Daisuke Takahari, gastroenterologist, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan

Biography

Education and professional career
– Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, in 1998
– Internal Medicine Division, at Sapporo Medical University Hospital in 1998-2006
– Resident, National Cancer Center Hospital in 2006-2008
– Physician-in-Chief, Clinical Oncology Department, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital in  2008-2014
– Physician-in-Chief, Department of Gastroenterology, The Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR in 2014-2021
– Vice Director, Department of Gastroenterology, The Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR in 2021-2024
– Vice Director, Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine in 2024-present

Summary of presentation

Metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers have been treated with chemotherapy, but the landscape of cancer treatment is rapidly shifting towards immune-based therapies.

The potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors extends beyond metastatic disease. For locally advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer, perioperative chemotherapy with gastrectomy has been regarded as the standard of care, especially in Western nations.

Besides, the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors as neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatments is currently underway, indicating a significant paradigm shift in the treatment strategies. I will summarize the clinical developments and

future perspectives of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy with or without chemotherapy as perioperative treatment for gastric, esophageal, and gastroesophageal junction cancer.