Phase 2 trial of induction chemotherapy plus camrelizumab followed by concurrent chemotherapy for unresectable locally advanced ESCC

Survival of unresectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinome (LA ESCC) is poor with standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). A phase 2 trial at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) evaluated two cycles of induction therapy plus camrelizumab followed by CCRT for previously untreated patients with unresectable LA ESCC. This figure shows survival outcomes. One-year overall survival rate in the per-protocol population (n=46) was 87.0% (95% CI 77.7-97.3), exceeding the prespecified target for the primary endpoint. In the ITT-population (n=49), the one-year OS rate was 85.7% (95% CI 76.5-96.1). One-year progression-free survival rates in the per-protocol and ITT-population were 71.7% (95% CI 59.8-86.0) and 71.4% (59.8-85.3), respectively. The median OS. PFS, and duration of response were not reached. The objective response rate and disease control rate after CCRT were 93.5% and 95.7%, respectively. Lymphopenia was the most frequent grade ≥ 3 adverse event (100%). One patient died from treatment-related myelosuppression. Health-related quality of life generally improved after induction therapy. The authors conclude that induction chemoimmunotherapy followed by CCRT had promising efficacy and manageable safety in patients with unresectable LA ESCC.