Definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy has been the main standard treatment method for unresectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) since 1999. However, several disadvantages continue to be associated with this type of treatment, including a high local failure rate (reaching ~50% within 3 years) and a median overall survival (OS) time of 16.9 months. In addition, the 5‑year overall survival rate of patients remains relatively low, at only ~21% for patients with ESCC with TNM stage T1‑3N0‑1M0. Burgeoning clinical trials and continually updating treatment modalities are currently in the process of being developed for the treatment of unresectable locally advanced ESCC. Compared with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone, clinical trials that have examined the efficacy of induction therapy, consolidation therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy have observed a prolonged median progression‑free survival and OS. Salvage surgery can also bring benefits to some patients. Therefore, the present review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview on the latest progress that is being made in the development of treatment strategies for unresectable locally advanced ESCC, taking into account the several new challenges that need to be overcome.

中文翻译：

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不可切除的局部晚期食管鳞状细胞癌的当前和未来前景（综述）。

自 1999 年以来，确定性同步放化疗一直是不可切除的局部晚期食管鳞状细胞癌 (ESCC) 的主要标准治疗方法。然而，这种类型的治疗仍然存在一些缺点，包括较高的局部失败率（在 10 年内达到约 50%）。 3 年），中位总生存期 (OS) 为 16.9 个月。此外，TNM分期为T1-3N0-1M0的ESCC患者的5年总生存率仍然相对较低，仅为21%左右。目前正在开发新兴的临床试验和不断更新的治疗方式，用于治疗不可切除的局部晚期食管鳞癌。与单纯同步放化疗相比，检查诱导治疗、巩固治疗、免疫治疗和靶向治疗疗效的临床试验观察到中位无进展生存期和总生存期延长。挽救手术也可以给一些患者带来好处。因此，本综述旨在全面概述不可切除的局部晚期食管鳞癌治疗策略制定的最新进展，同时考虑到需要克服的几个新挑战。