A phase II study of weekly nab-paclitaxel in combination with cisplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients (pts) with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Abstract

122 Background: This phase II study was aimed to define the pathological response rate and safety of combining weekly nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in pts with locally advanced esophageal SCC. Methods: Pts with resectable locally advanced thoracic esophageal SCC staged by EUS, CT and/or PET-CTscan. All pts received nab-paclitaxel (100 mg/m2, d1, d8, d22 and d29) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2, d1 and d22) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by esophagectomy.Postoperation: 2 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with same regimen was given in 4-6 weeks after the resection.The primary endpoint was pathological response rate. The second endpoints included R0 resection rate,down-staging rate, 3 years overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: From 01/2011 to 10/2012, 35 pts were enrolled. 31 male:4 females; IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB/IIIC in 3 (8.6%), 5 (14.3%),10 (28.6%), 8 (22.9%) and 9 (25.7%) pts. 30/35 pts went to surgery (85.7%). 30 had R0 resection (100%). Pathological complete response (pCR) was achieved in 4 pts (13.3%). Near pCR (microfoci of tumor cells on the primary tumor without lymph nodal metastases) in 2 pt (6.7%). Down-staging was observed in 19 of 30 patiens (63.3%). 5 pts did not going to surgery: 2 for progressive disease, 3 for refused. 24/30 pts (80.0%) received adjuvant chemotherapy, 7 pts (23.3%) received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Grade 3/4 toxicities in 35 evaluable pts during chemotherapy were as follow: neutropenia (11.4%), anemia (8.6%), thrombocytopenia (5.7%), nausea/vomiting (14.3%), neutropenia fever (8.6%), asthenia (20.0%). Surgical complications: 1 anastomotic leaks (3.3%). No treatment-related death. At a median follow up of 12 months (8~20mos), 29 pts were all disease-free survival. Conclusions: In pts with locally advanced esophageal SCC, weekly nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy achieved a high pathological response rate and R0 resection rate. The toxicity was well tolerated. Evaluation of nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin in randomized trials was warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT01258192.