The Safety and Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Camrelizumab Plus Chemotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blockade has been explored in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We conducted this study to assess the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant camrelizumab plus chemotherapy in locally advanced ESCC. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled ESCC patients who received surgery within 3 months of treatment with camrelizumab plus chemotherapy from June 2019 to January 2021. RESULTS: A total of 34 eligible patients were enrolled. The neoadjuvant treatment was well tolerated with no serious treatment-related adverse events. Thirty-two (94.1%) patients achieved a R0 resection, and 14 patients (41.2%) developed postoperative complications. The objective response rate (ORR) was 61.8% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 100.0%. The major pathological response (MPR), pathological complete response (pCR), and clinical to pathological downstaging rate were 50.0%, 35.3%, and 79.4%, respectively. With a median follow-up of 14.8 months, 30 (88.2%) patients who underwent surgical resection remain alive. The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) at 12 months were 86.4% and 92.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant camrelizumab plus chemotherapy is safe and efficacious in treating patients with locally advanced ESCC.