Receive radiation, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy to prepare for esophageal cancer surgery

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What is this trial?

This trial is testing a new combination approach to treat advanced esophageal squamous cell cancer that cannot currently be removed by surgery. The treatment combines three components: low-dose radiation aimed at the intestines, tislelizumab (an immunotherapy medication that helps your body's immune system fight cancer), and drugs. The goal is to shrink the cancer enough that surgery becomes possible, which could significantly improve survival and quality of life.

Advanced esophageal cancer that cannot be surgically removed has poor survival rates. Recent research suggests that combining immunotherapy with works better than alone, and that adding low-dose intestinal radiation might further boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer by changing the healthy bacteria in your gut.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 18 and 75 years old
you have been diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell cancer in the chest that is unresectable or borderline resectable
you have not received any prior chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy for cancer
you are in good overall health with an ECOG performance status of 0–1 (able to carry out daily activities with minimal limitations)
your blood counts, liver function, kidney function, and heart function are within acceptable ranges based on recent lab tests

You likely don't qualify if…

you have cancer that has spread to distant parts of your body (except lymph nodes above the collarbone)
you have contraindications to radiation therapy or immunotherapy, or you previously experienced severe side effects from immunotherapy
you have had radiation therapy to your chest, abdomen, or pelvis within the past 6 months
you have active, untreated infections (bacterial, viral, or fungal) or uncontrolled hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, or syphilis
you have severe heart disease, significant liver or kidney dysfunction, or respiratory problems that would make treatment unsafe

What participation looks like

You would receive three cycles of treatment over several weeks, with each cycle including low-dose radiation targeted to your intestines, intravenous drugs (paclitaxel and cisplatin), and the immunotherapy medication tislelizumab, all given on the same day. After completing these three cycles, you would undergo surgery to remove the cancer. Throughout the trial, you would have regular blood tests, imaging scans, and clinic visits to monitor how well the treatment is working and to watch for side effects.

Combining radiation, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy to shrink advanced esophageal cancer before surgery

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)