Preoperative nutrition for esophageal cancer patients undergoing treatment

Effects of Preoperative Enteral Immunonutrition for Esophageal Cancer Patients Given Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

Phase 3 Interventional Ruijin Hospital · NCT04513418

This study is testing if a special immune-boosting diet before surgery can help people with esophageal cancer recover better and have fewer problems after their treatment.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment244 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorRuijin Hospital Academic / other
Locations6 sites (Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality and 5 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04513418 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effects of preoperative enteral immunonutrition in patients with esophageal cancer who are receiving neoadjuvant therapy. The study aims to determine if an immune-modulating diet before surgery can reduce complications and improve perioperative outcomes. It involves a sample size of 206 participants, with a 2:1 ratio of intervention to control groups, to assess the impact of nutritional support on postoperative recovery. The trial is designed to address the controversy surrounding preoperative nutritional support in this patient population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients with histologically confirmed esophageal cancer who are scheduled for neoadjuvant therapy and have a BMI of at least 18.5.

Not a fit: Patients with complete dysphagia or serious co-morbidities that prevent them from tolerating neoadjuvant therapy or surgery may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce postoperative complications and improve recovery for esophageal cancer patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with nutritional interventions in postoperative recovery, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed esophageal cancer
* Staging as cT2N0M0 with high-risk lesions (lymphovascular invasion, ≥3cm, poorly differentiated) / cT1b-2N+M0 / cT3-4aN0-3M0 with the need of neoadjuvant therapy before radical esophagectomy
* Tolerance with oral intake (at least fluid diet)
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤2
* Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 18.5 kg/m2 before recruitment
* Patient's approval and written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Expected survival time less than 6 months
* Complete dysphagia
* Pregnant or breast-feeding women
* Unable to obey the interventions because of any reasons
* Serious co-morbidities (cardiac, pulmonary, liver, kidney, brain, hematologic, endocrine and other diseases) in patients who cannot tolerate neoadjuvant therapy and/or surgery
* History of previous thoracic or abdominal surgery
* History of other malignant tumor (previous or current)
* Patients with primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Where this trial is running

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality and 5 other locations

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 NeoplasmsNeoadjuvant TherapyEnteral NutritionNutrition Therapy
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.