Radiation plus immunotherapy: a new hope for rectal cancer patients?

NCT ID NCT07394192

Not yet recruiting Disease control Sponsor: Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial is testing a new approach for people with stage II-III rectal cancer. It combines short-course radiotherapy that spares the tumor-draining lymph nodes with a PD-1 inhibitor (a type of immunotherapy). The goal is to see if this combination can lead to a complete disappearance of the cancer before surgery. The study will enroll 44 participants and is not yet recruiting.

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 and PD-1 inhibitor (pembrolizumab or similar)
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could offer a more effective neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer, potentially increasing the chance of a complete response and reducing the need for more aggressive surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase exploratory study with only 44 participants. The combination therapy may not improve outcomes over standard treatment, and there are risks of side effects from both radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

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.

rectal cancer rectal neoplasm rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

PD-1 INHIBITOR RADIOTHERAPY RECTAL CANCER

More trials for these conditions

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