Current treatments and outlook in adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction: a narrative review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) is a tumor of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). Research has suggested that AEG may be an independent tumor because of its peculiar site and biological behavior. During the past several decades, the incidence of AEG has increased globally. Therefore, it is necessary to explore appropriate treatments for AEG. The aim of this review is to summarize the current treatments for AEG and forecast their future developments. METHODS: We critically conducted a literature search in PubMed (from the inception of the database to October 31, 2021). The keywords used in the search were “adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction”, “gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma and surgical treatment”, “gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma and target therapy”, “gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma and neoadjuvant therapy” and “gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma and immunotherapy”. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: This study introduced the existing treatments for AEG from the aspects of surgical therapy, neoadjuvant therapy and targeted therapy, and prospected the future research direction. CONCLUSIONS: Treatments for AEG often have different plans (such as surgical treatment, neoadjuvant therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy) according to the pathological type of patients, the status of metastasis, and the conditions of patients. Surgical treatment is the most commonly used treatment in clinical practice. Minimally invasive surgery promising potential for further development. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy can improve the quality of life and survival of patients. Currently, some drugs, such as trastuzumab, ramucirumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical treatment of AEG. However, targeted therapy and immunotherapy still have a long way to go and need to be further explored.