Different immune contextures underlie tumor site-specific responses to immune checkpoint blockade in esophageal cancer

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated efficacy in advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Heterogeneous responses to ICIs have been reported previously. Here, we describe a patient with advanced ESCC exhibiting a response to durvalumab plus tremelimumab for more than 6 months except primary resistant esophageal tumor. The esophageal tumor had higher regulatory T cells, neutrophils, and mast cells scores estimated by NanoString platform than hepatic tumor. The immunohistochemistry study confirmed higher expression levels of Foxp3, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the esophageal tumor. The different immune contextures may underlie the heterogeneous responses to ICI combination in this ESCC patient.

Automated summary

This study describes a patient with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who exhibited a response to durvalumab plus tremelimumab for more than 6 months, except for primary resistant esophageal tumor. The esophageal tumor showed higher levels of regulatory T cells, neutrophils, and mast cells compared to the hepatic tumor. Immunohistochemistry confirmed higher expression levels of Foxp3 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the esophageal tumor. The heterogeneous responses to ICI combination may be related to the different immune contextures in this ESCC patient.