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Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology

Open Access 20-11-2023 | Esophageal Cancer | Review

Opportunities and challenges in combining immunotherapy and radiotherapy in esophageal cancer

Authors: Xinyu Zhang, Xinsheng Cai, Chaoguang Yan

Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology

Abstract

Background

Immunotherapy has shown promise in the treatment of esophageal cancer, but using it alone only benefits a small number of patients. Most patients either do not have a significant response or develop secondary drug resistance. The combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy appears to be a promising approach to treating esophageal cancer.

Purpose

We reviewed milestone clinical trials of radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy for esophageal cancer. We then discussed potential biomarkers for radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy, including programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) status, tumor mutation burden (TMB), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, ct-DNA, imaging biomarkers, and clinical factors. Furthermore, we emphasize the key mechanisms of radiation therapy-induced immune stimulation and immune suppression in order to propose strategies for overcoming immune resistance in radiation therapy (RT). Lastly, we discussed the emerging role of low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) , which has become a promising approach to overcome the limitations of high-dose radiotherapy.

Conclusion

Radiotherapy can be considered a triggering factor for systemic anti-tumor immune response and, with the assistance of immunotherapy, can serve as a systemic treatment option and potentially become the standard treatment for cancer patients.

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Title: Opportunities and challenges in combining immunotherapy and radiotherapy in esophageal cancer
Authors: Xinyu Zhang
Xinsheng Cai
Chaoguang Yan
Publication date: 20-11-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Esophageal Cancer
Cancer Immunotherapy
Radiotherapy
Esophageal Cancer
Head and Neck Cancer
Checkpoint Inhibitors
Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
Print ISSN: 0171-5216
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1335
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-023-05499-z

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Opportunities and challenges in combining immunotherapy and radiotherapy in esophageal cancer

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Conclusion

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ESMO23: Small-cell lung cancer highlights

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45/♀ with increasing weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and oedema – Case 29

48/♀ with increasing spontaneous haematomas all over her body – Case 37

49/♀ with lymphoedema of the arm in condition of metastasised triple-negative breast carcinoma – Case 43

53/♂ with movement-dependent pain in the left anterior pelvis and bloody urine – Case 39

Keynote Webinar | Spotlight on Diet and Diabetes

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Abstract

Background

Purpose

Conclusion

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Oncology and Hematology Cases