Triple therapy aims to wipe out rectal cancer before surgery
NCT ID NCT07651007
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase II trial tests a new approach for high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer. Participants first receive short-course radiotherapy, followed by a combination of chemotherapy (NALIRIFOX) and immunotherapy (Pucotenlimab) for about 6 months. The goal is to see if this regimen can achieve a higher complete response rate and improve the chance of saving the anal sphincter, compared to historical standard treatment. The study will enroll 29 adults aged 18-70 with MSS/pMMR rectal cancer.
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, NALIRIFOX chemotherapy, and Pucotenlimab immunotherapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this combination could offer a more effective neoadjuvant treatment for high-risk rectal cancer, potentially increasing the chance of complete tumor disappearance and avoiding permanent colostomy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial (29 participants) with no control group, so results may not be definitive. The combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy may cause significant side effects.
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 29 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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May 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2029
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 70 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: 1. Age: 18-70 years; 2. ECOG PS score: 0-1; 3. Pathologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma with immunohistochemistry and/or genetic testing showing MSS/pMMR status; 4. Lesion located ≤10 cm from the anal verge, confirmed by colonoscopy or digital rectal examination; 5. According to the 8th edition of the 2018 AJCC Cancer Staging Manual and the 2008 ESMO staging criteria for lower rectal cancer: patients with stage II/III rectal cancer staged by MRI or endorectal ultrasound, who have at least one of the following high-risk factors: cT4a with more than half the circumference of the bowel invaded (measured by MRI), cT4b (resectable), cT3 with tumor penetration ≥5 mm beyond the muscularis propria (T3c/d) and positive extramural venous invasion (EMVI+) (for mid-upper rectal tumors), cN2, MRF+ (≤2 mm); for lower rectal tumors located on the anterior wall, additional criteria include T3 stage and tumor occupying \>50% of the bowel circumference; for tumors primarily located on the lateral-posterior wall in the lower rectum, tumor penetration through the bowel wall (internal anal sphincter) ≥5 mm; for tumors invading the external anal sphincter or levator ani muscle (staged as stage IV). Preoperative T staging is based on endorectal ultrasound and rectal MRI; N staging on abdominal CT; M staging on abdominal and chest CT. If symptoms are present, appropriate imaging studies (brain MRI or whole-body bone scan) should be performed. Patients with MRI contraindications may be cautiously included based on CT and endorectal ultrasound staging. All patient staging must be reviewed and confirmed by a multidisciplinary team (MDT). 6. No evidence of distant metastasis confirmed by comprehensive evaluation; 7. Primary rectal cancer patients who have not received prior surgery (except palliative stoma formation), radiotherapy, systemic chemotherapy, or other anti-tumor treatments before enrollment; 8. Normal organ function, meeting the following laboratory criteria: Hemoglobin (HB) ≥9 g/dL, white blood cell count (WBC) ≥3.5×10⁹/L, neutrophil count ≥1.5×10⁹/L, platelet count (PLT) ≥100×10⁹/L. Biochemical tests must meet the following standards: creatinine (Crea) and bilirubin (BIL) ≤1.0×ULN, ALT and AST ≤2.5×ULN, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) ≤2.5×ULN, total bilirubin (Tbil) ≤1.5×ULN; 9. No history of hypersensitivity to 5-FU class drugs or platinum-based agents; 10. No prior radiation therapy to the planned irradiation site; 11. Female participants of childbearing potential must undergo a pregnancy test (serum or urine) within 7 days prior to enrollment, with a negative result, and agree to use an effective method of contraception during the study and for 8 weeks after the last dose. Male participants must agree to use an effective method of contraception during the study and for 8 weeks after the last dose; 12. Participants must voluntarily enroll in the study, sign informed consent, demonstrate good compliance, and cooperate with follow-up visits. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Prior pelvic radiotherapy; 2. Active or progressive infection requiring systemic treatment, such as active tuberculosis or active hepatitis; 3. Presence of uncontrolled systemic diseases, as determined by the investigator, including diabetes, hypertension, cirrhosis, rheumatological or autoimmune disorders, and severe pulmonary disease; 4. Clinically significant thyroid dysfunction (based on serum thyroid hormone levels TT4, TT3, FT3, FT4, and serum thyrotropin TSH), deemed unsuitable for study participation by the investigator. (5) History of hemorrhagic or thromboembolic events within the past 6 months, such as cerebrovascular accidents (including transient ischemic attacks), pulmonary embolism, or spontaneous major bleeding from tumors; (6) Prior or concurrent diagnosis of other malignancies (including synchronous colorectal cancer), except for cured cases of cutaneous basal cell carcinoma and cervical carcinoma in situ; (7) Presence of any other disease, metabolic abnormality, physical examination abnormality, or laboratory abnormality that, in the investigator's judgment, raises concern about the patient's unsuitability for the investigational drug, may interfere with interpretation of study results, or places the patient at high risk; (8) Estimated insufficient compliance of the patient to participate in this clinical study; (9) History of gastrointestinal fistula, perforation, bleeding, severe peptic ulcer disease, or other serious gastrointestinal disorders; (10) Patients who have undergone solid organ or bone marrow transplantation, or those who have had an active autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment within 2 years prior to the first dose.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
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How to take part
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The official record
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