Efficacy and adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitors in esophageal cancer patients: Challenges and perspectives for immunotherapy

Abstract

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide. Patients with EC have a generally poor prognosis mainly due to the lack of effective treatments. Cancer immunotherapy is a promising novel treatment option for EC. This literature review investigated the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy either alone or in combination with chemotherapy or targeted therapy. In addition, we analyzed the adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In conclusion, ICIs increase the efficacy of EC treatments, thereby improving the outcomes of EC patients. The findings of this study may help enhance the response to immunotherapy, diminish toxicity, and thus eventually improve medical care for patients with EC.

Mechanisms of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment formation in esophageal cancer

“…However, current immunotherapeutic strategies have several limitations, e.g. , accompanying adverse effects and drug resistance cannot be avoided[ 33 ]. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the TIME in EC, especially the suppressive TIME, is pivotal and urgent for the management of EC patients.…”