Variables Associated to Pathologic Complete Response, Overall Survival and Disease-Free Survival in the Neoadjuvant Setting for Esophageal Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate prognostic factors during neoadjuvant therapy that can predict pathologic complete response (pCR), overall survival (OS), or disease-free survival (DFS). Summary of background data: Variables that can predict tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy are required for esophageal cancer management. Methods: A retrospective cohort was performed with esophageal cancer patients submitted to neoadjuvant therapy. pCR, OS, and DFS were evaluated. Logistic regression was used to evaluate prognostic factors. This study covered 140 patients, 94 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and 44 adenocarcinomas. SCC is more often associated with pCR (compared to adenocarcinoma, OR: 8.07, 95% CI: 2.91-22.38); it has higher probability of DFS (HR for death or recurrence was 0.6, 95% CI: 0.37-0.98); and a higher probability of OS (HR for death was 0.59, 95% CI: 0.35-1). Gender, age, grade of cellular differentiation, chemotherapy regimen, and neoplasm circumferential involvement before neoadjuvant therapy are variables that are unrelated to DFS. Relief of dysphagia, and weight gain were also unrelated to the outcomes. In the multivariate analysis, the weight loss during neoadjuvant therapy was related to higher risk for recurrence or death (HR 1.02, 95% CI: 1-1.04). SCC histologic type was associated with higher probability of pCR, and higher OS and DFS rates. Gender, grade of cellular differentiation, and chemotherapy regimen are variables that are unrelated to pCR, OS, and DFS. Relief of dysphagia and increased levels of albumin after neoadjuvant therapy were also unrelated to the studied outcomes. Weight loss during neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with poor DFS rate in the multivariate analysis.