Palbociclib Combined With Afatinib for Advanced Squamous Carcinoma of Esophagus or Gastroesophageal Junction

CDK4/6 Inhibitor Palbociclib Combined With Afatinib as Second-line Treatment for Advanced Squamous Carcinoma of the Esophagus or Gastroesophageal Junction Progressed on at Least First-line Chemotherapy: a Phase 2 Trial

This is a prospective, multicenter, exploratory study. Patients with advanced esophageal or gastro-esophageal junction squamous carcinoma who had progressed on first-line chemotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors were treated with CDK4/6 inhibitor Palbociclib combined with Afatinib. Dose titration was used to determine the final dose, and objective antitumor efficacy was evaluated every 2 cycles (8 weeks +/- 7 days) according to RECIST 1.1 criteria, until tumor progression, intolerable toxicity, death, or withdrawal of informed consent. The primary endpoint is the objective response rate (ORR).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pathologically confirmed metastatic or inoperable locally advanced squamous carcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction that is not amenable to radical radiotherapy.
• Prior progression to at least first-line chemotherapy which must include immune checkpoint inhibitors (except in patients with contraindications to immune checkpoint inhibitors). Adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy is allowed and is considered first-line therapy for advanced disease if recurrence occurs during or within 6 months of completion of adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy.
• At least one measurable tumor lesion according to RECIST V1.1 criteria. A lesion previously treated with radiotherapy is not acceptable as a target lesion unless the lesion is significantly progressive.
• Sign the informed consent form
• 18~75 years
• Performance status: ECOG 0-1
• Good organ function:

Blood routine: hemoglobin ≥90g/L, neutrophil ≥1.5×10^9/L, platelet ≥100×10^9/L; Renal function: creatinine≤1.5×upper limit of normal (UNL) or creatinine clearance ≥50ml/min; Liver function: total bilirubin (TBIL)≤1.5×upper limit of normal (UNL); ALT≤2.5×UNL, AST≤2.5×UNL; Ejection fraction at least 50% (or lower limit of normal) by echocardiogram

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other pathological category, such as adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma
• Have received CDK4/6 inhibitors or anti-EGFR targeted drugs in the past
• Known to have allergic reactions to any ingredients or excipients of experimental drugs
• Unable to swallow or under other circumstance which would drug absorption
• Other active malignant tumors, excluding those who have been disease free for more than 5 years or in situ cancer considered to have been cured by adequate treatment
• Diabetes was not controlled, defined as HbA1c > 7.5% after anti-diabetic drugs or hypertension was not controlled, defined as systolic / diastolic blood pressure > 140 / 90 mmHg after antihypertensive drug
• Myocardial infarction, severe/unstable angina, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV congestive heart failure in the past 12 months
• Known to be infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) related diseases, have active hepatitis B or hepatitis C
• Pregnant or nursing
• May increase the risk associated with participation in the study or administration of the study drug or mental illness that may interfere with the interpretation of research results
• There are other serious diseases that the researchers believe patients cannot be included in the study