Phase II study of preoperative pemetrexed, carboplatin, and radiation followed by surgery for locally advanced esophageal cancer and gastroesophageal junction tumors.

INTRODUCTION: Based on favorable preliminary clinical data and the need to identify effective, well-tolerated neoadjuvant regimens for patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, this clinical trial was undertaken.
METHODS: This phase II study tested 500 mg/m neoadjuvant pemetrexed intravenously and carboplatin with an area under the curve of 6 intravenously on days 1 and 22 in conjunction with concomitant radiation of 5040 centigray, which was given in 28 daily fractions of 180 centigray. The primary endpoint was the rate of pathologic complete response.
RESULTS: This trial closed early because, during an interim analysis, the primary endpoint fell short. However, 26 eligible patients were accrued. Twenty (74%) were men. Performance scores of 0, 1, and 2 were seen in 16 (59%), 9 (33%), and 2 (7%), respectively. Among eligible patients, 6 of 26 (23%; 95% confidence interval 9-44%) demonstrated a pathologic complete response. Twenty-two underwent a complete cancer resection. The median survival was 17.8 months (95% confidence interval: 12.2-30.7 months). In the neoadjuvant setting, 22 patients had at least one grade 3 or worse adverse event, and 8 patients had at least one grade 4 event. Postoperatively (within 30 days of surgery), there were three deaths, one grade 4 event (thrombosis), and three grade 3 events.
CONCLUSIONS: The neoadjuvant regimen tested within this phase II trial demonstrated antineoplastic activity but fell short of yielding a complete pathologic response rate that merits further testing.