Could a simple supplement make rectal cancer treatment more effective?
NCT ID NCT07359989
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study is testing whether adding leucine, a common amino acid found in food, to standard chemoradiotherapy can help shrink tumors more effectively in people with locally advanced rectal cancer. The researchers believe leucine may interfere with cancer cells' ability to repair DNA damage caused by radiation. The trial will enroll 33 participants and measure how many achieve a complete response (no cancer cells visible 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
- Leucine (a dietary supplement)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to boost the effectiveness of standard chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small (33 people), single-arm trial with no placebo group, so results may not be reliable. Leucine's benefit is unproven, and side effects from the combination are unknown.
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
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Second Affiliated Hospital Of Zhejiang University School of Medicine
RECRUITINGHangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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