Penpulimab plus chemotherapy with or without anlotinib as first-line treatment for patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ANSWER): A randomized, two-arm, clinical trial in progress.

Abstract

TPS482 Background: For patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy has demonstrated synergistic antitumor activity and manageable safety profile. Anti-angiogenic targeted drugs for ESCC patients are still being explored. Penpulimab is a humanized high-affinity IgG1 anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody engineered to completely eliminate Fcγ receptor binding and Fc-mediated effector functions that can compromise antitumor activity. Anlotinib, an oral small molecule tyrosine kinases inhibitor, targeting VEGFR 1/2/3, FGFR 1-4, PDGFR α/β and c-kit, have been recommended by the guidelines for advanced ESCC in China because of its good efficacy and tolerance. The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of penpulimab plus chemotherapy with or without anlotinib as first-line treatment for patients with advanced ESCC. Methods: This is a multi-center, two-arm, phase II study which enrolled patients with advanced ESCC. Eligible patients are aged 18-75 years, ECOG performance status 0~1. Approximately 100 patients will be randomly assigned 1:1 to induction with penpulimab (200mg, iv, d1, q3w) plus chemotherapy (TP: cisplatin [60-75mg/m2, iv, d1-d3, q3w] plus paclitaxel [135-175mg/m2, iv, d1, q3w] or albumin-bound paclitaxel [200-260mg/m2, iv, d1, q3w]) for 4-6 cycles followed by consolidation with penpulimab (200mg, iv, d1, q3w) (arm 1) or induction with penpulimab (200mg, iv, d1, q3w) plus anlotinib (10mg/d [<60kg] / 12mg/d [≥60kg], p.o., d1~14, q3w) plus chemotherapy (TP: cisplatin [60-75mg/m2, iv, d1-d3, q3w] plus paclitaxel [135-175mg/m2, iv, d1, q3w] or albumin-bound paclitaxel [200-260mg/m2, iv, d1, q3w]) for 4-6 cycles followed by consolidation with penpulimab (200mg, iv, d1, q3w) and anlotinib (10mg/d [<60kg)/12mg/d [≥60kg], p.o., d1~14, q3w) (arm 2). Randomization will be stratified by gender (male or female), age (<65, >65), PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS; <1, ≥1, ≥5, ≥10), metastatic site, history of surgery and disease. Patients in arm 1 were treated with second-line anlotinib combined with penpulimab after progression until further disease progression. Patients in arm 2 will continue treated with first-line anlotinib combined with penpulimab until disease progression. Tumor imaging assessment will be performed q6w for 1-6 cycle and q9w thereafter. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (per RECIST v1.1 assessed by investigator). Secondary endpoints included disease control rate, progression-free survival (per RECIST v1.1 assessed by investigator), overall survival, safety and quality of life score. Enrollment in this trial is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT05214222 .