New combo therapy aims to shrink rectal tumors before Surgery—Could spare some patients the knife
NCT ID NCT07581626
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tests a short course of radiation followed by a mix of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy in 60 people with locally advanced rectal cancer. The goal is to see if this approach can make the tumor disappear completely before surgery, possibly allowing some patients to avoid surgery. The study focuses on patients with a specific genetic profile (pMMR/MSS) and high-risk features.
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 radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy (mFOLFOX6 or CAPOX), targeted therapy (cetuximab or bevacizumab), and immunotherapy (sintilimab)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this combination could increase the chance of eliminating the tumor before surgery, potentially allowing some patients to avoid surgery altogether and preserve their rectum.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase (phase 2) study with only 60 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. Combining multiple therapies raises the risk of serious 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 LOCALLY ADVANCED RECTAL CANCER (LARC) are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
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
-
China PLAGH
Beijing, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a gut bacteria transplant help immunotherapy wipe out rectal cancer before surgery?
- New combo therapy aims to spare organs in High-Risk rectal cancer
- New drug duo takes on tough rectal cancer
- Blood test may predict rectal cancer treatment success
- New drug combo may help avoid surgery in rectal cancer patients
- New combo therapy aims to skip radiation for rectal cancer patients