Changing landscape of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Breakthroughs in systemic therapies (Review)
Immunotherapy with PD‑1/PD‑L1 inhibitors significantly improves response rates and overall survival when used as first‑line treatment for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
The treatment of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) presents numerous challenges. Conventional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted treatments have achieved some success, yet the substantial heterogeneity of the disease limits their efficacy. Immunotherapy and novel drug development—including antibody‑drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, novel immune checkpoint inhibitors, and targeted therapies—have markedly improved patient survival. This review summarizes the current therapeutic landscape for advanced ESCC and discusses future treatment strategies, emphasizing the potential of precision medicine and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Improving therapeutic options for advanced ESCC is critical because of its poor prognosis, limited treatment response, and rising incidence, especially in Asia. The emergence of effective immunotherapies offers a promising avenue to extend survival and enhance quality of life for patients with this aggressive cancer.
Evidence level: Számítógépes vagy elméleti. Modellből vagy adatbányászatból származó jel.
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