Radiation that skips lymph nodes may help rectal cancer patients keep their rectum

NCT ID NCT07068763

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

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests a new treatment for early-stage rectal cancer that has not spread to lymph nodes. Instead of radiating the whole pelvis, doctors give a short course of radiation only to the tumor, followed by chemotherapy and an immunotherapy drug. The goal is to shrink the cancer completely so patients can avoid major surgery and a permanent colostomy. The study enrolls 52 adults with a specific type of rectal cancer (MSS) and will measure how many achieve a complete response.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
short-course radiation to the tumor only, capecitabine chemotherapy, and a PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody (Aiparolitoworixureli injection)
What this could lead to
If successful, this approach could allow more patients with early rectal cancer to avoid major surgery and a permanent colostomy by achieving a complete response with a combination of targeted radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase (phase 2) trial with only 52 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. The combination therapy may cause significant side effects, and the long-term cancer control rates are still 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

Locations

  • Sir run run shaw hospital

    RECRUITING

    Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

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