International Trial to Optimize Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy for Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer (“PROTECT”) now Open for Patient...

The Trento Health System (APSS) is pleased to announce its participation in the PROTECT trial, an international, multicenter study that involves 13 European Centers and that will explore how advanced radiotherapy techniques—specifically photon and proton therapies—can improve outcomes for patients with esophageal and gastroesophageal cancers. This trial, funded by the European Union within the framework of the “HORIZON” program, is now open for patient enrollment in Trento and represents a significant step forward in refining the treatment approach for these aggressive cancers.

Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy has become the current standard of care for a large part of patients with locally advanced esophageal and gastroesophageal cancers. By combining chemotherapy with radiation therapy before surgery, this approach aims to reduce tumor size, improve surgical outcomes, and lower the risk of cancer recurrence. However, the optimal use of different radiotherapy techniques, particularly photon and proton therapy, in this setting remains under investigation.

The PROTECT trial will evaluate in which clinical situations proton or photon radiotherapy may offer advantages particularly in terms of tumor control, quality of life, and long-term survival. This effort is supported by the collaborative expertise of Trento's multidisciplinary team from the Departments of Radiotherapy, Proton Therapy, General Surgery, Gastroenterology, Medical Oncology, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Medical Physics, and starts in collaboration with the Dept. of Surgery of the University of Verona (Chairman: Prof. Giovanni De Manzoni), also to enable access for patiens from other Italian regions.

“We know that neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy improves outcomes for many patients, but we want to better understand how advanced radiotherapy techniques such as advanced photon and proton therapy might provide additional benefits in specific clinical scenarios,” said Drs Fersino and Scartoni, representing radiotherapy and proton therapy within the study at Trento. “This trial will help us guiding future treatment strategies for esophageal and gastroesophageal cancer,” add Dr. Alberto Brolese, head of the Dept. of Surgery of APSS,Trento, Drs Valentina Vanoni and Frank Lohr, heads of the Depts of Radiotherapy and Proton Therapy, respectively, Prof. Armando Gabrielli, head of the Dept. of Gastroenterology and Dr. Michela Frisinghelli, Dept. of Oncology (head: Dr. Orazio Caffo), all APSS Trento.

The trial is open to eligible patients who are candidates for neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, and it aims to generate critical data to optimize treatment protocols and improve patient quality of life, potentially advancing the standard of care for these patients.

Accrual for the PROTECT trial (Trial Identification Number NCT05055648) is now underway, and patients interested in participating are encouraged to discuss the study with their physician. For more information on eligibility and participation, please contact Daniele.Scartoni@apss.tn.it; Sergio.Fersino@apss.tn.it].