Combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and radiotherapy in locally advanced esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma: A review

Abstract

Esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGJ-AC) poses a significant global health burden, characterized by high incidence rates and poor prognosis. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy (RT), locally advanced EGJ-AC management remains challenging. Various preclinical and clinical studies have provided insights into the synergistic effects of combining immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with RT, further supporting the combination therapy in EGJ-AC. Immunotherapy, particularly ICIs, has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach in various malignancies, including EGJ-AC. This narrative review aims to critically examine the rationale behind combining ICIs with standard treatment modalities, including RT or chemoradiotherapy, in the preoperative setting for locally advanced EGJ-AC. A comprehensive literature search identified eight phase 2 randomized clinical trials evaluating the safety profile and oncologic outcomes of adding ICI agents to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in this population. The results of enrolled trials show that the combination of ICIs with standard treatment modalities is a promising approach for improving survival and pathological response in patients with locally advanced EGJ-AC. This combination treatment was associated with mostly grade 1–2 immune-related toxicities, indicating its safety and tolerability. There were higher rates of complete or major pathologic responses compared to historical controls. Further studies, including large-scale randomized controlled trials, are needed to address remaining questions regarding the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of combination therapy in this population.