A Study of Ifinatamab Deruxtecan in Subjects With Pretreated Advanced or Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) (IDeate-Esophageal01)
This study is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) in patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who have experi...
A Study to Evaluate Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (MK-2870) in Advanced/Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma (MK-2870-015)
This study will compare how safe and effective sacituzumab tirumotecan is versus the treatment of physician's choice (TPC) in participants with advanced/metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. The...
Testing the Addition of Radiotherapy to the Usual Treatment (Chemotherapy) for Patients With Esophageal and Gastric Cancer That Has Spread to a Limited Number of Other Places in the Body
This phase III trial studies how well the addition of radiotherapy to the usual treatment (chemotherapy) works compared to the usual treatment alone in treating patients with esophageal and gastric ca...
Comparing Proton Therapy to Photon Radiation Therapy for Esophageal Cancer
This trial studies how well proton beam radiation therapy compared with intensity modulated photon radiotherapy works in treating patients with stage I-IVA esophageal cancer. Proton beam radiation the...
A Study to Evaluate Investigational Agents With or Without Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Participants With Advanced Esophageal Cancer Previously Exposed to Programmed Cell Death 1 Protein (PD-1)/ Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) Treatment (MK-3475-06B)
This is a Phase 1/2, multicenter, randomized, open-label umbrella platform study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of investigational agents with or without pembrolizumab and/or chemotherapy, for th...
Adding Nivolumab to Usual Treatment for People With Advanced Stomach or Esophageal Cancer, PARAMUNE Trial
This phase II/III trial compares the addition of nivolumab to the usual treatment of paclitaxel and ramucirumab to paclitaxel and ramucirumab alone in treating patients with gastric or esophageal aden...
Effectiveness and Performance of an Optical Biopsy Technology for Esophageal Cancer in Brazil and the United States
In a previous clinical trial in China and the United States (US), the investigators developed and validated a mobile, high-resolution microendoscope (mHRME) for screening and surveillance of esophagea...
Substudy 06C: A Study of Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (MK-2870) With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) and Chemotherapy in Participants With First-Line Locally Advanced Unresectable/Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma (MK-3475-06C/KEYMAKER-U06)
This is a phase 1/2, multicenter, open-label umbrella platform study that will evaluate the safety and tolerability of sacituzumab tirumotecan with pembrolizumab and fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy for ...
Cabozantinib Plus Durvalumab with or Without Tremelimumab in Patients with Gastroesophageal Cancer and Other Gastrointestinal Malignancies
The investigators propose to evaluate the safety of drug combinations in patients with advanced gastroesophageal cancer and other gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Finding effective novel therapies ...
Preoperative Hypofractionated Radiotherapy With FOLFOX for Esophageal or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma
This phase II trial tests how well preoperative (prior to surgery) radiation therapy with fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and leucovorin calcium (FOLFOX) works for the treatment of stage I-III esophageal o...
Substudy 06D: Combination Therapies in Second Line (2L) Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma (MK-3475-06D/Keymaker-U06)
This is a phase 1/2 multicenter, open-label umbrella platform study that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of sacituzumab tirumotecan (MK-2870) plus paclitaxel versus ramucirumab plus paclitaxel, ...
A Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Itraconazole on Pathologic Complete Response Rates in Resectable Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer, which has a low 5-year overall survival rate (\<20%) is increasing in incidence. Previous studies have shown that Hedgehog, AKT, and angiogenic signaling pathways are activated in a...
A Study of Pembrolizumab With Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy in People With Esophagogastric Cancer
The purpose of this study to find out whether adding trastuzumab and pembrolizumab to standard chemotherapy is an effective treatment for resectable HER2+ esophagogastric cancer....
Induction FLOT With CROSS CRT for Esophageal Cancer
This study evaluates a novel regimen of induction chemotherapy using a combination of docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and leucovorin, with short term infusional 5-FU (FLOT), given prior to chemoradiotherapy w...
Folfox+Irinotecan+Chemort In Esophageal Cancer
In this research study, is studying how Liposomal Irinotecan in combination with the standard of care interventions FOLFOX, carboplatin paclitaxel, and radiation therapy affect gastroesophageal juncti...
Adjuvant Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (Enhertu) & Nivolumab For Patients Who Are Disease Free After Completion of Trimodality Treatment For HER-2+ Cancers of Esophagus & Gastroesophageal Junction
An open label phase II study to determine the safety and preliminary efficacy of the combination of 1-year of adjuvant trastuzumab deruxtecan and nivolumab for patients with HER2 overexpressing esopha...
Top Cities for Esophageal Cancer Clinical Trials
Esophageal Cancer clinical trials are recruiting across 70 cities. Here are the cities with the most active studies:
About Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer occurs in the esophagus, the tube connecting the throat to the stomach. The two main types are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Clinical trials are advancing new treatments for esophageal cancer. Currently, 16 studies are recruiting a combined 2,896 participants across the United States. Research is being conducted by 13 organizations including Daiichi Sankyo, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group and 10 others.
2026 Esophageal Cancer Research Landscape
As of March 2026, the esophageal cancer clinical trial landscape includes 16 actively recruiting studies across 70 cities in the United States. These studies are collectively seeking 2,896 participants, with an average enrollment target of 181 per study.
Research is being led by 13 different organizations, including Daiichi Sankyo, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, NRG Oncology, National Cancer Institute (NCI), and 8 others. The large number of sponsors reflects significant research interest and investment in esophageal cancer treatment advancement.
Geographically, esophageal cancer trials are most concentrated in Anchorage, Alaska (8 trials); Houston, Texas (6 trials); New York, New York (5 trials); Los Angeles, California (4 trials); Louisville, Kentucky (4 trials) and 7 other cities.
Featured Esophageal Cancer Studies
Highlighted recruiting studies for esophageal cancer, selected by enrollment size and research scope.
A Study of Ifinatamab Deruxtecan in Subjects With Pretreated Advanced or Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) (IDeate-Esophageal01)
This study is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) in patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who have experienced disease progression following treatment with a platinum-based systemic therapy and an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) compared with investigator's choice of chemotherapy (ICC).
A Study to Evaluate Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (MK-2870) in Advanced/Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma (MK-2870-015)
This study will compare how safe and effective sacituzumab tirumotecan is versus the treatment of physician's choice (TPC) in participants with advanced/metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. The primary hypothesis of this study is sacituzumab tirumotecan is superior to TPC with respect to Overall Survival (OS).
Testing the Addition of Radiotherapy to the Usual Treatment (Chemotherapy) for Patients With Esophageal and Gastric Cancer That Has Spread to a Limited Number of Other Places in the Body
This phase III trial studies how well the addition of radiotherapy to the usual treatment (chemotherapy) works compared to the usual treatment alone in treating patients with esophageal and gastric cancer that has spread to a limited number of other places in the body (oligometastatic disease). Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays, gamma rays, or protons to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Drug...
Frequently Asked Questions About Esophageal Cancer Clinical Trials
Are there esophageal cancer clinical trials near me?
Yes, there are 16 esophageal cancer clinical trials currently recruiting across 70+ cities in the United States, including Anchorage, Alaska; Houston, Texas; New York, New York. Browse the studies above to find one at a location convenient for you.
How do I join a esophageal cancer clinical trial?
To join a esophageal cancer clinical trial: 1) Browse the available studies on this page, 2) Click on a study that interests you, 3) Check the study locations to find a site near you, 4) Review the eligibility criteria, and 5) Contact the study site or complete the eligibility form. The process is free and you can withdraw at any time.
Are esophageal cancer clinical trials free?
Yes, participation in esophageal cancer clinical trials is free. Study-related treatments, medical tests, and doctor visits are provided at no cost to participants. Many studies also offer compensation for your time and travel expenses.
What types of esophageal cancer treatments are being studied?
Current esophageal cancer clinical trials are testing a range of approaches. These include new drugs, combination therapies, medical devices, and other interventions sponsored by 13 research organizations.
Is it safe to participate in esophageal cancer clinical trials?
Clinical trials are carefully regulated by the FDA and institutional review boards (IRBs). All trials must follow strict safety protocols, and participants receive close medical monitoring throughout the study. You can withdraw from a trial at any time without penalty.
Data updated March 1, 2026 from ClinicalTrials.gov
About This Data
Clinical trial information on this page is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Library of Medicine (NLM). Study data is refreshed every hour to ensure accuracy.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about clinical trial participation or changes to your treatment plan.
Page reviewed by the HelloStudys Research Team · Last updated March 1, 2026 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov