Immunotherapy before surgery shows promise for certain colorectal cancers

NCT ID NCT05197322

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: University College, London Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This trial is testing whether giving the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab before surgery can improve outcomes for people with high-risk stage 2 or stage 3 colorectal cancer that has a specific genetic feature called mismatch repair deficiency. About 88 participants will receive pembrolizumab for up to 9 weeks before their planned surgery. Researchers will track how long patients stay cancer-free and whether the tumor is completely removed.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Pembrolizumab (immunotherapy drug)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that giving pembrolizumab before surgery helps remove the tumor completely and delays or prevents cancer from coming back in patients with this specific type of colorectal cancer.
What could go wrong: This is a small Phase 2 trial with only 88 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Immunotherapy can cause side effects like inflammation in healthy organs, and not all patients may respond.

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.

colon adenocarcinoma colonic neoplasm colorectal cancer Lynch syndrome rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE COLON

Contacts and locations

Locations

Addenbrookes Hospital
RECRUITING

Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
RECRUITING

Glasgow, G12 0YN, United Kingdom
Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road,
RECRUITING

Manchester, M20 4BX, United Kingdom
Southampton General Hospital
COMPLETED

Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
St James University Hospital (SJUH)
COMPLETED

Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
University College Hospital
RECRUITING

London, NW1 2BU, United Kingdom

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