Immunotherapy duo takes on tough rectal cancer

NCT ID NCT06843434

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether two immunotherapy drugs, botensilimab and balstilimab, can shrink or eliminate rectal tumors in people with a specific type of rectal cancer (MMRp/MSS) that usually doesn't respond to immunotherapy alone. About 40 adults with stage II or III rectal cancer will receive the drugs before any surgery. Researchers will check how many patients have a complete or partial response, and whether adding chemotherapy helps.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

botensilimab and balstilimab (immunotherapy drugs)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could offer a new treatment option for people with a common type of rectal cancer that doesn't respond to standard immunotherapy.

What could go wrong

This is an early phase II trial with only 40 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The drugs can cause immune-related side effects, and the combination may not work better than current treatments.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

rectal carcinoma rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Limited Protocol Activities)

    RECRUITING

    Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-••••

    Contact

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)

    RECRUITING

    Montvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-••••

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)

    RECRUITING

    New York, New York, 10065, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-••••

    Contact

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at Suffolk - Commack (Limited Protocol Activities)

    RECRUITING

    Commack, New York, 11725, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-••••

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Limited Protocol Activities)

    RECRUITING

    Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-••••

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (Limited Protocol Activities)

    RECRUITING

    Uniondale, New York, 11553, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-••••

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Limited Protocol Activities)

    RECRUITING

    Harrison, New York, 10604, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-••••