Project description:Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive and fatal disease that is usually diagnosed when the chances for surgical intervention has been missed. Definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) is the first choice of treatment for inoperable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-ESCC). Nevertheless, the local recurrence rate for esophageal cancer patients undergoing dCRT remains high at 40-60%, with a 5-year overall survival rate of solely 10-30%. Immunotherapy in combination with dCRT is a promising treatment for inoperable LA-ESCC, for that improved long-term survival is expected. The present review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolutionary trajectory of dCRT for LA-ESCC, delineates notable relevant clinical studies, addresses unresolved concerns regarding the combination of dCRT with immunotherapy, and highlights promising directions for future research. When dCRT is combined with immunotherapy, the following aspects should be carefully explored in the future studies, including the optimal irradiation dose, segmentation scheme, radiotherapy technique, timing, sequence and duration of radiotherapy, and the selection of chemotherapeutic and immunologic drugs. In addition, further investigations on the mechanisms of how dCRT combined with immunotherapy exerts synergistic anti-tumor effects and molecular biomarkers ensuring precise screening of ESCC patients are needed.
Project description:BackgroundThe optimal treatment for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma remains unclear. We compared the clinical outcomes of neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) followed by esophagectomy [the surgery group] and CCRT without surgery [the CCRT group] in patients with squamous cell carcinoma from an Asian population.MethodsEligible patients diagnosed from 2008 to 2015 were identified through the Taiwan Cancer Registry. To balance observable potential confounders, we constructed a 1:1 propensity score-matched cohort [surgery vs CCRT]. We compared the hazard ratios between the surgery and CCRT groups for death using a robust variance estimator. We also evaluated the outcomes of patients for freedom from local regional recurrence (FFLRR) and esophageal cancer-specific survival (ECSS). Extensive supplementary analyses were performed to examine the robustness of our findings.ResultsOur study population included 298 patients balanced with respect to the observed covariables. The hazard ratio of death was 0.56 [95% confidence interval 0.42~0.75] when surgery was compared to CCRT. The results remained significant in the FFLRR and ECSS outcomes. In the supplementary analyses, our results also remained significant when additional covariables were taken into consideration or when the definition of the index date was changed.ConclusionsWhen compared to definitive CCRT, neoadjuvant CCRT followed by esophagectomy was associated with improved overall survival for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, given the nonrandomized nature of the study and the sensitivity to potentially unmeasured confounders, our results should be interpreted cautiously.
Project description:PurposeThe present study aimed to evaluate the long-term results of definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for unresectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-ESCC).Materials and methodsWe analyzed eighty patients with unresectable LA-ESCC, who underwent definitive CRT between 2001 and 2014. The 5-year overall survival (OS), cause-specific survival (CSS), and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were calculated, and we investigated the prognostic factors and adverse events.ResultsThe median age was 66 years (range, 41-83 years). Histologically, all patients had squamous cell carcinoma. The most common tumor site was the middle thoracic esophagus in 43 (54%) patients. According to the eighth edition of the Union for International Cancer Control TNM classification, sixty-six patients (83%) had T4 disease, 59 (74%) had regional lymph node (LN) metastases, and 35 (44%) had distant LN metastases beyond the regional LN (M1 LYM) disease. Forty-five (56%) and 35 (44%) patients belong to clinical stages IVA and IVB, respectively. The median follow-up period for survivors was 86 months. The 5-year OS, CSS, and PFS rates were 20.2%, 25.7%, and 18.4%, respectively. On univariate analysis, only the performance status score was significantly associated with better overall survival (p = 0.026). Grade 3 or higher late adverse events were observed in 12 (15%) patients, and these included cardiopulmonary adverse events in 6 (8%) patients. Treatment-related death occurred in 3 (4%) patients.ConclusionWe showed the long-term results of definitive CRT for unresectable LA-ESCC. The survivals are still poor and new treatment strategies need to be developed.
Project description:The study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of interim response evaluation during definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) in predicting overall treatment response and survival of patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LAESCC). We reviewed 194 consecutive patients treated with dCRT for biopsy-confirmed LAESCC. A total of 51 patients met the inclusion criteria. Interim response was assessed by defining a region of interest in initial and adaptive computed tomography (CT) images and subsequently examined against the overall treatment response assessed three months after dCRT, treatment failure pattern, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) estimates. Reductions in both the area and maximal diameter of the primary lesion (p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively) and those of the metastatic lymph nodes (LN) (p = 0.002; p < 0.001, respectively) in interim analysis were significantly higher among patients who achieved complete response (CR) than among those who did not. OS was significantly longer among patients who showed ≥30% interim reduction in the area and maximal diameter of the primary lesion and among those who showed such reduction in both the primary lesion and LN. PFS was significantly longer in the patients with ≥30% interim reduction in the area of the primary lesion. In addition, the proportion of cases with locoregional failure began decreasing at interim response of 20% or higher, while the proportion of cases with outfield failure followed the opposite pattern, increasing at interim response of 20% or higher. Among patients treated with dCRT for LAESCC, interim response assessed using adaptive CT images correlated with overall CR and OS rates. The evaluation of tumor burden reduction during dCRT may help predict patient prognosis.
Project description:The optimal management of patients with locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma is unclear. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by esophagectomy (trimodality therapy) is supported as a standard of care, but definitive chemoradiotherapy is frequently given in practice to patients who may have been surgical candidates. This multi-institutional retrospective cohort study compared the outcomes of consecutive patients diagnosed with stage II to IVA esophageal adenocarcinoma between 2004 and 2018 who planned to undergo trimodality therapy or definitive chemoradiotherapy. A total of 493 patients were included, of whom 435 intended to undergo trimodality therapy and 56 intended to undergo definitive chemoradiotherapy. After a median follow-up of 7.3 years, trimodality therapy was associated with a lower risk of locoregional failure (5-year risk, 30.5% vs. 61.3%; HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.24-0.62; p<0.001) but not distant metastases (5-year risk, 58.2% vs. 53.9%; HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.77-1.91; p=0.40). There were no differences in overall survival (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.56-1.09; p=0.14) or cancer-specific survival (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.57-1.21; p=0.33). Findings were consistent on propensity score-matched sensitivity analyses. In conclusion, trimodality therapy was associated with a lower risk of locoregional failure, but this did not translate into a significantly lower risk of distant failure or improved survival. Further studies are required to accurately estimate the trade-offs between the two treatment strategies.
Project description:BackgroundThe comparative effectiveness of trimodality therapy vs definitive chemoradiation for treating locally advanced esophageal cancer in older adults is uncertain. Existing trials lack generalizability to older adults, a population with heightened frailty. We sought to emulate a hypothetical trial comparing these treatments using real-world data.MethodsA cohort of adults aged 66-79 years diagnosed with locally advanced esophageal cancer between 2004 and 2017 was identified in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare database. The clone-censor-weight method was leveraged to eliminate time-related biases when comparing outcomes between treatments. Outcomes included overall mortality, esophageal cancer-specific mortality, functional adverse events, and healthy days at home.ResultsA total of 1240 individuals with adenocarcinomas and 661 with squamous cell carcinomas were identified. For adenocarcinomas, the standardized 5-year risk of mortality was 73.4% for trimodality therapy and 83.8% for definitive chemoradiation (relative risk [RR] = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.82 to 0.95). Trimodality therapy was associated with mortality risk reduction for squamous cell carcinomas (RR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.70 to 1.01). The 1-year incidence of functional adverse events was higher in the trimodality group (adenocarcinomas RR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.22 to 1.65; squamous cell carcinomas RR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.49). Over 5 years, trimodality therapy was associated with 160 (95% CI = 67 to 229) and 177 (95% CI = 51 to 313) additional home days in individuals with adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, respectively.ConclusionsCompared with definitive chemoradiation, trimodality therapy was associated with reduced mortality but increased risk of function-related adverse events. Discussing these tradeoffs may help optimize care plans.
Project description:PurposeTo investigate the prognostic value of leukocyte and neutrophil count as biomarkers in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) undergoing exclusive chemoradiation.ResultsA total of 126 patients were identified. Respectively, 33% and 35% displayed baseline leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Estimated 3-year OS and PFS from chemoradiation completion were 31% and 25%, respectively. In univariate analysis, both leukocytosis and neutrophilia were associated with worse OS, PFS, and LRC (p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, leukocytosis remained an independent risk factor associated with poorer OS, PFS and LRC (p < 0.05), independently from tumor stage and length, with higher prognostic value for OS compared with patients' performance status (PS).Materials and methodsBi-institutional clinical records from consecutive non-operable patients treated between 2003 and 2015 with definitive chemoradiation for locally advanced esophageal carcinoma were reviewed. Leukocytosis and neutrophilia were defined as a leukocyte or neutrophil count over 10 G/L and 7 G/L, respectively. These parameters were studied for their potential correlation with overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), locoregional control (LRC) and distant metastases control (DMC).ConclusionsLeukocytosis and neutrophilia were independent prognostic factors of poor OS, PFS, and LRC in this bi-institutional series of locally advanced esophageal SCC treated with definitive chemoradiation. Although prospective confirmation is warranted, it is suggested that the leukocyte and neutrophil count parameters might be clinically relevant biomarkers to be considered for further clinical investigations.
Project description:ObjectiveTo investigate the value of CT radiomics features of meso-esophageal fat in the overall survival (OS) prediction of patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).MethodsA total of 166 patients with locally advanced ESCC in two medical centers were retrospectively analyzed. The volume of interest (VOI) of meso-esophageal fat and tumor were manually delineated on enhanced chest CT using ITK-SNAP. Radiomics features were extracted from the VOIs by Pyradiomics and then selected using the t-test, the Cox regression analysis, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. The radiomics scores of meso-esophageal fat and tumors for OS were constructed by a linear combination of the selected radiomic features. The performance of both models was evaluated and compared by the C-index. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to analyze the prognostic value of the meso-esophageal fat-based model. A combined model for risk evaluation was constructed based on multivariate analysis.ResultsThe CT radiomic model of meso-esophageal fat showed valuable performance for survival analysis, with C-indexes of 0.688, 0.708, and 0.660 in the training, internal, and external validation cohorts, respectively. The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year ROC curves showed AUCs of 0.640-0.793 in the cohorts. The model performed equivalently compared to the tumor-based radiomic model and performed better compared to the CT features-based model. Multivariate analysis showed that meso-rad-score was the only factor associated with OS.ConclusionsA baseline CT radiomic model based on the meso-esophagus provide valuable prognostic information for ESCC patients treated with dCRT.
Project description:Background/aimTo investigate the clinical outcomes of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with cervical esophageal carcinoma and analyze the prognostic factors.Patients and methodsThirty-nine patients with cervical esophageal carcinoma were retrospectively identified among consecutive patients who received CCRT between November 2009 and September 2019 at our institution. The patients were treated by intensity-modulated radiation therapy (N=13) or three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (N=26).ResultsThe median follow-up period was 35 months (range=2-158 months). There were 32 men and 7 women with a median age of 66 years (range=50-83 years). Clinical stages were I in 6 patients, II in 4, III in 19, and IV in 10. Hypopharyngeal invasion was noted in 8 patients. The initial treatment responses were evaluated 3-6 weeks after the final session of CCRT: a complete response (CR) in 24 patients, a partial response (PR) in 13, and stable disease (SD) in 2. Two- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 73.8 and 59.4%, respectively. Two- and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 57.8 and 48.0%, respectively. A univariate analysis identified the initial treatment response (CR or non-CR) as a significant factor for OS (p=0.0002) and PFS (p=0.0026). The CR rate was 81.0% in patients with T1-3 and 33.3% in those with T4 (p=0.0038).ConclusionPatients with cervical esophageal carcinoma in Nagasaki University Hospital in Japan achieved superior outcomes compared with previous studies. CR rate was higher in patients with T1-3 and correlated with better OS.
Project description:Following the PACIFIC trial, durvalumab has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for consolidation of locally advanced PD-L1-positive NSCLC after chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Patients were treated with durvalumab in the EAP from 22.11.2017 to 15.10.2018 allowing analysis of its efficacy and safety. 211 patients were registered by 90 German centres. Data were collected retrospectively by questionnaire and queries. 56 centres reported data on 126 patients who actually received at least one cycle of durvalumab. In contrast to the PACIFIC-trial population, some patients with oligometastatic disease and a history of autoimmune disease are included in the EAP population. Information on PD-L1 status was obtained for 111 patients. Baseline data include age, gender, ECOG, stage (IASLC 8th ed.), and smoking history. Treatment data include mode of chemoradiotherapy, used chemotherapy agent, and duration of durvalumab therapy. Adverse evants were documented according to CTAEC 5.0. Data were analysed for progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AE). The results were published in Lung Cancer [1].