Multicenter phase 2-3 trial of addition of atezolizumab to FLOT chemotherapy for resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma

The multicenter phase 2-3 DANTE trial in Germany evaluated addition of atezolizumab to perioperative FLOT chemotherapy (fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel) for resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. Phase 2 results of the trial show that the addition of atezolizumab was safe and resulted in improved histopathologic regression and downstaging. Histopathologic complete regression rate increased from 15% to 24%. Downstaging results showed higher rates of pN0 (68% versus 54%) and pT0 (23% versus 15%) in the atezolizumab-FLOT group versus the FLOT-alone group. The authors conclude that addition of atezolizumab to perioperative FLOT chemotherapy for esophagogastric adenocarcinoma was safe and improved postoperative stage and histopathologic regression. The patients are being followed for recurrence-free and overall survival in the phase 3 part of the trial.