Phase I/II trial of perioperative avelumab in combination with chemoradiation in the treatment of stage II/III resectable esophageal cancer.

Abstract

TPS181 Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) followed by resection is the standard treatment for patients with stage II and III esophageal cancer. However, about 50% of patients develop recurrent disease after treatment completion. Patients with residual disease at the time of resection (~ 75%) and especially those with persistent lymph node involvement have the worst prognosis. Hence, novel strategies are needed to improve outcomes. A number of preclinical and clinical studies demonstrated synergism between radiation and immunotherapy. In esophageal cancers, CRT has been shown to alter tumor microenvironment with upregulation of PD-L1 expression and increase in CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated promising activity in metastatic gastroesophageal cancer. Utilizing these agents in earlier disease stages and combining with chemoradiation may increase their efficacy by taking advantage of potential synergism with radiation. This trial will evaluate safety and efficacy of avelumab in combination with CRT in resectable esophageal cancer. Methods: This is a two-part phase I/II clinical trial evaluating safety and efficacy of perioperative avelumab plus CRT in patients with resectable esophageal cancer. This trial will enroll a total of 24 subjects with untreated resectable esophageal cancer (including gastroesophageal junction). Part 1 will be a run-in phase that enrolls 6 patients for safety evaluation. Part 2 will enroll 18 additional patients for efficacy and additional safety evaluation. The primary endpoint for the phase II component is the pathological complete response rate. Subjects will receive neoadjuvant radiation (41.4 Gy in 23 fractions) with weekly carboplatin (AUC 2) and paclitaxel (50 mg/mg2). Three doses of avelumab (10 mg/kg, every 14 days) will be administered starting on day 29 of treatment, to coincide with the last chemotherapy dose. Esophagectomy will be performed ~ 8 weeks after CRT completion. Subjects will receive 8 doses of avelumab after resection. This study is actively enrolling patients at University of Wisconsin. Clinical trial information: NCT03490292.