Four biomarkers—MMR, HER2, PD-L1, and Claudin 18.2—are now validated for advanced esophageal cancer, guiding immunotherapy and targeted treatment decisions. Checkpoint inhibitors show clear benefit in MSI-H and PD-L1-positive subgroups, with long-term survival observed. NCCN guidelines recommend broad testing to personalize therapy.
Three trials show ultra-low-dose checkpoint inhibitors retain efficacy with reduced toxicity and dramatically lower costs. DELII and Patil et al. trials tested low-dose nivolumab in solid tumors and HNSCC; NIVIPIT tested intratumoral low-dose ipilimumab in melanoma.
More cancer survivors are living long enough to face lasting cardiovascular effects of treatment. Cardio-oncology clinics are managing heart failure, valvular disease and radiation-related heart disease.
The FDA has approved Agilent's PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx as a companion diagnostic for identifying esophageal cancer patients eligible for Merck's KEYTRUDA immunotherapy. This marks the eighth FDA-approved indication for this diagnostic test with KEYTRUDA. The test helps identify patients whose tumors express PD-L1 for potential treatment with the anti-PD-1 therapy.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07781852 |
Evaluation of the Distribution of 64Cu/68Ga Labeled CM500 in Healthy Volunteers and Patients With Cancer |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | EARLY_PHASE1 |
| NCT07780968 |
Zanidatamab Outcomes and Lived Experiences in Advanced HER2+ GEA |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | |
| NCT07780721 |
Study of Adebrelimab Combined With Thymalfasin and Chemotherapy for Neoadjuvant Treatment of Esophageal Cancer |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07775859 |
NOMAD-GI: Molecular-guided Non-operative Management and Organ Preservation Strategy After Precision Therapy in Gastrointestinal Cancers |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | |
| NCT07770672 |
An Exploratory Clinical Study of Accurate Efficacy Assessment of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on 68Ga-FAPI ([68Ga] Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor)/¹⁸F-FDG (2-Deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]Fluoro-D-glucose) Dual Imaging |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07770100 |
Concurrent Immunotherapy and Systemic Therapy With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Stage IV Cancers (COINSSS IV) |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07757022 |
AI-Driven Digital Twin and Drug Simulation for Esophageal Cancer |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | |
| NCT07752875 |
A Study of LG00313112 in Participants With Advanced Solid Malignancies Harboring a TP53 Y220C Mutation |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1/PHASE2 |
| NCT07733830 |
Comparing ICI Followed By CCRT And CCRT Followed By Immunotherapy In Unresectable LA-ESCC |
RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07685938 |
Pharmacologic Therapies to Mitigate Radiation- Associated Heart Disease |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
