New First-Line Systemic Treatment Options for Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy with histologic variability depending on where in the world it diagnosed, most of these cancers occurring China and other parts Asia. Previous studies cytotoxic chemotherapy combinations led to a plateau median overall survival approximately 10 12 months, as well need for more effective treatment options. Cytotoxic served control arm 3 that evaluated safety efficacy immunotherapy + versus alone; all prospective randomized trials, addition resulted benefit first-line relapsed/metastatic setting. Data support regimens new standard-of-care systemic therapy options unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal cancers, have now been incorporated into NCCN Guidelines.