Future Directions for PD-1 Inhibitors in ESCC and Gastric Cancer

This discussion looks ahead at how the role of PD-1 inhibitors may continue to evolve in the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers. The discussion highlights that, as the therapeutic landscape grows more complex, immunotherapy is expected to remain an important component of management for appropriate patients. For gastric and GEJ cancers, broader use of molecular profiling is helping guide treatment decisions and may support the integration of new targeted agents alongside immunotherapy in the future. In ESCC, ongoing research is focused on refining the use of PD-1-based approaches and understanding how best to combine or sequence these treatments with existing systemic therapies. The segment also emphasizes the increasing importance of multidisciplinary coordination and personalized decision-making as more therapeutic options emerge. Overall, the discussion underscores that future advances will likely come from thoughtful integration of PD-1 inhibitors with evolving diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic strategies.