Clinical trial Recruiting at 167 sites Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Evaluating ifinatamab deruxtecan for advanced esophageal cancer

Official title: A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label Study of Ifinatamab Deruxtecan (I-DXd) in Subjects With Pretreated Advanced or Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) (IDeate-Esophageal01)

Run by Daiichi Sankyo · NCT06644781 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new drug called ifinatamab deruxtecan to see if it helps people with advanced esophageal cancer who haven't responded to other treatments live longer and feel better compared to those getting standard chemotherapy.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment510 (estimated)
SponsorDaiichi Sankyo
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionsorlotamab, enoblituzumab, chemotherapy, prednisone, ifinatamab
Locations168 sites (Phoenix, Arizona and 167 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 27, 2025
Main results expectedJune 1, 2028
Study endsNovember 1, 2029
Registry record updatedOctober 26, 2026
Trial IDNCT06644781 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic ESCC who have progressed after prior treatments.

Probably not a fit

Patients with resectable ESCC or those who have not received prior platinum-based chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study assesses the efficacy and safety of ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) in patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who have previously progressed after platinum-based chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. The primary goal is to compare the overall survival of patients receiving I-DXd versus those receiving investigator's choice of chemotherapy. Secondary objectives include evaluating progression-free survival and objective response rates. Participants must provide adequate tumor samples and have measurable lesions as defined by imaging criteria.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new effective option for patients with advanced esophageal cancer who have limited treatment choices.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with similar targeted therapies in advanced cancer settings, indicating potential for success with this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Participants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for randomization into the study:

1. Participants aged ≥18 years (follow local regulatory requirements if the legal age of consent for study participation is \>18 years old).
2. Has histologically or cytologically documented unresectable locally advanced or metastatic ESCC according to American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition staging system on ESCC.
3. Has disease progression post a platinum-based chemotherapy and an ICI treatment per global or local guidelines, with a maximum of 1 prior line of systemic therapy for unresectable advanced or metastatic ESCC.
4. The participant must provide adequate baseline tumor samples with sufficient quantity and quality of tumor tissue content as defined in the Laboratory Manual.
5. Has at least 1 measurable lesion on computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) according to RECIST v1.1 as assessed by the investigator. Measurable lesions should not be from a previously irradiated site. If the lesion at a previously irradiated site is the only selectable target lesion, a radiological assessment showing significant progression of the irradiated lesion should be provided by the investigator.
6. Has an ECOG PS of 0 or 1 within 7 days prior to Cycle 1 Day 1.

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants who meet any of the following criteria will be disqualified from entering the study:

1. Has received prior treatment with orlotamab, enoblituzumab, or other B7-H3 targeted agents, including I-DXd.
2. Has received any topoisomerase inhibitor.
3. Has histologically or cytologically confirmed adenosquamous carcinoma subtype.
4. Is ineligible to all the chemotherapies in the comparator arm due to prior progression or intolerance.
5. Has tumor invasion into organs located adjacent to the esophageal disease site (eg, aorta or respiratory tract) at an increased risk of bleeding or fistula as assessed by the investigator.
6. Clinically active brain metastases, spinal cord compression, or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, defined as untreated or symptomatic, or requiring therapy with steroids or anticonvulsants to control associated symptoms. Subjects with clinically inactive or treated brain metastases who are asymptomatic (ie, without neurologic signs or symptoms and not requiring treatment with corticosteroids or anticonvulsants) may be included in the study. Subjects must have a stable neurologic status and discontinue corticosteroid usage for at least 2 weeks prior to Screening.
7. Has any of the following within the past 6 months: cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack, other arterial thromboembolic event, or pulmonary embolism.
8. Has a clinically significant corneal disease.
9. Has a history of (non-infectious) interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis that required corticosteroids, current ILD/pneumonitis, or suspected ILD/pneumonitis that cannot be ruled out by imaging at Screening.
10. Has clinically severe pulmonary compromise resulting from intercurrent pulmonary illnesses, including, but not limited to, any underlying pulmonary disorder (ie, pulmonary emboli within 3 months of the study randomization, severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease \[COPD\], restrictive lung disease, pleural effusion, etc), and potential pulmonary involvement caused by any autoimmune, connective tissue, or inflammatory disorders (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, sarcoidosis, etc), prior pneumonectomy, or requirement for supplemental oxygen.
11. Is on chronic steroid treatment (dose of 10 mg daily or more prednisone equivalent), except for low-dose inhaled steroids (for asthma/COPD), topical steroids (for mild skin conditions), or intra-articular steroid injections.

Where it's running

  • Mayo Clinic Hospital
    Phoenix, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • Providence Medical Foundation
    Fullerton, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
    Los Angeles, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Univ of California Irvine College of Medicine
    Orange, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Henry Ford Health System
    Detroit, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Mayo Clinic Rochester
    Rochester, Minnesota, United States
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
  • MidAmerica Cancer Care - American Oncology Partners
    Kansas City, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting
  • Morristown Medical Center
    Morristown, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • Maimonides Cancer Center
    Brooklyn, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Penn State University Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
    Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting
  • Baptist Cancer Center
    Memphis, Tennessee, United States
    Recruiting
  • SCRI Oncology Partners
    Nashville, Tennessee, United States
    Recruiting
  • John Peter Smith Hospital
    Fort Worth, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Virginia Cancer Specialists
    Fairfax, Virginia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Institut Jules Bordet
    Brussels, Belgium
    Recruiting
  • Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
    Brussels, Belgium
    Recruiting
  • Antwerp University Hospital
    Edegem, Belgium
    Recruiting
  • Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent
    Ghent, Belgium
    Recruiting
  • UZ Leuven
    Leuven, Belgium
    Recruiting
  • Chu de Liege
    Liège, Belgium
    Recruiting
  • Anyang Cancer Hospital
    Anyang, China
    Recruiting
  • Beijing Cancer Hospital
    Beijing, China
    Recruiting
  • Jilin Cancer Hospital
    Changchun, China
    Recruiting
  • The First Hospital of Jilin University
    Changchun, China
    Recruiting
  • Changzhou Cancer Hospital
    Changzhou, China
    Recruiting
  • Sichuan cancer hospital
    Chengdu, China
    Recruiting
  • West China Hospital Sichuan University
    Chengdu, China
    Recruiting
  • Fujian Cancer Hospital
    Fuzhou, China
    Recruiting
  • The First Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine
    Hangzhou, China
    Recruiting
  • Zhejiang Cancer Hospital
    Hangzhou, China
    Recruiting
  • Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital
    Harbin, China
    Recruiting
  • Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital
    Hefei, China
    Recruiting
  • The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University
    Hefei, China
    Recruiting
  • The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University
    Hefei, China
    Recruiting
  • Jieyang Peoples Hospital
    Jieyang, China
    Recruiting
  • Jinan Central Hospital
    Jinan, China
    Recruiting
  • Shandong Cancer Hospital
    Jinan, China
    Recruiting
  • Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University
    Jining, China
    Recruiting
  • Linyi Cancer Hospital
    Linyi, China
    Recruiting
  • The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology
    Luoyang, China
    Recruiting
  • Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital
    Nanning, China
    Recruiting
  • Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College
    Shantou, China
    Recruiting
  • Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute
    Shenyang, China
    Recruiting
  • Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital
    Tianjin, China
    Recruiting
  • The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University
    Weihui, China
    Recruiting
  • Hubei Cancer Hospital
    Wuhan, China
    Recruiting
  • Union Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Wuhan, China
    Recruiting
  • Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University
    Xiamen, China
    Recruiting
  • Subei Peoples Hospital
    Yangzhou, China
    Recruiting
  • Henan Cancer Hospital
    Zhengzhou, China
    Recruiting

+118 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.