Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2023 Nov 14;15(22):5401.
doi: 10.3390/cancers15225401.

Role of Immunotherapy in Gastroesophageal Cancers-Advances, Challenges and Future Strategies

Emer Lynch  1 , Austin G Duffy  1 , Ronan J Kelly  2
Affiliations
Review

Role of Immunotherapy in Gastroesophageal Cancers-Advances, Challenges and Future Strategies

Emer Lynch et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Gastroesophageal cancers (GECs) carry considerable morbidity and mortality, and demonstrate geographical histological variances in addition to molecular heterogeneity. Consequently, the immunogenicity of the different subtypes, which can predict the likelihood of immunotherapy response, can vary. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has transformed the treatment of many cancer types over the past decade but has been slower to gain a foothold in the treatment paradigm of GECs.

Methods: This article reviews the existing evidence and use approvals for immunotherapies and immune-based treatments in GECs, in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant and metastatic disease settings. The challenges of and limitations to ICI application in current clinical practice are examined. Ongoing clinical trials and future directions of research are also considered.

Conclusion: ICI therapy has become an established treatment option within GECs, both perioperatively and in advanced disease. However, nuances in terms of its use are not yet fully understood. Ongoing research proposes to broaden the application of immunotherapies in GECs with the potential to continue to improve outcomes.

Keywords: esophageal cancer; gastric cancer; gastroesophageal cancer; immune checkpoint inhibitors; immunotherapy.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Sung H., Ferlay J., Siegel R.L., Laversanne M., Soerjomataram I., Jemal A., Bray F., Bsc M.F.B., Me J.F., Soerjomataram M.I., et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA Cancer J. Clin. 2021;71:209–249. doi: 10.3322/caac.21660. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Machlowska J., Baj J., Sitarz M., Maciejewski R., Sitarz R. Gastric Cancer: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Classification, Genomic Characteristics and Treatment Strategies. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020;21:4012. doi: 10.3390/ijms21114012. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Bass A.J., Thorsson V., Shmulevich I., Reynolds S.M., Miller M., Bernard B., Hinoue T., Laird P.W., Curtis C., Shen H., et al. Comprehensive molecular characterization of gastric adenocarcinoma. Nature. 2014;513:202–209. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Chao J., Fuchs C.S., Shitara K., Tabernero J., Muro K., Van Cutsem E., Bang Y.J., De Vita F., Landers G., Yen C.J., et al. Assessment of Pembrolizumab Therapy for the Treatment of Microsatellite Instability-High Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer Among Patients in the KEYNOTE-059, KEYNOTE-061, and KEYNOTE-062 Clinical Trials. JAMA Oncol. 2021;7:895–902. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.0275. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. André T., Tougeron D., Piessen G., de la Fouchardière C., Louvet C., Adenis A., Jary M., Tournigand C., Aparicio T., Desrame J., et al. Neoadjuvant Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab and Adjuvant Nivolumab in Localized Deficient Mismatch Repair/Microsatellite Instability–High Gastric or Esophagogastric Junction Adenocarcinoma: The GERCOR NEONIPIGA Phase II Study. J. Clin. Oncol. 2023;41:255–265. doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.00686. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources