Adjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal cancer after surgery

A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Adjuvant Chemotherapy After Total Two-field Lymph Node Dissection of Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Not applicable Interventional Sun Yat-sen University · NCT04174079

This study is testing if giving chemotherapy after surgery helps people with esophageal cancer live longer and stay cancer-free compared to just monitoring them without treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment232 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorSun Yat-sen University Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
Trial IDNCT04174079 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study involves patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who have undergone total two-field lymph node dissection. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel and nedaplatin or to be monitored postoperatively without chemotherapy. The primary outcomes being measured are the 3-year progression-free survival and 5-year overall survival rates between the two groups. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy in improving survival outcomes for these patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 with T≥3 or N≥1 thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who have undergone radical surgical resection and total two-field lymph node dissection.

Not a fit: Patients who have received neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery or those with serious postoperative complications may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve survival rates for patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with adjuvant chemotherapy in similar patient populations, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received radical surgical resection and total two-field lymph node dissection did not receive neoadjuvant therapy before surgery, and didn't suffer serious complications after surgery.
2. T≥3 or N≥1, and more than 15 lymph nodes were dissected.
3. Age ≥18 years and ≤75 years.
4. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score of 0 or 1.
5. Adequate hematological function:

   absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5×109/L, and blood platelet count (PLT) ≥ 1.5×109/L, and hemoglobin ≥ 9g/dL.
6. Adequate hepatic function: total bilirubin ≤1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase ≤2.5 × ULN.
7. Adequate renal function:

   serum creatinine ≤1.5 × ULN and creatinine clearance ≥50 ml/min.
8. Subjects could understand and comply with study and follow-up procedures, and voluntarily signed written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Suffering from previous primary malignancy or co-existing serious illness of other organs, which will affect the judgment of the end point of this study.
2. Serious postoperative complications that will affect progress of chemotherapy.
3. Patients with chemotherapy contraindications.
4. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding or who are planning for pregnancy.
5. Unable to complete the follow-up as planned.
6. Without informed consent due to psychological, family, social and other factors.

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomaadjuvant chemotherapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.