RTOG 0436: A Phase III Trials Evaluating the Addition of Cetuximab to Paclitaxel, Cisplatin, and Radiation for Patients with Esophageal Cancer Who Are Treated Without Surgery

Summary:
The standard treatment for people with esophageal cancer who don’t have surgery is a combination of chemotherapy drugs called cisplatin and paclitaxel (chemotherapy).  Radiation therapy is also given.  Research want to know if adding a chemotherapy drug called cetuximab might help treat esophageal cancer.  Cetuximab is currently given for colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer.  Subjects In this study will receive either cispatin, paclitaxel, and radiation or cispatin, paclitaxel, and radiation and cetuximab.

Eligibility Participants:

1. Diagnosis of primary squamous cell or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction.
2. Subjects must be at least 18 years old
3. Subjects with celiac, perigastric, mediastinal, supraclavicular adenopathy, or cervical esophageal carcinoma are eligible.

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