Cetuximab in combination with chemoradiotherapy prior to surgery in patients with resectable, locally advanced esophageal carcinoma: A prospective, multicenter phase lb-ll trial of the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK 75/06)

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4570-4570
Author(s):  
T. Ruhstaller ◽  
M. Pless ◽  
J. C. Schuller ◽  
H. Kranzbühler ◽  
R. von Moos ◽  
...  

4570 Background: Cetuximab significantly enhances efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in head and neck cancer. We investigated the safety and feasibility of adding cetuximab to neoadjuvant chemoradiation of locally advanced esophageal cancer. Methods: Pts with resectable, locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or adenocarcinoma (AC) of the thoracic esophagus or gastroesophageal junction (staged by EUS, CT and PET scan) were treated with 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy (docetaxel 75mg/m2, cisplatin 75mg/m2 q3w and weekly cetuximab 250mg/m2), followed by concomitant chemo- immuno-radiation therapy (CIRT: docetaxel 20mg/m2, cisplatin 25mg/m2 and cetuximab 250mg/m2 weekly five times concomitant with 45 Gy radiotherapy in 25 fractions); followed by surgery 4–8 weeks later. The phase I part consisted of 2 cohorts of 7 patients each, without and with docetaxel during CIRT, respectively. Interpatient dose-escalation (adding docetaxel during CIRT) was possible if < 2 out of 7 pts of the 1st cohort experienced limiting toxicity. Having finished the phase 1 part, 13 additional patients were treated with docetaxel-containing CIRT in a phase II part. Pathological response was evaluated according to the Mandard classification. Results: 27 pts from 12 institutions were included. As of today, results from 20 pts are available (cohort 1: 7, cohort 2: 7, phase ll : 6). Median age was 64yrs (range 47–71). 11 AC; 9 SCC. 19 pts (95%) completed CIRT (1 pt stopped treatment during induction therapy due to sepsis). 17 pts underwent resection (no surgery: 1pt for PD, 1pt for cardiac reasons). Grade 3 toxicities during CIRT included anorexia 15%, dysphagia/esophagitis 15%, fatigue 10%, nausea 10%, pruritus 5%, dehydration 5%, nail changes 5% and rash 5% .1 pt suffered from pulmonary embolism. 13 pts (65%, intention-to-treat) showed a complete or near complete pathological remission (cohort 1: 5, cohort 2: 4, phase II: 4). Conclusions: Adding cetuximab to preoperative chemoradiation for esophageal cancer is safe and feasible in a community-based multicenter setting. Antineoplastic activity is encouraging with 65% pathological responders. [Table: see text]

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15550-e15550
Author(s):  
A. M. Horgan ◽  
G. Darling ◽  
R. Wong ◽  
A. Visbal ◽  
M. Guindi ◽  
...  

e15550 Background: Locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC) has a 5-year survival of < 30 %. Most patients (pts) fail after curative intent tri-modality treatment with distant metastatic disease. This phase II trial aims to determine if adjuvant targeted therapy, after neoadjuvant CRT plus surgery for resectable LAEC, may impact on systemic disease without significant toxicity. Methods: Pts with LAEC of the thoracic esophagus or gastroesophageal junction, ECOG PS 0,1 and surgical candidates treated with: preoperative Irinotecan (65mg/m2 initially, ammended to 50mg/m2) + Cisplatin (30mg/m2) on weeks 1,2,4,5,7,8 + concurrent conformal radiotherapy (50Gy/25 fractions) on weeks 4–8. Esophagectomy during weeks 15–18. Sunitinib 37.5mg daily (escalating to 50mg daily if tolerated) commenced 4–12 weeks post surgery, for 1 year. Primary endpoint is feasibility and efficacy of adjuvant sunitinib. Planned sample size 36pts. Results: 30pts enrolled from 11/06 to 12/08. Median age 64 yr (43–71), male: 22, adenocarcinoma: squamous 22:6; 10 pts stage IIA, 5 IIB and 13 III. 2 pts excluded with positive PET scan. 28 pts completed CRT - 18 pts (64%) received ≥80% of planned chemotherapy dose, 23 pts (82%) received full radiation dose. Grade 3/4 toxicity included: neutropenia (17/28), diarrhea (7/28), dehydration (4/28), febrile neutropenia (FN) (3/28) and nausea (2/28). 2 deaths on chemotherapy (1 bacterial meningitis, 1 FN) leading to irinotecan dose- reduction. Dysphagia improved in 14/23 pts during CRT. 18 pts have undergone esophagectomy. Complete pathological response in 4 (22%), downstaging in 3 (17%), stable disease in 11 (61%). 2 pts unresectable (metastases at laparotomy). 1 post-operative death due to pulmonary embolus. 9 pts have commenced sunitinib, 6 maintained at starting dose of 37.5mg; 2 dose reductions; 1 discontinued with poor wound healing. Grade 3 toxicity included: leukopenia (2/9), hand-foot reaction (1/9) and depression (1/9). Conclusions: In LAEC, induction Irinotecan/Cisplatin and radiotherapy followed by esophagectomy is associated with a significant but manageable toxicity profile. Early initiation of sunitinib is feasible and well-tolerated. Updated results to be presented. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4056-4056
Author(s):  
A. L. Visbal ◽  
G. Darling ◽  
R. Wong ◽  
M. Guindi ◽  
J. Hornby ◽  
...  

4056 Background: Esophagectomy (E) for locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC) yields limited survival; this phase II trial assess feasibility and efficacy of induction chemo-radiotherapy followed by E. Methods: Patients (pts) with LAEC of the thoracic esophagus (TE) or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), ECOG PS ≤ 2 and surgical candidates underwent POP I (65mg/m2) + C (30mg/m2) on weeks 1,2,4,5,7,8 + concurrent conformal radiotherapy (40Gy/20 fractions (F) during wk 4–7) and external beam boost (10Gy/5F on wk 8); E was performed on wk 12–16 after restaging. Pts receiving 75% of POP chemotherapy were eligible for pathologic (p) evaluation; planned sample size 36 nonM1A pts. Results: 52 pts enrolled from 11/02 to 12/05, mean age 60 yr (33–79), male:40, GEJ:TE/15:37; 37 adenocarcinoma, 13 SCC, 2 other; 13 pts were stage IIA, 7 IIB, 22 III, and 10 IVA. Toxicity during POP treatment included ANC (G3/4:36%), febrile neutropenia (9%), diarrhea (G3:9%), nausea (G3:6%), esophagitis (G3:2%) and anorexia (G3/4:15%); 3 pts stopped treatment due to toxicity, 2 withdrew, 2 progressed becoming non-operable, 1 died of a stroke and 1 from central line sepsis. Clinical response by RECIST was CR:2%, PR:30%, SD:62% and PD in 6%. Dysphagia improved or resolved in 34/47 pts (72%) during POP treatment. Of 43 evaluable pts, 41 underwent E, achieving R0 resection in 98% (1 refused E, 1 pending). Perioperative complications included anastomotic leak (23%), Afib (21%), pneumonia (21%), delirium (10%) and aspiration (10%); 1 pt died from aspiration. 7 pts (17%) achieved pCR, 2 of whom were pretreatment clinical stage IIA, 1 IIb and 4 III; downstaging occurred in 3/7 pts; 15 pts (36.6%) achieved minimal residual disease, 15 (36.6%) pPR, and 4 (9.8%) pSD. At a median (med) follow-up of 15.2 months (1.3–34.5m), 16/52 patients died (med & 2yr overall survival (OS) of 29 m & 66%). Of 41 resected pts, 17 recurred (med & 2yr disease free survival (DFS) of 20m & 46%) of whom 10 died of progression (med & 2-yr OS of 29m & 68.4%). 2yr DFS & OS was 83% & 86% in pCR vs 41% & 76% in non-pCR. Conclusion: In LAEC, induction I/C and radiotherapy followed by E is associated with 72% dysphagia improvement, a significant but manageable toxicity profile, and encouraging survival compared to historical controls. [Table: see text]


2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 2926-2932 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H. Ilson ◽  
Manjit Bains ◽  
David P. Kelsen ◽  
Eileen O’Reilly ◽  
Martin Karpeh ◽  
...  

Purpose: To identify the maximum-tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of weekly irinotecan combined with cisplatin and radiation in esophageal cancer. Patients and Methods: Nineteen patients with clinical stage II to III esophageal squamous cell or adenocarcinoma were treated on this phase I trial. Induction chemotherapy with weekly cisplatin 30 mg/m2 and irinotecan 65 mg/m2 was administered for four treatments during weeks 1 to 5. Radiotherapy was delivered weeks 8 to 13 in 1.8-Gy daily fractions to a dose of 50.4 Gy. Cisplatin 30 mg/m2 and escalating-dose irinotecan (40, 50, 65, and 80 mg/m2) were administered on days 1, 8, 22, and 29 of radiotherapy. DLT was defined as a 2-week delay in radiotherapy for grade 3 to 4 toxicity. Results: Minimal toxicity was observed during chemoradiotherapy, with no grade 3 or 4 esophagitis, diarrhea, or stomatitis. DLT caused by myelosuppression was seen in two of six patients treated at the 80-mg/m2 dose level, thus irinotecan 65 mg/m2 was defined as the recommended phase II dose. Dysphagia improved or resolved after induction chemotherapy in 13 (81%) of 16 patients who reported dysphagia before therapy. Only one patient (5%) required a feeding tube. Six complete responses (32%) were observed, including four pathologic complete responses in 15 patients selected to undergo surgery (27%). Conclusion: Cisplatin, irinotecan, and concurrent radiotherapy can be administered on a convenient schedule with relatively minimal toxicity and an acceptable rate of complete response in esophageal cancer. Further phase II evaluation of this regimen is ongoing. A phase III comparison to fluorouracil or taxane-containing chemoradiotherapy should be considered.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4562-4562
Author(s):  
T. Ruhstaller ◽  
L. Widmer ◽  
S. Balmer Majno ◽  
W. Mingrone ◽  
V. Hess ◽  
...  

4562 Background: The role of preoperative therapy in patients (pts) with locally advanced esophageal cancer remains unclear. Non-randomized and randomized studies were often performed in single and highly specialized centers. The purpose of this study was to investigate 1) the efficacy and toxicity of preoperative docetaxel-cisplatin together with radiation therapy (RT) 2) the feasibility of a complex preoperative strategy in a community-based multicenter setting. Methods: Eligibility criteria: resectable, locally advanced (uT3 or uN1, T4 if deemed resectable) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or adenocarcinoma (AC) of the thoracic esophagus or gastroesophageal junction (Siewert type l); staged by EUS, CT and PET scan; age 18–70y; PS <2; normal organ functions. Treatment: 2 cycles of docetaxel 75mg/m2 and cisplatin 75mg/m2 q3w, followed by weekly x5 docetaxel 20mg/m2 and cisplatin 25mg/m2 with concomitant 45 Gy RT in 25 fractions; surgery 3- 8 weeks after RT. A two stage-design was used with two primary endpoints: 1) efficacy (TRG : tumor regression grade ); 2) feasibility (successful completion of entire therapy and being alive 30 days after surgery). Results: 66 pts, 56 males, were included from 11 institutions; median age 61y (35–70y); AC 53%; SCC 46%; 53 pts (80%) completed the preoperative therapy, underwent resection and were alive 30 days after surgery; 10 pts (15%) had no resection (4 progressive disease, 4 medical reasons, 2 patient’s refusal). Of 56 (85%) pts who had surgery, 51 pts had RO-resection (91%), 5 pts (9%) died due to complications after surgery (3 after > 30 days). Conclusion: Our trimodality treatment shows encouraging antineoplastic activity with 57% histopathological responders (TRG1 and 2) and acceptable feasibility in a community-based multicenter setting. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (13) ◽  
pp. 2213-2219 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Spigel ◽  
F. Anthony Greco ◽  
Anthony A. Meluch ◽  
Cassie M. Lane ◽  
Cynthia Farley ◽  
...  

Purpose Preoperative chemoradiotherapy is a primary treatment option for patients with resectable esophageal cancer. Combination regimens using newer agents may improve patient outcomes. This multicenter community-based phase I/II trial examined a modern triplet regimen comprised of oxaliplatin, docetaxel, and capecitabine (ODC) combined with radiation therapy (RT). Patients and Methods The primary end point was the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate. Eligibility criteria included resectable stage I to III cancer of the mid-/distal-esophagus or gastroesophageal junction, measurable disease, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0 or 1. Treatment included oxaliplatin 40 mg/m2, docetaxel 20 mg/m2 (intravenous, weekly × 5); capecitabine 1,000 mg/m2 orally twice daily on days 1 to 7, 15 to 21, and 29 to 35; and concurrent RT (45 Gy). Resection was performed during weeks 9 to 12. ODC and RT safety was determined in a phase I portion (n = 10) preceding phase II. Results Fifty-nine patients were enrolled (September 2005 to February 2008; phase I/cohort 1, 10 patients; phase I/cohort 2/phase II, 49 patients). Baseline characteristics included median age of 63 years; 84% male; ECOG PS 0 and 1, 51% and 49%, respectively; adenocarcinoma and squamous cell, 69% and 18%, respectively; stage I, II, and III, 12%, 41%, and 45%, respectively. Phase I revealed no dose-limiting toxicity. Responses: pCR rate, 49%; objective response rate, 61% (24 complete and six partial responses); stable disease, 6%; and progressive disease, 2%. Sixty-nine percent of patients underwent surgery. Survival: median follow-up, 116 weeks; median disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 16.3 and 24.1 months, respectively. Two-year DFS and OS were 45.1% and 52.2%, respectively. Most common (≥ 5%) grade 3 to 4 nonhematologic toxicities were anorexia (20%), dehydration (16%), diarrhea (8%), dysphagia (10%), esophagitis (20%), fatigue (12%), hyperglycemia (6%), nausea (16%), pulmonary symptoms (14%), sepsis (6%), and vomiting (16%). All other grade 3 to 4 hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities were uncommon (< 5%). Conclusion Preoperative ODC plus RT is active and relatively safe in patients with locoregional esophageal cancer. Importantly, this therapy can be administered within 8 weeks. This regimen warrants additional study in this setting and in combination with newer biologic agents.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Lledo ◽  
P. Michel ◽  
L. Dahan ◽  
L. Mineur ◽  
M. Galais ◽  
...  

8 Background: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced cardia and esophageal cancer is based on 5-FU combined with cisplatin, which could be favorably replaced by oxaliplatin (Ox). Cetuximab (C) has demonstrated synergism with both radiotherapy (RT) and platinum-based chemotherapy. ERaFOX trial was evaluating the safety and efficacy of the addition of C to CRT with FOLFOX. Methods: Main inclusion criteria were: stage III squamous cell or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction; WHO PS 0-1; age 18-80 years; weight loss <15% in the last 6 months. Patients (pts) received 2 cycles of FOLFOX induction therapy (Ox 85 mg/m2/d1, folinic acid 400 mg/m2/d1, 5-FU 2,400 mg/m2/d1-2, q2w) plus C (first infusion 400 mg/m2 then 250 mg/m2, q1w), then RT 50.4 Gy (1.8Gy/d x 28 fractions) with FOLFOX plus C (same doses, except 5-FU 1,800mg/m2/d1-2). Tumor evaluation was performed at the end of CRT (RECIST and endoscopic ultrasonography). The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR), with a 50% threshold for efficacy (Simon Minimax two-stage design). Results: From Nov 2007 to Feb 2010, 80 pts were enrolled in 12 centers. The characteristics of the 79 eligible pts were (1 ineligible pt for stage IV disease): male/female 60/19, median age 63 (23-79), PS 0/1/ND 47/31/1, squamous/adenocarcinoma/undifferentiated 53/25/1; esophagus/cardia 74/5; median daily caloric intake 1,720 Kcal (550-3160). 74 pts were treated by CRT (5 pts experienced anaphylaxis during the first cetuximab infusion). ORR (ITT) was achieved in 61 pts (77.2%), 6 pts (7.6%) had stable disease, and 9 pts (11.4%) had disease progression (3 pts were not evaluable). Grade 3-4 toxicities induction therapy/CRT were (%): neutropenia: 7.6/28.4; febrile neutropenia: 0.0/2.7; vomiting: 1.3/4.0; mucositis: 1.3/5.4; diarrhea: 3.8/2.7; dysphagia-esophagitis: 1.3/13.5; rash: 7.6/10.8; allergy 8.9/0.0. One toxic death (1.3%) occurred after CRT related to esophagitis with GI bleeding. Conclusions: Threshold for efficacy was reached with an ORR of 77.2%. Chemoradiotherapy with FOLFOX plus cetuximab is active and has an acceptable toxicity profile in patients with locally advanced cardia or esophageal cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 1215-1217
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Hernandez ◽  
James S. Barthel ◽  
Scott T. Kelley

Iatrogenic esophageal perforation during endoscopy in the setting of malignancy is an uncommon but often devastating complication and presents a formidable challenge to the surgeon. We sought to determine the efficacy of a self-expanding plastic stent for esophageal perforation before neoadjuvant chemoradiation in a single patient. A 74-year-old woman with a T4N0 adenocarcinoma at the gastroesophageal junction was perforated during upper endoscopy. We elected to manage the perforation with a silicone-covered, self-expanding Polyflex® stent. Subsequent studies revealed good positioning of the stent with exclusion of the perforation from the esophageal lumen. The patient subsequently underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy with cisplatin, 5-flourouracil, and external beam radiation (2640 Gy) followed by minimally invasive, hand-assisted transhiatal esophagogastrectomy. We describe the first case of endoscopic stenting for locally advanced, perforated esophageal cancer for the purposes of administering neoadjuvant chemoradiation as a bridge to definitive surgery. This patient was able to resume oral nutrition after stenting and during neoadjuvant therapy, experiencing no major complications from chemoradiation. Chemoradiation does not necessarily preclude the use of endoscopically placed covered plastic esophageal stents as a bridge to resection, even in the face of iatrogenic perforation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Cunningham ◽  
S. Park ◽  
Y. Kang ◽  
Y. Chao ◽  
L. Chen ◽  
...  

6 Background: PEP02 is a novel nanoparticle liposome formulation of irinotecan (CPT-11). In phase I studies, PEP02 has improved pharmacokinetics (PK) of CPT-11 and its active metabolite-SN38 with encouraging safety and tumor response in several cancer types including gastric cancer. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of PEP02 (P), irinotecan (I) or docetaxel (D) as a single agent in gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. Methods: A randomized, 3 arms (1:1:1), Simon's 2-stage (2/21, 5/41 based on tumor response) study was conducted in Europe and Asia. Patients (pts) with locally advanced or metastatic disease, failed to one prior chemotherapy, ECOG PS ≤ 2, at least 1 measurable lesion, no prior CPT-11 or taxane, were treated with P - 120 mg/m2, I - 300 mg/m2, or D - 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. PK and pharmacogenetics (PGx) samples were collected for pts in P and I arms. Results: A total of 135 pts were randomized with 132 (44 per arm) treated between Jan 2008 and Jun 2010. Pts demographics (P/I/D): median age: 56/62/58, male (%): 79.5/77.3/77.3, Pts from Europe (%): 54.6/52.3/56.8, metastatic (%): 97.7/90.9/97.7, gastric adenocarcinoma (%): 84.1/79.6/68.2, and ECOG 0 + 1 (%): 93.2/93.2/90.9. The confirmed responders of P/I/D were 6 (13.6%)/3 (6.8%)/7 (15.9%) and disease control were 27 (61.4%)/27 (61.4%)/24 (54.6%). These three arms have similar progression free survival and overall survival. If stratified by region, Asian pts had longer survival than European pts. Toxicities of P/I/D were: grade 3/4 neutropenia (%): 9.1/13.6/15.9. grade 3/4 diarrhea (%): 27.3/18.2/2.3, hand-foot syndromes (%): 0.0/6.8/18.2. It was notable that symptoms related to acute cholinergic syndrome were less reported in P arm than in I arm. The PK data showed the mean T1/2, Cmax and AUC0→∞ of SN-38 in P/I arms were 88.8/22.8 hr, 8.79/44.1 ng/mL and 879/440 hr x ng/mL. Conclusions: This randomized phase II study suggests that PEP02 improves the PK profile and tumor response over irinotecan, and it is as efficacious as docetaxel in the 2nd-line treatment for gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma. PEP02 is worthy of further evaluation as either 1st- or 2nd-line setting in future gastric cancer studies. [Table: see text]


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