Preoperative HFRT Verses PULSAR for Locally Advanced GEJ or Proximal Gastric Adenocarcinoma (TORCH-G)

June 13, 2025 updated by: Zhen Zhang, Fudan University

A Phase II Randomized Trial of Preoperative Hypofractionated Radiotherapy (HFRT) Compared to Personalized Hyperfractionated Stereotactic Adaptive Radiotherapy (PULSAR), Combined With Chemotherapy and PD-1 Monoclonal Antibody for Locally Advanced Gastroesophageal Junction/Proximal Gastric Adenocarcinoma

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the multimodal treatment, which includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. The trial is designed using a pick-the-winner strategy.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  1. If the multimodal treatment will improve the pCR rate.
  2. If the multimodal treatment can be performed safely.
  3. Hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) or personalized hyperfractionated stereotactic adaptive radiotherapy (PULSAR), which pattern of radiotherapy can better synergize with immunotherapy.

Participants will receive HFRT or PULSAR for the primary lesion and positive lymph nodes, combined with CAPOX and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Then, reassessment will be performed within 4 weeks afterwards. For resectable participants, surgical resections will be performed. Postoperative treatment will be determined by the investigators. For unresectable or inoperable participants, the subsequent treatment will be determined by investigators or MDT.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Suspended

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
68

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • China
      • Shanghai, China, 200032
        • Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Histopathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of proximal stomach (G) or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (excluding Siewert type I).
  • Potentially resectable, cT3-4aN+M0 or cT4bNanyM0.
  • Exclusion of peritoneal metastasis through laparoscopic exploration or FAPI PET/CT.
  • The status of HER2, MMR, EBER is clear.
  • Male or female. Patient age ≥ 18 years and ≤ 75 years.
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (PS) score of 0 or 1.
  • Physical state or organ function can tolerate the planned treatment of the study protocol.
  • No previous surgery or antitumor therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy, were administered.
  • Patients agree to sign written informed consent before recruitment.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding women.
  • History of other malignancies within 5 years.
  • Serious medical illness, such as severe mental disorders, cardiac disease, uncontrolled infection, etc.
  • Immunodeficiency disease or long-term using of immunosuppressive agents.
  • Allergic to any component of the therapy.
  • Any other condition or disease that is not suitable to take the therapy included in the protocol.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: HFRT
Participants will receive upfront hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) of the primary lesion and positive lymph nodes (24 Gy/6 fractions). Afterwards, systemic therapy consisted of CAPOX and PD-1 antibodies will be administered every three weeks, for at least 3 cycles. Then, reassessment will be performed within 4 weeks afterwards. For resectable participants, surgical resections of primary lesion will be performed. Postoperative treatment will be determined by the investigators. For unresectable or inoperable participants, the subsequent treatment will be determined by investigators or MDT.
Radiation: HFRT targeted to the primary lesion and positive lymph nodes
Hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) targeted to the primary lesion and positive lymph nodes (4Gy × 6 fractions)
Drug: Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody
The anti-PD-1 mAb is used on day 1 along with each cycle of chemotherapy. There are no restrictions on the choice of anti-PD-1 mAb. Patients can choose commonly used accessible monoclonal antibodies based on their personal preferences and financial status. The commonly used anti-PD-1 mAb usages are as follows: Nivolumab, 360mg solution intravenously once daily, Q3W; OR Pembrolizumab/Sintilimab, 200mg solution intravenously once daily, Q3W.
Drug: Chemotherapy
CAPOX: Capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 twice a day, days 1-14 and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2, day 1, every 3 weeks
Procedure: R0 total/subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy
For resectable participants, gastrectomy with standard D2 lymphadenectomy is commonly used. The type of gastrectomy performed depends on the location and extent of the primary lesion.
Experimental: PULSAR
Participants will receive treatment every three weeks, for at least 3 cycles. Each cycle of treatment consists of irradiation (6 Gy/1 fraction) to the primary lesion and positive lymph nodes on day 1, and systemic therapy consisted of CAPOX and PD-1 antibodies will be administered on day 2. Then, reassessment was performed within 4 weeks afterwards. For resectable participants, surgical resections of primary lesion will be performed. Postoperative treatment will be determined by the investigators. For unresectable or inoperable participants, the subsequent treatment will be determined by investigators or MDT.
Drug: Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody
The anti-PD-1 mAb is used on day 1 along with each cycle of chemotherapy. There are no restrictions on the choice of anti-PD-1 mAb. Patients can choose commonly used accessible monoclonal antibodies based on their personal preferences and financial status. The commonly used anti-PD-1 mAb usages are as follows: Nivolumab, 360mg solution intravenously once daily, Q3W; OR Pembrolizumab/Sintilimab, 200mg solution intravenously once daily, Q3W.
Drug: Chemotherapy
CAPOX: Capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 twice a day, days 1-14 and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2, day 1, every 3 weeks
Procedure: R0 total/subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy
For resectable participants, gastrectomy with standard D2 lymphadenectomy is commonly used. The type of gastrectomy performed depends on the location and extent of the primary lesion.
Radiation: PULSAR targeted to the primary lesion and positive lymph nodes
Irradiation targeted to the primary lesion and positive lymph nodes (6 Gy/1 fraction)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pathological complete regression (pCR) rate
Time Frame: 6 months after the enrollment of the last subject
Proportion of patients who attain pCR after preoperative treatment.
6 months after the enrollment of the last subject

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Toxicities
Time Frame: From the time of enrollment, assessed up to 28 days after the last dose of study therapy
Number of participants with treatment-related adverse events (TrAEs) reported between the first dose and 28 days after the last dose of study therapy as assessed by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), version 5.0.
From the time of enrollment, assessed up to 28 days after the last dose of study therapy
Surgical mortality
Time Frame: During or one month after surgery
Death from any cause within 30 days of the date of surgery will be considered a surgical mortality death.
During or one month after surgery
R0 resection rate
Time Frame: 6 months after the enrollment of the last subject
Proportion of patients who achieve R0 resection.
6 months after the enrollment of the last subject
Objective response rate (ORR)
Time Frame: 6 months after the recruitment of the last subject
Proportion of patients with complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) to preoperative therapy. ORR will be evaluated using RESIST1.1
6 months after the recruitment of the last subject
Event-free survival (EFS)
Time Frame: 36 months after the enrollment of the last subject
EFS is defined as the time interval from enrollment to an event which includes disease progression, discontinuation of the treatment for any reason, or death.
36 months after the enrollment of the last subject
Overall survival (OS)
Time Frame: 36 months after the enrollment of the last subject
OS is defined as the time interval from enrollment to death of any reason or censoring.
36 months after the enrollment of the last subject
Surgical morbidity
Time Frame: During or one month after surgery
Surgery related adverse events (SRAEs) refer to complications which happen during or one month after surgery. Severe complications after surgery will be documented and classified by Clavien-Dindo classification, such as abdominal or GI tract bleeding, anastomotic fistula, pancreatic fistula of grade B or above, and incision complications (infection, bleeding, rupture).
During or one month after surgery

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Time Frame
To measure changes in tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) by single-cell sequencing before and after protocol therapy and correlate with the efficacy of the protocol therapy
Time Frame: 36 months after the recruitment of the last subject
36 months after the recruitment of the last subject
The association of baseline PD-L1 CPS, TMB, MSI/MMR status, and EBER status with the efficacy of the protocol therapy
Time Frame: 36 months after the enrollment of the last subject
36 months after the enrollment of the last subject
To study the association between gut microbiota and the efficacy of the protocol therapy
Time Frame: 36 months after the enrollment of the last subject
36 months after the enrollment of the last subject

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Fudan University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 31, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
December 1, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
December 8, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
December 11, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 18, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 13, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • FDRT-2024-251-3805

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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