New combo therapy aims to shrink rectal tumors before surgery

NCT ID NCT07580339

Not yet recruiting Disease control Sponsor: Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 29, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This phase 2 trial is testing whether adding an experimental drug called DCSZ11 to standard radiation and chemotherapy can improve outcomes for people with a high-risk type of rectal cancer. The study will enroll 30 adults who have not had prior treatment. The goal is to see if the combination leads to a complete disappearance of the tumor before surgery, either through pathology or imaging.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: DCSZ11 (a CD93 inhibitor) combined with radiation and capecitabine/oxaliplatin chemotherapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this combination could increase the chance of eliminating the tumor before surgery, potentially allowing some patients to avoid surgery altogether.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 30 participants. The drug combination may cause significant side effects, and it is not yet known if it will improve long-term outcomes.

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 cancer rectal neoplasm rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

RECTAL CANCER

Contacts and locations

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Study contacts

Contact

Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

Johns Hopkins SKCCC

Baltimore, Maryland, 21231, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••

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