Impact of skeletal muscle loss and sarcopenia on outcomes of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sarcopenia is a systemic disorder characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function; however, its impact on the treatment outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer remains inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia and dynamic changes in skeletal muscle during treatment on neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT) efficacy and prognosis in patients with locally advanced ESCC.

Methods

We retrospectively included 272 patients with locally advanced ESCC who received NICT. We calculated the skeletal muscle index (SMI) and its rate of change (ΔSMI%) from CT images at the L3 vertebral level obtained before and after treatment. Sarcopenia was defined as an SMI < 52.4 cm²/m² in men and <38.5 cm²/m

SUBMITTER: Xu B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12463639 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature