Approach to Resectable Gastric Cancer: Evolving Paradigm of Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Treatment

Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2022 Jul;23(7):1044-1058. doi: 10.1007/s11864-021-00917-1. Epub 2022 May 7.

Abstract

Recent therapeutic advances have prolonged survival in patients with metastatic gastric cancer, though the prognosis for patients with locally advanced resectable gastric cancer remains poor. Long-term survival after resection of locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma is dependent on early eradication of micrometastatic disease and optimal surgical resection. Preoperative therapy with a docetaxel-containing three-drug regimen has recently been shown to be superior to an anthracycline-containing three-drug regimen or two-drug therapy with a fluoropyrimidine and platinum. Chemoradiation is not essential and is reserved for patients with suboptimal resection. Emerging research strategies include introduction of pre- and postoperative checkpoint blockade and biomarker-directed therapy.

Keywords: Chemoradiation; Circulating tumor DNA; Gastric cancer; Immune checkpoint inhibition; Perioperative therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma* / pathology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Humans
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / surgery