Radiation and immunotherapy combo shows promise against esophageal cancer

NCT ID NCT07682376

First seen Jul 02, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026

Summary

This phase 2 trial explores whether adding low-dose radiotherapy and an immunotherapy drug (retlirafusp alfa) to standard chemotherapy before surgery can improve outcomes for people with a type of esophageal cancer that has spread locally but can still be removed. The study enrolls about 96 adults aged 18-75 with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Participants receive either the full combination or the immunotherapy plus chemotherapy alone, followed by surgery. The main goal is to see how many patients have no cancer cells left in the removed tissue.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

low-dose radiotherapy, retlirafusp alfa, nab-paclitaxel, cisplatin/carboplatin

What this could lead to

If successful, this combination could become a new standard pre-surgery treatment, potentially increasing the chance of complete tumor removal and long-term survival.

What could go wrong

This is an early phase 2 study with a small number of participants. The added treatments may increase side effects, and the results may not apply to all patients.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China

    Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China