Combining immunotherapy with radiation and chemotherapy for elderly patients with esophageal cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT07080437 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated July 2025 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

What is this trial?

This study looks at how well immunotherapy works when combined with radiation and chemotherapy in older adults (age 70 and up) who have esophageal squamous cell carcinoma—a type of cancer of the food pipe. Researchers will review the medical records of about 40 patients treated between 2022 and 2025 to see how many patients respond to the medication, how long they survive, and what side effects occur.

Esophageal cancer is serious, especially in elderly patients who may not be strong enough for surgery alone. This treatment combines immunotherapy to help the immune system fight cancer along with radiation and chemotherapy, but doctors need to understand whether this combination is safe and effective enough in older adults.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are age 70 or older
you have been diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (confirmed by biopsy)
you cannot have surgery or have chosen not to have surgery
your overall health is stable enough to tolerate cancer treatment (performance status 0-2)
you are expected to live at least 6 more months
your heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys are working well enough for this treatment

You likely don't qualify if…

you have cancer that has spread to distant organs (other than lymph nodes near your collarbone)
you have had previous chest radiation therapy
you have an active autoimmune disease or a history of autoimmune disease
you are currently taking or have recently taken a PD-1 inhibitor (a type of immunotherapy)
you have an active untreated infection, HIV, active hepatitis, or untreated tuberculosis

What participation looks like

This is a retrospective study, meaning researchers will review your medical records from your cancer treatment that already happened between 2022 and 2025—you would not receive new treatment as part of this study. If you are selected, you would allow the research team to access your records showing how you responded to your immunotherapy combined with radiation and chemotherapy, and you would be followed for up to 2 years with check-ins every 3 months to track your progress.

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

Trial locations(1 site)

China

Affiliated Shangxia Hospital of Chongqing University, Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality

Key details

Sponsor

Three Gorges Hospital of Chongqing University

Enrollment target

~40 participants

Started

March 2021

Primary completion

August 2026

This trial's estimated completion date has passed — the record may not be fully up to date.

Age range

70 Years and older

Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in July 2025.

Contact the research team directly

Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.

Central contact

Han Zhang

Three Gorges Hospital of Chongqing University

Interested in joining?

Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.

View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov