Testing a new drug combination for advanced stomach and esophageal cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT04150640 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated June 2026 · Translation generated August 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a new combination of four cancer medications — including 5-fluorouracil, , liposomal irinotecan, and an immunotherapy drug — for people with advanced stomach or esophageal cancer. Depending on your cancer's genetic features, you may also receive (a targeted therapy) or (an immunotherapy). The goal is to see if this medication combination helps people live longer and controls their cancer better than current standard treatments.

Current treatments for advanced stomach and esophageal cancer don't work well enough for all patients. Researchers believe that combining multiple types of cancer medications — chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy — may work better by attacking cancer cells in different ways at the same time.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with advanced (locally advanced or metastatic) stomach or esophageal cancer that has been confirmed by biopsy or imaging
your cancer is being treated for the first time with systemic therapy (or you finished chemotherapy or radiation at least 6 months ago before it came back)
you know your tumor's HER2 status and PD-L1 status before starting treatment
you have measurable disease that can be seen on scans or imaging tests
you are in good enough health to receive intensive cancer treatment (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 0–2)
your blood counts, kidney function, and liver function are adequate based on lab tests done within 14 days before enrollment

You likely don't qualify if…

you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or unwilling to use effective contraception during and for 30 days after treatment
you have received any prior systemic chemotherapy for advanced cancer
you have severely abnormal blood counts, kidney function, or liver function that does not meet the study's safety thresholds
you are unable to understand the study procedures or commit to following them for the entire trial duration

What participation looks like

You will receive intravenous infusions of the medication combination on two days each month (day 1 and day 15 of each 28-day cycle). Each infusion day involves receiving multiple medications over several hours. You will have regular blood tests and imaging scans to monitor how well the treatment is working and to check for side effects. Your doctors will adjust your medication doses if you experience serious side effects. The trial will continue until your cancer progresses, you experience unacceptable side effects, or your doctor decides it is no longer benefiting you.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Aug 22, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin