Immunotherapy combo shows promise in shrinking colorectal tumors before surgery
NCT ID NCT05571293
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.
Disclaimer
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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.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
Brooklyn, New York, 11215, United States
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Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork Presbyterian - Queens
Flushing, New York, 11355, United States
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Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
New York, New York, 10021, United States