Immunotherapy plus chemotherapy shows promise in rectal cancer trial
NCT ID NCT07528209
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 3 trial is testing whether adding the immunotherapy drug pucotenlimab to standard chemotherapy (CAPOX) before surgery can improve outcomes for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. About 556 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either CAPOX plus pucotenlimab or CAPOX alone, with some also receiving radiotherapy based on tumor response. The main goal is to see if the combination improves 3-year disease-free survival.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Pucotenlimab (an immunotherapy drug) combined with chemotherapy (CAPOX: oxaliplatin and capecitabine) and selective radiotherapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this combination could improve disease-free survival and increase the chance of a complete response before surgery for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with 556 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. Immunotherapy can cause immune-related side effects, and the added benefit over standard chemotherapy alone is not yet proven.
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
-
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
RECRUITINGGuangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, China
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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