Neoadjuvant camrelizumab plus chemotherapy in treating locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Camrelizumab (a PD-1 inhibitor) has been used as a potential therapy in unresectable advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) along with adjuvant treatment in locally advanced ESCC, exhibiting an acceptable efficacy and safety profile. This pilot study was designed to further investigate the clinical value and tolerance of neoadjuvant camrelizumab plus chemotherapy in locally advanced ESCC. METHODS: A total of 16 patients with locally advanced ESCC were recruited. Patients received 2 cycles of neoadjuvant therapy including 2 doses of camrelizumab concurrent with 2 cycles of paclitaxel plus carboplatin followed by surgery 4 weeks afterward. Then, the treatment response after neoadjuvant therapy, R0 resection rate, tumor regression grade (TRG), and pathological complete remission (pCR) rate were measured. Besides, adverse events were documented. At last, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed. RESULTS: Generally, objective remission rate (ORR) was 81.3% whereas disease control rate (DCR) was 100% after neoadjuvant therapy. Concerning TRG grade, 31.3, 37.5, 18.8, and 12.5% patients reached TRG0, TRG1, TRG2, and TRG3, respectively. Then, pCR rate and R0 resection rate were 31.3 and 93.8%, respectively. Besides, mean PFS and OS were 18.3 months (95%CI: (16.2–20.5) months) and 19.2 months (95%CI: (17.7–20.7) months), respectively, with a 1-year PFS of 83% and OS of 90.9%. Adverse events included white blood cell decrease (37.5%), neutrophil decrease (31.3%), reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation (37.5%), and nausea or vomiting (25.0%), which were relatively mild and manageable. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant camrelizumab plus chemotherapy exhibits good efficacy and acceptable tolerance in patients with locally advanced ESCC.