Early response to radiotherapy and immunotherapy in rectal cancer
Official title: Early response to radiotherapy and immunotherapy in rectal cancer: an integrated molecular, cellular, and spatial approach
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11381119 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach combines short-course radiation, chemotherapy, and an immune therapy antibody to try to shrink rectal cancers before surgery or avoid surgery altogether.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $654,115 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA283953-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381119 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with locally advanced rectal cancer or those eligible for neoadjuvant therapy in the study framework, particularly those considering non-operative management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to respond to immunotherapy or those with contraindications to radiation, chemotherapy, or theαCD40 antibody may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This study looks at how rectal cancer tumors respond when radiation, chemotherapy, and an immune-boosting antibody are given together before surgery. It builds on prior work suggesting that adding an αCD40 antibody to standard treatment might enhance anti-tumor immune responses. The research will explore personalization of therapy to increase complete tumor responses and potentially reduce metastatic risk. The team will use human tumor data and relevant models to understand how the combination affects cancer cells and the immune environment. The project includes a phase II trial (INNATE) to test SCRT with CT, with or without sotigolimab, in locally advanced rectal cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could increase the chance of durable tumor control and possibly spare some patients from needing major surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Early phase trials have shown some promise for αCD40 antibodies in cancer, but their impact in colorectal cancer remains to be proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aguilera, Todd a — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Aguilera, Todd a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving early treatment response in rectal cancer with radiation plus immune therapy
People with locally advanced rectal cancer will get short-course radiation and chemotherapy, and some will also receive the immune-activating drug sotigalimab to help the tumor shrink and lower the chance it spreads.
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Investigating new treatment combinations for rectal cancer using radiation and immunotherapy
This study is looking for ways to help people with locally advanced rectal cancer by testing a new treatment that combines radiation, chemotherapy, and an innovative immune-boosting drug called αCD40, with the hope of improving outcomes and possibly avoiding surgery.
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Role of Twice-Daily Thoracic Radiotherapy in Limited-Stage SCLC in the Immunotherapy Era
This project looks at whether giving twice-daily radiotherapy for limited-stage small cell lung cancer still helps patients today who are also getting immunotherapy.
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Personalized Rectal Cancer Radiotherapy Using Multimodal Signatures
A study aims to tailor radiotherapy choices for rectal cancer patients by using multiple biological and imaging signals to guide treatment decisions.
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Creating a digital model for rectal cancer to improve radiotherapy
This study is looking for patients with rectal cancer to help create a digital model that can personalize and improve radiotherapy treatments by examining how their immune system responds to radiation therapy.
-
Boosting cancer treatment effects using ATM targeting
This study is looking at how focusing on a protein called ATM can make cancer treatments like radiation and immunotherapy work better by boosting the immune system's ability to fight tumors, which could lead to improved results for patients.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.