Investigating new treatment combinations for rectal cancer using radiation and immunotherapy
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-10894130 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $623,838 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA283953-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894130 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer who are eligible for neoadjuvant therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage rectal cancer or those who have already undergone extensive treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving treatment outcomes for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer by exploring the effectiveness of combining radiation therapy and chemotherapy with a novel immunotherapy agent called αCD40. The study aims to personalize treatment approaches to enhance the body's immune response against cancer cells, potentially allowing for non-operative management of the disease. Patients will be involved in a phase II clinical trial that evaluates the safety and efficacy of these combined therapies. By analyzing tumor responses and immune system interactions, the research seeks to identify the best treatment strategies for this challenging cancer type.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for rectal cancer, potentially improving survival rates and reducing the need for surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using immunotherapy in combination with other treatments for various cancers, but this specific approach in rectal cancer is relatively novel.
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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Early response to radiotherapy and immunotherapy in rectal cancer
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.
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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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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.
-
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.