Cryotherapy for Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer

Brief Summary

Background: In published studies, complete response (CR) to chemoradiation occurs in only 25-30% of patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. Liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy (LNSC) is postulated to stimulate an anti-tumor immune response. In a preliminary study, the investigators documented CR rate of 56% with a single session of LNSC administered prior to chemoradiation. Before proceeding with larger trials to corroborate these findings, the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of neoadjuvant LNSC must be determined. The aims of this study are: (1) To determine safety and MTD of LNSC during neoadjuvant chemoradiation in locally advanced esophageal cancer. (2) To assess whether LNSC results in immunogenic cell death. (3) To assess changes in tumor micro-environment with LNSC. Methods: Eligible adult patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer will receive LNSC at the following dose frequencies: Patient 1, 2, and 3: 2 sessions of LNSC prior to chemoradiation (chemoXRT); Patients 4, 5, and 6: 2 sessions LNSC prior to chemoXRT, then 1 session during week 4 of chemoXRT; Patients 7, 8, and 9: 2 sessions LNSC prior to chemoXRT, then 1 session during week 2 and 1 session during week 4 of chemoXRT. If no dose limiting toxicity (DLT) occurs, the investigators will enroll an additional 3 patients to confirm MTD. The investigators will contact patients at 48-hours and 1-week post-procedure to evaluate for adverse events (AEs) and DLTs, and assess for improvements in dysphagia and quality of life (QOL) using the Mellow-Pinkas and EORTC QLQ-OES18 instruments respectively. The investigators will obtain peripheral blood for ELISA and biopsies from the tumor to assess tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and T cell subtypes before the 1st session of LNSC, before the 2nd session of LNSC, and after chemoradiation is completed. Expected results: (1) Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) does not occur when patients received 2 session of LNSC prior to chemoXRT, and 2 sessions during chemoXRT (2) LNSC results in immunogenic cell death, as assessed by increased levels of HMGB1 in serum, and calreticulin in biopsy specimens (CRT) (3) LNSC is associated with increased T cell infiltration and activation (increased TILs, CD8+, CD3+ T cells, and granzyme B), and decrease in regulatory T cells (CD45R0, FOXP3).