Could a simple supplement boost rectal cancer treatment?
NCT ID NCT07239466
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
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 adults aged 18-75 who have not had prior treatment for their rectal cancer. The main goal is to see if this combination leads to a complete response, meaning no cancer is detectable after treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- β-hydroxybutyrate (a dietary supplement) combined with short-course radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy (capecitabine and oxaliplatin)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a more effective neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer, potentially increasing the chance of complete tumor disappearance before surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 25 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The combination of treatments may cause side effects, and the supplement's benefit is unproven.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
RECRUITINGWuhan, Hubei, 430022, China
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