Recurrence-Free Survival Validated as Reliable Endpoint in Esophageal Cancer Trials

Strong correlations reveal that recurrence-free survival (RFS) effectively predicts overall survival (OS) in resectable esophageal cancer. An integrated analysis of data from 10 Phase III trials found a Kendall’s τ of 0.823, indicating robust individual-level surrogacy. Trial-level analysis across 22 trials yielded an impressive R² of 0.735. These findings suggest RFS can serve as a quicker surrogate endpoint, potentially expediting treatment development by reducing the need for lengthy follow-ups.