Current status and future of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for esophageal cancer

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become an important treatment strategy for advanced esophageal cancer in the first and second line. Currently, the use of ICIs in neoadjuvant therapy is very limited. However, neoadjuvant immunotherapy may bring better survival benefits for patients with early esophageal cancer or with resectable locally advanced esophageal cancer. The authors review relevant studies to discuss the current status and future of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for esophageal cancer.