Radio-chemotherapy With or Without Panitumumab (Vectibix®) in Irresectable Squamous Cell Carcinoma or Adenocarcinoma of the Oesophagus

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 - 70years
* Histology proven SCC or adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus
* No proven (distant) metastases (ultrasonography, CT or MRI)
* No prior treatment for carcinoma of the oesophagus
* Karnofsky performance status ≥70% (appendix A)
* Irresectable disease as assessed by the multidisciplinary tumour board
* All patients (male and female) must use effective contraception methods according to CPMP/ICH/286/95 if of reproductive potential (e.g. implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, IUDs, sexual abstinence or vasectomised partner), for the whole duration of the study and until six months after they received the last treatment dose
* No contraindications for cytotoxic therapy or panitumumab:
* No known hypersensitivity/allergy to any of the compounds used
* Haematology: Neutrophil count ≥ 1.5∙109 /L Thrombocyte count ≥ 100∙109 /L Haemoglobin ≥ 6.2 mmol/L (100 g/L)
* No known HIV infection or other condition of persistent immunodeficiency
* Renal function:
* Creatinine clearance (MDRD) ≥ 60 mL/min
* Hepatic function:
* Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5∙ULN
* AST, ALT, AP ≤ 2.5∙ULN
* Electrolyte balance:
* (albumin corrected) calcium ≤ 2.87 mmol/L (=11.5 mg/dl) but ≥ lower limit of normal (LLN)
* Magnesium ≥ LLN
* History of interstitial lung disease e.g. pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis or evidence of interstitial lung disease on baseline chest CT scan.
* No known other serious illness or medical condition present at entry in the study including: Unstable cardiac disease despite treatment, congestive heart failure NYHA grade 3 and 4 Clinically significantly abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below the institutional ULN
* Clinically significant cardiovascular disease (including myocardial infarction, unstable angina, symptomatic congestive heart failure, serious uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia) ≤ 1 year before enrolment/randomisation
* Significant neurologic or psychiatric disorders
* Active uncontrolled infection Active disseminated intravasal coagulation
* Symptomatic peripheral neuropathy (CTCAE v3.0 term "neuropathy: sensory") ≥ grade 2 Ototoxicity (CTCAE v3.0 any term in "auditory/ear") ≥ grade 2 except if due to trauma or mechanical impairment due to tumour mass
* Other serious underlying medical condition which could impair the ability of the patient to participate in the study No or insufficient oral nutrient intake
* No prior exposure to EGFR pathway targeting agents
* No known drug abuse
* Absence of any psychological, familial, sociological (e.g. severe alcohol addiction expected to hamper protocol compliance) or geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol and follow-up schedule; those conditions should be discussed with the patient before registration in the trial
* No participation in another interventional clinical trial in the preceding 30 days
* Written informed consent to participate to study must be given according to ICH/GCP, and national/local regulations.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior treatment for this tumour
* Prior treatment with radiation therapy in the area of the oesophagus or other site that will interfere with proposed treatment
* Subject pregnant or breast feeding, or planning to become pregnant within 6 months after the end of treatment.
* Subject (male or female) is not willing to use highly effective methods of contraception (per institutional standard) during treatment and for 6 months (male or female) after the end of treatment.
* History of other prior malignancy in past 5 years, other than basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, or cervical carcinoma in situ.

Exclusion criteria for the PET-scan (secondary endpoint)

For the PET-scan the following exclusion criteria are used:

* Severe claustrophobia
* Diabetes mellitus (type I and II)
* Serum glucose level \>11 mmol/L