Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Combined With Chemotherapy Sequenced With Endoscopic Resection for Esophageal Cancer (Endosurgery-02)

NCT ID: NCT07317609

Last Updated: 2026-01-05

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE1

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-07-15

Study Completion Date

2027-09-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This single-center, prospective, single-arm study will evaluate whether giving neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy can safely shrink esophageal cancer and allow organ-preserving endoscopic removal in selected patients. Adults with esophageal cancer will receive at least two 3-week cycles of a PD-1 inhibitor (tislelizumab 200 mg on Day 1) plus carboplatin (AUC 3-5, Day 1) and nab-paclitaxel (≤260 mg/m², Day 1). During treatment, routine safety tests are performed. About 3-4 weeks after completing at least two cycles, participants undergo clinical reassessment with examinations and imaging (such as endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, PET/CT or CT of the neck, chest, and upper abdomen) to evaluate tumor shrinkage and possible spread. Tumor response is assessed using RECIST 1.1. If a clinical complete response is achieved without obvious nodal disease, endoscopic resection may be performed to preserve the esophagus; otherwise, patients may proceed to surgery or concurrent chemoradiation per clinical judgment. The study focuses on feasibility and safety of this organ-preserving approach and describes tumor responses after therapy. Potential benefits include tumor shrinkage and avoiding major surgery in selected cases; risks include side effects of standard chemotherapy/immunotherapy and procedure-related discomforts from biopsies or endoscopic treatments.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC)

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Neoadjuvant Tislelizumab + Carboplatin + Nab-Paclitaxel

Participants receive neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy for at least two 3-week cycles: tislelizumab 200 mg IV on Day 1 (Q3W) plus carboplatin AUC 3-5 IV on Day 1 (Q3W) and nab-paclitaxel ≤260 mg/m² IV on Day 1 (Q3W; \~30-minute infusion). Safety is assessed during treatment. About 3-4 weeks after completing ≥2 cycles, participants undergo clinical reassessment (physical exam, labs, and imaging including endoscopy/EUS and PET/CT or CT of neck, chest, and upper abdomen) and tumor response is evaluated by RECIST 1.1. If clinical complete response (cCR) is achieved without obvious nodal disease, endoscopic resection is performed 3-6 weeks after neoadjuvant therapy; otherwise, patients proceed to standard esophagectomy or concurrent chemoradiation per investigator judgment.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Tislelizumab

Intervention Type DRUG

Fixed-dose anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody 200 mg IV on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle (Q3W) as neoadjuvant therapy, administered before any local resection. Given for ≥2 cycles unless contraindicated. Used in combination with carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel in a single-arm regimen; no placebo or comparator.

Carboplatin

Intervention Type DRUG

Intervention Description: AUC 3-5 IV on Day 1, Q3W, for ≥2 cycles in combination with tislelizumab and nab-paclitaxel as neoadjuvant therapy.

Nab-paclitaxel

Intervention Type DRUG

≤260 mg/m² IV on Day 1, Q3W (\~30-min infusion) for ≥2 cycles, combined with tislelizumab and carboplatin in the neoadjuvant regimen.

Endoscopic resection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Endoscopic resection (e.g., ESD/EFTR) performed 3-6 weeks after completing ≥2 neoadjuvant cycles only if clinical complete response (cCR) is achieved without clear nodal metastasis, based on endoscopy/EUS and imaging. Technique follows institutional standards with curative intent and margin assessment.

Esophagectomy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Standard surgical esophagectomy (McKeown/Ivor-Lewis procedures) for participants not meeting cCR criteria or deemed unsuitable for endoscopic resection after reassessment. Conducted per institutional standard of care, with lymphadenectomy as appropriate.

Concurrent chemoradiation

Intervention Type RADIATION

Concurrent chemoradiation per institutional standard for participants not eligible for endoscopic resection and managed non-surgically after reassessment. External-beam radiation delivered with concurrent platinum-taxane chemotherapy as clinically indicated; specific dose/fractionation per treating radiation oncologist.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Tislelizumab

Fixed-dose anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody 200 mg IV on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle (Q3W) as neoadjuvant therapy, administered before any local resection. Given for ≥2 cycles unless contraindicated. Used in combination with carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel in a single-arm regimen; no placebo or comparator.

Intervention Type DRUG

Carboplatin

Intervention Description: AUC 3-5 IV on Day 1, Q3W, for ≥2 cycles in combination with tislelizumab and nab-paclitaxel as neoadjuvant therapy.

Intervention Type DRUG

Nab-paclitaxel

≤260 mg/m² IV on Day 1, Q3W (\~30-min infusion) for ≥2 cycles, combined with tislelizumab and carboplatin in the neoadjuvant regimen.

Intervention Type DRUG

Endoscopic resection

Endoscopic resection (e.g., ESD/EFTR) performed 3-6 weeks after completing ≥2 neoadjuvant cycles only if clinical complete response (cCR) is achieved without clear nodal metastasis, based on endoscopy/EUS and imaging. Technique follows institutional standards with curative intent and margin assessment.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Esophagectomy

Standard surgical esophagectomy (McKeown/Ivor-Lewis procedures) for participants not meeting cCR criteria or deemed unsuitable for endoscopic resection after reassessment. Conducted per institutional standard of care, with lymphadenectomy as appropriate.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Concurrent chemoradiation

Concurrent chemoradiation per institutional standard for participants not eligible for endoscopic resection and managed non-surgically after reassessment. External-beam radiation delivered with concurrent platinum-taxane chemotherapy as clinically indicated; specific dose/fractionation per treating radiation oncologist.

Intervention Type RADIATION

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age range: 18-80 years old;
2. Patients diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) through histopathological examination of biopsy tissues from the primary tumor;
3. Patients with potentially resectable esophageal cancer confirmed by imaging and endoscopic examinations (T1b-3, N0, M0, with a tumor size not exceeding 5 cm and occupying less than 2/3 of the luminal circumference); Patients who have not received any antitumor treatment, including but not limited to surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy;
4. Patients with a preoperative Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score of 0 or 1;
5. Patients with a preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification of I-III;
6. Female patients of reproductive age should have a negative pregnancy test and be willing to use effective contraceptive methods during the study period;
7. Patients who have signed the informed consent form.


1. Individuals aged above 18 years;
2. Patients diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through histopathological examination of biopsy tissues from the primary tumor;
3. Patients with esophageal cancer deemed as surgically contraindicated (including those with cervical esophageal cancer, surgical contraindications, those who refuse surgery, or those considered high-risk for esophagectomy, defined as having at least one of the following characteristics: (1) age over 75 years, (2) Charlson comorbidity index \>= 2, (3) presence of moderate lung dysfunction, (4) malnutrition (with a body mass index below 18 kg/m\^2)), with a clinical staging of cT1b-3N0M0, a tumor size not exceeding 5 cm, and occupying less than 2/3 of the luminal circumference;
4. Patients who have not undergone any antitumor treatment, including but not limited to surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy;
5. Female patients of reproductive age should have a negative pregnancy test and be willing to adopt effective contraceptive measures during the study period;
6. Patients who have signed the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients with potential tracheoesophageal fistula or aortoesophageal fistula;
2. Patients with severe malnutrition or requiring tube feeding;
3. Patients with other malignancies that have not been cured within the past 2 years (except for cured basal cell carcinoma of the skin and cured carcinoma in situ of the cervix);
4. Patients with active autoimmune diseases or a history of autoimmune diseases or symptoms that require systemic corticosteroid treatment or anti-autoimmune drug therapy;
5. Immunocompromised patients, or patients who are still receiving systemic steroids (prednisone \> 10 mg/day or equivalent) or other forms of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days before the first dose of neoadjuvant therapy in this study;
6. Patients with active infections requiring systemic treatment within 7 days before the first neoadjuvant therapy in this study;
7. Patients with a history of allogeneic organ or stem cell transplantation;
8. Patients with allergies to drugs or related components involved in this study;
9. Patients who are currently participating in any other clinical study.

Cohort B - Surgery-contraindicated ESCC:


1. Patients with allergies to the drugs or related components involved in this study;
2. Patients who are currently participating in any other clinical study.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

China

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Li-Yun Ma, MD

Role: CONTACT

+86 13162909612

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Li-Yun Ma, MD

Role: primary

+86 13162909612

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Wu H, Leng X, Liu Q, Mao T, Jiang T, Liu Y, Li F, Cao C, Fan J, Chen L, Chen Y, Yao Q, Lu S, Liang R, Hu L, Liu M, Wan Y, Li Z, Peng J, Luo Q, Zhou H, Yin J, Xu K, Lan M, Peng X, Lan H, Li G, Han Y, Zhang X, Xiao ZJ, Lang J, Wang G, Xu C. Intratumoral Microbiota Composition Regulates Chemoimmunotherapy Response in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Res. 2023 Sep 15;83(18):3131-3144. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-22-2593.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 37433041 (View on PubMed)

Ajani JA, D'Amico TA, Bentrem DJ, Chao J, Corvera C, Das P, Denlinger CS, Enzinger PC, Fanta P, Farjah F, Gerdes H, Gibson M, Glasgow RE, Hayman JA, Hochwald S, Hofstetter WL, Ilson DH, Jaroszewski D, Johung KL, Keswani RN, Kleinberg LR, Leong S, Ly QP, Matkowskyj KA, McNamara M, Mulcahy MF, Paluri RK, Park H, Perry KA, Pimiento J, Poultsides GA, Roses R, Strong VE, Wiesner G, Willett CG, Wright CD, McMillian NR, Pluchino LA. Esophageal and Esophagogastric Junction Cancers, Version 2.2019, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2019 Jul 1;17(7):855-883. doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2019.0033.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 31319389 (View on PubMed)

NCT02551458

Reference Type RESULT

Noordman BJ, Wijnhoven BPL, Lagarde SM, Boonstra JJ, Coene PPLO, Dekker JWT, Doukas M, van der Gaast A, Heisterkamp J, Kouwenhoven EA, Nieuwenhuijzen GAP, Pierie JEN, Rosman C, van Sandick JW, van der Sangen MJC, Sosef MN, Spaander MCW, Valkema R, van der Zaag ES, Steyerberg EW, van Lanschot JJB; SANO-study group. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus surgery versus active surveillance for oesophageal cancer: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial. BMC Cancer. 2018 Feb 6;18(1):142. doi: 10.1186/s12885-018-4034-1.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 29409469 (View on PubMed)

Zhang X, Eyck BM, Yang Y, Liu J, Chao YK, Hou MM, Hung TM, Pang Q, Yu ZT, Jiang H, Law S, Wong I, Lam KO, van der Wilk BJ, van der Gaast A, Spaander MCW, Valkema R, Lagarde SM, Wijnhoven BPL, van Lanschot JJB, Li Z. Accuracy of detecting residual disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (preSINO trial): a prospective multicenter diagnostic cohort study. BMC Cancer. 2020 Mar 6;20(1):194. doi: 10.1186/s12885-020-6669-y.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 32143580 (View on PubMed)

Noordman BJ, Spaander MCW, Valkema R, Wijnhoven BPL, van Berge Henegouwen MI, Shapiro J, Biermann K, van der Gaast A, van Hillegersberg R, Hulshof MCCM, Krishnadath KK, Lagarde SM, Nieuwenhuijzen GAP, Oostenbrug LE, Siersema PD, Schoon EJ, Sosef MN, Steyerberg EW, van Lanschot JJB; SANO study group. Detection of residual disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal cancer (preSANO): a prospective multicentre, diagnostic cohort study. Lancet Oncol. 2018 Jul;19(7):965-974. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(18)30201-8. Epub 2018 Jun 1.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 29861116 (View on PubMed)

Ge F, Huo Z, Cai X, Hu Q, Chen W, Lin G, Zhong R, You Z, Wang R, Lu Y, Wang R, Huang Q, Zhang H, Song A, Li C, Wen Y, Jiang Y, Liang H, He J, Liang W, Liu J. Evaluation of Clinical and Safety Outcomes of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Combined With Chemotherapy for Patients With Resectable Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Nov 1;5(11):e2239778. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.39778.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 36322089 (View on PubMed)

Wang J, Zhang K, Liu T, Song Y, Hua P, Chen S, Li J, Liu Y, Zhao Y. Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in locally advanced esophageal cancer: A meta-analysis. Front Oncol. 2022 Sep 5;12:974684. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.974684. eCollection 2022.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 36158679 (View on PubMed)

Fan M, Dai L, Yan W, Yang Y, Lin Y, Chen K. Efficacy of programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor in resection transformation treatment of esophageal cancer. Thorac Cancer. 2021 Aug;12(15):2182-2188. doi: 10.1111/1759-7714.14054. Epub 2021 Jun 17.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 34137505 (View on PubMed)

Sun JM, Shen L, Shah MA, Enzinger P, Adenis A, Doi T, Kojima T, Metges JP, Li Z, Kim SB, Cho BC, Mansoor W, Li SH, Sunpaweravong P, Maqueda MA, Goekkurt E, Hara H, Antunes L, Fountzilas C, Tsuji A, Oliden VC, Liu Q, Shah S, Bhagia P, Kato K; KEYNOTE-590 Investigators. Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for first-line treatment of advanced oesophageal cancer (KEYNOTE-590): a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study. Lancet. 2021 Aug 28;398(10302):759-771. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01234-4.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 34454674 (View on PubMed)

Chan KKW, Saluja R, Delos Santos K, Lien K, Shah K, Cramarossa G, Zhu X, Wong RKS. Neoadjuvant treatments for locally advanced, resectable esophageal cancer: A network meta-analysis. Int J Cancer. 2018 Jul 15;143(2):430-437. doi: 10.1002/ijc.31312. Epub 2018 Mar 8.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 29441562 (View on PubMed)

Chen W, Zheng R, Baade PD, Zhang S, Zeng H, Bray F, Jemal A, Yu XQ, He J. Cancer statistics in China, 2015. CA Cancer J Clin. 2016 Mar-Apr;66(2):115-32. doi: 10.3322/caac.21338. Epub 2016 Jan 25.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 26808342 (View on PubMed)

Medical Research Council Oesophageal Cancer Working Group. Surgical resection with or without preoperative chemotherapy in oesophageal cancer: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2002 May 18;359(9319):1727-33. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)08651-8.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 12049861 (View on PubMed)

Morgan E, Soerjomataram I, Rumgay H, Coleman HG, Thrift AP, Vignat J, Laversanne M, Ferlay J, Arnold M. The Global Landscape of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Incidence and Mortality in 2020 and Projections to 2040: New Estimates From GLOBOCAN 2020. Gastroenterology. 2022 Sep;163(3):649-658.e2. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.05.054. Epub 2022 Jun 4.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 35671803 (View on PubMed)

Sugimura K, Miyata H, Tanaka K, Makino T, Takeno A, Shiraishi O, Motoori M, Yamasaki M, Kimura Y, Hirao M, Fujitani K, Yasuda T, Mori M, Eguchi H, Yano M, Doki Y. Multicenter Randomized Phase 2 Trial Comparing Chemoradiotherapy and Docetaxel Plus 5-Fluorouracil and Cisplatin Chemotherapy as Initial Induction Therapy for Subsequent Conversion Surgery in Patients With Clinical T4b Esophageal Cancer: Short-term Results. Ann Surg. 2021 Dec 1;274(6):e465-e472. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000004564.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 33065643 (View on PubMed)

Shapiro J, van Lanschot JJB, Hulshof MCCM, van Hagen P, van Berge Henegouwen MI, Wijnhoven BPL, van Laarhoven HWM, Nieuwenhuijzen GAP, Hospers GAP, Bonenkamp JJ, Cuesta MA, Blaisse RJB, Busch ORC, Ten Kate FJW, Creemers GM, Punt CJA, Plukker JTM, Verheul HMW, Bilgen EJS, van Dekken H, van der Sangen MJC, Rozema T, Biermann K, Beukema JC, Piet AHM, van Rij CM, Reinders JG, Tilanus HW, Steyerberg EW, van der Gaast A; CROSS study group. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus surgery versus surgery alone for oesophageal or junctional cancer (CROSS): long-term results of a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol. 2015 Sep;16(9):1090-1098. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(15)00040-6. Epub 2015 Aug 5.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 26254683 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

ShanghaiZhongshanEndosurgery02

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.