Multicenter phase 2 trial of nimotuzumab plus radiotherapy for locally advanced cervicl squamous cell carcinoma in elderly patients

Elderly patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (LA CSCC) have few therapeutic options. A multicenter phase 2 trial in China evaluated nimotuzumab (EGFR-targeted monoclonal antibody; 200 mg once weekly for 6 weeks) plus image-guided IMRT and brachytherapy for LA CSCC in 118 patients aged ≥ 65 years.The median follow-up was 24 months. The objective response rate and complete response rate were 95% and 62%, respectively. The median disease-free survival and median overall survival were 37 months and not reached, respectively. The most common grade 3 adverse events included leukopenia (31% of patients), anemia (23%), neutropenia (23%), lymphopenia (15%), and diarrhea (8%). No drug-related severe adverse events of deaths were recorded. The authors conclude that among elderly LA CSCC patient, nimotuzumab plus image-guided IMRT and brachytherapy was well tolerated and demonstrated promising survival benefits.