Abstract 1431P
Background
Apatinib is a small molecule inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. In vitro experiments have shown that it can inhibit proliferation, promote apoptosis, and induce cell cycle redistribution of oesophageal cancer cells, and also had potential radiation sensitization effects. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with non-operative oesophageal cancer.
Methods
Patients with oesophageal cancer who were not operated on in our centre from May 2016 to April 2019 were analysed retrospectively. They were divided into two groups: apatinib combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (experimental group, EG) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (control group, CG). Patients were followed until April 30, 2020 or until death. The differences in tumour response, progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AEs) between these two groups were observed and compared.
Results
65 patients were enrolled, 31 in EG, 34 in CG. There was no significant difference in sex, age, KPS score, tumour location and type, TNM stage, radiotherapy and chemotherapy dose between the two groups (P>0.05). The complete and partial response rates of the EG were 22.6% and 61.3%, respectively, while those of the CG were 2.9% and 70.6%, respectively (Χ2=6.099, P=0.045). The mOS, 1y- and 3y-OS rates of the EG and the CG were 20 months, 71%, 24.1% and 16 months, 61.8%, 12.4%, respectively (Χ2=0.788, P=0.375). The mPFS and 1y-PFS of the EG and the CG were 12 months, 47% and 7 months, 30.3% (Χ2=4.225, P=0.040). The main AEs in the EG were hypertension (48.4%), grade 2-3 radioactive pneumonia (42.0%), grade 2-3 radiation esophagitis (96.8%), grade 2-3 myelosuppression (74.2%), albuminuria (9.6%), fatigue (16.1%). The incidence of grade 2-3 radiation pneumonia in the EG was significantly lower than that in the CG (42.0% vs. 73.6%, Χ2=7.955, P=0.006).
Conclusions
Apatinib combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy could significantly improve the short-term efficacy and PFS of patients with non-operative oesophageal cancer in a safe and effective way.
Clinical trial identification
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.