Multicenter Randomized Phase 2 Trial Comparing Chemoradiotherapy and Docetaxel Plus 5-Fluorouracil and Cisplatin (DCF) Chemotherapy as Initial Induction Therapy for Subsequent Conversion Surgery in Patients with Clinical T4b Esophageal Cancer: Short-term Results

Objective We conducted a multicenter randomized prospective phase 2 trial of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) versus chemotherapy (CT) as initial induction therapy for conversion surgery (CS) in clinical T4b esophageal cancer. We compared treatment effects and adverse events. Summary background data Although induction followed by CS is potentially curative for T4b esophageal cancer, the optimal initial induction treatment is unclear. Methods Ninety-nine patients with T4b esophageal cancer were randomly allocated to chemoradiotherapy (Group A, n = 49) or CT (Group B, n = 50) as initial induction treatment. CRT consisted of radiation (50.4 Gy) with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. CT consisted of 2 cycles of docetaxel plus cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (DCF). CRT or CT was followed by CS if resectable. If unresectable, the patient received the other treatment as secondary treatment. CS was performed if resectable after secondary treatment. The primary end point was 2-year overall survival. Results In Group A, CS was performed in 34 (69%) and 7 patients (14%) after initial and secondary treatment. In Group B, CS was performed in 25 (50%) and 17 patients (34%) after initial and secondary treatment. The R0 resection rate after initial and secondary treatment was similar (78% vs 76%, P = 1.000). Adverse events including leukopenia, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and diarrhea were significantly more frequent in Group B. Group A had better histological complete response of the primary tumor (40% vs 17%, P = 0.028) and histological nodal status (P = 0.038). Conclusions Upfront CRT was superior to upfront CT in terms of pathological effects and adverse events. The Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (s051180164).