Nimotuzumab with Concurrent Chemoradiation in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Single-Centre Experience

Purpose Outcomes with chemoradiation (CTRT) in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) have plateaued. Combining an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to CTRT could confer added advantage. Hence, we evaluated safety and efficacy of an anti-EGFR humanized monoclonal antibody-nimotuzumab, when given concurrent with CTRT in the treatment of LACC. Methods We retrospectively collected and analysed patients with LACC treated with nimotuzumab with concurrent CTRT from 2013 to 2016 at a single centre in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Results A total of 13 patients were evaluated. With a median follow-up of 47 months (range 35-77), 100% patients were alive till last follow-up date. All (100%) patients achieved complete response. The 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year follow-up data were available for 100%, 92.3%, 46.1% and 30.7% patients, respectively. The disease-free survival and overall survival rate at 2 years were 100% and 100%, at 3 years 100% and 100%, at 4 years 83.3% and 100% and at 5 years 75% and 100%, respectively. Most commonly observed adverse events were grade 1 loose motion (61.53%) and vomiting (53.84%). Grade 2 vomiting was observed in 7.67% patients. No grade 3 and 4 adverse events were observed. Conclusion Nimotuzumab when given with concurrent CTRT in the treatment of LACC-improved disease-free survival, overall survival and tumour response without additional toxicity. Further studies are required in large number of patients to validate these findings.