Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Recurrent or Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma May Be Affected by Tumor Sites
Journal
ONCOLOGY (United States)
Journal Volume
99
Journal Issue
10
Date Issued
2021-09-01
Author(s)
Lin, Chen Yuan
Lien, Ming Yu
Abstract
Introduction: Heterogeneous tumor response has been reported in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This study investigated whether the tumor site is associated with the response to ICIs in patients with recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: Patients with ESCC who had measurable tumors in the liver, lung, or lymph node (LN) according to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) 1.1 and received ICIs at 2 medical centers in Taiwan were enrolled. In addition to RECIST 1.1, tumor responses were determined per individual organ basis according to organ-specific criteria modified from RECIST 1.1. Fisher test or χ2 test was used for statistical analysis. Results: In total, 37 patients were enrolled. The overall response rate per RECIST 1.1 was 13.5%. Measurable tumors in the LN, lung, and liver were observed in 26, 17, and 13 patients, respectively. The organ-specific response rates were 26.9%, 29.4%, and 15.4% for the LN, lung, and liver tumors, respectively (p = 0.05). The organ-specific disease control rates were 69.2%, 52.9%, and 21.1% for the LN, lung, and liver tumors, respectively (p = 0.024). Five (27.8%) among 18 patients harboring at least 2 involved organs had heterogeneous tumor response. Conclusion: The response and disease control to ICIs may differ in ESCC tumors located at different metastatic sites, with a lesser likelihood of response and disease control in metastatic liver tumors than in tumors located at the LNs and lung.
Subjects
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma | Heterogeneous tumor response | Immune checkpoint inhibitor | Organ-specific response
SDGs
Other Subjects
immune checkpoint inhibitor; adult; aged; Article; cancer immunotherapy; clinical article; clinical trial; computer assisted tomography; controlled study; disease control; esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; esophagus metastasis; female; human; Kaplan Mei
Type
journal article