Phase-II study of toripalimab combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

e16029 Background: Compared with neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone，Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy can significantly increase pCR rate in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and improve patient overall survival. However, the addition of radiotherapy increases the risk of adverse reactions and surgery. Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy is currently used in < 5% of Chinese patients.The purpose of this phase II study is to assess the efficacy and safety of toripalimab combined with paclitaxel and cisplatin as neoadjuvant treatment for resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR1900025318). Methods: Patients 18–75 years old with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma confirmed by endoscopic biopsy, assessed to be locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (cT1–cT2, N+; cT3–cT4 a, any N), and expected to be resectable were given toripalimab (240 mg d1 + PTX 175 mg/m2 + PDD 75 mg/m2 q3w) before surgery for two treatment cycles, followed by efficacy assessment. A consultation meeting with thoracic surgeons was held to assess radical surgery for patients with resectable lesions 4–6 weeks after neoadjuvant therapy was completed. pCR and postoperative-stage statistical analysis were conducted based on postoperative pathology test results. These results were used to determine the efficacy and safety of PD-1 monoclonal antibody combined with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer. Results: By December 2020, 23 subjects were enrolled. Of the subjects, five withdrew without undergoing surgery (three subjects refused surgery and switched to radical radiochemotherapy, one subject progressed to PD after two cycles of neoadjuvant therapy and switched to palliative treatment, and one subject could not undergo surgery after neoadjuvant treatment and gave up the treatment) and 18 evaluable patients underwent surgery. The R0 resection rate was 100%, and T0–Tis 33.3% (6/18) achieved pCR. Among these patients, 61.1% (11/18) achieved T0–T1 after surgery, and 72.2% (13/18) achieved N0. Moreover, stage reduction effects were significant compared with preoperative TN staging. Common side-effects include nausea, vomiting, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, rash, asthenia, constipation, and muscle soreness. Most adverse events were grades 1–2, and grades 3/4 adverse events include one case of grade 3 neutropenia and one case of grade 3 diarrhea (suspected immune-related colitis), which improved after symptomatic treatment. Conclusions: Toripalimab combined with the TP scheme showed preliminary efficacy and controllable safety in the treatment of resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and is worthy of further exploration. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR1900025318.