A meta-analysis looked at the results of clinical trials involving 3,252 patients with resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. Researchers compared two different treatment paths: using only chemotherapy versus combining chemotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) before surgery.
The analysis found that patients who received both chemotherapy and ICIs had a significantly higher rate of pathological complete response compared to those who received chemotherapy alone. This specific measurement helps doctors understand how well the tumor responded to treatment during the surgical preparation phase.
While the study looked at safety, it did not provide specific data on side effects or adverse events in its results summary. Because this is a meta-analysis of existing trials, the findings show a link between combined therapy and better response rates for these specific cancers. Patients should talk to their doctors to see if these combinations are appropriate for their specific diagnosis.
