This study aimed to compare the efficacy of nimotuzumab (Nimo) versus cetuximab (C225) plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-ESCC). A total of 95 patients with LA-ESCC were retrospectively reviewed, including 65 in Nimo and 30 in C225. The results showed that the ORR in Nimo (61.0%; CR 22.0%, 13/59; PR 39.0% 23/59) was slightly higher than that in C225 (43.5%; CR 8.7%, 2/23; PR 34.8%, 8/23) but without significant difference (p = 0.81). The DCR was 79.7% vs. 73.9% in C225, favoring Nimo plus CCRT (p = 0.04). The median PFS in Nimo was significantly longer than that in C225 (19.6 months vs. 13.0 months, p = 0.02). The median OS of the whole cohort, the Nimo group and the C225 group were 21.3, 24.5, and 20.9 months, respectively. The rates of OS at 1-, 3-year in Nimo were 77.7% and 33.5%, compared to 73.3% and 20.0% in C225 (HR = 1.17, p = 0.23). Grade 3 or worse hematological toxicity and non-hematological toxicity (radiation esophagitis) in Nimo were similar with that in C225 (21.5% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.91; 26.1% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.56). No grade ≥3 radiation pneumonitis occurred neither Nimo group nor C225 group. Nimo plus CCRT improved DCR and PFS of patients with LA-ESCC and had a tendency of prolonged survival compared to C225 plus CCRT. Our results suggest that the combination of Nimo and CCRT may be a reasonable option in this population.
Keywords: EGFR; Esophageal cancer; cetuximab; chemoradiotherapy; nimotuzumab; survival; targeted therapy.