Immunotherapy duo takes on tough rectal cancer

NCT ID NCT06843434

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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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.

LOCALLY ADVANCED RECTAL ADENOCARCINOMA MICROSATELLITE STABLE RECTAL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITING

Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITING

Montvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities)
RECRUITING

New York, New York, 10065, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at Suffolk - Commack (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITING

Commack, New York, 11725, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITING

Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITING

Uniondale, New York, 11553, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (Limited Protocol Activities)
RECRUITING

Harrison, New York, 10604, United States

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