Esophageal cancer in China

Chinese-developed PD-1 drugs are used for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: camrelizumab is China-approved for it, and tislelizumab is FDA-approved (2024, 2025). China also approved satri-cel CAR-T in 2026 for Claudin18.2-positive gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Access is through hospital oncology departments or trials.
VerifiedLast verified

Treatments available

TreatmentsStatus in ChinaStatus in USSources
Camrelizumab (PD-1) for esophageal squamous cell carcinomaApproved in ChinaNot approved
Tislelizumab (Tevimbra) for ESCCUnknownApproved in ChinaElevar Therapeutics / GlobeNewswireU.S. FDA
Satri-cel (Claudin18.2 CAR-T) for gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma after two prior linesApproved in ChinaNot approvedU.S. FDA

Hospitals with documented programs

Informational listings from cited public sources, not recommendations.

Xuhui campus of Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (复旦大学附属肿瘤医院) on Dong'an Road, with the hospital name on the main tower
ShanghaiFudan University Shanghai Cancer Center复旦大学附属肿瘤医院International deptReported
Name plaque at the entrance of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou
HangzhouZhejiang Cancer Hospital (Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)浙江省肿瘤医院（中国科学院大学附属肿瘤医院）No public intl deptVerified
Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (National Cancer Center) (中国医学科学院肿瘤医院) building exterior
BeijingCancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (National Cancer Center)中国医学科学院肿瘤医院No public intl deptVerified
Peking University Cancer Hospital (Beijing Cancer Hospital) (北京大学肿瘤医院) building exterior
BeijingPeking University Cancer Hospital (Beijing Cancer Hospital)北京大学肿瘤医院No public intl deptVerified
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (中山大学肿瘤防治中心) building exterior
GuangzhouSun Yat-sen University Cancer Center中山大学肿瘤防治中心International deptVerified

Clinical trials

234studies listed as recruiting with a site in China on ClinicalTrials.gov, as of 2026-10-26. See the list

We link trials only; enrollment decisions belong to trial teams. Since May 2026, charging patients to join clinical research is prohibited in China, as reported by AFP.

Frequently asked

Is tislelizumab FDA-approved for esophageal cancer?

Yes. FDA approved it on March 14, 2024 for previously treated unresectable or metastatic ESCC, and on March 3, 2025 with chemotherapy as first-line treatment when PD-L1 is 1 or higher.

[1] U.S. FDA[2] U.S. FDA

Does satri-cel apply to esophageal cancer?

Only to gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma that is Claudin18.2-positive and HER2-negative after at least two prior lines, per the June 2026 NMPA approval. It does not cover squamous cell carcinoma.

[1] CARsgen Therapeutics

Sources

  1. Elevar Therapeutics Receives FDA Complete Response Letter for rivoceranib plus camrelizumab in HCC
    Elevar Therapeutics / GlobeNewswire · official · accessed 2026-10-26
    “Camrelizumab is currently approved for eight indications in China, including relapsed/refractory classic Hodgkin's lymphoma (third-line) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.”
  2. Drug Trials Snapshots: TEVIMBRA
    U.S. FDA · official · accessed 2026-10-26
    “TEVIMBRA (tislelizumab-jsgr), BeiGene, approval date: March 14, 2024, for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after prior chemotherapy.”
  3. Tevimbra BLA 761380 approval letter (first-line ESCC, PD-L1 >=1)
    U.S. FDA · official · accessed 2026-10-26
  4. CARsgen Announces Approval of Satri-cel, the World's First CAR T-Cell Therapy Product for Solid Tumors
    CARsgen Therapeutics · official · accessed 2026-10-26
    “Satri-cel is the world's first approved CAR T-cell therapy product for the treatment of solid tumors.”

Information only. Not medical advice, diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. Talk to your doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.