Bray F, Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Siegel RL, Torre LA, Jemal A (2018) Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin 68(6):394–424

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Eyck BM, van Lanschot JJB, Hulshof M, van der Wilk BJ, Shapiro J, van Hagen P et al (2021) Ten-Year Outcome of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Plus Surgery for Esophageal Cancer: The Randomized Controlled CROSS Trial. J Clin Oncol 39(18):1995–2004

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

van Hagen P, Hulshof MC, van Lanschot JJ, Steyerberg EW, van Berge Henegouwen MI, Wijnhoven BP et al (2012) Preoperative chemoradiotherapy for esophageal or junctional cancer. N Engl J Med 366(22):2074–2084

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Eyck BM, van der Wilk BJ, Noordman BJ, Wijnhoven BPL, Lagarde SM, Hartgrink HH et al (2021) Updated protocol of the SANO trial: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial comparing surgery with active surveillance after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal cancer. Trials 22(1):345

Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Eyck BM, Onstenk BD, Noordman BJ, Nieboer D, Spaander MCW, Valkema R et al (2020) Accuracy of Detecting Residual Disease After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Surg 271(2):245–256

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

van der Wilk BJ, Eyck BM, Hofstetter WL, Ajani JA, Piessen G, Castoro C et al (2021) Chemoradiotherapy followed by Active Surveillance Versus Standard Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. Ann Surg. 275(3):467–476

Article  Google Scholar 

Keereweer S, Van Driel PB, Snoeks TJ, Kerrebijn JD, Baatenburg de Jong RJ, Vahrmeijer AL et al (2013) Optical image-guided cancer surgery: challenges and limitations. Clin Cancer Res 19(14):3745–54

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Vahrmeijer AL, Hutteman M, van der Vorst JR, van de Velde CJ, Frangioni JV (2013) Image-guided cancer surgery using near-infrared fluorescence. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 10(9):507–518

Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

de Gouw D, Rijpkema M, de Bitter TJJ, Baart VM, Sier CFM, Hernot S et al (2020) Identifying Biomarkers in Lymph Node Metastases of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma for Tumor-Targeted Imaging. Mol Diagn Ther 24(2):191–200

Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Al-Kaabi A, van der Post RS, van der Werf LR, Wijnhoven BPL, Rosman C, Hulshof M et al (2021) Impact of pathological tumor response after CROSS neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery on long-term outcome of esophageal cancer: a population-based study. Acta Oncol 60(4):497–504

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Spizzo G, Fong D, Wurm M, Ensinger C, Obrist P, Hofer C et al (2011) EpCAM expression in primary tumour tissues and metastases: an immunohistochemical analysis. J Clin Pathol 64(5):415–420

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Yang YM, Hong P, Xu WW, He QY, Li B (2020) Advances in targeted therapy for esophageal cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 5(1):229

Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Catenacci DVT, Tebbutt NC, Davidenko I, Murad AM, Al-Batran SE, Ilson DH et al (2017) Rilotumumab plus epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine as first-line therapy in advanced MET-positive gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer (RILOMET-1): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol 18(11):1467–1482

Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Shah MA, Cho JY, Tan IB, Tebbutt NC, Yen CJ, Kang A et al (2016) A Randomized Phase II Study of FOLFOX With or Without the MET Inhibitor Onartuzumab in Advanced Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach and Gastroesophageal Junction. Oncologist 21(9):1085–1090

Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Ruhstaller T, Thuss-Patience P, Hayoz S, Schacher S, Knorrenschild JR, Schnider A et al (2018) Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation and surgery with and without cetuximab in patients with resectable esophageal cancer: a randomized, open-label, phase III trial (SAKK 75/08). Ann Oncol 29(6):1386–1393

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Huang ZH, Ma XW, Zhang J, Li X, Lai NL, Zhang SX (2018) Cetuximab for esophageal cancer: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Cancer 18(1):1170

Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Han X, Lu N, Pan Y, Xu J (2017) Nimotuzumab Combined with Chemotherapy is a Promising Treatment for Locally Advanced and Metastatic Esophageal Cancer. Med Sci Monit 23:412–418

Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Xu Y, Xie Z, Shi Y, Zhang M, Pan J, Li Y et al (2016) Gefitinib single drug in treatment of advanced esophageal cancer. J Cancer Res Ther 12(Supplement):C295–C297

CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Huang J, Fan Q, Lu P, Ying J, Ma C, Liu W et al (2016) Icotinib in Patients with Pretreated Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma with EGFR Overexpression or EGFR Gene Amplification: A Single-Arm, Multicenter Phase 2 Study. J Thorac Oncol 11(6):910–917

Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Yoon HH, Bendell JC, Braiteh FS, Firdaus I, Philip PA, Cohn AL et al (2016) Ramucirumab combined with FOLFOX as front-line therapy for advanced esophageal, gastroesophageal junction, or gastric adenocarcinoma: a randomized, double-blind, multicenter Phase II trial. Ann Oncol 27(12):2196–2203

Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Cunningham D, Stenning SP, Smyth EC, Okines AF, Allum WH, Rowley S et al (2017) Peri-operative chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in operable oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma (UK Medical Research Council ST03): primary analysis results of a multicentre, open-label, randomised phase 2–3 trial. Lancet Oncol 18(3):357–370

Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Wasielica-Berger J, Rogalski P, Świdnicka-Siergiejko A, Pryczynicz A, Kiśluk J, Daniluk J et al (2022) Expression of VEGF, EGF, and Their Receptors in Squamous Esophageal Mucosa, with Correlations to Histological Findings and Endoscopic Minimal Changes, in Patients with Different GERD Phenotypes. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 19(9):5298

Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Smyth EC, Lagergren J, Fitzgerald RC, Lordick F, Shah MA, Lagergren P et al (2017) Oesophageal cancer. Nat Rev Dis Primers 3:17048

Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Bussolino F, Di Renzo MF, Ziche M, Bocchietto E, Olivero M, Naldini L et al (1992) Hepatocyte growth factor is a potent angiogenic factor which stimulates endothelial cell motility and growth. J Cell Biol 119(3):629–641

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Birchmeier C, Birchmeier W, Gherardi E, VandeWoude GF (2003) Met, metastasis, motility and more. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 4(12):915–925

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Beauchemin N, Arabzadeh A (2013) Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules (CEACAMs) in cancer progression and metastasis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 32(3–4):643–671

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Mohtar MA, Syafruddin SE, Nasir SN, Low TY (2020) Revisiting the Roles of Pro-Metastatic EpCAM in Cancer. Biomolecules. 10(2):255

Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Poon RT, Fan ST, Wong J (2001) Clinical implications of circulating angiogenic factors in cancer patients. J Clin Oncol 19(4):1207–1225

Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Chong CR, Jänne PA (2013) The quest to overcome resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies in cancer. Nat Med 19(11):1389–1400

Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Jajosky A, Fels Elliott DR (2022) Esophageal Cancer Genetics and Clinical Translation. Thorac Surg Clin 32(4):425–435