Background: More than 50% of pts with esophageal cancer have locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of initial diagnosis. For this group chemotherapy is increasingly used intending local and distant tumor control, improvement of quality of life (QoL) and longer survival. Previous data suggested that EGFR-targeting antibodies may be safely combined with cisplatin and 5-FU, and in addition may increase the efficacy of the standard cisplatin/5-FU regimen [Lorenzen et al, Ann Oncol2009; 20(10): 1667-1673]. Methods: In this open-label, randomized (1:1), multicenter, multinational phase III trial pts with nonresectable, advanced or metastatic ESCC, not eligible for definitive radiochemotherapy, are included. Pts have measurable or non-measurable disease according to RECIST 1.1 and an ECOG PS 0-1. Previous chemotherapy of ESCC in the metastatic setting, concurrent radiotherapy involving target lesions and previous exposure to EGFR-targeted therapy are excluded. Pts receive either CTX (cisplatin 100 mg/m² on day 1 and 5-FU 1000 mg/m²/d on day 1-4) or CTX + P (9 mg/kg on day 1). Cycles are repeated every 3 weeks until progression of disease. Tumor assessment is performed every 9 weeks. The primary objective is to demonstrate superiority of CTX + P over CTX alone in terms of overall survival. Secondary endpoints are progression-free survival, 1-year survival, response rate, safety and tolerability, and QoL. A translational analysis in tumor tissue and serum samples is included. 300 pts are planned to be enrolled for a power of 90% to reject the null hypothesis in which the median overall survival in the control and experimental groups are 6 and 9 months, respectively. 18 pts have been enrolled to date. A Data Monitoring Board will review safety data after 40, 100 and 200 pts. The clinical trial registry number is NCT1627379. Clinical trial information: NCT01627379.