Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Ages 18 to 80

Oncolytic virus plus chemotherapy and PD-1 inhibitor for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Official title: Oncolytic Virus Combined With Chemotherapy and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients With Initially Unresectable Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma:An Open-label, Single-arm Phase II Study

Run by Sichuan University · NCT07061704 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial will try adding an oncolytic virus to chemotherapy and a PD‑1 blocker to see if it helps people with initially unresectable, locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma become operable and reduce cancer-related events.

More Esophageal Cancer trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
Enrollment40 (estimated)
SponsorSichuan University
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy
Locations1 site (Chengdu, Sichuan)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 1, 2025
Main results expectedAugust 1, 2027
Study endsSeptember 1, 2027
Registry record updatedDecember 8, 2025
Trial IDNCT07061704 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults aged 18–80 with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who are treatment‑naïve for first‑line systemic therapy, have good organ function and performance status, and can provide fresh tumor tissue are ideal candidates.

Probably not a fit

Patients with poor nutritional status, high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or esophageal perforation/fistula, prior antitumor chemo/radiotherapy/immunotherapy, uncontrolled severe medical conditions, or interstitial lung disease are unlikely to benefit or may be excluded.

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

What this trial studies

This is a phase 1/2, interventional trial giving intratumoral oncolytic virus together with standard chemotherapy and a PD‑1 immune checkpoint inhibitor in patients with initially unresectable, locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Treatment is delivered in 21‑day cycles for two to four cycles, with intratumoral injections to primary and/or accessible nodal lesions and routine clinical follow-up thereafter. Primary endpoints are safety, surgical conversion rate, and event‑free survival, with secondary endpoints including overall survival, objective response rate, and quality of life; exploratory biomarker work includes single‑cell sequencing of tumor tissue. All participants must undergo diagnostic endoscopy and baseline tissue sampling at West China Hospital, and study‑related costs are covered by the research budget.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could convert some patients from unresectable to resectable disease and improve event‑free and overall survival.

How similar studies have gone: Early‑phase studies of oncolytic viruses combined with checkpoint inhibitors have shown promise in other tumor types and limited data in esophageal cancer are encouraging but the approach remains experimental.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* A. Age 18-80 years B. Diagnosed with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with/without cervical lymph node metastases.

C. Ability to provide fresh tumor tissue samples (baseline) D. Normal major organ function E. Performance status (PS) score ≤ 1 F. Patients of childbearing potential must use contraception G. Voluntary participation with signed informed consent H. Able to comply with the study protocol, follow-up schedule, and other protocol requirements.

Exclusion Criteria:

* A. Received prior antitumor chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy before the first-line treatment.

B. High risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, esophageal fistula, or esophageal perforation C. Poor nutritional status D. Immune-related adverse events during prior radical treatment, such as Grade ≥3 pneumonitis, myocarditis, etc.

E. Signs and symptoms of interstitial diseases F. Presence of any severe and/or uncontrolled medical conditions G. Presence of concurrent malignancies H. Presence of other autoimmune diseases, or prolonged use of immunosuppressants or steroids I. Difficulty in patient communication or inability to comply with long-term follow-up J. Other conditions deemed unsuitable by the investigator

Where it's running

  • West China Hospital of Sichuan University
    Chengdu, Sichuan, China
    Recruiting

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.