Triple threat: radiotherapy, chemo, and immunotherapy take on spread rectal cancer
NCT ID NCT06850103
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 a specific type of rectal cancer that has spread to a few other spots in the body (oligometastases). The treatment combines short-course radiotherapy, chemotherapy (CAPEOX), and an immunotherapy drug called serplulimab before surgery. The goal is to see if this combination can shrink tumors, improve the chance of removing all cancer, and help people live longer without the cancer coming back.
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, CAPEOX chemotherapy (capecitabine and oxaliplatin), and serplulimab (an immunotherapy drug)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new treatment option that shrinks tumors and reduces the chance of cancer coming back in people with rectal cancer that has spread to a few other places.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 51 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The combination of treatments may cause significant side effects, and it is not yet known if it will improve survival.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 51 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Apr 2025
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2032
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: \- Has signed the written Informed Consent Form (ICF) and is able to comply with protocol-specified visits and procedures. Age between 18-75 years. Histologically confirmed primary rectal adenocarcinoma, with MRI showing tumor location within 10cm from the anal verge. Synchronous oligometastatic rectal cancer confirmed by comprehensive imaging evaluation (contrast-enhanced CT, contrast-enhanced MRI, PET-CT, etc.), with ≤2 metastatic sites and ≤5 total metastatic lesions. Microsatellite stability status confirmed as MSS (using the NCI-recommended 5 microsatellite markers: BAT25, BAT26, D5S346, D2S123, D17S250) or proficient mismatch repair (pMMR) status confirmed by immunohistochemistry showing positive nuclear expression of all 4 MMR proteins (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2). At least one measurable lesion according to RECIST v1.1 criteria. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0-1. Adequate organ function and bone marrow reserve, defined as follows: Complete blood count: Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) ≥1.5×109/L Platelet count (PLT) ≥100×109/L Hemoglobin (HGB) ≥10.0g/dL Liver function: Total Bilirubin (TBIL) ≤1.5×Upper Limit of Normal (ULN) Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤3×ULN Serum albumin (ALB) ≥35 g/L Renal function: Serum creatinine ≤1.5×ULN or creatinine clearance ≥50 mL/min (calculated using Cockcroft-Gault formula \[see Appendix 3\] or standard 24-hour urine collection method) Urine protein by dipstick \<2+ For subjects with baseline urine protein ≥2+ by dipstick, 24-hour urine protein must be \<1g Coagulation: International Normalized Ratio (INR) ≤1.5 Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) ≤1.5×ULN Certain anticoagulant medications (such as antiplatelet agents, vitamin K antagonists) must be discontinued 7-14 days before surgery and replaced with alternative medications (such as low molecular weight heparin) No concurrent serious diseases that would threaten subject survival (leading to expected survival \<5 years). Women of childbearing potential and men whose partners are of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during the entire treatment period and for 6 months after treatment completion. Female subjects must either have evidence of post-menopausal status, or if pre-menopausal, have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test. Exclusion Criteria: \- More than 2 metastatic sites or more than 5 total metastatic lesions confirmed by imaging evaluation. Prior anti-tumor therapy for the study disease, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. Previous treatment with anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, or anti-CTLA-4 antibodies, or any other drugs targeting T-cell co-stimulation or immune checkpoint pathways (e.g., OX40, CD137), or adoptive cell immunotherapy. Concurrent participation in another clinical trial, except for observational (non-interventional) studies or survival follow-up phase of interventional studies. Receipt of any investigational drug within 4 weeks prior to first dose of study drug. History of blood transfusion or use of G-CSF, GM-CSF, EPO, TPO, or IL-11 within 14 days prior to screening laboratory tests. Use of immunosuppressive medications within 4 weeks prior to first dose of study drug, excluding: Intranasal inhaled corticosteroids or local steroid injections Systemic corticosteroids at ≤10 mg/day prednisone equivalent Corticosteroids as premedication for allergic reactions (e.g., CT contrast) Traditional Chinese medicines with anti-tumor indications or immunomodulatory effects within 1 week prior to first dose Receipt of live or attenuated vaccines within 4 weeks prior to first dose or anticipated during the study period. Major surgery within 4 weeks prior to first dose (e.g., craniotomy, thoracotomy, or laparotomy), anticipated major surgery during treatment (excluding protocol-specified rectal cancer surgery), or presence of unhealed wounds, ulcers, or fractures. Known active or suspected autoimmune disease or history within past 2 years (exceptions: eczema, vitiligo, psoriasis, alopecia, or Graves' disease not requiring systemic treatment in past 2 years; hypothyroidism requiring only hormone replacement; Type I diabetes requiring only insulin). Known history of primary immunodeficiency. Active tuberculosis, current anti-TB treatment, or anti-TB treatment within 1 year prior to first dose. Known history of allogeneic organ transplantation or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Known allergy to capecitabine, oxaliplatin, serplulimab, or other monoclonal antibody components. Clinically significant ascites, pleural effusion requiring intervention, or symptomatic pericardial effusion requiring drainage. HIV infection (HIV antibody positive). Acute or chronic active hepatitis B (defined as HBsAg positive or HBcAb positive only with HBV DNA ≥2000 IU/mL or ≥1×104 copies/mL) or hepatitis C (defined as HCV antibody positive with detectable HCV RNA). Active syphilis infection requiring treatment. Severe infection within 4 weeks prior to first dose, including but not limited to hospitalization for infection, bacteremia, or severe pneumonia; therapeutic oral or IV antibiotics within two weeks prior to first dose. Symptomatic congestive heart failure (NYHA class II-IV) or LVEF \<50%; symptomatic or uncontrolled arrhythmias; congenital long QT syndrome or QTc \>500 ms at screening (Fridericia's formula). Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP ≥160 mmHg or DBP ≥100 mmHg) despite standard therapy, history of hypertensive crisis or encephalopathy. Severe bleeding diathesis or coagulation disorders, or current thrombolytic therapy. Any arterial thromboembolic events within 6 months prior to first dose, including myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, or TIA. Esophageal or gastric varices requiring immediate intervention; high bleeding risk subjects require endoscopic evaluation within 3 months before enrollment. History of GI perforation and/or fistula within 6 months prior to first dose. Life-threatening bleeding event within 3 months prior to first dose, or Grade 3/4 GI/variceal bleeding requiring transfusion, endoscopy, or surgery. History of DVT, PE, or other serious thromboembolism within 3 months prior to first dose (excluding catheter-related thrombosis or superficial thrombosis). Uncontrolled metabolic disorders or other non-malignant conditions causing high medical risk or uncertain survival evaluation. Hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, or Child-Pugh B \>7 or worse cirrhosis. Bowel obstruction (including incomplete requiring parenteral nutrition); conditions with perforation risk; history of extensive bowel resection, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or chronic diarrhea. Interstitial lung disease requiring treatment; history of pulmonary fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, drug-induced pneumonitis, organizing pneumonia, or severe pulmonary dysfunction. Significant malnutrition (5% weight loss within 1 month or 15% within 3 months of consent, or \>50% reduced intake for 1 week), unless corrected for ≥4 weeks before first dose. History of other primary malignancies, except: Cured malignancies with ≥2 years disease-free and low recurrence risk Well-treated non-melanoma skin cancer or lentigo maligna Well-treated carcinoma in situ Other acute or chronic conditions that could: Increase study participation risks Interfere with result interpretation Make subject unsuitable per investigator judgment Neurological, psychiatric, or social conditions affecting compliance or safety assessment. Alcohol, drug, or substance abuse affecting drug administration or toxicity analysis. Pregnant or breastfeeding women. Conditions interfering with medication management or toxicity analysis due to alcohol, drug, or substance use. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
RECRUITINGHangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
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