Combine radiotherapy and immunotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Yicong Chen; Ruixuan Yu; Yongmei Liu

doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104115

Combine radiotherapy and immunotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2023 Oct:190:104115. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104115. Epub 2023 Aug 24.

Authors

Yicong Chen¹, Ruixuan Yu¹, Yongmei Liu²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
² Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. Electronic address: lymi75@163.com.

PMID: 37633347
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104115

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs) have improved the survival of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. Radiotherapy is one of the common therapies to treat esophageal cancer. However, whether combination radiation therapy can increase the efficacy of immunotherapy is still up for debate. Radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy has proven to be a reliable and effective treatment for tumors, and it can work in combination with immunotherapy to achieve better anti-tumor effects. This review aims to discuss the efficacy and safety of combining radiotherapy and immunotherapy to treat ESCC by stages as well as the optimum radiotherapy dose and target volume, with a summary of clinical trials in ESCC.

Keywords: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Immunotherapy; Locally advanced; Neoadjuvant; Radiotherapy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Combined Modality Therapy
Esophageal Neoplasms* / therapy
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma* / therapy
Humans
Immunotherapy
Radiation Oncology*