Could a heart drug boost cancer treatment? new trial tests propranolol with chemo and immunotherapy
NCT ID NCT05651594
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial is testing whether adding propranolol, a common beta-blocker used for heart conditions, to standard chemotherapy and pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) can improve treatment response in people with advanced esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer that cannot be surgically removed. The idea is that stress hormones may weaken the immune system, and propranolol might counteract that. The study plans to enroll 40 participants and will measure how many patients' tumors shrink or disappear.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- propranolol, pembrolizumab, and mFOLFOX chemotherapy (leucovorin, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a more effective treatment for advanced esophageal cancer by combining stress-reducing medication with immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 40 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Adding propranolol could also cause side effects like low blood pressure or fatigue.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CLINICAL STAGE II ESOPHAGEAL ADENOCARCINOMA AJCC V8 are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
RECRUITINGBuffalo, New York, 14263, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Triple chemo cocktail aims to clear deadly bowel blockages in advanced stomach cancer
- Experimental drug combo targets Hard-to-Treat GI cancers
- Home monitoring may keep cancer patients out of the ER
- Supercharged immune cells take on stubborn esophageal cancer
- New drug cocktail shows promise for tough stomach cancers
- New drug cocktail aims to fight Hard-to-Treat stomach cancers