Effects of immunoenteric nutrition versus general enteral nutrition on prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radical esophagectomy post neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Malnutrition is a common complication among patients with esophageal cancer, significantly increasing the risk of postoperative complications and mortality. Multiple studies have shown that immunoenteric nutrition (IEN) can reduce postoperative infectious complications in patients with esophageal cancer. However, its prognostic impact on patients undergoing radical surgery following neoadjuvant therapy remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the prognostic effects of IEN versus standard enteral nutrition (EN) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) following radical esophageal cancer surgery after neoadjuvant therapy. This retrospective study included 197 patients with ESCC who underwent radical esophagectomy following neoadjuvant therapy between 2016 and 2022. Of these, 133 patients received postoperative standard EN, while 64 patients received IEN. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included the incidence of postoperative complications and changes in relevant blood markers before and after surgery. No significant differences were observed in postoperative hospitalization duration or complications between the two groups. Postoperative C-reactive protein and immunoglobulin M levels were significantly lower in the IEN group compared to the EN group (P = 0.018 and 0.042). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted for 1, 2, 3, and 5 years to compare the effects of IEN and EN on OS and PFS. The log-rank test revealed the following survival rates: 90.6% versus 77.2% (1-year PFS, P = 0.023); 95.3% versus 82.7% (1-year OS, P = 0.015); 71.9% versus 56.7% (2-year PFS, P = 0.035); 76.6% versus 62.4% (2-year OS, P = 0.03); 54.6% versus 41.7% (3-year PFS, P = 0.064); 61.4% versus 49.3% (3-year OS, P = 0.08); 39.4% versus 30.7% (5-year PFS, P = 0.093); and 41.5% versus 32.6% (5-year OS, P = 0.104). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified several independent predictors of 2-year PFS and OS. For 2-year PFS, the independent predictors included body mass index (P = 0.005), ypTNM stage (Pathologic TNM-staging after neoadjuvant therapy) (P = 0.045), ypT stage (Pathologic T-staging after neoadjuvant therapy) (P = 0.030), ypN stage (Pathologic N-staging after neoadjuvant therapy) (P = 0.007), tumor differentiation (P = 0.031), and type of EN (P = 0.004). For 2-year OS, the independent predictors were age (P = 0.015), body mass index (P = 0.004), ypTNM stage (P = 0.013), ypT stage (P = 0.010), ypN stage (P = 0.009), tumor differentiation (P = 0.026), and type of EN (P = 0.001). In patients with ESCC undergoing esophagectomy after neoadjuvant therapy, postoperative IEN accelerates the resolution of the inflammatory state and improves short-term survival, though its long-term benefits remain uncertain. Furthermore, IEN does not significantly affect the postoperative hospitalization duration or the incidence of complications.