🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2026-04-13
A Trial of a New Type of Photodynamic Therapy (VTP) in the Treatment of Patients With Cancer of the Esophagus Who Have Trouble Swallowing (NCT03133650)
🔵 Active, Not Recruiting Phase1 💊 Investigational Drug / Biologic Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
The purpose of this study is to establish the highest dose of laser light for WST-11 VTP to treat obstruction from esophageal cancer that can be safely given.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (21 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (8 items).
Location: Memorial Sloan - Kettering Cancer Center — New York, New York
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant or breast-feeding women. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must undergo a negative pregnancy test (either serum or urine) prior to study entry. Both sexes must use contraception while on study. WOCBP include:
- Any woman who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone surgical sterilization (hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation or oophorectomy) or who is not post-menopausal (defined as amenorrheic ≥12 consecutive months)
- Women on hormone replacement therapy with documented serum follicle stimulating hormone level \> 35 mIU/ml
- Women who are using oral, implanted or injectable contraceptive hormones or mechanical products such as intrauterine device or barrier methods to prevent pregnancy or are practicing abstinence of where the partner is sterile
- T4 tumors with involvement of any adjacent structure, including the trachea, aorta or pleura
- Prior history of esophageal perforation
- Any other medical or psychiatric comorbidities, including decompensated heart failure, unstable angina or coronary artery disease or severe pulmonary disease, that, in the opinion of the study investigator, would make the patient a poor candidate for the study
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (3 Sites)
- Memorial Sloan - Kettering Cancer Center — New York, New York
- Weill Cornell Medical Center (Data Analysis Only) — New York, New York
- Weizmann Institute of Science — Rehovot,
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.