Long-term results of a phase-II-pilot trial on preoperative high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue in patients with cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract

Response to preoperative chemotherapy affects prognosis in esophageal cancer

“…Randomized trials of the combined modality therapy followed by surgery show a benefit in either overall survival or disease‐free survival compared with surgery alone and that 5‐year survival rates approaching as high as 60% may be achieved following pathological CR 2 . Similar evidence indicating prolonged disease‐free survival in responding patients was reported elsewhere and histological response to neoadjuvant cisplatin treatment is a prognostic factor for SCC of the esophagus 5,6 …”

“…Recently, there have been an increasing number of reports on prediction of chemosensitivity by molecular markers. For instance, the relationship between p53 mutation and chemosensitivity has been discussed 5,16 . Cyclin D1 and Ki‐67 are markers for resistance to chemoradiation 17 .…”

“…2 Similar evidence indicating prolonged disease-free survival in responding patients was reported elsewhere and histological response to neoadjuvant cisplatin treatment is a prognostic factor for SCC of the esophagus. 5,6 Differential responses to chemotherapy in each histological type of esophageal cancer are often noted. There are several tumor types that are potentially more malignant.…”

“…For instance, the relationship between p53 mutation and chemosensitivity has been discussed. 5,16 Cyclin D1 and Ki-67 are markers for resistance to chemoradiation. 17 Adhesion molecules may be also responsible for chemosensivity in Barrett's-associated adenocarcinoma.…”

A multimodal treatment approach including high-dose chemotherapy in very advanced gastric cancer: evidence for control of metastatic disease

“…6,8,10,[17][18][19][20] Despite these promising results, the OS could not be improved in comparison to results from studies administering conventional CT in metastatic gastric cancer. [2][3][4] The reasons for this could be as follows: (1) the present study selected far advanced disease as reflected by a rate of 65% patients with ECOG status 2 and 3.…”