PET Imaging-guided Chemoradiotherapy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Phase 2

• Conditions: Neoplasm, Esophageal; Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Interventions: Drug: Paclitaxel; Drug: Oxaliplatin; Drug: Cisplatin; Drug: 5-FU; Radiation: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy; Drug: Leucovorin; Device: PET

• Registration Number: NCT03791905
• Lead Sponsor: Mian XI

Brief Summary

Since multiple studies have demonstrated that PET can identify responders and non-responders to induction chemotherapy, using FDG-PET imaging to guide treatment decisions has prompted interest in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether changing chemotherapy regimen during radiation based on PET response to induction chemotherapy can improve clinical complete response (cCR) in patients with unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Detailed Description

A total of 216 patients with baseline PET scan were randomized to one of 2 induction chemotherapy arms: paclitaxel/cisplatin (TP) on days 1, 22 or FOLFOX (oxaliplatin, leucovorin, 5-FU) on days 1, 15, 29. Repeat PET was performed on days 36-42 and changes in max standardized uptake value (SUVmax) from baseline were assessed. Using a predefined cut-off value of a 35% decrease in SUVmax, PET responders (≥35% decrease in SUVmax) continued on the same chemotherapy regimen during radiotherapy, whereas PET non-responders (\<35% decrease in SUVmax) crossed over to an alternative chemotherapy regimen concomitantly with radiation. All patients received external-beam radiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The prescribed dose is generally 50-60 Gy in 25-28 fractions, 5 days per week.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2018-12-31
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-12-31
• Study First Posted: 2019-01-03
• Study Start: 2019-01-15
• Status Verified: 2021-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-03-21
• Last Update Posted: 2021-03-23
• Primary Completion: 2021-07
• Study Completion: 2023-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 216

Inclusion Criteria

1. Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus;
2. Absence of hematogenous metastasis disease, confirmed by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and PET-CT scan (according to UICC TNM version 8);
3. Not suitable for surgery (either for medical reasons or patient's choice);
4. Age at diagnosis 18 to 70 years;
5. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 2
6. No prior cancer therapy;
7. No history of concomitant or previous malignancy;
8. Hematologic function: WBC ≥ 4.0×109/L, PLT ≥ 80×109/L, Hb ≥ 10mg/dL;
9. Renal function: Cr ≤ 1.25×UNL;
10. Hepatic function: BIL ≤ 1.5×UNL, ALT/AST ≤ 2.5×UNL;
11. Documented informed consent to participate in the trial.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Younger than 18 or older than 70 years of age;
2. ECOG performance status of 3 or above;
3. Other cancer history;
4. Previous radiotherapy history;
5. Subjects with distant metastases;
6. Pregnancy or breast feeding. Women of childbearing age must use effective contraception;
7. Serious cardiovascular disease (congestive heart failure, uncontrollable arrhythmia, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, serious heart valve disease, resistant hypertension);
8. Evidence of bleeding diathesis or serious infection.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
TP Arm	Intensity-modulated radiotherapy	Patients with baseline PET scan assigned to this Arm will receive two cycles of 3-weekly schedule of induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel/cisplatin (TP), consisting of paclitaxel 150 mg/m2 on day 1 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1. Repeat PET was performed on days 36-42 and changes in SUVmax from baseline were assessed. PET responders (≥35% decrease in SUVmax) continued on the same chemotherapy regimen during radiotherapy, whereas PET non-responders (\<35% decrease in SUVmax) crossed over to FOLFOX regimen concomitantly with radiation. All patients received external-beam radiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The prescribed dose is generally 50-60 Gy in 25-28 fractions.
FOLFOX Arm	Intensity-modulated radiotherapy	Patients with baseline PET scan assigned to this Arm will receive three cycles of 2-weekly schedule of induction chemotherapy with FOLFOX (oxaliplatin, leucovorin, 5-FU), consisting of oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 on day 1, leucovorin 400 mg/m2, and 5-FU 2 g/m2 on day 1. Repeat PET was performed on days 36-42 and changes in SUVmax from baseline were assessed. PET responders (≥35% decrease in SUVmax) continued on the same chemotherapy regimen during radiotherapy, whereas PET non-responders (\<35% decrease in SUVmax) crossed over to TP regimen concomitantly with radiation. All patients received external-beam radiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The prescribed dose is generally 50-60 Gy in 25-28 fractions.
TP Arm	PET	Patients with baseline PET scan assigned to this Arm will receive two cycles of 3-weekly schedule of induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel/cisplatin (TP), consisting of paclitaxel 150 mg/m2 on day 1 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1. Repeat PET was performed on days 36-42 and changes in SUVmax from baseline were assessed. PET responders (≥35% decrease in SUVmax) continued on the same chemotherapy regimen during radiotherapy, whereas PET non-responders (\<35% decrease in SUVmax) crossed over to FOLFOX regimen concomitantly with radiation. All patients received external-beam radiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The prescribed dose is generally 50-60 Gy in 25-28 fractions.
FOLFOX Arm	PET	Patients with baseline PET scan assigned to this Arm will receive three cycles of 2-weekly schedule of induction chemotherapy with FOLFOX (oxaliplatin, leucovorin, 5-FU), consisting of oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 on day 1, leucovorin 400 mg/m2, and 5-FU 2 g/m2 on day 1. Repeat PET was performed on days 36-42 and changes in SUVmax from baseline were assessed. PET responders (≥35% decrease in SUVmax) continued on the same chemotherapy regimen during radiotherapy, whereas PET non-responders (\<35% decrease in SUVmax) crossed over to TP regimen concomitantly with radiation. All patients received external-beam radiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The prescribed dose is generally 50-60 Gy in 25-28 fractions.
TP Arm	Cisplatin	Patients with baseline PET scan assigned to this Arm will receive two cycles of 3-weekly schedule of induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel/cisplatin (TP), consisting of paclitaxel 150 mg/m2 on day 1 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1. Repeat PET was performed on days 36-42 and changes in SUVmax from baseline were assessed. PET responders (≥35% decrease in SUVmax) continued on the same chemotherapy regimen during radiotherapy, whereas PET non-responders (\<35% decrease in SUVmax) crossed over to FOLFOX regimen concomitantly with radiation. All patients received external-beam radiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The prescribed dose is generally 50-60 Gy in 25-28 fractions.
TP Arm	Paclitaxel	Patients with baseline PET scan assigned to this Arm will receive two cycles of 3-weekly schedule of induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel/cisplatin (TP), consisting of paclitaxel 150 mg/m2 on day 1 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1. Repeat PET was performed on days 36-42 and changes in SUVmax from baseline were assessed. PET responders (≥35% decrease in SUVmax) continued on the same chemotherapy regimen during radiotherapy, whereas PET non-responders (\<35% decrease in SUVmax) crossed over to FOLFOX regimen concomitantly with radiation. All patients received external-beam radiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The prescribed dose is generally 50-60 Gy in 25-28 fractions.
FOLFOX Arm	5-FU	Patients with baseline PET scan assigned to this Arm will receive three cycles of 2-weekly schedule of induction chemotherapy with FOLFOX (oxaliplatin, leucovorin, 5-FU), consisting of oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 on day 1, leucovorin 400 mg/m2, and 5-FU 2 g/m2 on day 1. Repeat PET was performed on days 36-42 and changes in SUVmax from baseline were assessed. PET responders (≥35% decrease in SUVmax) continued on the same chemotherapy regimen during radiotherapy, whereas PET non-responders (\<35% decrease in SUVmax) crossed over to TP regimen concomitantly with radiation. All patients received external-beam radiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The prescribed dose is generally 50-60 Gy in 25-28 fractions.
FOLFOX Arm	Oxaliplatin	Patients with baseline PET scan assigned to this Arm will receive three cycles of 2-weekly schedule of induction chemotherapy with FOLFOX (oxaliplatin, leucovorin, 5-FU), consisting of oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 on day 1, leucovorin 400 mg/m2, and 5-FU 2 g/m2 on day 1. Repeat PET was performed on days 36-42 and changes in SUVmax from baseline were assessed. PET responders (≥35% decrease in SUVmax) continued on the same chemotherapy regimen during radiotherapy, whereas PET non-responders (\<35% decrease in SUVmax) crossed over to TP regimen concomitantly with radiation. All patients received external-beam radiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The prescribed dose is generally 50-60 Gy in 25-28 fractions.
FOLFOX Arm	Leucovorin	Patients with baseline PET scan assigned to this Arm will receive three cycles of 2-weekly schedule of induction chemotherapy with FOLFOX (oxaliplatin, leucovorin, 5-FU), consisting of oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 on day 1, leucovorin 400 mg/m2, and 5-FU 2 g/m2 on day 1. Repeat PET was performed on days 36-42 and changes in SUVmax from baseline were assessed. PET responders (≥35% decrease in SUVmax) continued on the same chemotherapy regimen during radiotherapy, whereas PET non-responders (\<35% decrease in SUVmax) crossed over to TP regimen concomitantly with radiation. All patients received external-beam radiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The prescribed dose is generally 50-60 Gy in 25-28 fractions.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
clinical complete response	3 months after the treatment (plus or minus 7 days)	RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) criteria was used to determine the tumor response. Tumor response was evaluated 3 months after the completion of treatment based on CT or PET-CT scans, endoscopy with biopsies.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Chemoradiotherapy-related toxicity	From the date of randomization to the 3 months after treatment	Treatment-related toxicity
Overall survival	3 years after randomization	From the enrollment to the date of death from any cause or date of lost follow-up
Progression-free survival	3 years after randomization	From the date of randomization to the date of disease progression or last follow-up

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; 🇨🇳 Guanzhou, Guangdong, China