Although concurrent Chemoradiotherapy (cCRT) is presently the standard intervention for patients with inoperable, locally advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC), it has been associated with poor long-term survival outcomes. Notably, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) improve the long-term survival of Esophageal Cancer (EC) patients, with manageable Adverse Effects (AEs). Herein, 90 patients with residual pathology after radical simultaneous Radiotherapy (RT) for inoperable/refused-to-operate ESCC were enrolled and randomized into two treatment groups (Chemotherapy+immunotherapy and chemotherapy alone) in a 2:1 ratio. This study will also discuss the value of immunotherapy in improving long-term survival outcomes in patients with pathological residuals after concurrent RT for locally advanced, inoperable ESCC.Clinical trial registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn/identifier is ChiCTR2200063345.
Keywords: Checkpoint Inhibitor; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Tislelizumab; clinical trial; immunotherapy.