Immunotherapy in Squamous Cell Cancer of the Esophagus |
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Authors: | Peter Thuss-Patience Alexander Stein |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Charité—University Medicine Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany;2.Hematology-Oncology Practice Eppendorf (HOPE), 20249 Hamburg, Germany;3.University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany |
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Abstract: | Treatment of esophageal carcinoma has changed dramatically following several landmark trials, which have proven the benefit of immunotherapy. The selective PD-1 (programmed cell death ligand-1)-inhibitor nivolumab has been shown to improve DFS in the adjuvant therapy setting (CheckMate-577). In the first-line treatment, PD-L1 positive (CPS ≥ 10) squamous cell carcinoma patients (pts) have been shown to have an increased OS following treatment with the PD-1-inhibitor pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy (KEYNOTE-590). Nivolumab also improved overall survival in the first line setting either combined with ipilimumab or with chemotherapy (CheckMate 648) compared to chemotherapy alone. In Asian first-line patients, phase III trials investigating camrelizumab (ESCORT 1), toripalimab (JUPITER 06), or sintilimab (ORIENT 15) in addition to chemotherapy also showed significant survival benefits. In the second-line setting, monotherapy with nivolumab (ATTRACTION-03), pembrolizumab (KEYNOTE-181), camrelizumab (ESCORT), and tislelizumab (RATIONALE 302) demonstrated a benefit in OS in comparison to chemotherapy. Here we will review these trials and integrate them into the current treatment algorithm. |
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Keywords: | immunotherapy esophagus squamous cell carcinoma ESCC checkpoint inhibitor |
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