Oesophageal cancer

Abstract

Oesophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide and is therefore a major global health challenge. The two major subtypes of oesophageal cancer are oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC), which are epidemiologically and biologically distinct. OSCC accounts for 90% of all cases of oesophageal cancer globally and is highly prevalent in the East, East Africa and South America. OAC is more common in developed countries than in developing countries. Preneoplastic lesions are identifiable for both OSCC and OAC; these are frequently amenable to endoscopic ablative therapies. Most patients with oesophageal cancer require extensive treatment, including chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy and/or surgical resection. Patients with advanced or metastatic oesophageal cancer are treated with palliative chemotherapy; those who are human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive may also benefit from trastuzumab treatment. Immuno-oncology therapies have also shown promising early results in OSCC and OAC. In this Primer, we review state-of-the-art knowledge on the biology and treatment of oesophageal cancer, including screening, endoscopic ablative therapies and emerging molecular targets, and we discuss best practices in chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, surgery and the maintenance of patient quality of life.

TDO2 Overexpression Is Associated with Cancer Stem Cells and Poor Prognosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…Targeted therapies for esophageal cancer treatment currently remain limited [6]. Although several clinical trials for targeted treatments of esophageal cancer have been launched, only one study has enrolled patients with ESCC [7]. Therefore, it is urgent to identify new biomarkers and to develop a novel therapeutic target for esophageal cancer.…”

Targeting valosin‐containing protein enhances the efficacy of radiation therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

“…According to histological classification, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma are the 2 main types of esophageal cancer . In the past few decades, adenocarcinoma has been the most common type of esophageal cancer in developed countries; however, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) still accounts for nearly 70% of cases of esophageal cancer around the world, especially in Asia . Radiotherapy, in combination with chemotherapy, is widely used in the management of locally advanced ESCC .…”

Integrative analysis of differential genes and identification of a “2‐gene score” associated with survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

“…China has a high‐incidence of ESCC, the most common histological subtype of esophageal cancer . The mean ESCC male to female ratio is 3:1 . Based on these epidemiological characteristics, we chose patients in the GSE53625 dataset, which represents features of ESCC.…”

“…Esophageal adenocarcinoma is more common in the Americas, Europe, and Australia . The primary treatment for patients with esophageal cancer includes chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, and/or surgical resection . Although the incidence of esophageal cancer is declining in most parts of the world, the five‐year survival rate remains < 20% .…”