Related Experiment Videos
Neoadjuvant therapy for upper gastrointestinal tract cancers
1Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Current Opinion in Oncology
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, often combined with radiation, shows promise for esophageal, gastric, and pancreatic cancers. Studies are evaluating its effectiveness and toxicity compared to surgery alone for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Medical Oncology
Background:
- Esophageal, gastric, and pancreatic cancers often present with advanced local-regional disease, posing challenges for surgical resection and radiation therapy.
- Patients with these cancers have a high risk of developing distant metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore neoadjuvant chemotherapy as a promising experimental approach for combined modality treatments in these gastrointestinal cancers.
- To review the current evidence and ongoing research for neoadjuvant therapies in esophageal, gastric, and pancreatic cancers.
Main Methods:
- Review of Phase II and III clinical trials evaluating neoadjuvant chemotherapy, chemoradiation, and surgery for esophageal, gastric, and pancreatic cancers.
- Analysis of data on treatment tolerance, toxicity, operative outcomes, and cure rates.
Main Results:
- Phase II trials demonstrate tolerance to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal and gastric cancers.
- Randomized trials show improved cure rates for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with chemoradiation.
- Ongoing studies investigate novel systemic agents and higher radiation doses, with gemcitabine showing potential for pancreatic cancer.
Conclusions:
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and combined modality treatments are evolving strategies for gastrointestinal cancers.
- Further definitive studies are needed to establish optimal neoadjuvant regimens and confirm improved outcomes, particularly for pancreatic cancer.