Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase2; Phase3 Interventional Ages 18 to 75

Combining immunotherapy with chemoradiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer

Official title: Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Combined With Chemoradiotherapy Versus Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Resectable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cII-III Stage): A Multi-center Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

Run by Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital · NCT04973306 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if adding a new immunotherapy drug to standard treatment can help people with advanced esophageal cancer do better before surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase2; Phase3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
Enrollment176 (estimated)
SponsorShanghai Zhongshan Hospital
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy, Tislelizumab
Locations1 site (Shanghai)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 2, 2022
Main results expectedJuly 2024
Study endsJuly 2027
Registry record updatedJune 30, 2022
Trial IDNCT04973306 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 with histologically confirmed stage II-III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Probably not a fit

Patients with other types of esophageal cancer or those with significant comorbidities 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 clinical trial evaluates the safety and effectiveness of combining the anti-PD-1 antibody Tislelizumab with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. A total of 476 patients will be randomly assigned to receive either the combination treatment or standard neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The study aims to compare the outcomes, safety, and prognosis between these two treatment regimens. It is a prospective randomized phase II and III trial conducted across multiple hospitals in China.

Why it matters

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

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with immunotherapy in combination with chemoradiotherapy for various cancers, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histologically-confirmed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and whose tissue samples were taken before treatment;
2. Tumors of the esophagus are located in the thoracic cavity;
3. Pre-treatment stage as clinical II-III (AJCC/UICC 8th Edition)
4. Age is between 18 years and 75 years;
5. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1, and expected survival time ≥12 months;
6. Adequate cardiac function. All patients should perform ECG, and those with a cardiac history or ECG abnormality should perform echocardiography with the left ventricular ejection fraction \> 50 %;
7. Adequate respiratory function with FEV1≥1.2L, FEV1%≥50% and DLCO≥50% shown in pulmonary function tests ;
8. Adequate bone marrow function (White Blood Cells \>4x10\^9 /L; Neutrophil \>2.0×10\^9 /L; Hemoglobin \> 90 g/L; platelets\>100x10\^9 /L);
9. Adequate liver function (Total bilirubin \<1.5x Upper Level of Normal (ULN); Aspartate transaminase(AST) and Alanine transaminase (ALT) \<1.5x ULN);
10. Adequate renal function (Glomerular filtration rate (CCr) \>60 ml/min; serum creatinine (SCr) ≤120 µmol/L);
11. The patient has provided written informed consent and is able to understand and comply with the study;

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion Criteria associated with Cancer:

1. Patients with histological non-squamous cell carcinoma;
2. Patients with advanced non-operable or metastatic esophageal cancer;
3. Pre-treatment stage as cM+, cN3 or cT4b(non-curatively-resectable verified by the local surgical investigator, AJCC/UICC 8th Edition) or cTis-1a, cT1bN0;
4. Patients with another previous or current malignant disease which is likely to interfere with treatment or the assessment of response in the judgement of the local surgical investigator;
5. Patients who have received or are receiving other chemotherapy, radiotherapy or targeted therapy;

   Other Exclusion Criteria:
6. Patients with autoimmune diseases history;
7. Recently or currently taking Glucocorticoids or Immunosuppressants;
8. Patients who underwent immunotherapy in the past;
9. Allergy to any antibody drugs or allergy to Paclitaxel and Carboplatin.
10. Past or currently suffering from chronic or recurrent autoimmune diseases;
11. Patients with active infection of immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV); HIV seropositivity; HBV DNA or HCV RNA positive;
12. Patients with organ transplantation (including autologous bone marrow transplantation and peripheral stem cell transplantation);
13. Patients with severe systematic intercurrent disease, such as active infection or poorly controlled diabetes; coagulation disorders; hemorrhagic tendency or under treatment of thrombolysis or anticoagulant therapy;
14. Any patient with a significant medical condition which is thought unlikely to tolerate the therapies. Such as cardiac disease (e.g. symptomatic coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction within last 12 months), clinically-significant lung disease, clinically-significant bone marrow, liver, renal function disorder;
15. Pregnant or lactating women and fertile women who will not be using contraception during the trial;
16. Participation in another intervention clinical trial with interference to the chemotherapeutic or chemoradiotherapeutic intervention during this study or during the last 30 days prior to informed consent;
17. Expected lack of compliance with the protocol.

Where it's running

  • Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital
    Shanghai, China
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Lijie Tan, MD — Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital

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.