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NCT Number: NCT07519486

Intensive Nutritional Support in Conversion Therapy for Locally Advanced Unresectable ESCC

Malnutrition is highly prevalent in patients with upper gastrointestinal tumors, which may negatively impact treatment tolerance and anti-tumor immune responses. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intensive enteral nutritional support in patients with locally advanced unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing conversion therapy. Participants receiving PD-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy will be randomly assigned to either intensive nutritional support or standard care. The primary goal is to determine if intensive nutritional support can improve the pathological complete response (pCR) rate after subsequent surgery.

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Key information

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Pathologically confirmed Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC). Aged 18-80 years, regardless of gender. ECOG Performance Status (PS) 0-2, and weight loss < 10% within the past 6 months.

Confirmed locally advanced unresectable ESCC according to NCCN Guidelines (Version 2026.1).

Planned to receive surgery after completion of conversion therapy, with no surgical contraindications.

Treatment-naive: No prior anti-tumor therapy for ESCC, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or surgery.

Presence of measurable lesion(s) according to RECIST 1.1. Expected survival ≥ 3 months. Able to swallow and tolerate oral medications. Adequate organ function (blood counts, biochemistry, and coagulation parameters meeting protocol requirements).

Women of childbearing age and men must agree to use effective contraception during the study and for 6 months after completion.

Voluntary participation with signed informed consent and good compliance.

Exclusion criteria

Presence of esophageal-mediastinal fistula and/or tracheoesophageal fistula, or tumor invasion of major vessels with risk of fatal hemorrhage.

History of other malignant tumors within the past 5 years. Current or prior use of immunosuppressants or systemic steroids (>10 mg/day prednisone equivalent) within 2 weeks prior to first dose.

Active autoimmune disease or history of autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment.

Known immunodeficiency history, including HIV infection, organ transplant, or bone marrow transplant.

Uncontrolled concurrent diseases (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction, or severe infections).

Active tuberculosis (TB) or history of TB without standardized treatment. Active Hepatitis B (HBV) or Hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Complete inability to take oral enteral nutrition due to esophageal stenosis. History or current presence of interstitial pneumonia or interstitial lung disease.

Uncontrolled pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or ascites requiring repeated drainage.

Significant gastrointestinal disorders with severe diarrhea (CTCAE > Grade 2). Pregnant or lactating women. Participation in other clinical trials within 30 days prior to enrollment.

Treatment and study plan

PD-1 Inhibitor plus Chemotherapy

Drug

PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy (Paclitaxel or Albumin-bound paclitaxel plus Cisplatin or Carboplatin), administered once every 3 weeks for 2 cycles.

Oral Enteral Nutritional Preparation

Dietary Supplement

Oral enteral nutritional preparation taken twice daily for 2 cycles (each cycle is 3 weeks).

Esophagectomy with lymph node dissection

Procedure

Surgical resection of the esophagus and lymph node dissection, planned 4-6 weeks after the completion of conversion therapy.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pathological Complete Response (pCR) Rate

    Time frame: At the time of surgery (approximately 4-6 weeks after the completion of conversion therapy).

    Defined as the absence of residual viable tumor cells in the primary tumor bed and all sampled lymph nodes (ypT0N0) according to the Mandard regression criteria, as evaluated by a blinded Independent Review Committee (BIRC).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Event-Free Survival (EFS)

    Time frame: From randomization up to 2 years.

    The time from randomization to the date of first documentation of disease progression, recurrence after surgery, or death from any cause.

  2. Major Pathological Response (MPR) Rate

    Time frame: At the time of surgery (approximately 4-6 weeks after conversion therapy).

    Defined as ≤ 10% residual viable tumor cells in the primary tumor bed

  3. Objective Response Rate (ORR)

    Time frame: Approximately 2 months (after completion of 2 cycles of conversion therapy).

    The percentage of participants with a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) as per RECIST v1.1 before surgery.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Zhenyu Ding, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+86-189-8060-1957

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Sichuan University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Intensive Nutritional Support in Conversion Therapy for Locally Advanced Unresectable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Acronym: INS-ESCC-CT

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2028
First posted
Apr 9, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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