Statement of translational relevance
RECURRENCE
This study is the first multicenter (six high-volume medical centers in China), randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of anti-PD-L1 antibodies combined with chemotherapy for locally advanced ESCC. Additionally, this study is the first to test a PD-L1 inhibitor in the context of neoadjuvant treatment. Socazolimab in combination with albumin-bound paclitaxel and cisplatin revealed outstanding MPR and pCR rates, which were higher than those of albumin-bound paclitaxel and cisplatin alone. A significantly higher frequency of ypT0 was observed in the experimental group (37.9%) than in the control group (3.4%), which may reduce the local recurrence for patients with locally advanced ESCC. The favorable efficacy and safety data indicated that albumin-bound paclitaxel and cisplatin could be recommended as a preferred accompaniment for immune checkpoint inhibitors in neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced ESCC. Our study provides a meaningful reference dataset for the design of future Phase III studies of neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced ESCC.