Clinical Research Directory

Short Course Radiation Therapy and Combination Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Stage II-III Rectal Cancer

This phase I trial investigates how well short-course radiation therapy followed by combination chemotherapy works in treating patients with stage II-III rectal cancer. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Chemotherapy drugs, such as leucovorin, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving short-course radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy may reduce the need for surgery and therefore improve quality of life.

Neoadjuvant FOLFOXIRI and Chemoradiotherapy Versus Neoadjuvant CAPOX/FOLFOX and Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Surgery or a Watch-and-Wait Approach in High Risk Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

The aim of this clinical trial is to compare triplet induction therapy (FOLFOXIRI) with doublet induction therapy (CAPOX/FOLFOX), followed by chemoradiotherapy and either surgery or a watch-and-wait approach, in patients with high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer. The primary questions it seeks to address are whether triplet induction therapy results in higher complete response rates, improved quality of life, and better long-term oncological outcomes compared to doublet induction therapy, despite the anticipated increased risk of toxicity.

Serplulimab Combined With CAPEOX + Celecoxib as Neoadjuvant Treatment for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer of Mismatch Repair-proficient (pMMR)/ Microsatellite Stability (MSS) accounts for approximately 85% of all colorectal cancer patients, which might be insensitive to immunotherapy. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Chemotherapy, such as CAPEOX regimen, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, can improve the immune microenvironment and have a potential to synergy with immunotherapy. Chemotherapy can improve the immunogenicity of cancer cells that might enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. The aim of this study is to explore whether chemotherapy and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors combined with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) could improve efficacy for resectable colorectal cancer patient with the pMMR/MSS phenotype.

Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia in Combination With Multimodal Therapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate if the addition of modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) improves tumor down-staging and pathological response in adult patients (20 years and above) with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (cT3N0M0 with high risk of recurrence, cT3N1-2M0, or cT4N0-2M0). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the addition of mEHT to the Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT) regimen significantly increase the rate of tumor down-staging (ypT and ypN) compared to TNT alone? * Does the combination therapy improve the pathological complete response (pCR) rate and long-term outcomes (such as disease-free survival) compared to standard TNT? Researchers will compare participants randomized to receive Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT) plus mEHT using the Oncotherm EHY-2030 device to participants receiving TNT alone to see if the adjunctive mEHT therapy enhances tumor regression and improves patient prognosis. Participants will be randomized (1:1) into one of the two groups and will undergo the following regimen: * Receive standard TNT, which includes 5-6 weeks of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by 4-6 months of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. * Patients in the experimental group will receive mEHT twice a week during the CRT period.

A Series of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Combined With Immunotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with tirelizumab compared with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy alone for neoadjuvant therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. The main questions it aims to answer are: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with tirelizumab compared with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy alone for neoadjuvant therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer To assess rectal or anal retention as well as quality of life. Participants will receive a long course of NCRT (50 Gy / 25f, capecitabine 850-1000 mg / m2, BID, PO, D1-D5, QW) within the first 5 weeks. In regard to tumor immunotherapy, enrolled patients will receive tislelizumab (200 mg, iv) on the first day at week 2,5, and 8 after initiation of radiotherapy. Thereafter, patients will be treated with two 14-day cycles of the CAPOX（Q 3 w; D1 oxaliplatin, 130mg/m2,iv.gtt; D1-D14, capecitabine, 850-1000mg / m2, BID, PO）regimen. Two CAOPX regimens were treated one week apart.

Reducing the Resection Range After Neoadjuvant Therapy for Locally Advanced Upper Rectal and Rectosigmoid Junction Cancers

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn evaluate the safety and efficacy of reduced surgical resection margins in patients with local advanced upper rectal or rectosigmoid junction tumors who met the ycT≤3N0M0 regression following neoadjuvant therapy. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does reduced surgical resection margins (3 cm of distal margin and 5 cm of proximal margin) meet the radical resection criteria, including the rate of negative resection margin, the number of lymph node harvested? How is the surgical safety of reduced surgical resection, including the surgical duration , bleeding, recovery time and postoperative complications? Is reduced surgical margins resection (3 cm of distal margin and 5 cm of proximal margin) inferior to conventional surgical margins resection (5 cm of distal margin and 10 cm of proximal margin) in terms of oncology safety?

An Investigational Scan (64Cu-Labeled M5A Antibody) in Combination With SOC Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

This early phase I trial investigates how well 64Cu-labeled M5A antibody scan works in assessing tumor activity before and after patients with rectal cancer that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced) who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Using 64Cu-labeled M5A positron emission tomography imaging may play a significant role in imaging patients with colorectal cancer.

Testing the Addition of an Anti-Cancer Drug, Irinotecan, to the Standard Chemotherapy Treatment (FOLFOX) After Long-Course Radiation Therapy for Advanced-Stage Rectal Cancers to Improve the Rate of Complete Response and Long-Term Rates of Organ Preservation

This phase II trial compares the effect of irinotecan versus oxaliplatin after long-course chemoradiation in patients with stage II-III rectal cancer. Combination chemotherapy drugs, such as FOLFIRINOX (fluorouracil, irinotecan, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin), FOLFOX (leucovorin, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan ), and CAPOX (capecitabin and oxaliplatin) work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. FOLFOX or CAPOX are used after chemoradiation as usual treatment for rectal cancer. Giving FOLFIRINOX after chemoradiation may increase the response rate and lead to higher rates of clinical complete response (with a chance of avoiding surgery) compared to FOLFOX or CAPOX after chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Longitudinal Multimodal Response Assessment During Neoadjuvant Treatment of Rectal Cancer

This pilot study aims to trial multimodal early response assessment to enable therapy adaptions in the context of non-operative therapy strategies of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) for development of a non-invasive response prediction model.

Time-Restricted Eating Versus Nutritional Counseling for the Reduction of Radiation or Chemoradiation Tx Side Effects in Patients With Prostate, Cervical, or Rectal Cancers

This phase II trial studies how well time-restricted eating works in reducing side effects of radiation or chemoradiation side effects when compared to nutritional counseling among patients with prostate, cervical, and rectal cancers. Time-restricted eating, also called short term fasting or intermittent fasting, is an eating plan that alternates between not eating food (fasting) and non-fasting periods. Nutritional counseling involves being asked to follow a healthy, balanced diet that includes instructions on what kinds of food are better tolerated during radiation and chemoradiation therapy. This trial may help researchers determine if certain diets may improve the anti-cancer effects of radiation therapy and reduce the side-effects of this treatment. If successful, these diets may be integrated into the future treatment of prostate, cervical, and rectal cancers.

Radiological Markers in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of radiological markers, including the Likert Score derived from diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) treated with total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT). Specifically, the study investigates the association between the Likert Score on restaging MRI and key clinical outcomes, such as overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP). Furthermore, it examines the impact of other MRI-derived markers-extramural venous invasion (EMVI), tumor deposits (TDs), and mesorectal fascia invasion (MFI)-on disease progression and patient prognosis. This study retrospectively analyzes 179 patients who underwent TNT followed by surgery between 2009 and 2022. Participants were required to have pre- and post-treatment MRI scans. MRI imaging data and patient outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP), will be analyzed over a follow-up period extending until July 31, 2024. Findings from this study may help refine MRI-based prognostic tools for personalized treatment strategies in rectal cancer.

Exercise for Improving Long-course Chemoradiotherapy Efficacy in People With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

This is a single arm feasibility study of exercise for improving long- course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) efficacy in people diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer. The study aims to recruit up to 30 patients from the Queen's Centre for Oncology and Haematology of Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer. Consenting patients will be provided with an 11-week course of structured aerobic exercises and resistance training in the periods before, during and after their chemoradiotherapy treatment. The patients will be followed up for 6 months post long course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT), with a total of 3 assessment periods.

Circulating Tumor DNA-guided Neoadjuvant Treatment Strategy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Rectal cancer still remains one of the most popular tumors, however, distance metastasis still remains as high as 30% and the long-term survival outcomes are still unsatisfying. The recent conception of total neoadjuvant therapy and immune therapy is becoming popular and the oncologic effects are encouraging, especially in terms of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), the prognostic value of ctDNA has been demonstrated by our prior study. This study will carry out accurate ctDNA-guided neoadjuvant therapy on the basis of previous studies of the research group, and give appropriate treatment plans and treatment intensity to patients with different disease degrees. At the same time, combined with the latest progress in clinical diagnosis and treatment, the potential beneficiaries of immunotherapy were screened scientifically, and the combined immunotherapy was implemented accordingly.

Organ Preservation in Rectal Cancer: Contact X-ray Brachytherapy vs Extending the Waiting Interval and Local Excision

The goal of this prospective phase II feasibility study is to evaluate two additional local treatment options in rectal cancer patients with a good clinical response after neoadjuvant (chemo)radiation: contact x-ray brachytherapy versus extension of the waiting interval with or without local excision, and to investigate which rate of organ preservation can be achieved.

Neoadjuvant Envafolimab in Resectable and Locally Advanced MSI-H/dMMR Rectal Cancer

This is a single center, prospective, single arm clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Envafolimab as a neoadjuvant therapy for resectable and locally advanced dMMR or MSI-H rectal cancer.