PULSO Trial: Pulsed Low-Dose-Rate (PLDR) Radiation Chemoradiation (CRT) vs. Standard CRT for Esophageal Cancer

The film gives the main points. The full list below is copied from the registry; the study team makes the final decision.

• Age18 Years to no maximum
• SexAll
• Healthy volunteersNo

You may be able to join if

• A potential study subject who meets all of the following inclusion criteria is eligible to participate in the study.
• Age ≥ 18 years.
• Stage II-IVb adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (if IVb, oligometastatic only, felt to be eligible for definitive dose CRT treatment by treating physician).
• Currently receiving or have received induction chemotherapy and planned for definitive dose chemoradiation (+/- esophagectomy).
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2.
• Adequate hematologic function within 30 days prior to registration defined as follows:
• Absolute Neutrophil Count ≥ 1,500/mcg
• Hemoglobin ≥ 8 gm/dL
• Platelets ≥ 100,000/mcL.
• Adequate renal function within 30 days prior to registration, defined as a creatinine clearance of ≥ 50 ml/min as calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault equation.
• Adequate hepatic function within 30 days prior to registration, defined as total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN
• a. Note: patients with known Gilbert Syndrome can have a total bilirubin < 2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN).
• Female patients <65 years of age and of childbearing potential must have a negative serum/urine pregnancy test within 14 days prior to study entry. A female not of childbearing potential is one who has undergone a hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, tubal ligation, or who has had no menses for 12 consecutive months.
• Patients of reproductive potential must agree to use effective contraception for the duration of study treatment. Effective contraception includes oral contraceptives, implantable hormonal contraception, double-barrier method, or intrauterine device.
• Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial.
• Ability to understand a written informed consent document, and the willingness to sign it.

You cannot join if

• A potential study subject who meets any of the following exclusion criteria is ineligible to participate in the study.
• Age < 18 years.
• Extensive distant metastatic cancer, defined as >5 metastases.
• Recurrent esophageal cancer.
• a. Note: prior or concurrent malignancies are allowed if they do not impact the study's primary endpoint (i.e., treatment-associated toxicity).
• Prior non-approved chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer.
• Prior radiotherapy to the region of the study cancer that would result in an overlap of radiation therapy fields.
• Women must not be pregnant or breast-feeding.

This is how the treatment is meant to work. Whether it helps, and how safe it is, is what this trial is testing.

Treatments listed in the registry

• Induction Chemotherapy (modified FLOT or modified FOLFOX-6) (Drug): Subjects are expected to receive 2-4 months of induction chemotherapy; the interval and dosages will be determined and can be modified at the discretion of their medical oncologist. The preferred induction chemotherapies are modified FLOT or FOLFOX-6. Subjects can enroll if they receive less than 2 months of induction chemotherapy as long as they are deemed to be a candidate for concurrent chemoradiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy (Drug): The preferred concurrent chemoradiation is carboplatin/paclitaxel weekly.
• Conventional Radiation (Radiation): For both standard conventional radiation therapy and PLDR radiation therapy, the standard dose (5000cGy/25fx default, 4140-5040 in 23-28 fractions) should be given. Fractions should consist of 180-200 cGy per treatment.
• Pulsed Low-Dose-Rate (PLDR) Radiation (Radiation): For both standard conventional radiation therapy and PLDR radiation therapy, the standard dose (5000cGy/25fx default, 4140-5040 in 23-28 fractions) should be given. Fractions should consist of 180-200 cGy per treatment. For PLDR radiation therapy, each fraction will be delivered as a series of 20 cGy (or 0.2 Gy) pulses that are separated by 3-minute time intervals.
• Surgery (Procedure): Esophagectomy is not required for trial and will be administered per medical judgement of the treating physicians. Surgery will take place at the time directed by the surgeon. This typically will take place approximately 6-13 weeks after chemoradiation therapy.

Randomized · Parallel · masking: None

As the registry describes them. Requirements to join, such as a tissue sample, are in the eligibility list above even when on-study procedures are optional. Ask the study team which steps apply to you.

• surgery: Part of the study plan
• radiation: Part of the study plan

Main goals

• New prescription for narcotics (Up to 6 weeks after radiation treatment)
• Increasing existing narcotics (Up to 6 weeks after radiation treatment)
• Oral intake (Up to 6 weeks after radiation therapy)

Planned enrollment: 50 (estimated).

• Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Site status as of Oct 30, 2026. Check the live record before contacting a site.

• ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06906887

Registry record reviewed as fetched Oct 30, 2026, last updated by the sponsor Jul 27, 2026. Public record; not medical advice.