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Recruiting NCT07559045

Induction Chemo-Immunotherapy + Radiotherapy vs Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Unresectable Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Phase II Interventional Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC)

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Paclitaxel plus Cisplatin or Carboplatin (Induction Chemotherapy), Weekly Paclitaxel plus Cisplatin or Carboplatin (Concurrent Chemotherapy).
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC). Basic parameters: 18 years — 75 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
China
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Official title

Efficacy and Safety of Induction Chemo-Immunotherapy Followed by Radiotherapy vs Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Unresectable Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Randomized, Two-Arm, Phase II Study

Overview

This is a prospective, randomized, phase II clinical study in patients with unresectable stage III-IVA esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Eligible patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to two treatment groups. The experimental group will receive 3 cycles of induction therapy with PD-1 antibody plus chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy, and then maintenance therapy with PD-1 antibody monotherapy. The control group will receive concurrent chemoradiotherapy, followed by maintenance therapy with PD-1 antibody monotherapy. The primary endpoints are the complete response (CR) rate at 3 months after radiotherapy (assessed by investigators) and the 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate. Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response, objective response rate (ORR), local-regional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), quality of life, and safety profile.

Detailed description

This is a prospective, randomized, two-arm, phase II clinical trial investigating induction chemo-immunotherapy followed by sequential radiotherapy versus concurrent chemo-immunotherapy plus radiotherapy in patients with unresectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Current standard of care for unresectable locally advanced ESCC is definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy. However, outcomes remain suboptimal, with high rates of local recurrence and distant metastasis. The addition of PD-1 inhibitors to concurrent chemoradiotherapy has shown promising activity in recent studies, but optimal sequencing and integration of immunotherapy with radiotherapy are still under investigation.

This trial is designed to evaluate whether an induction strategy with chemo-immunotherapy followed by radiotherapy can improve response rates and long-term survival compared to the standard concurrent approach. Patients will be randomized to receive either:

* Experimental arm: Three cycles of induction chemo-immunotherapy, followed by definitive thoracic radiotherapy, then maintenance immunotherapy for up to one year. * Control arm: Concurrent chemo-immunotherapy plus definitive thoracic radiotherapy, followed by maintenance immunotherapy for up to one year.

The primary objective is to compare the efficacy of the two regimens in terms of complete response and progression-free survival. Safety, tolerability, and quality of life will also be assessed to support the risk-benefit profile of each strategy.

Interventions

  • Drug Paclitaxel plus Cisplatin or Carboplatin (Induction Chemotherapy)
    Paclitaxel 150-175 mg/m² combined with cisplatin 75 mg/m² or carboplatin AUC 5 (maximum 600 mg), administered intravenously every 3 weeks for 3 cycles, concurrent with PD-1 antibody induction therapy for unresectable stage III-IVA esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Drug Weekly Paclitaxel plus Cisplatin or Carboplatin (Concurrent Chemotherapy)
    Paclitaxel 50 mg/m² combined with cisplatin 25 mg/m² or carboplatin AUC 5 (maximum 600 mg), administered intravenously once weekly for 5 cycles, concurrent with thoracic radiotherapy (50.4Gy in 28 fractions) for unresectable stage III-IVA esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Primary outcome measures

  • Complete Response (CR) Rate at 3 Months After Radiotherapy (Investigator-Assessed) [Time frame: 3 months after completion of radiotherapy]
  • 1-Year Progression-Free Survival (PFS) Rate [Time frame: 1 year after randomization]
Secondary outcome measures (9)
  • Overall Survival (OS) [Time frame: Up to 3 years after randomization]
  • Progression-Free Survival (PFS) [Time frame: Up to 3 years after randomization]
  • Duration of Response (DOR) [Time frame: Up to 3 years after randomization]
  • Objective Response Rate (ORR) [Time frame: Up to 3 years after randomization]
  • Local Regional Failure-Free Survival (LRFS) [Time frame: Up to 3 years after randomization]
  • Distant Metastasis-Free Survival (DMFS) [Time frame: Up to 3 years after randomization]
  • Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) [Time frame: From first study treatment to 30 days after last treatment]
  • EORTC QLQ-OES18 Symptom Score Change [Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after radiotherapy]
  • EORTC QLQ-C30 Quality of Life Score Change [Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after radiotherapy.]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Histologically or cytologically confirmed unresectable stage III-IVA esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1
  • Adequate organ function (bone marrow, liver, renal, cardiac) within 2 weeks prior to randomization
  • Measurable or evaluable disease per RECIST 1.1
  • Willing to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Previous radiotherapy to the chest or previous systemic chemotherapy for ESCC
  • History of other malignancies within the last 5 years (except cured basal cell carcinoma or cervical carcinoma in situ)
  • Severe comorbidities (uncontrolled hypertension, NYHA class III-IV heart failure, active infection, etc.)
  • Known hypersensitivity to any study drugs (paclitaxel, cisplatin/carboplatin, PD-1 antibody)
  • Pregnant or lactating women
  • Participation in another clinical trial within 30 days prior to randomization

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple blind
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

China · 1 center
  • The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Xinpu New District, Honghuagan — Zunyi

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07559045 · KYLL-2025-143

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗