Aggressive chemo cocktail aims to wipe out rectal cancer before surgery

NCT ID NCT03997435

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: CCTU Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding a stronger chemotherapy regimen (FOLFOXIRI) before the usual chemoradiation and surgery can improve outcomes for people with high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer. About 72 participants will be randomly assigned to either standard treatment or the intensified approach. The main goal is to see if more tumors completely disappear (pathologic complete response) with the extra chemo.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: FOLFOXIRI chemotherapy regimen
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to a more effective treatment approach for high-risk rectal cancer, potentially increasing the chance of a complete response before surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 72 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Adding more chemotherapy also raises the risk of side effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for RECTAL ADENOCARCINOMA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

rectal cancer rectal neoplasm rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

RECTAL CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital

Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Department of Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital

Hong Kong, Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.