Combining radiation therapy and PD-1 antibody for advanced rectal cancer
Official title: Evaluation of the Efficiency and Safety of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Combined With PD-1 Antibody in the Treatment of Unresectable Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer: A Prospective, Multicenter, Single-Arm, Open Label, Phase II Study
Run by Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University · NCT06767007 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if combining a special type of radiation therapy with a new immune treatment can help people with advanced rectal cancer live longer and possibly become eligible for surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 31 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation, Sintilimab |
| Locations | 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 6, 2025 |
| Main results expected | November 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | November 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06767007 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 with confirmed unresectable locally recurrent rectal adenocarcinoma and no distant metastasis.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with distant metastasis or those whose tumors are amenable to surgical resection may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of combining stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with PD-1 monoclonal antibody treatment for patients suffering from unresectable locally recurrent rectal cancer (ULRRC). Participants will undergo a regimen that includes chemotherapy, SBRT, and further chemotherapy, with assessments to evaluate the safety and potential benefits of this innovative treatment approach. The study aims to improve progression-free survival and create opportunities for surgical resection in patients who currently have limited treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance survival rates and treatment options for patients with unresectable locally recurrent rectal cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While the combination of SBRT and PD-1 therapy is a novel approach, similar studies have shown promise in other cancer types, indicating potential for success.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Before implementing procedures related to the research protocol rather than routine care, informed consent forms with the subject's voluntary signature and dated must be obtained in accordance with regulations and institutional guidelines;
2. Patients with pMMR/MSS colorectal cancer;
3. Age between 18 and 75 years;
4. Tumor recurrence confirmed by histology, cytology, or imaging, and the multidisciplinary team (MDT) including surgeons assesses that the recurrent lesion cannot achieve a one-stage R0 resection (unresectable is defined as: 1. Pelvic MRI showing sacral infiltration at or above S2, 2. And/or lateral pelvic wall invasion, 3. And/or obturator vascular nerve infiltration, 4. After MDT discussion, there are no indications for a one-stage R0 resection, 5. The patient refuses total pelvic exenteration or debulking surgery);
5. Locally recurrent rectal adenocarcinoma without clear distant metastasis at diagnosis/MDT team assesses oligometastases as resectable/controllable (UICC 8th edition);
6. No prior radiotherapy, or a gap of more than 6 months between the completion of initial radiotherapy and the start of retreatment, with a previous radiotherapy dose of less than 50.4Gy, and no late toxicity in the small bowel or bladder;
7. ECOG performance status 0-1;
8. Peripheral blood counts and liver and kidney functions within the following allowed ranges (tested within 15 days before treatment start):
* White blood cells (WBC) ≥ 3.0×10\^9/L or Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) ≥ 1.5×10\^9/L;
* Hemoglobin (HGB) ≥ 80 g/L;
* Platelets (PLT) ≥ 100×10\^9/L;
* Liver transaminases (AST/ALT) \< 3.0 times the upper limit of the normal range;
* Total bilirubin (TBIL) \< 1.5 times the upper limit of the normal range;
* Creatinine (CREAT) \< 1.5 times the upper limit of the normal range;
9. No history of other malignancies, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and should use effective contraception during the study period and for 6 months after the last administration;
10. Expected survival ≥ 12 months.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Patients with a history of severe drug allergies (including allergies to platinum-based agents, 5-FU, LV, and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists);
2. Patients who have participated in or are currently participating in other clinical trials within 4 weeks of enrollment;
3. History of receiving anti-PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, CTLA-4, or any other specific T-cell co-stimulation or checkpoint pathway targeted therapies;
4. Severe electrolyte abnormalities;
5. Presence of gastrointestinal diseases, such as active ulcers of the stomach or duodenum, ulcerative colitis, or unresected tumors with active bleeding; or other conditions that may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation; or gastrointestinal perforations that have not healed after surgical treatment;
6. History of arterial thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis within 6 months; history of bleeding or evidence of bleeding tendency within 2 months;
7. Pregnant or breastfeeding women or women who may become pregnant with a positive pregnancy test before the first dose; or female participants who are unwilling to strictly use contraception during the study period and their partners;
8. Brain metastases with a diameter greater than 3cm or a total volume greater than 30cc;
9. Clinical or radiological evidence of spinal cord compression, or tumors within 3 millimeters of the spinal cord on MRI;
10. History or concurrent presence of other active malignant tumors (except for malignant tumors that have been treated curatively and have not recurred for more than 3 years or carcinoma in situ that can be cured with adequate treatment);
11. Combined with severe electrocardiogram abnormalities or active coronary artery disease within 12 months before participating in the study, severe/unstable angina or newly diagnosed angina or myocardial infarction, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II or higher congestive heart failure;
12. Patients with active infections (infections causing fever above 38°C);
13. Patients with poorly controlled hypercalcemia, hypertension, diabetes;
14. Patients with severe pulmonary diseases (interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, severe emphysema, etc.);
15. Patients with mental disorders affecting clinical treatment or a history of central nervous system diseases;
16. Patients with severe complications (intestinal obstruction, renal insufficiency, liver dysfunction, cerebrovascular disorders, etc.);
17. Any toxicity of grade 2 or above from previous treatments that has not yet resolved (except for anemia, alopecia, and skin pigmentation);
18. Any medical condition that is unstable or would affect patient safety and compliance with the study;
19. Patients deemed unsuitable for participation in this clinical trial by the investigator.
Where it's running
-
Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jun Huang, MD — Sun Yat-sen University
- Study coordinator: Jun Wang, M.D.
- Email: huangj97@mail.sysu.edu.cn
- Phone: 13926451242
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Stereotactic body radiation therapy for unresectable locally recurrent rectal cancer
This will try high-precision stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to control unresectable locally recurrent rectal cancer in adults who cannot have curative surgery.
-
Radiotherapy dose escalation for unresectable locally recurrent rectal cancer
This study tests whether increasing radiotherapy dose is safe and feasible for people with unresectable locally recurrent rectal cancer who cannot have surgery.
-
Short-course radiation with liposomal irinotecan, anti–PD-1, and targeted therapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer
This trial will test whether short-course radiation plus liposomal irinotecan (NALIRIF) with 5‑FU/leucovorin, an anti–PD‑1 drug, and targeted therapy can shrink pelvic recurrences in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer who have already failed oxaliplatin.
-
Comparing two types of radiotherapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer
This study is testing if a new type of radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy can help people with locally recurrent rectal cancer live longer without their cancer getting worse compared to standard radiotherapy.
-
Trastuzumab Rezetecan versus Trastuzumab Deruxtecan for unresectable HER2‑low, HR‑positive breast cancer
This Phase 2 trial tests different doses of Trastuzumab Rezetecan compared with Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in women with HR-positive, HER2-low unresectable locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer to see which dose is safer and more effective.
-
SHR-A1811 plus SHR-1316 as first-line treatment for PD-L1-positive locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
This will test whether SHR-A1811 combined with SHR-1316 as first-line therapy helps people with PD-L1-positive locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer live longer without their cancer getting worse compared with toripalimab plus nab‑paclitaxel.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.