Two radiation schedules after immunotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT06912074 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated November 2025 · Translation generated June 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 approach to treating advanced esophageal cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. Patients first receive chemotherapy combined with an immunotherapy drug called toripalimab to help their immune system fight the cancer. Then they are randomly assigned to receive either a shorter radiation schedule (completed in about 5 weeks with two phases) or a standard radiation schedule (completed in about 5 weeks with daily treatments). The study wants to see if the shorter schedule works just as well while possibly being easier to tolerate.

Doctors are looking for ways to treat advanced esophageal cancer more effectively while reducing the burden on patients. This medication represents a newer approach combining immunotherapy with traditional cancer treatment, and researchers want to find the best radiation schedule to pair with it—one that is both effective and manageable for patients to endure.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma that is advanced and cannot be removed by surgery
you are between 18 and 80 years old
you have not received any prior chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or surgery for this cancer
you are healthy enough to take medications by mouth and have an expected survival of at least 12 weeks
your heart, lung, and organ function meet specific healthy levels (your doctor will test this)

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a history of autoimmune disease in the past 2 years or inflammatory bowel disease
you have an active infection, uncontrolled heart failure, unstable heart rhythm, or active bleeding disorder
you are currently taking immunosuppressive medications (except low-dose steroids) or have received an immunotherapy drug like anti-PD-1 before
you have had major surgery in the 4 weeks before starting the study or received a live vaccine in the 30 days before
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV

What participation looks like

You would first receive induction therapy with chemotherapy and the immunotherapy drug toripalimab over several weeks. After this, you would be randomly assigned to one of two radiation treatment groups. The shorter schedule involves two phases of radiation with a 28-day break between them; the standard schedule involves daily radiation treatments over 5 weeks. Throughout treatment, you'll have regular check-ups, imaging scans, and blood tests to monitor how you're responding and any side effects. Follow-up visits will continue after treatment ends to track your recovery and long-term health.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 18, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

China

Sun yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong