Using AI on CT scans to predict complete response in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy

Is this trial a fit for you?

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

What this trial studies

This multicenter retrospective analysis will collect contrast-enhanced chest CT scans and clinical data from ESCC patients who had surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy between January 2019 and July 2025. High-throughput deep learning features will be extracted from pre- and post-treatment CT images to build a model that predicts pathological complete response (pCR). Model performance will be quantified by AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV, and SHAP analysis will be used to explain which imaging features drive predictions. The goal is to create a reproducible imaging-based tool to help identify responders to neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy and support personalized care decisions.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Pathologically confirmed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
2. Received at least one cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy.
3. Underwent contrast-enhanced chest CT before initiation of neoadjuvant treatment.
4. Underwent contrast-enhanced chest CT after completion of neoadjuvant treatment and prior to surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of other malignancies.
2. Received other anti-tumor therapies before or during neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy.
3. Incomplete clinical data.
4. Poor-quality CT imaging.

Where it's running

• Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
  Wuhan, Hubei, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Yangkai Li, MD, PhD — Tongji Hospital
• Study coordinator: Yangkai Li, MD, PhD
• Email: doclyk@163.com
• Phone: +8613995516396

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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.