RECTAL CANCER

This phase 2 trial is testing a two-month course of chemotherapy (mFOLFOX) followed by short-course radiation before surgery for people with resectable rectal cancer. The goal is to see if this approach improves the chance of being cancer-free three years later. About 54 particip…

This trial tests whether close follow-up (active surveillance) is as good as chemoradiotherapy for preventing cancer return after early-stage rectal cancer removal. About 480 adults with intermediate-risk T1 rectal cancer will be randomly assigned to either regular checkups and s…

This study tests a device called ColoSeal ICD that is placed inside the colon after surgery to divert stool away from the surgical connection. The goal is to see if it is safe and feasible in 90 adults with rectal or rectosigmoid cancer. The device stays in place for about 10 day…

This phase 2 trial tests a new approach for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. Participants first receive a short course of radiation, followed by a combination of immunotherapy (sintilimab and IL-2) and chemotherapy (CAPOX). The goal is to see if this treatment can make…

This study tests whether using a special reinforcing material (SIS) during bowel reconnection after rectal cancer surgery can prevent dangerous leaks. About 966 adults with mid-to-low rectal cancer will be randomly assigned to receive either the reinforced connection or the stand…

This study tests whether a lower dose of short-course radiotherapy, combined with chemotherapy and two immune-boosting drugs, works as well as the standard radiation dose for locally advanced rectal cancer. About 122 adults will be randomly assigned to one of two radiation doses,…

This study tests a combination of two drugs (fruquintinib and FOLFIRI) in people with advanced colorectal cancer that has spread. It is for those who have already had one prior treatment. The goal is to see if this new combination can help control the cancer longer and with manag…

This study tests a new treatment using a patient's own immune cells, called CAR T cells, that are specially designed to target and kill solid tumor cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. It is for adults with certain advanced cancers, including lung, colon, pancreatic, ovari…

This study tests whether giving chemotherapy alone before limited surgery works as well as chemotherapy plus radiation for early rectal cancer. The goal is to see if avoiding radiation improves quality of life without harming cancer control. About 250 adults with early-stage rect…

This study looks at whether giving FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy before surgery helps people with mid or lower rectal cancer that has spread to the liver. The goal is to see if both the rectal tumor and liver spots can be completely removed. About 550 adults will take part, and the mai…

This study tests whether giving chemotherapy after surgery can prevent rectal cancer from returning in people who have a positive ctDNA blood test (a sign of leftover cancer cells). About 103 adults with high-risk rectal cancer will either receive chemo or be observed. The goal i…

This study tests whether giving a higher radiation dose to the tumor can help people with early-stage rectal cancer keep their rectum instead of needing surgery. About 25 adults will receive targeted radiation using a special adaptive technique. The goal is to see if this approac…

This study tests a new therapy where a person's own white blood cells are collected, genetically modified in a lab to recognize and attack cancer cells with a specific mutation (KRAS G12V), and then infused back. Participants also receive chemotherapy and a drug to boost cell act…

This study looks at whether giving a drug called somatostatin along with a clear liquid diet for a week after rectal cancer surgery can prevent dangerous bowel leaks as well as a temporary stoma (a bag outside the body). About 72 adults with low or mid rectal cancer will be rando…

This study tests whether adding an immunotherapy drug (sintilimab) to short-course radiation and chemotherapy can improve long-term survival in people with a common type of locally advanced rectal cancer (MSS type). About 130 adults aged 18-75 with stage II/III rectal cancer will…

This phase 3 trial tests whether adding an immunotherapy drug (HLX10) to standard chemotherapy and radiation before surgery improves outcomes for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. It compares short-course versus long-course radiation, both followed by immunotherapy and …

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding two targeted drugs (tucatinib and trastuzumab) to standard chemotherapy can shrink HER2-positive rectal tumors before surgery. About 37 adults with locally advanced rectal cancer will receive the drug combo for 6 weeks, then continue it wit…

This study tests whether a combination of chemotherapy and radiation (total neoadjuvant therapy, or TNT) can shrink rectal tumors enough so that some patients can avoid surgery and instead be monitored closely. About 400 adults with early-stage rectal cancer will be randomly assi…

This study tests whether taking sildenafil (a drug for erectile dysfunction) daily for 10 months, starting 30 days after surgery, can prevent long-term erectile problems in men treated for rectal cancer with radiation and surgery. The trial includes 188 men aged 18 to 70 who had …

This study tests a new drug called MDX2001 in people with advanced solid tumors that have spread. The main goals are to check the drug's safety and see if it can shrink tumors. About 285 adults with various cancers like lung, breast, or colon cancer will take part. This is an ear…

This study tests a treatment plan for people with low rectal cancer that can be removed with surgery. Participants receive chemotherapy and an immunotherapy drug called tislelizumab before surgery. The goal is to see if this combination can make the cancer disappear completely, a…

This phase 3 trial is testing whether adding the immunotherapy drug pucotenlimab to standard chemotherapy (CAPOX) before surgery can improve outcomes for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. About 556 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either CAPOX plus puco…

This study tests whether patients with a specific type of rectal cancer (dMMR/MSI-H) can safely avoid surgery after immunotherapy. After six rounds of a PD-1 inhibitor, those whose tumors completely disappear will be monitored closely instead of undergoing standard treatments. Th…

This early-phase trial is testing a new way of giving radiation therapy (ultra-fractionated, short course) along with standard chemotherapy for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. The goal is to see if this combination can shrink the tumor enough to avoid surgery. The stu…

This phase 3 trial compares two different oral chemotherapy drugs given alongside radiation before surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer. The standard drug, capecitabine, is being tested against a newer drug called TAS-102. The goal is to see if TAS-102 leads to more tumors …

This phase 2 trial is testing whether adding a dietary supplement called β-hydroxybutyrate to a standard treatment plan (short-course radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy) can improve outcomes for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. The study will enroll 25 adult…

This study tests whether putting a person's own intestinal fluid back into their stoma can prevent a common and distressing bowel condition called Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) after rectal cancer surgery. 160 participants will either receive their own intestinal fluid o…

This phase 2 study tests a total neoadjuvant therapy approach for stage II or III rectal cancer. Participants receive short-course radiotherapy followed by 9 cycles of mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy before any surgery. The goal is to see how many patients achieve a complete response, mean…

This study is for people with rectal cancer that didn't fully go away after standard chemotherapy and radiation. Researchers want to see if giving a few extra doses of internal radiation (brachytherapy) can finish off the tumor and let patients keep their rectum instead of needin…

This study tests whether adding a targeted drug (surufatinib) to a standard pre-surgery regimen of short-course radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy (toripalimab) can improve outcomes for people with high-risk mid-to-low rectal cancer. About 212 participants will receive on…

This study tests whether a special delayed-connection surgery (Turnbull-Cutait) can help people with low rectal cancer avoid a permanent colostomy bag better than the standard surgery with a temporary stoma. About 520 adults aged 18-75 with rectal cancer will be randomly assigned…

This study tests a new way of giving three chemotherapy drugs (TAS-102, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan) along with bevacizumab to people with advanced colorectal cancer that has stopped responding to standard treatments. The goal is to see if this approach can control the cancer and…

This phase 3 trial is testing whether a powerful chemotherapy combination (mFOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab) can be used instead of standard chemoradiation before surgery for people with high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer. The goal is to see if this approach can reduce the chanc…

This study tests whether a special MRI-guided radiation machine (MR-linac) can deliver high-dose radiation precisely to rectal tumors, allowing patients to avoid surgical removal of the rectum. About 100 people with early-stage rectal cancer will receive this radiation along with…

This study tests whether adding the drug epacadostat to standard chemoradiation helps treat locally advanced rectal cancer before surgery. About 49 adults with stage 2 or 3 rectal cancer will receive short-course radiation, chemotherapy, and epacadostat. The goal is to find the b…

This study tests whether two drugs, botensilimab and balstilimab, can clear remaining cancer DNA in people with colorectal cancer who still have signs of disease after standard treatments like surgery and chemotherapy. About 284 adults with a specific type of colorectal cancer (M…

This study compares giving chemotherapy before surgery versus after surgery for people with locally advanced rectal cancer who have a low risk of the cancer coming back in the same area. The goal is to see which timing helps patients live longer without the cancer returning. Abou…

This study tests whether placing live probiotic tablets into the unused part of the gut during a temporary ileostomy can improve bowel function after the stoma is reversed. 156 adults with ultra-low rectal cancer who had sphincter-saving surgery will be randomly assigned to a low…

This study is testing whether adding leucine, a common amino acid found in food, to standard chemoradiotherapy can help shrink tumors more effectively in people with locally advanced rectal cancer. The researchers believe leucine may interfere with cancer cells' ability to repair…

This study tests whether using chemotherapy alone before surgery works as well as chemotherapy followed by radiation for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. About 540 adults with stage T3 or node-positive rectal cancer will take part. The goal is to see if avoiding radiat…

This phase 2 trial tests a new treatment for early-stage rectal cancer that has not spread to lymph nodes. Instead of radiating the whole pelvis, doctors give a short course of radiation only to the tumor, followed by chemotherapy and an immunotherapy drug. The goal is to shrink …

This phase 2 trial compares two types of radiotherapy (short-course vs long-course) given alongside immunotherapy (Adebrelimab) and chemotherapy before surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer. The goal is to see which approach leads to a higher rate of complete tumor disappear…

This study tests whether adding a special medical food that restricts certain amino acids (NEAAR) to standard cancer therapy (radiation and chemotherapy) is safe and tolerable for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. About 30 adults will participate. The goal is to see if …

This study is testing whether people with early- or intermediate-stage low rectal cancer can safely avoid major surgery if their tumor responds well to chemotherapy and radiation. Instead of removing the rectum, doctors will closely monitor patients using a "watch-and-wait" appro…

This trial tests a temporary bypass device called CG-100 in 250 rectal cancer patients undergoing surgery. The device is placed inside the bowel to protect the surgical connection, potentially reducing the need for a temporary stoma. Researchers will compare stoma rates and compl…

This early-stage study is testing a new treatment called CEA-targeted CAR-T cells for people with advanced solid tumors like lung, stomach, colon, rectal, esophageal, or pancreatic cancer that have not responded to standard therapies. The treatment uses a patient's own immune cel…

This study is for people with locally advanced rectal cancer that hasn't spread. It tests whether adding an immunotherapy drug (PD-1 inhibitor) to a standard treatment plan (short-course radiation plus chemotherapy and targeted therapy) can lead to a complete disappearance of the…

This study tests A2B395, a donor-derived CAR T-cell therapy designed to target cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. It is for adults with advanced solid tumors like colorectal, lung, or breast cancer that have lost a specific immune marker. The trial has two phases: first to …

This study tests whether adding the immunotherapy drug pucotenlimab to standard chemoradiation can improve outcomes for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. About 68 participants will receive the combination, and doctors will check if the tumor disappears completely. If it…

This study is testing whether people with rectal cancer who have a complete response to initial therapy can safely avoid surgery and instead be closely monitored. Researchers will track 200 participants to see how often the cancer stays away or comes back. The goal is to preserve…

This study is testing whether a new type of CT scanner, called photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT), can determine how far rectal cancer has grown as accurately as MRI. About 200 adults with rectal cancer will get both a standard MRI and the new CT scan, and doctors will compare …

This study is testing a smartphone app that lets rectal cancer patients log their bowel symptoms daily. The goal is to create a better tool for doctors to understand and manage these symptoms. About 158 participants who had rectal surgery or are on a watch-and-wait plan will use …

This study is testing a new device that combines ultrasound with photoacoustic imaging to look at rectal tumors. The goal is to see if it can more accurately tell whether a patient's cancer has completely responded to pre-surgery treatment. If it works, doctors could avoid operat…

This early study tests a special PET/CT scan that uses a modified tryptophan molecule to make tumors light up more clearly than normal tissue. About 24 adults with brain, breast, neuroendocrine, or rectal cancers will get one scan to see if this method helps doctors tell tumors a…

This study tests whether cancer patients can complete a supervised exercise program from home using video calls. The program includes resistance training with dumbbells and aerobic exercise. Researchers want to see if this approach is practical and helps patients maintain functio…

This study tests whether taking omega-3 fish oil capsules and doing simple resistance exercises with elastic bands can help cancer patients maintain muscle mass and strength. It involves 288 adults with various cancers who are at risk of muscle wasting. The goal is to improve phy…

This study tests whether a high-protein nutrition plan combined with resistance exercises, started weeks before surgery and continued for 24 weeks after, can help older adults with cancer preserve their physical function. The trial enrolls Veterans aged 55 and older with certain …

This pilot study tests whether brodalumab, a drug used for autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, can safely reduce immune-related side effects caused by cancer immunotherapy. About 11 adults with advanced solid tumors who developed these side effects will receive brodalumab injec…

This study tests whether an intensive follow-up program can improve bowel control and quality of life for people who have had rectal cancer surgery. About 140 adults who had surgery and a temporary colostomy will be split into two groups: one gets the intensive program with extra…

This study tests whether online interactive videos that guide core muscle exercises can improve bowel symptoms, psychological distress, and quality of life in people who have had rectal cancer surgery. About 110 adults with stage I-III rectal cancer will be assigned to either a g…

This study tests a shorter course of radiation (39 Gy in 13 sessions) to relieve symptoms like bleeding and pain in 50 adults with rectal cancer who cannot have surgery due to age, other illnesses, or cancer spread. The goal is to see if this approach improves comfort and quality…

This study tests whether using virtual reality (VR) can reduce severe belly pain and improve quality of life in people with digestive tract cancers. 360 participants will be split into three groups: one using a skills-based VR program, one using distracting VR videos, and a contr…

This study tests a newer type of radiation therapy that adjusts to daily changes in a patient's body shape. The goal is to safely use smaller treatment areas to reduce side effects like bladder and bowel problems. About 280 adults with pelvic cancers (prostate, bladder, rectal, a…

This study tests whether a daily probiotic pill (Pendulum Glucose Control) can safely reduce stomach and bowel problems in people receiving radiation for cancers of the pelvis, such as prostate, gynecologic, or lower GI cancers. About 20 adults will take the probiotic during thei…

This study tests whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) – taking donor gut bacteria in capsules – can prevent or reduce gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by chemotherapy or targeted therapy. It involves 90 adults with advanced (Stage IV)…

This study looks at whether eating only during certain hours of the day can reduce side effects from cancer treatment and improve mood and behavior. About 175 adults with colorectal or breast cancer will follow a time-restricted eating plan while receiving standard therapy. Resea…

This study tests a device that maps pelvic nerves during rectal cancer surgery. The goal is to help surgeons avoid damaging nerves that control bladder, bowel, and sexual function. About 44 adults with rectal cancer will be monitored during surgery and followed for three months t…

This study looks at whether people with rectal cancer can stick to a ketogenic diet (very low carbs, high fat) during chemoradiation. About 194 participants will be randomly assigned to either the ketogenic diet or a standard Mediterranean diet for 5 weeks. The main goal is to se…

This study is building a huge registry of information and biological samples from adults with or at risk for many types of cancer, as well as healthy volunteers. Researchers will use this resource to study what causes cancer and how to better prevent, detect, and treat it. The re…

This study is observing 300 women with female sexual organs who are receiving radiotherapy for certain cancers. Researchers want to understand why some patients have more sexual side effects than others. They will track sexual quality of life and look at radiation doses to find p…

This study is testing whether special PET-MRI scans can predict how well rectal cancer responds to chemotherapy and radiation before surgery. Researchers will scan 50 patients multiple times during treatment to see if early changes in the tumor can forecast the final outcome. The…

This study is looking at how short-course radiation therapy (5 days of treatment) affects the immune system in people with rectal cancer. Researchers will collect blood, stool, and tumor tissue samples before, during, and after radiation to study these changes. The goal is to bet…

This study aims to safely collect health information like heart rate and activity levels from cancer patients using devices like smartphones and wearables. Researchers will use this data to learn more about how it relates to cancer diagnosis, treatment response, and risk factors.…

This study looks at whether the types of bacteria in the gut and surrounding tissues can help predict how rectal cancer will progress. Researchers will collect stool, tissue, and fat samples from 100 people with rectal cancer and compare them to healthy controls. The goal is to f…

This study looks at whether preserving the left colic artery during colon or rectal cancer surgery helps keep the remaining colon well-supplied with blood. Surgeons will temporarily clamp the main artery and use a green dye to measure blood flow. The goal is to see if this techni…

This study aims to learn more about how the body responds to standard treatments for rectal cancer, including chemoradiation and chemotherapy. Researchers will analyze participants' blood, tissue, and scans to see if these tests can predict whether the cancer improves, worsens, o…

This study is for Black adults newly diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer. It focuses on ensuring patients receive proper biomarker testing and evidence-based care, helping them find and join clinical trials if they choose, and providing easy-to-understand information about the…

This study looks at how rectal cancer patients and their doctors decide between three effective treatment options. Researchers want to understand what factors—like age, income, or personal values—influence these choices. About 192 patients and their doctors will fill out question…

This study looks at why some people who had surgery for colorectal cancer develop lasting bowel issues like urgency or leakage. Researchers will compare 145 participants with and without these problems using advanced tests. The goal is to identify different types of bowel dysfunc…

This study is building a smart model that uses scans, gut bacteria, and blood tests to see if rectal cancer patients can safely avoid surgery after initial treatment. Researchers will follow 869 patients to find out who can use a 'watch-and-wait' approach instead of an operation.…

This study looks at 200 adults with rectal cancer who had chemoradiotherapy and then chose organ-preserving treatment. Some had a small local surgery to remove the scar, while others did not. Researchers will compare bowel, bladder, and sexual function between the two groups over…

This study looks at tiny particles called exosomes in the blood of 30 adults with rectal cancer who are getting chemotherapy and radiation before surgery. The goal is to see if changes in these particles can predict how well the tumor responds to treatment. This is an observation…

This study is testing whether an artificial intelligence (AI) system can analyze MRI scans to predict how well rectal cancer responds to chemotherapy and radiation before surgery. Researchers will enroll 1,700 adults with locally advanced rectal cancer. The goal is to help doctor…

This study aims to improve how doctors tell the difference between real tumor growth and pseudoprogression (a harmless, temporary increase in tumor size) after immunotherapy for rectal cancer. Researchers will use multiple MRI scans and blood tests from 300 participants to build …

This study is collecting information from up to 999 people with rectal cancer who are treated with a special device called the MAASTRO HDR applicator. The goal is to learn how well it works and what side effects it causes, so doctors can improve future treatments. Participants wi…

This study looks at whether adding a geriatrician (a doctor who specializes in care for older adults) to cancer treatment can improve outcomes for people aged 70 and older with gastrointestinal cancers like stomach, colon, or pancreatic cancer. Researchers will test if an online …

This study is a large registry that will follow about 8,000 cancer patients who receive radiation therapy using a special machine called an MR-Linac, which combines an MRI scanner with a radiation beam. The goal is to learn how well this technology works for different cancers, in…

This study follows 368 colorectal cancer survivors aged 25 to 65 to see how their quality of life changes 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment. Researchers will use questionnaires to measure physical, mental, and social well-being and look for late side effects linked to specific…

This study looks at whether removing a urinary catheter one day after colorectal surgery is as safe as the standard three days. About 176 adults having certain pelvic surgeries will be randomly assigned to early or standard removal. The goal is to see if shorter use lowers infect…

This study looks at whether a special type of MRI, called amide proton transfer-weighted imaging, can accurately predict if rectal cancer has completely disappeared after chemotherapy and radiation. Researchers will compare the MRI results with the actual tissue removed during su…

This study follows 150 rectal cancer patients to understand why some have long-term bowel problems after treatment. Participants use a smartphone app to track symptoms and fill out quality-of-life questionnaires. The goal is to create personalized care plans that address each pat…

This study collects blood and leftover tissue samples from 9,600 people with various cancers, including breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer. Researchers will use these samples to improve tests that look for cancer DNA in the blood. The goal is to better detect if cancer returns o…

This study looks at whether a pre-surgery program of exercise and nutrition advice is practical for people with stage II or III rectal cancer. About 40 participants will either join the program or receive usual care. The main goal is to see if enough people sign up and stick with…