Trial of XELOX Followed by Radiation Combined With Carboplatin and RAD001 for Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Recent medical advances have led to small improvements in survival, but the overall rate of survival remains low, making new treatment approaches necessary. Chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy are often both used in treating esophageal cancer. The combination of oxaliplatin and capecitabine (XELOX) is a commonly used chemotherapy combination. Sometimes chemotherapy is given as an "induction" therapy, before the radiation is given. The drug RAD001 is a targeted drug that acts specifically on a protein inside cells (called mTOR), which is important for cancer development. The combination of RAD001 and radiation therapy has been shown to improve anti-cancer effects. This study will look for the ideal dose of RAD001 when given in combination with radiation therapy after induction chemotherapy with XELOX, and test the anticancer effects of this treatment approach in patients with esophageal cancer.