Docetaxel-based triplet neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal adenocarcinoma: A comprehensive analysis of outcomes spanning over a decade.

Abstract

332 Background: Docetaxel-based therapy is currently the most effective neoadjuvant regimen for locally advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. However, prior trials were primarily designed to target gastric cancer. As survival associated with taxane-based chemotherapy in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is less well described, we sought to review our experience with docetaxel based therapy as a neoadjuvant approach for EAC. Methods: A single centre retrospective review of a prospectively maintained upper GI cancer surgical database was performed (2008-2021). Patients with EAC undergoing curative intent neoadjuvant therapy with two similar docetaxel-based regimens (DCF - Docetaxel/Cisplatin/5FU or FLOT - 5FU, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin, and Docetaxel) followed by en-bloc resection were included. Gastric/EGJ type III tumors were excluded. Clinicopathological data and overall survival (OS) were recorded and stratified by chemotherapy type (DCF vs FLOT). Data are presented as median (+/-SD). Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous or Fischer exact test for categorical variables determined significance. Kaplan-Meier curves compared OS. Results: 225 EAC patients were identified: Age 64.2 (±10.3) and tumor location was Esophageal/EGJ I/EGJ II (106/33/86). Clinical stage was cT3-4 in 201/225 (89.3%) and most were cN+ (200/225: 88.9%). There were 121 (53.7%) treated with neoadjuvant DCF whilst 104 (46.3%) received FLOT. All pre-op cycles were completed in 181 (80.4%) and did not differ between DCF and FLOT (81.8% vs 78.8% - NS). Operative procedure included Ivor Lewis in 188 (83.5%), left thoraco-abdominal esophagectomy in 20 (8.8%), and McKeown in 17 (7.5%) and also did not differ between DCF and FLOT. In terms of pathologic outcomes, the median lymph node yield was 35 (±16) of which 3.6±5.8 were positive). There was no difference when comparing between regimens. There were 134 (59.6%) patients ypN1-3 (DCF=76(62.8%) vs FLOT=58(55.8%)- NS). An R0 resection was achieved in 210 (93%) patients (DCF=92.6% vs FLOT=94.2%- NS). Complete pathological response (no residual cancer) was found in 21 patients (9.3%) (DCF=14(11.6%) vs FLOT=7(6.7%) – NS). At follow up of 41(±36) months (DCF= 52±41 vs FLOT=27±23 - p<0.001) OS (KM curve Fig 1) at 1, 3 and 5 years for the entire cohort was 91.4%, 62.8%, and 55.7%, with no difference between DCF (92.3%/68.8%/59.5%) and FLOT (89.8%/54.5%/51.7% - NS). Conclusions: This retrospective review, the largest yet reported, demonstrates that these similar docetaxel-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens are highly effective for patients with locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma.