Immunotherapy combo shows promise in shrinking colorectal tumors before surgery

NCT ID NCT05571293

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 pilot study is testing whether giving two immunotherapy drugs, botensilimab and balstilimab, before surgery can shrink tumors in people with colorectal cancer. The trial includes 26 participants across three groups, with some receiving more doses and one group having a specific genetic marker (dMMR/MSI-High). Researchers are looking at how much the tumor shrinks and whether the treatment causes serious side effects or delays surgery.

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 lead to a new treatment option that shrinks colorectal tumors before surgery, potentially improving outcomes and allowing some patients to avoid surgery altogether.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase pilot study with only 26 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The drugs can cause serious immune-related side effects, and there is a risk of delays in surgery due to adverse events.

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.

colorectal cancer colorectal neoplasm type 1 diabetes mellitus 12

As listed by the trial registrant

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

COLORECTAL NEOPLASMS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital

Brooklyn, New York, 11215, United States
Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork Presbyterian - Queens

Flushing, New York, 11355, United States
Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

New York, New York, 10021, United States

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