A Phase 2 Study of Pembrolizumab Immunotherapy With Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy in People With Esophagogastric Cancer

Full Title

A Single-Arm, Multicenter Phase 2 Study of Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab with Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy in Resectable HER2+ Esophagogastric Tumors

Purpose

Researchers are assessing the use of multiple medications given before surgery to treat esophagogastric cancers. The people in this study have esophagus, stomach, or gastro-esophageal junction cancers that can be taken out (operable). In addition, their cancers make a protein called HER2.

The treatment in this study includes trastuzumab and pembrolizumab immunotherapy plus standard chemotherapy (oxaliplatin plus capecitabine or fluorouracil). The drugs will be given before cancer surgery. Researchers think that adding trastuzumab and pembrolizumab to standard chemotherapy may be more effective than standard chemotherapy alone.

Trastuzumab slows or halts cancer growth by blocking the HER2 proteins that can make a tumor grow. Pembrolizumab boosts the power of the immune system to find and kill cancer cells. Capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and fluorouracil damage the DNA in cancer cells, which can cause them to stop growing and die.

Who Can Join

To join this study, there are a few conditions. You must:

Have operable HER2-positive esophagus, stomach, or gastro-esophageal junction cancer that has not yet been treated.
Be well enough to walk and take care of yourself. You must be able to do activities such as office work or light housework.
Be age 18 or older.