Systemic Treatment of Gastroesophageal Cancer during SARS-CoV2

Background

The SARS-CoV2 pandemic has its implications on the science and art of oncology. The morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV2 are much higher compared to the general population.[1] Data regarding the toxicity of anticancer therapies and their long-term impact are emerging. We have been pushed to a point where we have to weigh the risk–benefit ratio about a particular treatment regimen. To complicate the issue, the world has gone into significant travel restrictions both at the global and local levels. With massive lockdowns affecting multiple countries, there are restrictions on travel at the domestic level and local transport facilities are not available. Hospitals are overburdened with SARS-CoV2 patients, and triaging has taken a front seat in high-volume centers. In a situation like this, many governing bodies have come up with guidelines that cater to the needs and Do's and Don'ts for cancer patients. Here, we apply our collective wisdom and formulate guidelines for treatment recommendations of gastroesophageal cancer that might be applicable for our country where there is a possibility of SARS-CoV2 cases increasing with time.

Stomach cancer ranks as the 5th most common cancer, followed by esophageal cancer in India.[2] India has an age-standardized incidence rate of 5.0/100,000 population for the stomach and 4.5/100,000 population for the esophagus. This translates into approximately 51,000 deaths for the stomach and 46,000 for the esophagus every year.[2] Esophageal cancer with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) histology, mostly involving the lower and mid-esophagus, is mostly treated with a combination of neoadjuvant treatment (either chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) followed by surgery if resectable.[3] Majority of them present in locally advanced or metastatic stages. Locally advanced stomach cancer is treated differently in different continents. The common approach has been upfront surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy,[4] perioperative chemotherapy like the MAGIC and the FLOT regimens,[5], [6] as well as adjuvant chemotherapy alone or chemoradiotherapy.[7], [8] All three approaches are practiced in India. None of these strategies come without adverse events. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were reported in 279 of 496 patients (56%) in the chemotherapy and surgery group in CLASSIC trial,[8] and for ECF/ECX and FLOT regimens, the rate of hospitalization was 26%.[6] Keeping in mind the resource constraints in the present situation, treatment de-escalation is the need of the hour.

Esophageal Cancer Involving the Upper and Middle Esophagus

Cervical esophageal cancer is primarily treated with protocols similar to head-and-neck unresectable tumors with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Since the patients are usually symptomatic, withholding treatment may not be the best option. In this case, either single modality therapy like definitive radiotherapy (RT) may be more logical. In a study comparing RT with surgery, both have similar outcomes. There was no statistically significant difference in the progression-free and overall survival.[9] In case of fit patients, combining chemotherapy with RT may be reasonable. However, in such a situation, it is better to avoid the toxic doublet regimen of cisplatin–5-fluorouracil(5FU), which is commonly used, and replace it with taxane–carboplatin, without compromising the outcomes.[10]

For the mid-esophagus, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and chemoradiotherapy both are acceptable options. However, keeping toxicity in mind, giving NACT may be a better approach due to a more acceptable toxicity profile. In a meta-analysis comparing the two, 11 of 225 patients (4.89%) suffered perioperative mortality in the NACT group, while 20 of 230 patients (8.70%) suffered perioperative mortality in the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy group.[11] Regimens best suited for concurrent would be either or taxane platinum combination in young for individuals.[12]

For Gastroesophageal Junction and Stomach Cancer

Historically, the MAGIC regimen was the standard of care for such tumors. This was recently replaced by the FLOT protocol (which is more commonly used in Europe), with better outcomes. However, there are intrinsic problems associated with both the protocols. The classic ECF regimen involved 21-day continuous infusion of 5FU, which is difficult to achieve in resource-constrained settings and not routinely done. An alternative to the ECF regimen is ECX where 5FU is replaced with capecitabine.[13] In the setting of SARS-CoV2, none of the above regimens are safe as far as toxicity and ease of administration is concerned. An alternative solution would be to use a safer regimen of taxane–platinum combination. For large bulky tumors where a better response rate is beneficial, RT may be combined with taxane–platinum.[12]

For patients who undergo upfront surgery, the standard treatment is adjuvant chemotherapy. In SARS-CoV2 state, it might be preferable to opt for single-agent capecitabine, as this can be taken at home, and blood reports may be evaluated through telemedicine. In patients who have pT1N1 disease, there is no benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy, and hence, it may be withheld.[14]

For Metastatic Esophageal, Gastroesophageal Junction, and Gastric Cancer

The most important factor deciding the treatment of metastatic disease is the baseline performance status. Since the intent is palliative, systemic chemotherapy should be withheld in cases with borderline low-performance status, with a lower threshold for palliative care. The main intent of therapy should be to provide relief of distressing symptoms.

For metastatic esophageal SCC, the most common regimen utilized is cisplatin-5FU. However, this may be modified to either single-agent platinum, preferable carboplatin, or a single-agent taxane. A weekly regimen is also an option, especially if the patient stays close to the hospital, as it leads to lesser degrees of hematological toxicities. For adenocarcinoma, ECX has been a standard regimen. However, it is better to avoid the triplet regimen during SARS-CoV2 and prescribe a safer doublet regimen like CAPOX or CAP-CIS. For ECOG PS 2, oral capecitabine, and for ECOG PS 3 and 4, the best supportive care option should be emphasized. For the Asian population, the doublet regimen is as good as a triplet based on meta-analysis.[15] For elderly, frail individuals, either single-agent capecitabine or weekly paclitaxel is recommended. Toxic regimens such as DCF or mDCF should be avoided due to higher toxicities. Immunotherapy at the times of SARS-CoV2 does not have set guidelines. There are two concerns with immunotherapy and SARS-CoV2 infection. First, immunotherapy can cause interstitial pneumonitis, which might complicate the clinical picture of SARS-CoV2 infection, which is also known to manifest similarly. Second, immunotherapy can cause a cytokine storm, which may be detrimental in a SARS-CoV2 patient, since it can lead to further organ dysfunction. Hence, immunotherapy may be postponed till the crisis is over. Guidelines do not clearly support or refute the use of immune agents in SARS-CoV2 pandemic. Fortunately, the role of immunotherapy in the esophageal and gastroesophageal junction has not been promising, limiting the scope of its usage. The use of targeted agents like ramucirumab may be considered since they do not increase the toxicities significantly compared to single-agent taxanes. The use of single-agent ramucirumab is also acceptable if we really wish to avoid cytotoxic chemotherapy.[16]

To summarize, the overall picture of oncology and SARS-CoV2 is emerging. We do understand that it is difficult and sometimes unethical and humanely not possible to run randomized trials in such pandemics, and the only way to find the impact and outcome is through observational studies. Till we have very well-defined protocols, it is desirable to stick to regimens with lesser toxicity and put more emphasis on supportive and palliative care in poor outcome cancers like the esophagus and stomach.

• References

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Publication History

Received: 31 March 2020

Accepted: 17 April 2020

Article published online:
23 May 2021