Importance of positron emission tomography for assessing the response of primary and metastatic lesions to induction treatments in T4 esophageal cancer

TP53-centric ctDNA complements PET/CT for non-invasive assessment of pathological complete response and survival after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Accurate assessment of pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT) is crucial to implement active surveillance or tailor therapeutic strategies for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), while reliable non-invasive methods for pCR prediction are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the potential of integrating circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and PET/CT for predicting pCR to NICT for ESCC.

METHODS

A total of 123 eligible patients were enrolled, including 68 patients from our prospective clinical trial (ChiCTR2000028900) and a real-world study (NCT04822103) that formed the discovery cohort, as well as 55 patients from another clinical trial (ChiCTR2100051763) comprising the validation cohort. Blood samples for ctDNA sequencing and PET/CT metrics were collected before and after NICT.

RESULTS

The ctDNA status and PET/CT parameters at the post-NICT stage rather than the pre-NICT stage significantly differentiated pCR from non-pCR patients. ctDNA and PET/CT synergistically enhanced the prediction of pCR from perspectives of sensitivity and specificity, respectively. The model integrating ctDNA concentration and mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) demonstrated area under curves (AUCs) of 0.860 in the discovery cohort and 0.798 in the validation cohort for pCR prediction and stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups with differential survival prospects. The key gene modules converged on TP53 as the core mutation for pCR prediction, among which those located in the exon regions contributed the most to its predictive capacity. The model constructed based on TP53 mutation and SUVmean differentiated pCR from non-pCR with comparable performance to the model based on PET/CT and the overall ctDNA concentration.

CONCLUSION

The combination of post-treatment TP53 -centric ctDNA and PET/CT synergistically enhances the prediction of pCR following NICT in ESCC patients, indicating the potential to inform clinical decision-making for these patients.

Nodal Downstaging of Esophageal Cancer After Neoadjuvant Therapy: A Cohort Study and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

In esophageal cancer, the ypN0 status after induction therapy could be categorized into two primary groups: "natural N0" (cN0/ypN0) and "down-staged N0" (cN+/ypN0). The assessment of cN status is typically based on clinical imagination or pathological regression. However, there is no standardized method for evaluating cN/ypN status. This study aims to investigate the prognosis of patients with cN+/ypN0 using both assessment methods through a cohort study and meta-analysis.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained database encompassing esophageal cancer patients undergoing induction therapy followed by radical esophagectomy was comprehensively reviewed. The prognostic significance of cN+/ypN0 across two evaluation methods was quantified. Additionally, a meta-analysis using data from previous studies was conducted.

RESULTS

578 patients were identified from the cohort analysis, with 342 classified as ypN0 and 236 as ypN+. When evaluated with clinical imagination, patients with cN+/ypN0 had survival outcomes comparable to those with natural N0 but significantly better than those with ypN+ (p < 0.001). Using pathological nodal regression, cN+/ypN0 patients showed superior overall survival compared to ypN+ patients (p = 0.0043), although their disease-free survival was notably inferior to that of natural N0 patients (p = 0.0088). A meta-analysis of 20 previous studies confirmed the prognostic value of cN+/ypN0 status in both clinical imagination and pathological regression.

CONCLUSIONS

For esophageal cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant, cN+/ypN0 status, assessed through both clinical imagination and pathological regression, serves as a significant prognostic factor. It holds precedence over ypN+ yet falls short of the natural N0. The pre-treatment categorizations warrant recognition as a novel and pertinent staging metric.

Surgical and long-term outcomes of combined organ resection for esophageal cancer invading adjacent organs: Experience of 90 consecutive cases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility of and long-term survival with combined organ resection for esophageal cancer (EC). The optimal treatment strategy for EC that is invading adjacent organs is not established.

METHODS

Ninety patients with EC invading adjacent organs who underwent combined organ resection after induction treatments during the time period 2003-2023 in our institute were eligible for the study. Short- and long-term outcomes were assessed, and survival analysis was performed to identify prognostic parameters in this cohort.

RESULTS

Most patients had primary tumors (78.9% vs 21.1% with recurrent disease). The resected organs were the trachea/bronchus in 75.6%, large vessels in 24.4%, and both in 5.6%. All but 1 patient underwent chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy as prior induction treatment, and had R0 resection. The overall complication rate (Clavien-Dindo grade II or greater) was 54.4%, and in-hospital mortality was 2.2% (30- and 90-day mortality: 0% and 2.2%, respectively). Of the deaths, 47 (87.0%) were attributed to EC and 7 (13.0%) to other causes. Median disease-free survival was 6.5 months, and overall survival (OS) was 18.9 months. The 2-year OS values were 47.2% with trachea/bronchus resection, 38.4% with large-vessel involvement, and 37.5% if both were involved. Univariate analysis of OS demonstrated significant associations of operation time (hazard ratio [HR], 2.11; P = .0080), blood loss (HR, 2.85; P = .0003), all-layer tracheal resection (HR, 3.51; P = .0045), ypT (HR, 2.04; P = .022), and pathologic response (HR, 2.77; P = .0089).

CONCLUSIONS

If patient selection is highly selected, combined organ resection may be a feasible and promising option as a part of the multidisciplinary treatment for EC invading an adjacent organ.

PYGB targeted by androgen receptor contributes to tumor progression and metabolic reprogramming in esophageal squamous carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The incidence and mortality rates of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are conspicuously augmented in men in contrast to women. The androgen receptor (AR), prevalently associated with the manifestation of male characteristics, is regarded as a pivotal determinant in tumor progression. Nevertheless, its exact role in ESCC remains insufficiently delineated.

METHODS

In this study, we probed the expression levels of AR and glucose metabolism enzymes in ESCC tissues by means of immunohistochemistry. We exploited chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase reporter assays to delve into the transcriptional regulatory interrelationships between AR and these enzymes. A gamut of molecular techniques-including multi-omics sequencing, colony formation assays, cell counting kit 8 (CCK8), 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assays, wound-healing assays, transwell migration assays, extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) measurements, lipid droplet fluorescence imaging, and xenograft models-were enlisted to illuminate the functions of these enzymes within ESCC cells.

RESULTS

Our discoveries manifested that AR expression was strikingly higher in male ESCC tissues than in their female counterparts. Significantly, we discerned that glycogen phosphorylase B (PYGB), a cardinal enzyme implicated in glucose metabolism, demonstrated not only a positive correlation with AR expression but also an association with adverse prognostic outcomes for ESCC patients. Moreover, AR directly binds to the promoter region of the PYGB gene, thereby potentiating its transcriptional activity. This upregulation of PYGB was ascertained to facilitate proliferation, invasion, and metastasis among ESCC cells while intensifying glycolysis and modifying lipid metabolism pathways within these cells. In animal models employing nude mice, elevated PYGB levels were witnessed to expedite subcutaneous tumor growth as well as lung metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our study establishes PYGB as a direct target of AR that assumes an indispensable role in both tumor progression and metabolic reprogramming affiliated with ESCC, thus paving novel avenues for therapeutic strategies centered on metabolic intercessions.

Pembrolizumab plus cisplatin and fluorouracil as induction chemotherapy followed by definitive chemoradiotherapy for patients with cT4 and/or supraclavicular lymph node metastasis (M1Lym) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Definitive chemoradiotherapy (DCRT) is administered as standard treatment for patients with cT4 and/or M1Lym esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); however, its long-term result is inadequate. Although several studies have reported that conversion surgery can improve the survival of these patients, none have identified significantly better long-term survival than that achieved by DCRT. Thus, enhancing DCRT seems important to improve the survival of these patients. A strategy of shrinking tumor volume before DCRT and providing consolidation chemotherapy for systemic control is expected to improve the survival of these patients. Pembrolizumab plus cisplatin and fluorouracil has demonstrated good local control and significant improvement in the survival of patients with advanced esophageal cancer. Based on these results, the following strategy is proposed: This protocol should be applied as induction for these patients; then, DCRT should be provided depending on the initial response; and finally, adjuvant chemotherapy with an immune checkpoint inhibitor should be given to all responders.

Assessing the outcomes of posterior thoracic para-aortic lymph node dissection after induction chemotherapy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Posterior thoracic para-aortic lymph node (TPAN) metastasis is a distant metastasis of esophageal cancer. Several case reports have shown that radical esophagectomy and lymphadenectomy for posterior TPAN improve the prognosis of patients with cStage IVB esophageal cancer and solitary posterior TPAN metastasis; however, the true value of this procedure is unclear. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of lymphadenectomy for posterior TPAN after induction chemotherapy in esophageal cancer. This study enrolled 15 patients who underwent radical esophagectomy for cStage IVB esophageal cancer with solitary posterior TPAN metastasis after induction chemotherapy between January 2013 and October 2022 at our hospital. The short- and long-term of radical esophagectomy and lymphadenectomy for posterior TPAN were retrospectively evaluated. All patients who underwent radical esophagectomy and lymphadenectomy for posterior TPAN achieved a pR0 in this study. The median operative time and intraoperative blood loss were 385 minutes and 164 ml, respectively. Four patients (26.7%) had postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade II or more. The median postoperative hospital stay was 15 days. The 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates were 55.6% (95% confidence interval: 23.1-79.0) and 55.0% (95% confidence interval: 25.3-77.2), respectively. We showed that lymphadenectomy for posterior TPAN metastasis was associated with an improved prognosis of some patients with advanced esophageal cancer. This technique may serve as a viable treatment option for patients who respond well to induction chemotherapy.

Role of surgery in T4N0-3M0 esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate an unsettled issue that whether T4 esophageal cancer could benefit from surgery.

METHODS

Patients with T4N0-3M0 esophageal cancer from 2004 to 2015 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were included in this study. Kaplan-Meier method, Cox proportional hazard regression, and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to compare overall survival (OS) between the surgery and no-surgery group.

RESULTS

A total of 1822 patients were analyzed. The multivariable Cox regression showed the HR (95% CI) for surgery vs. no surgery was 0.492 (0.427-0.567) (P < 0.001) in T4N0-3M0 cohort, 0.471 (0.354-0.627) (P < 0.001) in T4aN0-3M0 cohort, and 0.480 (0.335-0.689) (P < 0.001) in T4bN0-3M0 cohort. The HR (95% CI) for neoadjuvant therapy plus surgery vs. no surgery and surgery without neoadjuvant therapy vs. no surgery were 0.548 (0.461-0.650) (P < 0.001) and 0.464 (0.375-0.574) (P < 0.001), respectively. No significant OS difference was observed between neoadjuvant therapy plus surgery and surgery without neoadjuvant therapy: 0.966 (0.686-1.360) (P = 0.843). Subgroup analyses and PSM-adjusted analyses showed consistent results.

CONCLUSION

Surgery might bring OS improvement for T4N0-3M0 esophageal cancer patients, no matter in T4a disease or in T4b disease. Surgery with and without neoadjuvant therapy might both achieve better OS than no surgery.

Long-term survival and prognostic factors associated with curative conversion surgery for ct4b esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Analysis of 200 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment strategy for cT4b esophageal cancer has not been established yet. Although curative surgery is sometimes performed after induction treatments, the prognostic factor of cT4b esophageal cancer cases who underwent R0 resection remains unknown.

METHODS

A total of 200 patients with cT4b esophageal cancer who underwent R0 resection after induction treatments between 2001 and 2020 in our institute were included in the present study. The relationship between clinicopathological factors and patient survival is evaluated to identify useful prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The median and 2-year overall survival were 40.1 months and 62.8%, respectively. Disease recurrence occurred in 98 (49%) patients after surgery. Compared to induction chemotherapy alone, chemoradiation-based induction treatments were associated with decreased locoregional recurrence (34.0% vs 60.8%, P = .0077) but increased pulmonary metastases (27.7% vs 9.8%, P = .0210) and dissemination (19.1% vs 3.9%, P = .0139) after surgery. Multivariate analysis of overall survival identified the preoperative C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (hazard ratio 1.7957, P = .0031), response to induction treatments (hazard ratio 2.9663, P = .0009), postoperative pneumonia (hazard ratio 2.3784, P = .0010), and pN (2-3) (hazard ratio 1.5693, P = .0355) as independent prognostic factors. Preoperative C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (hazard ratio 1.6760, P = .0068) and postoperative pneumonia (hazard ratio 1.8365, P = .0200) were also independent prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival.

CONCLUSION

Curative surgery after induction therapy for cT4b esophageal cancer achieved favorable survival. Preoperative C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, postoperative pneumonia, response to induction treatments, and pN were useful prognostic factors.

Three-Course Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Associated with Unfavorable Survival of Non-responders to the First Two Courses for Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Three-course neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery has become a standard of care for locally advanced esophageal cancer (EC). However, some patients occasionally experience a poor tumor response to the third course and have a poor clinical outcome.

METHODS

An exploratory analysis of data from the authors' recent multicenter randomized phase 2 trial compared patients with locally advanced EC who received two courses (n = 78) and those who received three courses (n = 68) of NAC. The association between tumor response and clinico-pathologic factors, including survival, was evaluated to identify risk factors in the three-course group.

RESULTS

Of 68 patients who received three courses of NAC, 28 (41.2%) had a tumor reduction rate lower than 10% during the third course. This rate was associated with unfavorable overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) compared with a tumor reduction rate of 10% or higher (2-year OS rate: 63.5% vs. 89.3%, P = 0.007; 2-year PFS rate: 52.6% vs. 79.7%, P = 0.020). The independent prognostic factors for OS were tumor reduction rate lower than 10% during the third course (hazard ratio [HR], 2.735; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.041-7.188; P = 0.041) and age of 65 years or older (HR, 9.557, 95% CI 1.240-73.63; P = 0.030). Receiver operating characteristic curve and multivariable logistic regression analyses identified a tumor reduction rate lower than 50% after the first two courses as an independent predictor of a tumor reduction rate lower than 10% during the third course of NAC (HR, 4.315; 95% CI 1.329-14.02; P = 0.015).

CONCLUSION

Continuing NAC through a third course may worsen survival for patients who do not experience a response to the first two courses in locally advanced EC.

Risk stratification of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma using change in total lesion glycolysis and number of PET-positive lymph nodes

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) correlates with patient survival in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but optimal evaluation of the treatment response based on PET-CT parameters has not been established.

METHODS

We analysed 226 OSCC patients who underwent PET-CT before and after NACT followed by surgery. We assessed SUVmax, metabolic tumour volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) for the primary tumour and the number of PET-positive lymph nodes before and after NACT to predict patient survival.

RESULTS

In a stepwise analysis, we defined 60%, 80%, and 80% as the optimal cut-off values for SUVmax, MTV, and TLG reduction, respectively, to distinguish responders and non-responders to NACT. In the ROC analysis, the TLG reduction rate was the best predictor of recurrence among PET-CT parameters. The TLG responders achieved significantly more favourable prognoses than non-responders (2-year progression-free survival [PFS] rate: 64.1% vs. 38.5%; P = 0.0001). TLG reduction rate (HR 2.58; 95% CI 1.16-5.73) and the number of PET-positive lymph nodes after NACT (HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.04-3.08) were significant independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

TLG reduction is the best predictor of prognosis. Preoperative PET-CT evaluation of both the primary tumour and lymph nodes could accurately stratify risk in OSCC patients.

Volumetric Evaluation of Staging 18F-FDG PET/CT Images in Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the metastatic potential of primary tumor and survival in esophageal cancer (EC) patients by using metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) from the staging 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) images. Another aim is to determine a tumor volume-based cut-off value to predict long-term survival.

Methods

Medical records of EC patients were retrospectively evaluated. Sixty-two patients with staging 18F-FDG PET/CT and at least five years of follow-up were included in the study. The region of interest to the primary tumor and all metastatic sites was created and MTV and TLG values of the primary tumor (MTVp, TLGp) and total tumor volume (MTVt and TLGt) values were obtained. The relationship between the obtained MTV and TLG values and short-time (one-year) and long time (five-year) survival was investigated.

Results

Significant factors on survival were determined as lymph node or distant metastasis (p=0.024, 0.008, respectively) at the staging PET/CT. A significant relationship between volumetric parameters of the primary tumor and total tumor burden (MTVp, TLGp, MTVwb and TLGwb) between survivors and non-survivors for one-year and five-year was detected. In receiver operating characteristics analysis, the most significant volumetric parameter was MTVwb, with area under curve 0.771 in estimated five-year survival. The best cut-off value was detected as 36.1 mL with 78% sensitivity and 75% specificity for MTVwb in determining long-term survivors.

Conclusion

Tumor burden in 18F-FDG PET/CT images at the time of staging of patients with EC will contribute to the prediction of long-term survivors.

Nodal downstaging to ypN0 after neoadjuvant chemotherapy positively impacts on survival of cT4N+ GC/GEJ patients

BACKGROUND

The prognostic value of histomorphologic regression in primary gastric and gastroesophageal cancers (GC/GEJ) has been previously established, however, the impact of lymph node (LN) regression on survival still remains unclear.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained database was reviewed to identify cT4N+ gastric and gastroesophageal cancers (GC/GEJ) after NAC (neoadjuvant chemotherapy). Patients were categorized into two groups based on LN status: cN+/ypN0 (downstaged N0) and cN+/ypN+ (persistent N+), long-term survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates.

RESULTS

In total, 125 patients with cT4N+ GC/GEJ underwent NAC followed by surgery were enrolled. A total of 39 patients (31.2%) had cN+/ypN0 (ypN0) disease, 86 patients (68.8%) had cN+/ypN+ (ypN+) disease. Prognosis in ypN+ patients was significantly worse than those in ypN0 group for 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) (p < 0.05). The 3-year OS was 83%, 44% in ypN0 and ypN+ group, respectively. The 5-year OS was 75%, 35% in ypN0 and ypN+ group, respectively. Multivariable analysis suggested that multivisceral resection (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14-0.76, p = 0.009), and ypN+ (HR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.15-10.13, p =0.027) were independent prognostic factors for OS.

CONCLUSION

Nodal downstaging is an important hallmark representing the effectiveness of NAC for GC/GEJ, and it positively impacts on survival of these patients.

The role of volumetric and textural analysis of pretreatment 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computerized tomography images in predicting complete response to transarterial radioembolization in hepatocellular cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates the role of pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT in predicting the response to treatment in patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) who applied transarterial radioembolization (TARE) via the volumetric and texture features extracted from 18F-FDG PET/CT images.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients with HCC who had applied TARE [lobar (LT) or superselective (ST)] after 18F-FDG PET/CT were included in the study. Response to the treatment was evaluated from posttherapy magnetic resonance (MR). Patients were divided into two groups: the responder group (RG) (complete responders) and non-RG (NRG) (including partial response, stabile, and progressive). Metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and texture features were extracted from PET/CT images. The differences among MTV, TLG, and texture features between response groups were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test. ROC analysis was performed for features with P < 0.05. Spearman correlation analysis was used, and features with correlation coefficient < 0.8 were evaluated with the logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Significant differences were detected in TLG, MTV, SHAPE_compacity, GLCM_correlation, GLRLM_GLNU, GLRLM_RLNU, NGLDM_coarseness, NGLDM_busyness, GLZLM_LZHGE, GLZLM_GLNU, and GLZLM_ZLNU between RG and NRG. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that MTV was the only meaningful parameter with an AUC of 0.827 (P = 0.002; 95% CI, 0.688-0.966). The best cutoff value was determined as 74.11 ml with 78.9% sensitivity and 78.6% specificity in discriminating nonresponders.

CONCLUSION

In predicting the curative effect of TARE, multivariate analysis results demonstrated that MTV was the only independent predictor, and MTV higher than 74.11 ml were determined the best predictor of nonresponders.

The role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in predicting the pathological response to neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade in combination with chemotherapy for resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

Accurate assessment of residual disease of tumor and lymph nodes after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy is crucial in the active surveillance for patients with pathological complete response (pCR) and the optimal extent of lymphadenectomy for patients with non-pCR. This post hoc analysis aimed to evaluate the performance of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT to predict the pathological response to neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

Fifty-eight resectable ESCC patients received two cycles of camrelizumab in combination with chemotherapy and were enrolled in the final analysis. The ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans were acquired at baseline (scan-1) and after immunochemotherapy but prior to surgery (scan-2). Maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max), mean standardized uptake value (SUV_mean), tumor-to-blood pool SUV_max ratio (SUV_TBR), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were evaluated for their association with the pathological response to immunochemotherapy.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (32.8%, 19/58) had pCR and thirty-nine patients (67.2%, 39/58) had non-pCR after two doses of camrelizumab and chemotherapy. At scan-2, the SUV_max, SUV_mean, SUV_TBR, TLG, and MTV were significantly lower in pCR than in non-pCR patients. Decrease in TLG and MTV between scan-2 and scan-1 of the same patient was significantly higher in the pCR than in the non-pCR group. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, SUV_max, SUV_mean, SUV_TBR, TLG, and MTV in scan-2 showed excellent predictive value for the pCR of primary tumors. Furthermore, SUV_max in scan-2 were higher in positive lymph nodes than in negative ones, suggesting a high negative predictive ability (98.6%) with a cut-off value at 1.4.

CONCLUSION

The parameters of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT have the excellent performance for predicting pCR after the combined neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in resectable ESCC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR2000028900. Registered on January 6, 2020.

Multicenter randomised trial of two versus three courses of preoperative cisplatin and fluorouracil plus docetaxel for locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The optimal number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) cycles remains to be established for treating oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We compared two versus three courses of NAC for treating locally advanced ESCC in a multi-institutional, randomised, Phase II trial.

METHODS

We randomly assigned 180 patients with locally advanced ESCC at 6 institutions to either two (N = 91) or three (N = 89) courses of DCF (docetaxel 70 mg/m², cisplatin 70 mg/m² i.v. on day 1, fluorouracil 700 mg/m² continuous infusion for 5 days) every 3 weeks, prior to surgery. The primary endpoint was 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) with an intention-to-treat analysis.

RESULTS

Patient background parameters were well-balanced. The R0 resection rates were 98.9 and 96.5% in the two- and three-course groups, respectively (P = 0.830). In resected cases, the two- and three-course groups had comparable pN0 rates (P = 0.225) and histological responses (P = 0.898). The 2-year PFS rate was also comparable between the two groups (71.4 vs. 71.1%, P = 0.669). Among subgroups based on baseline characteristics, only patients aged under 65 years old showed a tendency for better survival with the three-course treatment (hazard ratio = 2.612, 95% confidence interval: 1.012-7.517).

CONCLUSIONS

Two courses of a DCF regimen showed potential as an optional NAC treatment for locally advanced ESCC.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry of Japan (identification number UMIN 000015788).

Pathological Regression of Lymph Nodes Better Predicts Long-term Survival in Esophageal Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate pathological response to NAC in metastatic LNs, and assess its clinical prognostic significance in patients with EC.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The pathological response to preoperative treatment is commonly evaluated in the PT. However, LN metastases strongly correlate with systemic micro-metastases. Thus, pathological evaluation of LN response could more accurately predict prognosis in EC patients undergoing NAC before surgery.

METHODS

We enrolled 371 consecutive patients who underwent triplet NAC followed by surgery for EC between January 2010 and December 2016. Pathological LN regression grade was defined by the proportion of viable tumor area within the whole tumor bed area for all metastatic LNs: grade I, >50%; II, 10%-50%; III, <10%; and IV, 0%. We analyzed the correlation of grade with clinico-pathological parameters.

RESULTS

Among 319 patients with clinically positive LNs, pathological LN regression grades were I/II/III/IV in 115/51/58/95 patients, and 191 patients (59.9%) showed discordance between the PT and LN pathological regression grades. LN regression grade significantly correlated with cN positive number, ypTNM, lymphovascular invasion, and clinical/pathological PT response. Multivariate analysis for recurrence-free survival revealed that LN regression grade [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.25, P < 0.001], ypT (HR = 1.65, P = 0.005), and ypT (HR = 1.62, P = 0.004) were independent prognostic factors, but not pathological PT regression grade (P = 0.67).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to PT response, pathological LN response better predicted long-term survival in EC patients who received NAC plus curative surgery.

Prognostic relevance of lymph node regression on survival in esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The prognostic value of histomorphologic regression in primary esophageal cancer has been previously established, however the impact of lymph node (LN) response on survival still remains unclear. The aim of this review was to assess the prognostic significance of LN regression or downstaging following neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer.

METHODS

An electronic search was performed to identify articles evaluating LN regression or downstaging after neoadjuvant therapy. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to assess the influence of regression in the LNs and nodal downstaging on overall survival. Histomorphologic tumor regression in LNs was defined by the absence of viable cells or degree of fibrosis on histopathologic examination. Downstaged LNs were defined as pN0 nodes by the tumor, node, and metastasis classification, which were positive prior to treatment neoadjuvant.

RESULTS

Eight articles were included, three of which assessed tumor regression (number of patients = 292) and five assessed downstaging (number of patients = 1368). Complete tumor regression (average rate of 29.1%) in the LNs was associated with improved survival, although not statistically significant (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.26-1.06; P = 0.17). LNs downstaging (average rate of 32.2%) was associated with improved survival compared to node positivity after neoadjuvant treatment (HR = 0.41, 95%CI = 0.22-0.77; P = 0.005).

DISCUSSION

The findings of this meta-analysis have shown a survival benefit in patients with LN downstaging and are suggestive for considering LN downstaging to ypN0 as an additional prognostic marker in staging and in the comparative evaluation of differing neoadjuvant regimens in clinical trials. No statistically significant effect of histopathologic regression in the LNs on long-term survival was seen.

Surgical strategies for treatment of clinical T4 esophageal cancer in Japan

Definitive chemoradiation (dCRT) is the mainstay treatment for cStage IVa esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with good performance status (PS), according to standard practice guidelines. Salvage surgery may incur operation complications and risk of mortality. According to the esophageal cancer practice guidelines outlined by the Japan Esophageal Society, when a tumor is residual and recurrent, chemotherapy and palliative symptomatic treatment is continued. However, salvage operation has been selected as a therapeutic option for recurrent or residual tumors after dCRT. There is weak evidence for not recommending surgery for cStage IVa ESCC exhibiting residual disease following dCRT. It has been reported that during salvage surgery the only prognostic factor that is thought to be performed is complete resection (R0), but at the same time, salvage esophagectomy increases the incidence of postoperative complications and mortality. The phase II chemoselection study by Yokota T et al. in Japan showed that multidisciplinary treatment initiated by induction therapy, in which docetaxel is added to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, resulted in a good prognosis in the short term. In this review, we discuss the surgical strategy and future of unresectable clinical T4 (cT4) ESCC.

Two versus three courses of preoperative cisplatin and fluorouracil plus docetaxel for treating locally advanced esophageal cancer: short-term outcomes of a multicenter randomized phase II trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare short-term outcomes between two- vs. three courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) to clarify the optimal treatment for esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) in a multicenter, randomized, phase II trial.

BACKGROUND

An optimal number of NAC cycles remains to be established for locally advanced ESCC.

METHODS

Patients with locally advanced ESCC were randomly assigned to either two (N = 91) or three (N = 89) courses of DCF (70 mg/m² intravenous docetaxel and 70 mg/m² intravenous cisplatin on day 1, and a continuous 700 mg/m² fluorouracil infusion for 5 days) every 3 weeks followed by surgery. We compared the two groups for perioperative parameters, adverse events, and the response to NAC.

RESULTS

The two- and three-course groups showed similar completion rates and overall NAC dose reductions. Although the two-course group showed significantly lower overall grades 3-4 leukopenia and anemia compared to the three-course group, the two groups had similar overall toxicity rates. Postoperative complications were not significantly different between the two groups, except arrhythmia (13 vs. 0%, P = 0.0007). Only two postoperative in-hospital deaths occurred in the three-course group, due to sepsis following severe pneumonia. Compared to the two-course group, the three-course group was associated with a significantly better clinical response (42.9 vs. 65.2%, P = 0.0027) and a relatively higher rate of pathological complete response (9.1 vs. 15.3%, P = 0.212).

CONCLUSION

Both two- and three-course DCF regimens in the NAC setting seemed to be equally feasible in locally advanced ESCC patients. Additional DCF courses led to a better NAC response without increasing the incidence of adverse events or postoperative morbidity.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry of Japan (Identification Number UMIN 000015788).

Lymph Node Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy as an Independent Prognostic Factor in Metastatic Esophageal Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate primary tumor (PT) and lymph node (LN) responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for predicting long-term survival in patients with metastatic esophageal cancer (EC).

BACKGROUND

In evaluating NACT responses in patients with EC, imaging modalities typically target the PT in the esophagus, which is unmeasurable. Targeting measurable organs, like positive LNs, might provide more accurate assessments.

METHODS

We enrolled 251 patients with EC and clinically positive LNs that underwent curative resections, after triplet NACT. The percent reduction of PT area was measured with bidimensional computed tomography. The LN response was defined as the percent reduction of the sum of the short diameters in all positive LNs.

RESULTS

NACT reduced PTs and LNs by (median, range) 58.0% (38.1-94.9) and 34.5% (46.2-68.2), respectively. Based on the receiver-operating characteristic analyses for predicting a histological response and a 10% stepwise cutoff analyses of recurrence-free survival (RFS), responder/nonresponder cutoff values were ≥60% for PT area reductions and ≥30% for LN size reductions. 39.6% of patients showed discordant PT and LN responses. Compared with PT-responders, LN-responders had significantly less advanced pN (P < 0.0001) and pM (P = 0.015) in addition to less advanced pT (P < 0.0001) and better histological responses (P < 0.0001), and closer correlations to lymphatic, distant metastases and dissemination. A multivariate analysis of RFS identified 2 independent prognostic factors: the LN response [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.63-3.95, P < 0.0001] and the pN (HR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.44-5.64, P = 0.0016), but not the PT response.

CONCLUSIONS

The LN response to NACT predicted long-term survival more precisely than the PT response in patients with metastatic EC.

Quantity and Quality of Skeletal Muscle as an Important Predictor of Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Esophageal Cancer Undergoing Esophagectomy after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia was previously linked to clinical outcomes for several cancer types, including esophageal cancer (EC), but most studies only measured the quantity of skeletal muscle mass. We aim to assess the clinical significance of evaluating the quantity and quality of skeletal muscle in patients with EC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by esophagectomy.

METHODS

We included 333 consecutive patients with EC who underwent NAC followed by esophagectomy. The psoas muscle index (PMI) and intracellular muscle adipose tissue content (IMAC) were measured by computed tomography. We defined low PMI combined with high IMAC as severe sarcopenia, and assessed its impact on clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients (11.1%) had severe sarcopenia. Compared with patients without severe sarcopenia, those with severe sarcopenia showed a significantly worse NAC response rate (54.1% vs 74.7%; P = 0.008), worse pathological response rate (24.3% vs 40.2%, P = 0.061), higher morbidity rate (67.6% vs 38.5%; P = 0.001), particularly for pneumonia (32.4% vs 14.9% P = 0.007) and expectoration disorder (37.8% vs 13.5% P < 0.001), and unfavorable survival (3-year overall survival rate: 54.1% vs 66.6% P = 0.027). Multivariable analysis of overall survival showed that severe sarcopenia (HR 1.68, P = 0.025) and cT (HR 1.52, P = 0.032) were independent prognostic factors of poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

PMI combined with IMAC represents a new criterion for sarcopenia that might be useful for predicting NAC response, postoperative complications, and long-term survival in patients with EC undergoing multidisciplinary treatments.

The Pattern of Residual Tumor After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer and Its Clinical Significance

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the residual pattern of esophageal cancer in the esophageal wall after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and its clinical significance.

BACKGROUND

NAC is a standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer; however, residual tumor patterns in resected specimens after NAC and their clinico-pathological characteristics remain unknown.

METHODS

One hundred twenty consecutive patients with cT3 or deeper esophageal cancer underwent curative esophagectomy after NAC and achieved grade 2 histological responses between 2000 and 2016. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of residual tumor sections revealed 4 remnant categories: Type 1: shallow, Type 2: central, Type 3: deep, and Type 4: diffuse. We examined associations between these Types and clinico-pathological factors, including prognosis.

RESULTS

Forty-five (38%) specimens had no residual tumor cells in the mucosal layer. The adventitia layer displayed the lowest residual tumor cell frequency (18%) among all layers. Types 1, 2, 3, and 4 residual tumor patterns were found in 49 (41%), 33 (28%), 9 (8%), and 29 (24%) patients, respectively. Type 4 showed the maximum standard uptake value after NAC; Types 3 and 4 had higher ratios of venous invasion than Type 1 or 2. Patients with Type 3 or 4 more frequently developed pleural dissemination or distant metastasis than patients with Type 1 or 2. Survival was similar among the 4 Types.

CONCLUSIONS

After NAC for locally advanced esophageal cancer, the shallow residual tumor pattern was most common, but approximately 40% of specimens showed no tumor cells in the mucosal layer. Deep and diffuse remnant patterns were associated with high risks of pleural dissemination and distant metastasis.

Peritumoral Lymphatic Vessels Associated with Resistance to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Unfavorable Survival in Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Peri- or intra-tumor lymphangiogenesis is induced in several types of cancer. However, the significance of peritumoral lymphatic vessels (LVs) in esophageal cancer (EC) remains to be clarified.

METHODS

This study included 162 eligible EC patients with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The numbers of non-tumoral and peritumoral LVs were counted in resected specimens based on podoplanin immunostaining. The association between peritumoral LV number and clinicopathologic parameters, including tumor heterogeneity as measured by positron emission tomography, NAC response, and patient survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

In non-NAC patients, the number of peritumoral LVs was highest in the lamina propria mucosa (LPM), followed by non-tumoral LVs in the LPM, peritumoral LVs in the submucosa (SM), and non-tumoral LVs in the SM. The patients with a low number of peritumoral LVs in the LPM versus those with a high number constituted a larger fraction of the NAC patients (67.8% vs. 50.0%; P = 0.022) and had a poorer pathologic response to NAC (grades 0-1a: 68.8% vs. 47.2%; P = 0.035), as well as greater tumor heterogeneity and worse survival (5-year overall survival: 50.6% vs. 72.8%; P = 0.0097). The number of peritumoral LVs in the LPM was identified as an independent prognostic factor with the highest hazard ratio (HR) of overall survival (HR 2.06; P = 0.0049) in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

For EC patients, peritumoral LVs in the LPM layer are associated with tumor heterogeneity, response to NAC, and unfavorable survival.

Tumor-infiltrating M2 macrophage in pretreatment biopsy sample predicts response to chemotherapy and survival in esophageal cancer

The association between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and treatment response or survival has been a recent focus in several types of cancer. However, most study materials are resected specimens that were completely modified by prior chemotherapy; therefore, the unmodified host immune condition has not yet been clarified. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between TME assessed in pre-therapeutic biopsy samples and chemoresistance in esophageal cancer (EC). A total of 86 endoscopic biopsy samples from EC patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) prior to surgery were evaluated for the number of intratumoral CD4+ lymphocytes (with/without Foxp3 expression), CD8+ lymphocytes (with/without PD-1 expression), monocytes (CD14+ ) and macrophages (CD86+ , CD163+ and CD206+ ) by multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC). The number of tumor-infiltrating CD206+ macrophages I significantly correlated with cT, cM, cStage and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), whereas the number of lymphocytes (including expression of Foxp3 and PD-1) was not associated with clinico-pathological features. The high infiltration of CD163+ or CD206+ macrophages was significantly associated with poor pathological response to NAC (P = 0.0057 and 0.0196, respectively). Expression of arginase-1 in CD163+ macrophages tended to be higher in non-responders (29.4% vs 18.2%, P = 0.17). In addition, patients with high infiltration of M2 macrophages exhibited unfavorable overall survival compared to those without high infiltration of M2 macrophages (5-year overall survival 57.2% vs 71.0%, P = 0.0498). Thus, a comprehensive analysis of TME using multiplex IHC revealed that M2 macrophage infiltration would be useful in predicting the response to NAC and long-term survival in EC patients.

Metabolic Tumor Volume Change Predicts Long-term Survival and Histological Response to Preoperative Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer

OBJECTIVE

Here, we assess the ability of metabolic tumor volume (MTV) as measured by F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) to evaluate neoadjuvant chemotherapy response for patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (EC).

BACKGROUND

Optimal methods to evaluate treatment response for EC patients have not yet been established. Although previous studies have reported the value of standardized uptake value (SUV), the accuracy of predicting histological response or long-term survival in EC is limited.

METHODS

In all, 102 EC patients without distant metastasis who underwent F-FDG PET/CT both before and after the preoperative chemotherapy series were analyzed.

RESULTS

The median primary tumor MTV values before and after preoperative chemotherapy were 22.55 (range 0.4-183.1) and 2.75 (0-52.9), respectively, and the median MVT reduction rate was 86.5%. We found the most significant difference in survival between PET responders and nonresponders with a cut-off value of 60% MTV reduction, using a 10% stepwise cut-off analysis [2-year progression-free survival (PFS): 79.2 vs 44.4%; hazard ratio (HR) 3.397; P < 0.0001). With this cut-off value, histological response (P = 0.0091), tumor location (P = 0.0102), pT (P = 0.0011), and pN (P = 0.0110) were significantly associated with PET response. Univariate analysis of PFS indicated a correlation between PFS and tumor size, cT, decrease of primary lesion by CT, SUVmax reduction rate, MTV reduction rate, pT, pN, and pM. Multivariate analysis further identified pM (HR 3.063; P = 0.0279) and MTV reduction rate (HR 2.471; P = 0.0263) to be independent prognostic predictors, but not decrease of primary lesion by CT or SUVmax reduction rate.

CONCLUSION

MTV change is clinically useful in predicting both long-term survival and histological response to preoperative chemotherapy in EC patients, after determining the optimal cut-off value based on survival analysis.

Long-term outcomes of multimodal therapy combining definitive chemoradiotherapy and salvage surgery for T4 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Survival outcomes of patients with cT4 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain extremely poor. We aimed to investigate long-term outcomes and identify prognostic factors in patients treated by definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) alone or with dCRT plus salvage surgery (SALV) for cT4 ESCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total, 73 patients completing dCRT were analyzed. Patients achieving clinical complete response (CR) received follow-up evaluations thereafter. For patients diagnosed with clinical partial response (PR), potentially curative SALV was generally performed. Possible prognostic factors included demographic data, tumor staging, blood chemistry profiles, and esophageal stenosis.

RESULTS

The 1- and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates of the 73 patients were 67.1% and 40.8%, respectively. Twenty-one patients (29%) achieved clinical CR with dCRT alone. Among 35 patients (48%) with clinical PR, 31 underwent SALV and 4 opted for non-surgical treatments. In the dCRT-alone group (n = 42), patients with clinical CR-PR (n = 25) showed significantly better 3-year OS than those who responded poorly to dCRT (stable or progressive) (n = 17) (67.5% vs. 0%, P < 0.001). In the SALV group (n = 31), curative SALV (n = 22, 73%) provided significantly better 3-year OS than non-curative SALV (58.7% vs. 0%, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed stenosis before dCRT (P = 0.02) and pretreatment elevated CRP (P = 0.02) to be independently associated with poor outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The multimodal treatment strategy combining dCRT and SALV is rational for treating cT4 ESCC patients. When curative resection is feasible, SALV can provide good long-term survival outcome for patients who responded to dCRT but did not achieve clinical CR with dCRT alone.

Impact of measurement of skeletal muscle mass on clinical outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Some studies have reported that sarcopenia is linked to clinical outcomes in multiple types of malignancies, but this association has not been established in esophageal cancer. We assessed how sarcopenia affects clinical outcomes of multidisciplinary treatments for esophageal cancer.

METHODS

We included 165 esophageal cancer patients who had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy. Computed tomography was used for cross-sectional measurement of the psoas muscle at the third lumbar vertebra; we then calculated the height-adjusted psoas muscle index. Pre- and postneoadjuvant chemotherapy psoas muscle indices were evaluated for associations with neoadjuvant chemotherapy response and neoadjuvant chemotherapy -related adverse events and postoperative complications, in addition to survival. Psoas muscle index cutoffs were 6.36 cm²/m² for men and 3.92 cm²/m² for women.

RESULTS

Psoas muscle index decreased after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (from 7.17 to 6.96 cm²/m²; P = .0008), and specifically in men (from 7.45 to 7.23 cm²/m²; P = .0001) but not in women (from 5.21 to 5.17 cm²/m²; P = .810). Preneoadjuvant chemotherapy psoas muscle index (low versus high) was associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy response (response rate: 65.1% vs 80.3%; P = .0494) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy-related adverse events (neutropenia: 93.0% vs 78.7%; P = .0337; febrile neutropenia: 53.5% vs 34.3%; P = .0278; hyponatremia: 51.2% vs 31.2%; P = .0190). Post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy psoas muscle index correlated with postoperative rate of complications (56.9% vs 33.3%; P = .0046), especially pneumonia (31.4% vs 9.7% P = .0008). Psoas muscle index was not associated with survival.

CONCLUSION

Cross sectional measures of sarcopenia before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy could predict tumor response, neoadjuvant chemotherapy -related adverse events, and postoperative complications in multidisciplinary treatments for esophageal cancer.

Risk factors associated with increased drainage volumes of chest tubes after transthoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

PURPOSE

Prolonged chest drain placement can extend the postoperative hospital stay after esophagectomy in esophageal cancer (EC) patients. This study aimed to identify whether or not the risk factors associated with this prolonged chest tube placement are clinically important.

METHODS

A total of 138 patients who underwent subtotal esophagectomy for thoracic EC were retrospectively analyzed. Using the 75th percentile of the total drainage volume of chest tubes as a cutoff value, the high-output (HO; n = 35) and low-output (LO; n = 103) groups were compared in terms of the clinicopathological parameters.

RESULTS

The median durations of right and left chest tube placement were 6 and 9 days, respectively, with a median total drainage volume of 2692 ml. When compared with the LO group, the HO group was significantly associated with male gender, a subcutaneous route for reconstruction, blood transfusion, higher morbidity, and prolonged chest drainage and postoperative hospital stays. A multivariable analysis further identified blood loss (p = 0.03) and the subcutaneous route for reconstruction (p = 0.04) as independent risk factors for increased chest tube drainage after esophagectomy.

CONCLUSION

Blood loss and the subcutaneous route of reconstruction are risk factors for increased drainage of chest tube after esophagectomy for EC.

Clinicopathological characteristics and survival of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus (PMME) has been reported to be a rare and highly malignant disease, and to date a standard treatment strategy has not been established due to limited evidence. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of this extremely rare disease. A total of 6 out of 2,093 patients with PMME treated in our institution between 1995 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed and their clinicopathological parameters including treatment course and long-term survival were investigated. The major clinicopathological characteristics of patients were that they were >70 years of age, male sex, dysphagia at first diagnosis, and macroscopic black protruding tumors located in the lower third of the thoracic esophagus. Four of the five patients receiving pretherapeutic endoscopic biopsy were correctly diagnosed with PMME, and two patients received preoperative treatment with ineffective histopathological responses. There were two unresectable cases, one was treated with an immune-checkpoint inhibitor and the other received palliative care. Three of the four patients receiving curative surgery developed hematogenous recurrence within two years of surgery and only one patient with pT1aN0M0 achieved long-term survival. The median overall survival of all six patients was 19.6 (6.4–40.5) months. Patients with stage I disease exhibited significantly more favorable prognoses than those with stage II–IV (P=0.025) and surgically-treated patients had significantly better prognoses than those who did not receive surgery (P=0.018). In conclusion, PMME was associated with highly malignant features and tended to develop hematogenous metastases even after radical resection. Early diagnosis appears to be important to cure this refractory disease.

Treatment and clinical outcome of clinical T4 esophageal cancer: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Survival of patients with cT4 esophageal cancer is dismal. Although the optimal treatment strategy remains to be established, two treatment options are available for cT4 esophageal cancers: definitive chemoradiation (dCRT) and induction treatment followed by conversion surgery (CS). However, little is known concerning the differences in clinical outcome between patients with T4 esophageal tumors treated with dCRT and those eventually treated with CS.

METHODS

A systematic search of the scientific literature on PubMed/MEDLINE was carried out using the keywords "T4 esophageal cancer," "invading (involving) adjacent organ," "definitive chemoradiation," "induction therapy," "salvage surgery," and "conversion surgery," obtaining 28 reports published up to July 2018.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

We found that CS was superior to dCRT with respect to local disease control and short-term survival; however, CS was associated with relatively higher perioperative mortality and morbidity. Alternatively, although dCRT might often cause fistula formation, a clinical complete response to dCRT is likely to lead to a better prognosis. Recent advances in chemotherapeutic agents have led to triple induction chemotherapy, with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF), which has shown promise as an initial induction treatment for cT4 esophageal cancer. Indeed, this regimen could control both local and systemic disease, which enables curative resection without preoperative CRT. Moreover, some appropriate changes in perioperative management and intensive systemic chemotherapy might enhance patient outcome. Randomized controlled trials with a large sample size are needed to establish the standard treatment for cT4 esophageal cancer.