Toripalimab in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin for treating advanced or metastatic oesophageal squamous cell cancer without previous systemic chemotherapy

Toripalimab in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin is in clinical development for the treatment of previously untreated, advanced or metastatic oesophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC). ESCC is when cancer cells form in the tissues of the oesophagus (food pipe), particularly forming in the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the oesophagus. Metastatic cancer is when the cancer spread to other parts of the body, and advanced cancer is cancer that has also spread or come back, and usually cannot be cured. Symptoms include painful swallowing, weight loss, pain behind breastbone, hoarseness, cough, indigestion, heartburn and/or a lump under the skin. Risk factors include smoking, heavy alcohol use and older age. There is an urgent unmet need for new drugs and treatments to increase the survival of patients with ESCC.