New light therapy aims to ease swallowing for esophageal cancer patients

NCT ID NCT03133650

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-phase trial tests a treatment called vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) for people with advanced esophageal or stomach cancer who have moderate to severe trouble swallowing. The treatment uses a light-sensitive drug (WST-11) and a laser delivered through a thin tube into the esophagus to target the tumor. The main goal is to find the highest safe laser dose in 12 participants.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: WST-11 (a light-activated drug) combined with laser light delivered via endoscope
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new way to relieve trouble swallowing in people with advanced esophageal cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small phase I trial with only 12 participants, so it is not yet proven to work. The main goal is to find a safe light dose, not to measure effectiveness.

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 gastroesophageal cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ESOPHAGOGASTRIC CANCER MODERATE TO SEVERE DYSPHAGIA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Memorial Sloan - Kettering Cancer Center

New York, New York, 10021, United States
Weill Cornell Medical Center (Data Analysis Only)

New York, New York, 10021, United States
Weizmann Institute of Science

Rehovot, Israel

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