Apatinib Combined with Irinotecan in the Treatment of Advanced Small-Cell Esophageal Carcinoma: A Case Report

Abstract

Longhua Guo,1 Xiaofang Zou,1 Yinfang Gu,1 Lilan Yi,1 Jingjing Zhao,2 Guowu Wu1 1Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, Meizhou People’s Hospital (Huangtang Hospital), Meizhou Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-Sen University, Meizhou, 514031, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jingjing ZhaoState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, People’s Republic of ChinaTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: Guowu WuDepartment of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, Meizhou People’s Hospital (Huangtang Hospital), Meizhou Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-Sen University, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, People’s Republic of ChinaTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for advanced small cell esophageal carcinoma (SCEC) characterized by poor prognosis. Preclinical studies demonstrated that apatinib has the potential to enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs and reverse multidrug resistance (MDR). This report described the application of apatinib combined with irinotecan as the third-line treatment for advanced SCEC in a 54-year-old male patient. His symptoms of upper abdominal pain and distension were ameliorated notably after the combination therapy. Computed tomography (CT) examination revealed the treatment efficacy was partial response (PR). The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 12.5 months and 28 months, respectively. The treatment-related toxicity was manageable. Apatinib combined with chemotherapy may serve as a new treatment choice for advanced SCEC patients. However, further studies should be conducted to confirm the therapeutic value of this combination regimen in advanced SCEC.Keywords: small cell esophageal carcinoma, apatinib, irinotecan, progression-free survival, overall survival

Keywords

• small cell esophageal carcinoma
• apatinib
• irinotecan
• progression-free survival
• overall survival