Aggressive chemo cocktail aims to wipe out rectal cancer before surgery
NCT ID NCT03997435
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.
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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Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Department of Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong