Combination of Cadonilimab and Chemoradiotherapy in Esophageal Cancer (EC-CRT-006)

Definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard treatment option for unresectable locally advanced esophageal cancer. However, as high as more than 40% of patients with esophageal cancer experienced locoregional recurrence after definitive CRT. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and/or CTLA-4 have shown substantial clinical benefits in advanced esophageal cancer. Recently, the combination of immunotherapy with CRT has emerged as a promising strategy to improve clinical outcomes in esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cadonilimab (a bispecific PD-1/CTLA-4 antibody) combined with induction chemotherapy followed by definitive radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.