies for the treatment of OSCC.

Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Using Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil (PF) Versus Carboplatin and Paclitaxel (CROSS Regimen) for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC): A Propensity Score-matched Study

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the efficacy of PF-based and CROSS-based neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for ESCC.

BACKGROUND

PF-based regimen has been a standard regimen for ESCC, but it has been replaced by the CROSS regimen in the past few years, despite no prospective head-to-head comparative study has been performed.

METHODS

This is a single center retrospective study. Records of all ESCC patients who have received neoadjuvant PF with 40 Gy radiotherapy in 20 daily fractions (PFRT Group) or CROSS with 41.4 Gy radiotherapy in 23 daily fractions (CROSS Group) during the period 2002 to 2019 were retrieved. Propensity score matching (1:1) was performed to minimize baseline differences. The primary and secondary endpoints were overall survival and clinicopathological response. Subgroup analysis ("CROSS Eligibility") was performed based on tumor length, cT-stage, cM-stage, age, and performance status.

RESULTS

One hundred (out of 109) patients (CROSS group) and propensity score matched 100 (out of 210) patients (PFRT group) were included. Esophagectomy rates in CROSS and PFRT group were 69% and 76%, respectively (P = 0.268). R0 resection rates were 85.5% and 81.6% (P = 0.525) and the pathological complete remission rates were 24.6% and 35.5% (P = 0.154). By intention-to-treat, the median survival was 16.7 and 32.7 months (P = 0.083). For "CROSS Eligible subgroup," the median survival of the CROSS and PFRT group was 21.6 versus 44.9 months (P = 0.093).

CONCLUSIONS

There is no statistically difference in survival or clinicopathological outcome between both groups, but the trend favors PFRT. Prospective head-to-head comparison and novel strategies to improve the outcomes in resectable ESCC are warranted.