Clinical Research Directory

Neoadjuvant Immunochemotherapy and Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Surgery for Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Effective systemic therapy such as nivolumab as an adjuvant therapy has been demonstrated to improve the outcomes of patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locoregional esophageal cancer. A more effective systemic therapy with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) plus cisplatin-based doublet chemotherapy, which has shown with high tumor response rate and improved survivals in patients with late-stage ESCC, may provide crucial benefit to patients with locally advanced disease by improving the systemic control, downstaging the locoregional tumor burden and reducing recurrence and metastasis. Collectively, the investigators hypothesize that total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) approach-consisting of induction immunochemotherapy followed by CRT-is a promising strategy to enhance the outcomes for participants with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Study of Daily Step Count and Treatment Response in Rectal Cancer (STEP-R)

This study aims to examine the impact of daily physical activity, specifically step count, on treatment outcomes and side effects in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer receiving total neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and radiotherapy before surgery). Using Huawei Watch Fit 2 smartwatches, we will track participants' daily step counts, heart rate, and sleep quality. The primary hypothesis is that higher step counts and physical activity levels correlate with higher rates of complete pathological response at surgery. A secondary hypothesis is that increased physical activity may be associated with fewer or less severe side effects during treatment. Participants will wear a smartwatch and complete the EORTC QLQ-C30 Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at the beginning and end of treatment. Data from the smartwatch, including step count, heart rate changes, and sleep duration, will be reviewed weekly during routine visits. Approximately 200 patients with rectal cancer will participate, and each will be followed from the start of therapy until surgery (around 4-6 months). Total data collection is expected to take 12-15 months. This study could improve cancer care by identifying links between physical activity and treatment outcomes, supporting future exercise guidelines for oncology patients.

SCRT Followed by CAPOX + Bev ± PD-1 Inhibitor for TNT in LARC

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-course radiotherapy combined with CAPOX plus bevacizumab with or without a PD-1 inhibitor in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). The hypothesis is that the addition of immunotherapy (PD-1 inhibitor) can significantly improve the complete response (CR) rate and enhance local control while reducing the incidence of distant metastasis. This study will compare the effects of sequential chemoradiotherapy and targeted therapy with or without immunotherapy following short-course radiotherapy, aiming to explore the optimal regimen for total neoadjuvant therapy.

Total Neoadjuvant Therapy and Organ Preservation Versus Surgery for Rectal Cancer.

This study hypothesizes that approximately 50% of rectal cancer patients can preserve their rectum using a watch-and-wait strategy if they achieve a complete or near-complete clinical response to total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT). The objective is to determine whether the complications, quality of life, and survival rates of rectal cancer patients who have achieved a complete or near-complete clinical response to TNT, followed by a watch-and-wait approach, are comparable to those of patients who undergo surgery first. Additionally, the study aims to identify potential prognostic and predictive markers for rectal cancer and examine survival rates and factors influencing responses to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or TNT. The study is divided into two parts: \*\*Part One:\*\* Participants with cT1N1, T2-T3 N0-1 rectal cancer, MRF-, and EMVI-, with surgery as one of the possible first-line treatment options, will be randomized into two groups. The experimental group will consist of participants receiving TNT, including CRT and consolidation chemotherapy (Ch). If these participants achieve a complete or near-complete clinical response, they will be observed using a watch-and-wait strategy, which is a non-operative approach. The control group will consist of participants who undergo surgical treatment initially. \*\*Part Two:\*\* All participants with rectal cancer who have received CRT or TNT will be included. Additionally, participants diagnosed with rectal cancer who are scheduled for CRT or TNT but declined to participate in Part One or do not meet the inclusion criteria will also be included.

Total Neoadjuvant Treatment Plus PD-1 in Mid-Low Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

There have been many high-quality research publications, including the TNT model of short-term radiotherapy combined with consolidation chemotherapy, and the TNT model of three-drug combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with higher treatment intensity combined with CRT. All have achieved better tumor regression and tumor regression than the standard CRT model. The higher pCR rate reduces the recurrence and metastasis events, improves the prognosis, and strives for more opportunities for organ function preservation. Can the TNT model combined with immunotherapy further increase the cCR rate? Whether immunotherapy can bring further survival benefits to patients who develop CR after neoadjuvant therapy (especially W\&W after cCR), it is also necessary to carry out corresponding clinical research. We designed this study for patients with mid-to-low and locally advanced rectal cancer who want to be able to preserve the anus. TNT mode combined with PD-1 immunotherapy is given before surgery, and TME surgery is performed on patients who have not reached cCR or who still require surgery. It provides sufficient evidence for the safety and effectiveness of preoperative neoadjuvant therapy for PD-1 in low- and middle-level locally advanced rectal cancer.

Total Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Plus Anti-PD-1 in Subperitoneal Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal CancerPatients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Prospective, Single Arm, Exploratory Study

Previously, preliminary results, from a subgroup analysis of STARS-RC03 (NCT04906044) conducted by our research team, showed that the 6-cycles consolidation chemotherapy combining with anti-PD-1 therapy had a better tumor regression advantage with a restricted safety profile contrasted with 3-cycle counterparts. Herein, we designed this study to further evaluate the short-term efficacy (such as pCR rate, R0 resection rate, etc.) and long-term survival (including DFS, OS, etc.) of 6-cycles consolidation therapy.