Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41613527›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in oncology2025

First-line immune checkpoint inhibitors in older adults (≥75 years) with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: efficacy and safety.

Lin-Lin Zheng, Yu-Cai Jiang, Dan-Dan Lin

Abstract read
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Article in Frontiers in oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Lin-Lin ZhengDepartment of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, Fujian, China.
Yu-Cai JiangDepartment of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, Fujian, China.
Dan-Dan LinDepartment of Research, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, Fujian, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy is a standard first-line treatment for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, robust data regarding the efficacy and safety of this approach specifically in patients aged 75 years and older are scarce, as this population is frequently underrepresented in pivotal clinical trials. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the real-world treatment outcomes and safety profile of first-line immunotherapy in patients aged ≥75 years with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center cohort study. Sixty-one patients aged ≥75 years with histologically confirmed, advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (stage III/IV) who initiated first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors (as monotherapy or combined with chemotherapy/antiangiogenic therapy) between February 2021 and May 2025 were included. Assessments included tumor response per RECIST 1.1, progression-free survival, overall survival, and adverse events graded per the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria v5.0. Results: The median age was 80 years. The objective response rate was 45.9% (28/61), and the disease control rate was 85.2%. After a median follow-up of 16.7 months, the median progression-free survival was 12.7 months (95% CI: 6.9-17.1), and the median overall survival was 17.7 months (95% CI: 10.7-22.8). Both progression-free survival and overall survival significantly differed among response groups (log-rank Conclusion: In this real-world cohort, first-line immunotherapy demonstrated promising efficacy and a manageable safety profile in patients aged ≥75 years with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. These findings provide valuable preliminary evidence supporting the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in this understudied population and highlight the need for prospective validation to optimize therapeutic strategies.

Indexed as

75 years and olderadvanced esophageal squamous cell carcinomaantineoplastic agentsefficacyimmunotherapy

Identifiers

PMID41613527
PMCPMC12846960

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