Combining adaptive radiotherapy with total neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer

TNT-RECORD:Total Neoadjuvant Treatment in Rectal Cancer With On-couch Adaptive Radiotherapy

Not applicable Interventional Haukeland University Hospital · NCT05883800

This study is testing if personalized radiation treatment can help people with advanced rectal cancer have fewer side effects and finish their chemotherapy more easily before surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment61 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorHaukeland University Hospital Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Bergen)
Trial IDNCT05883800 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the benefits of on-couch adaptive radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing pre-operative sequential short-course radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy. The approach tailors the radiation dose to the patient's anatomy during each session, aiming to reduce gastrointestinal adverse events. Additionally, the study will assess whether this reduction allows more patients to complete their prescribed chemotherapy cycles. It is a prospective single-arm study focusing on improving treatment outcomes for this patient population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma who meet specific clinical criteria for short-course treatment and are willing to participate.

Not a fit: Patients with previous rectal cancer treatment or those with contraindications to the chemotherapy agents used in the study may not benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to fewer side effects and improved completion rates of chemotherapy for rectal cancer patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific combination of adaptive radiotherapy and total neoadjuvant treatment is novel, similar approaches have shown promise in reducing adverse effects in other cancer treatments.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with loco-regional advanced rectal adenocarcinoma with clinical indications for short-course with TNT chemotherapy i.e. having at least one of the following T4a, CRM+ (≤1 mm), N1c, N2 or extramural vascular invasion (EMVI+). Patients presenting at least one of these criteria in addition to involvement of the pelvic sidewall lymph nodes (PSW) can optionally be considered.
* ECOG status ≤ 1
* Being willing and able to give full written consent for participation

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous rectal cancer treatment
* Previous irradiation to the treatment area e.g. prostate cancer
* Hip prosthesis
* Contraindications to MRI
* Pregnancy
* Abnormal DPYD genotype
* Known contraindication to 5-FU, Capecitabine or Oxaliplatin as judged by the investigators

Where this trial is running

Bergen

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Rectal Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.