Phase II Study on the Effect of Itraconazole in Treating Resectable Esophageal Cancer

Program Overview

Esophageal cancer is becoming more common and has a low survival rate. This study is testing if itraconazole, a drug usually used to treat fungal infections, can help improve treatment results when added to the usual chemotherapy and radiation before surgery for esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancers. Itraconazole may block certain pathways that help cancer grow.

Description

This study is looking at a new way to treat esophageal cancer, which is a type of cancer that affects the tube connecting your throat to your stomach. The drug itraconazole, typically used to treat fungal infections, might help stop cancer growth by blocking certain pathways in the body. Researchers want to see if adding itraconazole to the usual treatment of chemotherapy and radiation before surgery can help more patients have no remaining cancer cells after treatment.

The study will include 78 patients with esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer. These patients will first have tests to check the stage of their cancer. If the cancer hasn't spread to distant parts of the body, they will take itraconazole for two weeks before starting chemotherapy and radiation. After these treatments, they will continue taking itraconazole for 6-8 weeks. Doctors will monitor for any side effects and check drug levels during clinic visits.

If follow-up scans show no new cancer spread, patients will have surgery to remove the cancer. Researchers will check tissue samples to see if itraconazole is present and if it affected the cancer pathways. They will compare these results to samples taken before treatment to see if the drug helped. The study aims to find out if itraconazole can improve treatment success and identify markers that predict how well patients respond to treatment.

Eligibility Criteria

Locations