New combo therapy aims to boost rectal cancer survival
NCT ID NCT04643366
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This phase 2 trial is testing a two-month course of chemotherapy (mFOLFOX) followed by short-course radiation before surgery for people with resectable rectal cancer. The goal is to see if this approach improves the chance of being cancer-free three years later. About 54 participants will be enrolled.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- chemotherapy (oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin) and radiation therapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could improve the chance of being cancer-free three years after treatment for people with resectable rectal cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial (54 participants) with no control group, so results may not apply broadly. Chemotherapy and radiation have side effects like fatigue, nausea, and bowel issues.
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
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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VCU Community Memorial Healthcenter
RECRUITINGSouth Hill, Virginia, 23970, United States
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGTappahannock, Virginia, 22560, United States
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Virginia Cancer Institute
RECRUITINGRichmond, Virginia, 23230, United States
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center
RECRUITINGRichmond, Virginia, 23298, United States
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Rearranging the treatment timeline: could a new sequence of chemo and radiation spare rectal cancer patients from major surgery?
- Rectal cancer: could a 'Watch and Wait' strategy spare patients from major surgery?
- Blood test and CT combo may spare rectal cancer patients a second surgery
- Dye-Free laser imaging could replace standard dye in colorectal surgery
- Could your own gut bacteria restore bowel control after cancer surgery?
- New drug combo aims to eliminate rectal tumors before surgery