New radiation combo may let some rectal cancer patients skip surgery
NCT ID NCT04677413
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase trial is testing a new way of giving radiation therapy (ultra-fractionated, short course) along with standard chemotherapy for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. The goal is to see if this combination can shrink the tumor enough to avoid surgery. The study will enroll 27 adults with stage T3-4 or node-positive rectal cancer who have not had prior treatment. The main focus is on safety and finding the highest dose that does not cause severe side effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- ultra-fractionated radiotherapy with FOLFOX or CAPOX chemotherapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could allow some patients with advanced rectal cancer to avoid surgery by achieving a complete response with radiation and chemo alone.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 27 participants, focused on safety and finding the right dose. It is not yet known if it will be effective or widely applicable, and there is a risk of serious gastrointestinal side effects.
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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
Locations
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UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, 75390-8849, United States
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