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Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Subculture and Cryopreservation of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Organoids: Pros and Cons for Single Cell Digestion
Published on: July 6, 2022
[Oesogastric cancer - new therapeutic targets]
Lola-Jade Palmieri1, Isabelle Soubeyran2, Simon Pernot1
1Institut Bergonié, département d'oncologie médicale, Bordeaux, France.
Abstract:
The median overall survival of metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma is approximately twelve months. In fifteen years, major breakthrough have been the targeting of HER2 overexpression and more recently immunotherapy in patients with CPS≥5. Recent advances in molecular biology have identified some molecular alterations in esophageal adenocarcinoma, interesting to target. FGFR2 is overexpressed in one third of patients, and its targeting with a specific monoclonal antibody bemarituzumab showed a significant improvement in survival. Claudin 18.2 (CLDN 18.2) is overexpressed in at least a third of esophagogastric adenocarcinomas. The combination of zolbetuximab and chemotherapy provides a survival benefit, correlated with the intensity of CLDN 18.2 expression. The potential interest of targeting other pathways is under investigation in several trials with some encouraging preliminary data, and early trials in these indications, justifying considering large molecular screening in patients who might be candidate for early phase trial. Finally, with the recent advent of immunotherapy, one of the future challenges will be to optimize it through combination strategies with targeted therapies. The combination of anti-angiogenic and immunotherapy seems promising in gastric cancer.
Insights
Targeting molecular alterations like FGFR2 and Claudin 18.2 (CLDN 18.2) improves survival in metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. Future strategies combine immunotherapy with targeted therapies for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gastroenterology
Context:
- Metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma has a median overall survival of approximately twelve months.
- Recent breakthroughs include targeting HER2 overexpression and immunotherapy for patients with a Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥5.
- Molecular alterations present new therapeutic targets in esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Purpose:
- To review recent advances in molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapy for metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma.
- To highlight the efficacy of targeting FGFR2 and Claudin 18.2 (CLDN 18.2).
- To discuss future directions, including combination strategies and molecular screening.
Summary:
- Targeting FGFR2 with bemarituzumab improves survival in overexpressed cases.
- Zolbetuximab combined with chemotherapy benefits patients with CLDN 18.2 expression, correlated with intensity.
- Ongoing trials investigate other pathways, supporting molecular screening for early-phase trial candidates.
Impact:
- Identifies specific molecular targets (FGFR2, CLDN 18.2) for improved patient survival.
- Supports the integration of targeted therapies with immunotherapy for enhanced treatment efficacy.
- Emphasizes the importance of molecular screening for patient stratification and clinical trial enrollment.
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