Apatinib Combined with Paclitaxel and Cisplatin Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: We conducted a trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib, a tyrosine inhibitor against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty six patients were randomized into two cycles of paclitaxel and cisplatin (TP) (n = 61) or combined with apatinib (Apa+TP) (n = 65), followed by surgery. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included pathological complete response (pCR), safety, R0 resection rate, and operative complication rates. Results: Compared with TP chemotherapy alone, adding apatinib to neoadjuvant treatment significantly increased ORR (Apa+TP: 80.0% vs. TP: 54.1%, respectively; p = 0.004). Apa+TP achieved higher pCR rate compared with TP alone (15.4% vs. 4.92%, respectively; p = 0.101). Similar incidences of toxic effects were found between those two groups. No grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs) were observed. Meanwhile, apatinib-related AEs, including hypertension, proteinuria, and hand-and-foot syndrome, were mild. The R0 resection rate was 100% in both groups. No significant differences in operation time, intraoperative bleeding, and postoperative complications were observed, and no serious complications occurred. Conclusions: Adding apatinib to TP neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly increased ORR, suggesting an advantage of anti-angiogenesis in ESCC. Clinical Trials.gov ID: ChiCTR-TRC-1800017662.