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Published online: 2023-11-14

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Two-center experience comparing the use of the FLOT4 and CROSS schemes for patients with gastric, esophageal, and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma

Irene Solana López1, David Gutiérrez Abad1, Maria Victoria de Torres Olombrada1, Elia Martínez Moreno1, Ignacio Juez Martel1, Alicia Hurtado Nuño2, Ana Manuela Martín Fernández de Soignie1, Carlos de Zea Luque1, Nadia Sánchez Baños1, Fátima Escalona Martín1, Beatriz Losada Vila1, Carmen Pantín González1, Laura Rodríguez Lajusticia1, Diego Malón Giménez1, Beatriz Jiménez Munarriz1, Roberto Hernández López1, Julia Calzas Rodríguez1, Juan Antonio Guerra Martínez1

Abstract

Introduction. Gastric (GAD), gastroesophageal junction (GEJA), and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAD) share pathophysiological features. At localized stages, FLOT is used perioperatively for the treatment of GAD and GEJA and CROSS for EAD and some GEJA. Although both therapies have been compared with MAGIC, comparative randomized data on FLOT and CROSS are not yet available.

Material andmethods. We retrospectively analyzed and compared 40 patients treated with FLOT and 16 patients treated with CROSS in terms of clinical features and neoadjuvant, surgical, adjuvant, and survival outcomes.

Results. At the time of analysis, 65% of patients treated with FLOT4 and 56.3% with CROSS remained in complete remission. Those who progressed after FLOT4 did so mainly at the peritoneal level (25%) and after CROSS at the bone, lymph node, and peritoneal levels (12.5% respectively). Six patients (37.5%) died after CROSS (median OS of 17.5 months; 95% CI 2–41) and 10 (25%) after FLOT4 (median OS 16.5 months; 95% CI 11–22). For the living patients, the median numbers of months from diagnosis to the follow-up cutoff date were 47.5 (95% CI 11–67) and 27 (95% CI 14–44) for CROSS and FLOT4, respectively. There were no significant differences in median OS estimated by Kaplan Meier analysis [FLOT4: 50 ± 4.6 months (95% CI 40.9–59.2); CROSS: 51.2 ± 7 months (95% CI 37.4–65.0; p = 0.79)]. 

Conclusions. Although we obtained lower pCR rates; TNM downstaging after neoadjuvant therapy, R0 rates, tolerance, PFS, and OS were similar in both groups and comparable with trial results. The adjuvant compliance rate was high with FLOT4. CROSS allows sequencing with nivolumab in PD-L1+ tumors.

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