Recruiting

Testing two cancer drugs together for advanced esophageal cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT06753747 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated December 2025 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 1/2 — A combined trial that checks safety and dosing while also starting to look at whether the treatment works.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether two drugs called Afatinib and work better together to treat esophageal cancer that has returned or spread to other parts of the body after previous treatments. The study is divided into two stages: first, researchers will find the safest dose of Afatinib to combine with , and second, they'll test whether this medication combination actually shrinks tumors in patients.

Current treatments for advanced esophageal cancer don't work well enough for all patients, especially after prior therapy fails. This trial explores whether combining these two drugs—which work on different parts of cancer cells—might offer a better option for people whose cancer has progressed despite earlier treatment.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 18 and 75 years old
you have been diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma that is advanced, cannot be surgically removed, and has either come back locally or spread to distant sites
your cancer shows specific genetic changes (EGFR overexpression or amplification) confirmed by testing
your cancer has grown or returned after at least one previous round of chemotherapy or targeted therapy
you are in good enough health to manage daily activities with minimal assistance (ECOG performance status 0–1)
your blood counts, liver, kidney, and heart function are adequate based on recent lab tests

You likely don't qualify if…

you have been treated with EGFR inhibitors or CDK4/6 inhibitors in the past
you have had another cancer diagnosis within the past five years (except for non-melanoma skin cancer or cervical cancer in situ)
you have an active autoimmune disease or a history of serious autoimmune conditions
you have had a severe allergic reaction to either of these medications or their ingredients
you have had major surgery or significant trauma within the past four weeks

What participation looks like

You will take these two medications by mouth on a rotating schedule: three weeks on treatment, followed by one week off. The trial has two phases—in the first phase, researchers gradually increase the dose of Afatinib to find the safest combination; in the second phase, they use that safe dose to see if the treatment works against your cancer. You will have regular clinic visits for blood tests, imaging scans, and doctor check-ins to monitor how you're responding and watch for side effects. The study will enroll about 45 patients total.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 4, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

China

West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan