Liquid Biopsies in Esophageal Cancer

Purpose of this study is to determine the value of liquid biopsies, e.g. testing of minimal residual disease (MRD) by using liquid biopsies to measure circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) at diagnosis and during the multimodal and multidisciplinary curative-intent treatment of resectable esophageal cancer.

Key inclusion criteria are:Male or female, age > 18 yearsNew diagnosis of esophageal cancer, pathologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) or adenocarcinoma (EAC)Clinically staged - cT1-4 N0-2 M0 (local or locally advanced, resectable)Eligible for multidisciplinary treatment as assessed by MDTAble to provide informed consent (ICF) according to Good Clinical Practice and national/European regulationsKey exclusion criteria are:(Oligo)metastatic diseaseHistologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis other than squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma (eg. neuroendocrine carcinoma, lymphoma…)Other active malignanciesPrevious exposure to chemoradiation (prior to MDT)Treatment plan after MDT: neoadjuvant chemotherapy with no radiation or chemoradiation with definitive intent (surgery is not planned)