Light therapy shows promise for tough esophageal cancer cases

NCT ID NCT06437288

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION Disease control Sponsor: Sun Yat-sen University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests a treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT) for people whose superficial esophageal cancer has come back or remained after standard treatments. Patients receive an injection of hematoporphyrin, a drug that makes cancer cells sensitive to light, then a laser is used to activate it. The goal is to see if this can completely eliminate the tumor by day 56. The study enrolls 198 adults aged 18-80.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: hematoporphyrin injection
What this could lead to: If successful, this could offer a non-surgical option to eliminate remaining or returning superficial esophageal cancer after prior treatments.
What could go wrong: This is a single-arm study with no comparison group, so results may be less definitive. The treatment involves a photosensitizer, which can cause skin sensitivity to light and other side effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

esophageal cancer Esophageal Neoplasms

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ESOPHAGEAL CANCER PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Endoscopic Department of Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center

Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, China

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