Immunotherapy for esophageal cancer: a 2019 update

Abstract

Esophageal cancer remains a global health concern with a dismal prognosis and an estimated 5-year survival rate of approximately 10–15%. Immunotherapy is a novel treatment approach representing an effective and promising option against several types of cancer. The development of new and efficacious immunotherapeutic strategies, such as adoptive cell therapy-based, antibody-based and vaccine-based therapies, aims to prevent immunological escape and modify immunological responses. In this review, we discuss the theoretical background and current status of immunotherapy for patients with esophageal cancer. We also present ongoing clinical trials and summarize key findings concerning survival and safety analyses.