Cetuximab Plus Cisplatin, Irinotecan and Thoracic Radiotherapy (TRT) for Locally Advanced (Non-Metastatic), Clinically Unresectable Esophageal Cancer: A Phase II Trial With Molecular Correlates
Cetuximab Plus Cisplatin, Irinotecan and Thoracic Radiotherapy (TRT) for Locally Advanced (Non-Metastatic), Clinically Unresectable Esophageal Cancer: A Phase II Trial With Molecular Correlates
RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Cetuximab may also stop the growth of esophageal cancer by blocking blood flow to the tumor and by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin and irinotecan, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Giving cetuximab together with combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells.
PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving cetuximab together with combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy works in treating patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer that cannot be removed by surgery.
OBJECTIVES:
Primary
Secondary
OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.
Patients receive cetuximab intravenous (IV) over 1-2 hours on days 1, 8, and 15. Patients also receive cisplatin IV and irinotecan IV over 30 minutes on days 1 and 8. Treatment repeats every 21 days for 4 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Beginning on day 1 of course 3, patients undergo thoracic radiotherapy once daily 5 days a week for 5-6 weeks (total of 28 treatments).
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed at 4 weeks and then every 3-6 months for up to 5 years after study entry.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 75-100 patients (75 with adenocarcinoma and 25 with squamous cell carcinoma) will be accrued for this study.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
Histologically confirmed primary squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the thoracic esophagus (≥ 20 cm from the incisors*) or the gastroesophageal junction (confined to ≤ 2 cm into the gastric cardia)
NOTE: *Patients with primary disease < 26 cm from the incisors must undergo bronchoscopy AND have negative cytology within the past 4 weeks
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
Age
Performance status
Life expectancy
Hematopoietic
Hepatic
Renal
Other
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
Biologic therapy
Chemotherapy
Endocrine therapy
Radiotherapy
Surgery
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