Targeted therapy for advanced rectal cancer with HER2 amplification
Official title: Neoadjuvant Tucatinib plus Trastuzumab in HER2-amplified Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11042258 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to treat patients with a specific type of rectal cancer by using targeted medicines before the usual chemotherapy and surgery, hoping to shrink tumors and make treatment easier with fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $402,600 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA288880-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042258 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with HER2-amplified locally advanced rectal cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with rectal cancer that does not have HER2 amplification or those with other types of rectal cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new treatment approach for patients with HER2-amplified locally advanced rectal cancer. It aims to use a biomarker-driven strategy to provide targeted therapy with tucatinib and trastuzumab before traditional treatments like chemotherapy and surgery. Patients will receive this targeted therapy for six weeks, followed by additional chemotherapy, with the goal of reducing the need for surgery and radiation, which can have significant side effects. The study is designed to assess how well this approach works in shrinking tumors and improving patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options that minimize the need for invasive surgeries and reduce treatment-related complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar biomarker-driven approaches in treating other types of rectal cancer, indicating potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cercek, Andrea — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Cercek, Andrea
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Blood tests to predict who will respond to pre-surgery therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer
A blood-based test is being developed to predict which patients with locally advanced rectal cancer will respond to neoadjuvant chemoradiation before surgery.
-
Predicting who responds to preoperative therapy for rectal cancer using combined photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging
A study is testing a new imaging method to better predict which locally advanced rectal cancer patients will respond to preoperative treatment so some may avoid unnecessary surgery.
-
Dose levels of aerobic exercise during cancer therapy for rectal cancer
A personalized exercise plan is tested to see how different amounts of aerobic training affect how well people with locally advanced rectal cancer tolerate their treatment.
-
Tucatinib and trastuzumab given before other treatments for HER2‑positive rectal cancer
People with HER2‑positive locally advanced rectal cancer will receive tucatinib plus trastuzumab up front to shrink tumors and possibly avoid radiation or surgery.
-
Identifying blood markers to predict treatment response in rectal cancer patients
This study is looking at how a new blood test can help doctors figure out which patients with locally advanced rectal cancer will respond well to their treatment before they start, so they can tailor the therapy to each person and avoid unnecessary side effects.
-
Using advanced imaging to predict treatment response in rectal cancer
This study is looking to help people with locally advanced rectal cancer by using new imaging methods to better understand how well they respond to treatment before surgery, which could help doctors make smarter choices and possibly spare some patients from unnecessary operations.
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.