Effectiveness and tolerability of nimotuzumab in unresectable, locally advanced/metastatic esophageal cancer: Indian hospital-based retrospective evidence.

Abstract

Context:Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overly expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and is important prognostic and predictive biomarker. Nimotuzumab is a humanized anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody and has documented promising clinical outcomes and survival rates in various solid tumors with high EGFR expression.Aims:Attempt to fill gap on paucity of data in India on the efficacy of Nimotuzumab in the treatment of locally advanced/metastatic ESCC.Settings and Design:Hospital records of 15 patients with unresectable, locally advanced/metastatic esophageal cancers, histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma being treated with Nimotuzumab along with standard treatments from October 2006 to November 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.Subjects and Methods:The tumor response rate and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. All patients were assessed for toxicity and adverse events (AEs) as per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.Results:Majority had lower thoracic esophageal cancer. Tumor response rate observed was as follows 33% had a complete response, 67% had a partial response, and objective response rate was 100%. Survival rate at 1-, 3-, and 5-year was 58.33%, 29.17%, and 29.17%, respectively. Median OS was 26.8 months (95% confidence interval, 2.63–not reached). No Grade III or Grade IV AEs were observed. No added toxicity was observed due to nimotuzumab.Conclusions:Nimotuzumab combined with standard treatment in locally advanced/metastatic ESCC improved the survival rate and achieved a better tumor response rate without accumulation of toxicity and was well tolerated.