Comparison of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy versus Chemoradiotherapy Plus Immunotherapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Real-World Multicenter Cohort: A Propensity Score Matching Study

Abstract

Background:Chemoradiotherapy combined with immunotherapy (NICRT) is a new neoadjuvant treatment approach that has raised concerns regarding potential challenges in surgery and postoperative complications. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) and NICRT for the treatment of resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 295 patients with locally advanced ESCC who underwent neoadjuvant therapy and esophagectomy at three centers between January 2019 and September 2023 and added the data from PALACE-1 for the analysis,Among these patients, 252 and 61 patients received NCRT and NICRT, respectively. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the potential bias. Results:After the PSM,the rate of a pathological complete response (pCR) in the NCRT group was not significantly different from that in the NICRT group (42.96% vs 36.36%, P=0.400). There were no significant differences in the tumor regression grade(TRG) and positive lymph node pCR rates between the two groups (P=0.257and P=0.330, respectively). Postoperative complications were not significantly different between the NCRT group and the NICRT group (40.14% vs 47.27% P=0.363). Conclusion:Compared with NCRT, NICRT did not lead to the bettertreatment efficacy. There were no significant differences was observed in the incidence of postoperative complications.