Neoadjuvant triplet chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin plus 5-FU vs docetaxel, cisplatin plus S-1 for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Propensity score matched analysis

Introduction: This study examines whether neoadjuvant docetaxel, cisplatin plus S-1 (DCS) therapy is superior to docetaxel, cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (DCF) therapy for resectable advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods: Patients diagnosed with resectable advanced ESCC at our hospital between January 2010 and December 2019 underwent either neoadjuvant DCF therapy or DCS therapy, followed by radical esophagectomy. Prior to August 2014, we usually used neoadjuvant DCF therapy, we then completely transitioned to using neoadjuvant DCS therapy.Results: A total of 144 patients received one of these triplet regimens as neoadjuvant chemotherapy: DCF therapy to 67 patients and DCS therapy to 77 patients. After propensity score matching, 55 patients in each group were selected as matched cohorts. There was no significant difference between the groups in complete response (DCF =7.3%, DCS =9.1%), or in partial response (DCF=45.4%, DCS=52.7%). The pathological response rate was 23.8% for Grade 2 and 18.2% for Grade 3 in the DCF group, compared with 30.9% and 14.5% in the DCS group. Independent predictive factors for recurrence-free survival were poor clinical response and pathological response =1b. Independent prognostic factors for overall survival were poor clinical response, anastomotic leakage and pathological response =1b. Duration of hospital stays in the DCS group were significantly shorter than those of the DCF group (6.0 vs. 15.0 days, P<.001). Expenses of drug and hospitalization for the neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the DCS group were also significantly lower than those of the DCF group (265.7 vs. 550.3 USD, P<.001).Conclusions: Neoadjuvant DCS therapy for resectable advanced ESCC did not result in significantly higher clinical and pathological response than neoadjuvant DCF therapy. However, neoadjuvant DCS therapy for resectable ESCC required comparatively shorter hospital stays and incurred lower costs, making it an attractive therapeutic option.