Is TS-1 Combined Chemoradiotherapy Effective for Elderly Patients with Esophageal Cancer?
Medical Supporter — Information Notice
This article is a summary of international medical information and is not medical advice; it cannot replace the diagnosis or treatment plan of your attending physician. The medical technologies, drug information and clinical data presented here are compiled from public literature and official statements of major Japanese medical institutions; the applicability and outcome of any therapy vary with each patient and must be assessed individually by a qualified physician.
On August 5, 2021, Yongling Ji and colleagues from the Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences published the results of a Phase 3 clinical trial in the medical journal "JAMA Oncology." The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of TS-1 combined chemoradiotherapy in elderly patients aged 70-85 with esophageal cancer.
A total of 298 elderly patients with esophageal cancer, aged 70-85, participated in this randomized, open-label Phase 3 trial. They were randomized 1:1 to receive either TS-1 combined chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone. The primary endpoint was the two-year overall survival (OS) rate.
The background of the 298 patients was as follows: 60.4% (N=180) were male. The median age in the chemoradiotherapy group was 77 years (range 74-79), and in the radiotherapy group, it was 77 years (range 74-80). Patients with Stage III or IV disease accounted for 50.7% (N=151). The results were as follows:
With a median follow-up of 33.9 months, the primary endpoint of two-year OS rate was 53.2% in the chemoradiotherapy group compared to 35.8% in the radiotherapy group, showing a significant improvement. The secondary endpoint of complete response rate was 41.6% versus 26.8%, respectively.
Regarding safety, apart from the incidence of Grade 3 or higher leukopenia, which was 9.5% in the chemoradiotherapy group versus 2.7% in the radiotherapy group, there were no significant differences in the incidence of other adverse events. The treatment-related mortality rate was 2.0% (N=3) in the chemoradiotherapy group and 2.7% (N=4) in the radiotherapy group.
Based on the results of this Phase 3 trial, Yongling Ji and colleagues stated that TS-1 combined chemoradiotherapy significantly improved overall survival in elderly patients with esophageal cancer, and the safety profile was manageable.
Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2782741
Medical Supporter was formerly certified as an international medical visa guarantor by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (B-066).
Considering medical care in Japan? Need information and support?
We help you organize the information needed for medical travel to Japan, liaise with Japanese medical institutions, and arrange a second-opinion consultation.The first consultation is free; an advisor will help you clarify the next steps.
Figure 1