Phase 2 trial of preoperative irinotecan plus cisplatin and conformal radiotherapy, followed by surgery for esophageal cancer.

Background: Esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC) is associated with limited survival. Trimodality therapy yields a small survival advantage, with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil regimens most frequently studied. Newer regimens may impact these poor outcomes. This phase 2 trial assessed the feasibility and efficacy of induction chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and irinotecan followed by esophagectomy.

Methods: Patients with LAEC of the thoracic esophagus or gastroesophageal junction underwent chemotherapy with preoperative irinotecan (65 mg/m(2)) plus cisplatin (30 mg/m(2)) on Weeks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 with concurrent conformal radiotherapy (40 grays [Gy]/20 fractions during Weeks 4-7) and external beam boost (10 Gy/5 fractions at Week 8). Esophagectomy was performed between Weeks 12 and 16. Pathologic response was the primary endpoint with follow-up data on progression, survival, and toxicity as secondary endpoints.

Results: Fifty-two patients were enrolled from November 2002 to October 2005. Nineteen patients had American Joint Committee on Cancer stage II, 22 had stage III, and 11 had stage IVA disease. Grade 3 to 4 toxicity (graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria 2.0) during induction included neutropenia (36%), febrile neutropenia (8%), diarrhea (10%), and esophagitis (4%). Three patients withdrew from treatment due to toxicity. There was 1 treatment-related death. Clinical responses included complete response in 2%, partial response in 30%, stable disease in 62%, and progressive disease in 6% of patients. Dysphagia improved/resolved in 72% of patients during induction. Forty-three patients underwent esophagectomy and 7 (16%) achieved pathologic complete responses. Median and 3-year overall survival for patients receiving trimodality therapy was 36 months and 51%, respectively.

Conclusions: In LAEC, concurrent irinotecan/cisplatin and radiotherapy followed by esophagectomy is reported to be associated with dysphagia improvement in 72% of patients, a significant but manageable toxicity profile, and encouraging survival compared with historic controls.