AI Insight
Gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancers are leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. While perioperative chemotherapy has been established as standard treatment for operable tumours, recent phase 3 trials in advanced disease have shown that immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1) combined with chemotherapy improve survival, particularly in patients with PD-L1 expressing tumours. This evidence has prompted investigation into whether these immunotherapy agents could also benefit patients with non-metastatic disease.
Why it matters
This commentary highlights a potential paradigm shift in treating earlier-stage gastro-oesophageal cancers by incorporating immunotherapy into perioperative treatment strategies. If successful, this approach could improve cure rates and long-term survival for patients with operable tumours who currently receive only chemotherapy.
Understand the Science
Gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancers are among the most common causes of cancer-related deaths.1 In patients with operable tumours, several phase 3 trials established the value of perioperative chemotherapy.2–4 In parallel, phase 3 studies in advanced disease confirmed a survival advantage for anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with platinum doublet chemotherapy, particularly in PD-L1 expressing tumours.5 Thus, examination of whether immune checkpoint inhibitors could improve outcomes in patients who are non-metastatic was warranted.
Source: [Comment] Perioperative immunotherapy goes global in gastro-oesophageal cancer