Effectiveness and tolerability of nimotuzumab in unresectable, locally advanced/metastatic esophageal cancer: Indian hospital-based retrospective evidence

CONTEXT: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overly expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and is important prognostic and predictive biomarker. Nimotuzumab is a humanized anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody and has documented promising clinical outcomes and survival rates in various solid tumors with high EGFR expression. AIMS: Attempt to fill gap on paucity of data in India on the efficacy of Nimotuzumab in the treatment of locally advanced/metastatic ESCC. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Hospital records of 15 patients with unresectable, locally advanced/metastatic esophageal cancers, histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma being treated with Nimotuzumab along with standard treatments from October 2006 to November 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The tumor response rate and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. All patients were assessed for toxicity and adverse events (AEs) as per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4. RESULTS: Majority had lower thoracic esophageal cancer. Tumor response rate observed was as follows 33% had a complete response, 67% had a partial response, and objective response rate was 100%. Survival rate at 1-, 3-, and 5-year was 58.33%, 29.17%, and 29.17%, respectively. Median OS was 26.8 months (95% confidence interval, 2.63–not reached). No Grade III or Grade IV AEs were observed. No added toxicity was observed due to nimotuzumab. CONCLUSIONS: Nimotuzumab combined with standard treatment in locally advanced/metastatic ESCC improved the survival rate and achieved a better tumor response rate without accumulation of toxicity and was well tolerated.