Neoantigen Vaccines in Combination with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Maintenance Therapy Following Definitive Treatment of Locally Advanced Unresectable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: an Open-Label, Randomized, Phase II Study
The aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of consolidation therapy with a neoantigen-loaded dendritic cell vaccine (NeoDC-Vac) following radical chemoradiotherapy or chemoradiation-immunotherapy in patients with locally advanced, unresectable ESCC. The primary endpoint of the study is the OS rate. Secondary endpoints include OS, PFS, adverse events, CR rate, and quality of life (QoL) of patients. Exploratory endpoints involve the assessment of biomarkers such as TMB, PD-L1, and ctDNA. The key questions this study aims to answer are: -Can the combination of (ICIs and NeoDC-Vac as maintenance therapy improve OS and QoL in patients with locally advanced, unresectable ESCC following radical treatment? Can this novel approach provide an effective treatment option for these patients? Participant Procedures: 1. Endoscopic examination at West China Hospital. Baseline fresh tumor tissue collection for NGS in neoantigen vaccine group. 2. Screening assessments, informed consent, and random assignment to experimental or control group. Experimental Group\*\*: Neoantigen-loaded vaccine + standard ICIs as maintenance therapy. Control Group\*\*: Standard ICIs as maintenance. One cycle per month for one year. 3. Tumor tissue NGS, ctDNA analysis, TIME evaluation, T cell response profiling. All costs covered by research funding. 4. After completing the full treatment regimen, participants will be monitored with regular follow-up visits by healthcare professionals to assess ongoing health outcomes and safety.
⁃ A. Age 18-80 years
⁃ B. Locally advanced unresectable ESCC patients after radical treatment (radical chemoradiotherapy or chemoradiation); including:
• Cervical esophageal segment, T4, supraclavicular lymph node metastasis, or inability/refusal to undergo surgery due to personal reasons (refer to hospital below); ② Failure of neoadjuvant or conversion therapy; ③ Postoperative local recurrence, unresectable (target lesion present). C. No evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis 2-3 weeks after radical treatment D. Ability to provide fresh tumor tissue samples (baseline) E. Normal major organ function F. Performance status (PS) score ≤ 1 G. Patients of childbearing potential must use contraception H. Voluntary participation with signed informed consent