Immunotherapy boosts standard treatment for rectal cancer?
NCT ID NCT03921684
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tests whether adding the immunotherapy drug nivolumab (Opdivo) to standard chemoradiation and chemotherapy can improve outcomes for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. About 29 participants who have not had prior treatment will receive chemoradiation, then six cycles of chemo plus nivolumab, followed by surgery. The main goal is to see how many patients have no cancer left at the time of surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
nivolumab (Opdivo) plus chemotherapy (capecitabine, oxaliplatin, leucovorin, fluorouracil) and radiation
What this could lead to
If successful, this combination could increase the chance of eliminating all cancer before surgery, potentially allowing some patients to avoid surgery altogether.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 29 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Adding immunotherapy to chemotherapy also raises the risk of immune-related side effects.
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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Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital
Petah Tikva, Israel