Targeted treatments for metastatic esophageal squamous cell cancer

Antonia Digklia1, Ioannis A Voutsadakis

  • 1Antonia Digklia, Ioannis A Voutsadakis, Centre Pluridisciplinaire d'Oncologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Insights

Targeted therapies show promise for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a significant cancer in East Asia. While no targeted agents are approved, many are in clinical trials or show preclinical activity for metastatic ESCC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a major subtype of esophageal cancer, prevalent in the upper and middle esophagus.
  • While incidence is declining in Western countries, ESCC remains a significant health concern, particularly in East Asia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review targeted treatment agents for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
  • To discuss agents in advanced development for metastatic ESCC and promising drugs with preclinical or early clinical data.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of targeted therapies for ESCC.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data and preclinical studies for novel agents.

Main Results:

  • No targeted therapy is currently FDA-approved for ESCC.
  • Several targeted agents are in clinical trials for metastatic ESCC.
  • Numerous agents demonstrate preclinical activity, warranting further clinical investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Targeted therapies represent a rational approach to ESCC treatment based on molecular alterations.
  • Ongoing research and clinical trials are crucial for developing effective targeted treatments for ESCC.

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