About 10,000 people a year in the US get anal cancer, mostly linked to HPV. Chemoradiation cures most early cancers without surgery. In 2025 immunotherapy was approved for advanced disease. Research now aims at gentler treatment, screening people at high risk, and vaccination.
- 131studies open or running
- 8phase 3 trials
- 435papers published this year
- 40NIH-funded projects
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Now
Nov 2026
Immunotherapy approved for advanced diseaseHappened 32.8 vs 22.2 months median survival
Retifanlimab with chemotherapy extended median survival by about 10 months.
32.8 vs 22.2: months median survival, retifanlimab vs placebo.
Lower radiation dose looks as effectiveHappened 92% vs 87% cancer gone at 6 months
A UK trial cleared early cancers as often with less radiation and fewer severe side effects.
92% vs 87%: had all visible cancer gone at 6 months, lower vs standard dose.
Screening for people with HIVHappened 37.28 times higher risk with HIV
Their much higher risk led to the first international screening guidelines; self-swabs work for HPV testing.
37.28: times the general population rate of anal cancer in people with HIV.
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6 months
by May 2027
Durvalumab with chemoradiationPossible
A German trial of 180 people adds durvalumab to standard chemoradiation for locally advanced cancer. Due December 2026.
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12 months
by Nov 2027
Nivolumab with chemotherapy for advanced diseasePossible 32.8 vs 22.2 months median survival
A 205-person US trial is fully enrolled and due March 2027.
32.8 vs 22.2: months median survival, retifanlimab vs placebo.
Immunotherapy with first chemoradiation, ChinaLong shot
A trial of 184 people adds an anti-PD-1 drug to chemoradiation. Due July 2027.
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3 years
by late 2029
Nivolumab after chemoradiation for high-risk cancerPossible
A 344-person US trial tests whether nivolumab after standard treatment prevents relapse. Due December 2027.
Lower-dose treatment becomes standard for small cancersPossible
If 3-year results confirm, lower-dose chemoradiation would be used for small cancers.
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5 years
by late 2031
Chemotherapy before chemoradiationPossible
A French trial of 310 people tests adding chemotherapy first for advanced local cancer. It finishes in 2029.
Fewer cases from HPV vaccinationLong shot
Large 9-valent HPV vaccine trials include anal infection outcomes; wider vaccination should reduce future cases.
The research paths
Immunotherapy
32.8 vs 22.2 months median survivalDetails and 3 trialsHide
Now standard for advanced disease, and being tested with or after chemoradiation to prevent relapse.
WatchNivolumab after chemoradiation (EA2165).
Gentler treatment for small cancers
92% vs 87% cancer gone at 6 monthsDetails and 2 trialsHide
Lower doses of radiation and chemotherapy for early cancers, to reduce bowel, skin and sexual side effects.
WatchThree-year recurrence rates.
Screening and prevention
37.28 times higher risk with HIVDetailsHide
Guidelines now recommend screening people at highest risk. Self-swabs and HPV vaccines could widen prevention.
WatchScreening programs for people with HIV.
Borrowed from other cancers
From Merkel cell carcinoma
Retifanlimab
32.8 vs 22.2 months median survival
Approved
A PD-1 immunotherapy first approved for Merkel cell carcinoma.
From Cervical cancer research
E7 TCR-T cells
Phase 2
Patients' T cells engineered to recognize an HPV protein.
Open to join now
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Locally advanced, France
Chemotherapy before chemoradiation
Locations and eligibility → -
Limited-stage, China
Sintilimab in place of mitomycin
Locations and eligibility → -
Localized cancer, Canada
MRI-adapted radiation
Locations and eligibility → -
High-risk localized cancer
Retifanlimab after chemoradiation
Locations and eligibility →
See every recruiting anal cancer trial →
When the trials finish
Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Heating up
- Maturing
- Early
- Cooling
- Fully enrolled, waiting on results
- Still enrolling
Knowledge on the way
Not treatments yet: detection, causes and how care is delivered. Mostly NIH-funded.
- AreaQuestionFunded throughNews likely
- Detection Screening strategies for people at high risk of anal cancerEmory University · NIH Funded through Aug 2029 News likely 2028–2029
- Care Preventing and managing cancer in people with HIVMount Sinai · NIH Funded through Aug 2030 News likely 2028–2030
- Care Outreach to raise cancer screeningUniversity of Miami · NIH Funded through Aug 2030 News likely 2028–2030
What just happened
Retifanlimab: 32.8 vs 22.2 months median survival
Final survival results of POD1UM-303.
Lower radiation dose works for small cancers
PLATO ACT4 short-term results.
Standard treatment today
- Precancer (HSIL)Treating anal precancer in high-risk people lowers progression to cancer (ANCHOR trial, 2022).
- Localized cancerChemoradiation with mitomycin and 5-FU or capecitabine; surgery only if cancer remains or returns.
- Spread or returnedCarboplatin and paclitaxel with retifanlimab; immunotherapy alone after chemotherapy.
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- The precancer treatment (ANCHOR) result is from general knowledge, not a study summarized on this page.
- Completion dates are what each trial registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See anal cancer trials recruiting now →