Efficacy and safety of Nimotuzumab combined with chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background: Platinum-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the primary treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). Improving the efficacy of LACC treatment is the focus of clinical research. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of nimotuzumab combined with CCRT compared with CCRT for treating LACC.Methods: Patients with LACC treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from March 2017 to December 2019 were collected and classified into Nimotuzumab plus chemoradiotherapy (N+CCRT) group and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) group. Histological subtype was collected. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), as well as the secondary endpoints were Complete response rate (CRR), objective response rate (ORR), and adverse events (AEs).Results: A total of 120 patients (65 in the N+CCRT group and 55 in the CCRT group) were enrolled with a median follow-up time of 37 months. In N+CCRT group, 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 98.46%, 95.38% and 90.50%, 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative PFS rates were 89.23%, 83.08% and 79.73%, CRR was 86.15% (56/65), the ORR was 92.31% (60/65), respectively. In CCRT group, 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 94.55%, 87.27%, and 78.18%, 1-, 2-, and 3-year PFS rates were 81.82%, 69.09% and 59.69%, CRR was 70.91% (39/55), ORR was 87.27% (48/55), respectively. CRR (86.15% vs. 70.91%, P=0.040) and 3-year PFS rates (79.73% vs. 59.69%, P=0.039) were significantly higher in N+CCRT group. AEs during treatment mainly included bone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal reactions, radiation enteritis, hepatic impairment, and radiation cystitis, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Nimotuzumab combined with CCRT enhanced PFS and CRR for LACC patients and was well tolerated.