A Phase II Study of Chemoradiotherapy With Nimotuzumab in Unresectable Esophageal Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * ≥18 years * Pathologically or cytologically proven esophageal squamous cell carcinomas in patients staged as T2-4N0-1M0-1b (AJCC 6th TNM staging, M1b limited to clavicular or celiac lymph node metastasis) * Primary treatment accepted in Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences * KPS ≥70 * NRS score ≥2 * Cervical or thoracic esophageal cancer histologically proved esophageal cell carcinoma * Normal organ and marrow function as defined below: Hemoglobin: greater than or equal to 100g/L ;Leukocytes: greater than or equal to 3,500 G/L; Neutrophil: greater than or equal to 1,500 G/L; Platelets: greater than or equal to 100,000/mm3 ; Creatinine within normal upper limits; BUN within normal upper limits; AST/ALT: less than or equal to 1.5 times the upper limit; Total bilirubin: less than or equal to 1.5 times the upper limit; Alkaline phosphatase :less than or equal to 1.5 times the upper limit * Informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with other cancer history in 5 years except cervical carcinoma in situ and non-malignant melanoma skin cancer * Any prior chemotherapy or other cancer treatment prior to this protocol * With any distant metastasis in liver, lung, bone, CNS or peritoneal transplantation * History of allergic reactions attributed to contrast medium, similar chemical or biologic complex * Existing esophageal fistula, perforation and cachexia * Existing active infection such as active tuberculosis and hepatitis * Uncontrolled illness including, but not limited to, active infection, symptomatic heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness * History of myocardial infarction within the past 6 months or history of ventricular arrhythmia * Participation in other clinical trials currently or within 4 weeks of selection * Pregnant or lactating females