Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC)Phase 3NCT03957590
A Study to Investigate Tislelizumab (BGB-A317) Versus Placebo in Combination With Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Participants With Localized Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
A Phase 3 study testing Tislelizumab, Paclitaxel and Cisplatin in people with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC), run by BeiGene at 33 sites in China.
Trial summary
This is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to compare the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab (BGB-A317) versus placebo in combination with chemoradiotherapy in participants with localized esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC)
- What is being tested?
- Tislelizumab, Paclitaxel and Cisplatin
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 370 participants
- Where
- 33 sitesChina
- Study dates
- 11 Jun 2019to 31 Mar 2025
- Phase
- Phase 3
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Histologically confirmed diagnosis of localized ESCC and suitable for concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT)
- Measurable and/or non-measurable disease defined per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status ≤ 1
- Adequate organ function
Who cannot join
- Indicators of severe malnutrition
- Clinically uncontrolled pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or ascites requiring frequent drainage or medical intervention within 2 weeks prior to randomization
- Known to be intolerable or resistant to treatment with the protocol-specified chemotherapy
- Received prior radiotherapy or therapies targeting programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), programmed cell death protein ligand-1 (PD-L1), PD-L2 or other immune-oncology therapies
- Active autoimmune diseases or history of autoimmune diseases that may relapse
- NOTE: Other protocol defined Inclusion/Exclusion criteria may apply.
Trial locations and contacts
33 sites in 1 country.
33 sites in 1 country
China33 sites
Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100021
Beijing Cancer Hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100142
Hunan Cancer Hospital
Changsha, Hunan, 410013
Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College
Changzhi, Shanxi, 046000
Changzhou Tumor(Fourth Peoples)Hospital
Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213000
Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute
Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041
West China Hospital, Sichuan University
Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041
Chongqing Cancer Hospital
Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, 400030
Fujian Cancer Hospital
Fuzhou, Fujian, 350014
The First Affiliated Hospitalschool of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000
Hangzhou Cancer Hospital
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310002
The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003
Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016
Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital
Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150000
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Cancer Hospital
Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010028
Jieyang Peoples Hospital (Jieyang Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat Sen University )
Jieyang, Guangdong, 522000
Shandong Cancer Hospital
Jinan, Shandong, 250117
Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital
Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321000
The First Peoples Hospital of Lianyungang
Lianyungang, Jiangsu, 222002
Jiangsu Province Hospital
Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029
Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200000
Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute
Shenyang, Liaoning, 110042
Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, 300060
Weifang Peoples Hospital
Weifang, Shandong, 261000
Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Wuhan, Hubei, 430022
Hubei Cancer Hospital
Wuhan, Hubei, 430079
The First Affiliated Hospital of Xian Jiaotong University
Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061
The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University
Xiamen, Fujian, 361003
The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University
Xinxiang, Henan, 453100
The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University
Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000
Northern Jiangsu Peoples Hospital
Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225001
Henan Cancer Hospital
Zhengzhou, Henan, 450000
Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University
Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212001
About this study
Official title: A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Tislelizumab (BGB-A317) Versus Placebo in Combination With Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With Localized Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to compare the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab (BGB-A317) versus placebo in combination with chemoradiotherapy in participants with localized esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
- Being tested
- Tislelizumab, Placebo, Paclitaxel, Cisplatin, Radiotherapy
- Medical subject headings
- Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
TislelizumabDrug
Also called BGB-A317, Tevimbra
Administered intravenously (IV)
PlaceboDrug
Placebo to match tislelizumab administered intravenously
PaclitaxelDrug
Administered as 135 mg/m² IV injection
CisplatinDrug
Administered as 25 mg/m² IV injection
RadiotherapyRadiation
Administered at a total dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Tislelizumab + Chemoradiotherapy | Experimental | Participants received 200 mg tislelizumab administered intravenously (IV) once every 3 weeks in combination with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for up to approximately 6 weeks followed by 200 mg tislelizumab for a total of up to 24 months (about 35 cycles), or until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, or another treatment discontinuation criterion was met, whichever occurred first.
Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin (25 mg/m² IV; Days 1-3 of each 3-week cycle) in combination with paclitaxel (135 mg/m² IV; Day 1 of each 3-week cycle) and radiotherapy was delivered in 28 fractions (total dose, 50.4 Gy). Receives: Drug: Tislelizumab; Drug: Paclitaxel; Drug: Cisplatin; Radiation: Radiotherapy |
| Placebo + Chemoradiotherapy | Placebo comparator | Participants received placebo IV once every 3 weeks in combination with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for up to approximately 6 weeks followed by placebo for a total of up to 24 months (about 35 cycles), or until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, or another treatment discontinuation criterion was met, whichever occurred first.
Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin (25 mg/m² IV; Days 1-3 of each 3-week cycle) in combination with paclitaxel (135 mg/m² IV; Day 1 of each 3-week cycle) and radiotherapy was delivered in 28 fractions (total dose, 50.4 Gy). Receives: Drug: Placebo; Drug: Paclitaxel; Drug: Cisplatin; Radiation: Radiotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Progression-free Survival (PFS)
PFS is defined as the time from randomization to the first documented disease progression, as determined by the Blinded Independent Review Committee (BIRC) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1, or death from any cause, whichever occurred first. PFS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Progressive Disease (PD): At least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum on study, and an absolute increase of at least 5 mm, and/or unequivocal progression of existing nontarget lesions. or the appearance of one or more new lesions.
Measured: From randomization to the prespecified primary analysis data cut-off date of 08 January 2025; maximum time on study was 67 months.
Secondary outcomes (6)
Overall Survival (OS)
OS is defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of death due to any cause. OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Measured: From randomization to the prespecified analysis data cut-off date of 08 January 2025; maximum time on study was 67 months.
Change From Baseline in European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire-Oesophageal Cancer Module (OES18) Dysphagia, Reflux, Pain, and Eating Scales
The EORTC-QLQ-OES18 is the specific esophageal symptoms module of the QLQ-C30. QLQ-OES18 is comprised of 18 questions grouped into 4 multi-item subscales: Dysphagia (3 items), Eating (4 items), Reflux (2 items), and Pain (3 items) and 6 single item subscales (saliva swallowing, choking, dry mouth, taste, coughing, and talking). Participants indicate the extent to which they have experienced symptoms on a scale from 1 (Not at all) to 4 (Very much). Scores are calculated and transformed to a scale from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate a higher level of symptomatology or problems.
Measured: Baseline and Cycle 6 and Cycle 10 (each cycle was 21 days)
Change From Baseline in EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) Global Health Status (GHS)/Quality of Life (QOL), Physical Functioning, and Fatigue Scores
The EORTC QLQ-30 contains 30 questions that incorporate 5 functional scales (physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, cognitive functioning, and social functioning), 1 global health status scale, 3 symptom scales (fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and pain), and 6 single items (dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, and financial difficulties). The participant answers questions about their health during the past week. There are 28 questions answered on a 4-point scale where 1 = Not at all (best) and 4 = Very Much (worst) and 2 global health quality of life (QOL) questions answered on a 7-point scale where 1 = Very poor and 7 = Excellent. Raw scores are transformed into a 0 to 100 scale via linear transformation. Higher scores in GHS and functional scales indicate better quality of life. Lower scores in symptom scales indicate better quality of life.
Measured: Baseline and Cycle 6 and Cycle 10 (each cycle was 21 days)
Overall Response Rate (ORR)
ORR is defined as the percentage of participants who had complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) as assessed by BIRC per RECIST v1.1.
Tumor assessments were made using computed tomography (CT) scans or using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
CR: Disappearance of all target lesions and non-target lesions, no new lesions, and normalization of tumor marker level. All lymph nodes must be nonpathological in size (<10 mm short axis).
PR: At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum diameters and/or persistence of one or more non-target lesion(s) and/or maintenance of tumor marker level above the normal limits.
Measured: Tumor assessments occurred every 9 weeks for the first 54 weeks, and every 12 weeks during the next 2 years and every 24 weeks thereafter until radiographic disease progression or death; up to 67 months
Duration of Response (DOR)
DOR is defined as the time from the first occurrence of a documented objective response to the time of relapse, as determined by the BIRC per RECIST v1.1, or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. DOR was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Measured: Up to 67 months
Number of Participants With Treatment-emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)
An adverse event (AE) is defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease (new or exacerbated) temporally associated with the use of a study treatment, whether considered related to study treatment or not. A TEAE is an AE that had an onset date or a worsening in severity from baseline on or after the first dose of study treatment and up to 30 days following study treatment discontinuation or initiation of new anticancer therapy, whichever occurred first.
A serious adverse event (SAE) is any untoward medical occurrence that, at any dose:
- Resulted in death
- Was life-threatening
- Required hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization
- Resulted in disability/incapacity
- Was a congenital anomaly/birth defect
- Was considered a significant medical AE by the investigator based on medical judgement.
Measured: From first dose of study drug to 30 days after last dose, maximum time on treatment was 57.5 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 May 2019
- Study start11 Jun 2019
- Primary completion8 Jan 2025
- Study completion31 Mar 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by BeiGeneThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 370 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- BeiGene
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Weihu Wang, MD, Principal investigator, Peking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteZefen Xiao, MD, Principal investigator, Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03957590
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BGB-A317-311
- Other IDs
- CTR20190198
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 16 May 2019
- Last updated
- 13 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: BeiGene shares data on completed studies responsibly and provides qualified scientific and medical researchers access to data and supporting documentation for clinical trials in dossiers for medicines and indications after submission and approval in the United States, China, and Europe. Clinical trials supporting subsequent local approvals, new indications, or combination products are eligible for sharing once corresponding regulatory approvals are achieved. BeiGene shares data only when permitted by applicable data privacy and security laws and regulations, when it is feasible to do so without compromising the privacy of study participants, and other considerations. Qualified researchers with appropriate competencies who are engaged in novel scientific research may submit a request for participant-level data with a research proposal for BeiGene review. Research teams must include a biostatistician and sign a Data Sharing Agreement prior to receiving access to clinical trial data.
Publications
Yu R, Wang W, Li T, Li J, Zhao K, Wang W, Liang L, Wu H, Ai T, Huang W, Li L, Yu W, Wei C, Wang Y, Shen W, Xiao Z. RATIONALE 311: tislelizumab plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy for localized esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Future Oncol. 2021 Nov;17(31):4081-4089. doi: 10.2217/fon-2021-0632. Epub 2021 Jul 16.
PubMed 34269067