Current State of Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy in Advanced Gastric and Gastro-oesophageal Cancers

Abstract

Gastro-oesophageal cancer (GEC) is one of the world's deadliest forms of cancer. The conventional multi-modality approach to oesophageal cancer includes surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapy. However, due to the often-advanced nature of GEC on diagnosis, the limited efficacy of conventional therapies and the severe side effects of conventional treatments, the reported results are underwhelming. In the pursuit of better systemic therapies, targeted agents have played a vital role in GEC management. Said therapies essentially inhibit pathways such as the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor receptor and programmed death receptor 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (i.e. immunotherapies). This review outlines a clinical summary of the most recent breakthroughs in targeted therapy for GEC and their associated clinical data, including efficacy and safety profiles.