Triple chemo may help rectal cancer patients avoid surgery
NCT ID NCT07472868
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This Phase 3 trial tests whether a three-drug chemotherapy combination (FOLFOXIRI) works better than the standard two-drug combination (CAPOX/FOLFOX) for people with high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer. Both groups also receive chemoradiation, and then either surgery or a watch-and-wait approach. The goal is to see if the stronger chemo leads to more complete tumor disappearances and better quality of life, despite a higher risk of side effects. The study plans to enroll 394 participants.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
FOLFOXIRI (a combination of three chemotherapy drugs: irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) compared to CAPOX/FOLFOX (two-drug combinations)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that a stronger three-drug chemo combination leads to more tumors disappearing completely, allowing some patients to avoid surgery and have a better quality of life.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage Phase 3 trial that hasn't started recruiting yet. The stronger chemo may cause more side effects, and it's not yet known if it will improve long-term outcomes or just increase toxicity.
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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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Catharina Hospital Eindhoven
Eindhoven, North Brabant, 5623 EJ, Netherlands
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••