New radiation technique aims to spare rectal cancer patients from surgery

NCT ID NCT04808323

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This early-phase trial tests whether MRI-guided adaptive radiation therapy, combined with the chemotherapy drug capecitabine, can safely treat rectal cancer while preserving the rectum. About 22 adults with stage I-III rectal cancer will receive escalating doses of radiation guided by real-time MRI. The main goal is to check for serious side effects, but researchers will also see if the cancer disappears completely.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Capecitabine (chemotherapy) plus MRI-guided adaptive radiation therapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could allow some rectal cancer patients to avoid surgery and keep their rectum, improving quality of life.
What could go wrong: This is a very early Phase 1 trial with only 22 people, focused on safety. It is too small to prove effectiveness, and there is a risk of serious side effects from the high radiation doses.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

rectal neoplasm rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

RECTAL ADENOCARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin
RECRUITING

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, United States

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