Multicenter randomized phase 2 trial of addition of atezolizumab to trastuzumab-XELOX for HER2-positive locally advanced resectable gastric cancer

Effective treatment of locally advanced gastric cancer (GC) or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer remains a challenge. A randomized phase 2 trial at 8 centers in China evaluated addition of atezolizumab to perioperative trastuzumab and XELOX for resectable locally advanced HER2-positive CC or adenocarcinoma of the GEJ. In this trial including 42 patients, the pathological complete response rate was significantly higher among those who received atezolizumab plus trastuzumab plus XELOX compared with those who received trastuzumab plus XELOX (38.1% versus 14.3%, respectively; between-group difference: 23.8%). No new safety signals were observed. The authors conclude that the addition of atezolizumab to trastuzumab plus XELOX therapy demonstrated promising efficacy in this patient population (visual abstract).