Combining anti-PD-1 therapy with targeted radiation for esophageal cancer patients

Phase 2 Study of Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy Combined With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Patients With Oligometastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Phase 2 Interventional Sun Yat-sen University · NCT05626569

This study is testing whether combining a new immune therapy with targeted radiation can help people with advanced esophageal cancer feel better and improve their treatment results.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorSun Yat-sen University Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
Trial IDNCT05626569 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase II clinical trial investigates the effectiveness and safety of combining anti-PD-1 immunotherapy with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for patients suffering from oligometastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Participants will receive anti-PD-1 treatment followed by SBRT targeting metastatic lesions after completing 4 to 6 cycles of standard chemotherapy. The study aims to assess how this combination therapy can improve patient outcomes in managing their cancer.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients with histologically confirmed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, stage IVB disease, and less than five metastatic lesions who have not experienced disease progression after initial chemotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with more than five metastatic lesions or those who have not responded to prior treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance treatment efficacy and improve survival rates for patients with oligometastatic esophageal cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar combinations of immunotherapy and targeted radiation, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 2;
2. Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus;
3. Diagnosed with stage IVB disease (according to UICC TNM version 8) with less than five metastatic lesions within three organs;
4. Received 4 to 6 cycles of standard chemotherapy (fluoropyrimidine or taxane-based platinum doublet chemotherapy) and anti-PD1 treatment, and no progression disease was confirmed;
5. At least one metastatic lesions amenable to the delivery of SBRT;
6. Estimated life expectancy \>4 months;
7. The function of important organs meet the following requirements: a. white blood cell count (WBC) ≥ 4.0×109/L, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5×109/L; b. platelets ≥ 100×109/L; c. hemoglobin ≥ 9g/dL; d. serum albumin ≥ 2.8g/dL; e. total bilirubin ≤ 1.5×ULN, ALT, AST and/or AKP ≤ 2.5×ULN; f. serum creatinine ≤ 1.5×ULN or creatinine clearance rate \>60 mL/min;
8. Ability to understand the study and sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Progression was confirmed after completion of 4 to 6 cycles of standard chemotherapy and anti-PD1 treatment;
2. Patients with intracranial metastasis disease at diagnosis;
3. History of thoracic irradiation;
4. Known or suspected allergy or hypersensitivity to monoclonal antibodies and the chemotherapeutic drugs: Capecitabine, paclitaxel, or platinum;
5. Patients have spinal bone metastases combined with spinal cord compression;
6. A history of malignancies other than esophageal cancer before enrollment, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, or cured early prostate cancer;
7. Patients who cannot tolerate radiotherapy due to severe cardiac, lung, liver, or kidney dysfunction, or hematopoietic disease or cachexia;
8. Inability to provide informed consent due to psychological, familial, social, and other factors;
9. Female patients who are pregnant or during lactation;
10. Active autoimmune diseases, a history of autoimmune diseases (including but not limited to these diseases or syndromes, such as colitis, hepatitis, hyperthyroidism), a history of immunodeficiency (including a positive HIV test result), or other acquired or congenital immunodeficiency diseases, a history of organ transplantation or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation;
11. A history of interstitial lung disease or non-infectious pneumonia; Presence of active hepatitis B (HBV DNA ≥ 2000 IU/mL or 104 copies/mL), hepatitis C (positive for hepatitis C antibody, and HCV-RNA levels higher than the lower limit of the assay).

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 Esophageal Squamous Cell CarcinomaOligometastatic Diseaseesophageal canceroligometastasesPD-1SBRT
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.