Monitoring and chemotherapy before surgery for stage II-III rectal cancer

Organ Preservation With Active Surveillance After Chemoradiation in Rectal Cancer (OPTION)

Early Phase 1 Interventional M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT03594630

This study tests if monitoring and chemotherapy before surgery can help people with stage II-III rectal cancer keep their organs and improve their treatment choices.

Quick facts

PhaseEarly Phase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment120 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
Trial IDNCT03594630 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot trial investigates the effectiveness of active surveillance combined with chemotherapy prior to surgery in patients with stage II-III rectal cancer. Participants will be monitored for tumor growth after receiving chemotherapy, which aims to halt tumor cell growth. The study will assess the rates of organ preservation and tumor regrowth, as well as the impact of deferring surgery on patient outcomes. Additionally, it will explore the quality of decision-making for patients regarding their treatment options and the role of communication between patients and providers.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals with histologically confirmed stage II-III rectal adenocarcinoma who are eligible for curative resection.

Not a fit: Patients with rectal cancer that is not amenable to curative resection or those with significant comorbidities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to better treatment outcomes and organ preservation for patients with rectal cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise with similar approaches, but this specific methodology is still being evaluated.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed diagnosis of rectal adenocarcinoma
* Eligible for curative resection of rectal adenocarcinoma
* Rectal tumor location =\< 12 cm from the anal verge as determined by endoscopy or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (if endoscopy report is not available or deemed inadequate my treating oncologist)
* Nodal involvement confined to the radiation field
* Radiologically measurable or clinically evaluable disease as defined in the protocol
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS): 0, 1 or 2
* Clinical Stage: Stage II and III. N2 disease is to be estimated as four or more lymph nodes that are \>= 10 mm. Clinical staging should be estimated based on the combination of the following assessments: physical exam by the primary surgeon including digital rectal exam (DRE), computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scan of the chest/abdomen/pelvis and a pelvic MRI. If a pelvic MRI is performed, it is acceptable to perform CT of the chest/abdomen, omitting CT imaging of the pelvis. PET/CT is optional.
* No known contraindication to standard (fluoropyrimidine-based) pelvic chemoradiation (e.g. dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase \[DPD\] deficiency)
* Patient of child-bearing potential is willing to employ adequate contraception during treatment and after treatment, as directed by treating clinical team
* Willing to provide written informed consent
* Willing to return to enrolling medical site for all study assessments

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
* Diagnosis of MSI-H colorectal cancer at time of consent
* Recurrent rectal cancer
* Tumor is causing symptomatic bowel obstruction (patients who have diverting ostomy are eligible)
* Any prior pelvic radiation
* Other invasive malignancy undergoing active treatment. Patients receiving prior treatment that precludes standard chemoradiation or ability to receive consolidation/adjuvant chemotherapy will be excluded from survival analyses
* Patients unwilling or unable to undergo pelvic MRI

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

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 AdenocarcinomaStage II Rectal Cancer AJCC v8Stage IIA Rectal Cancer AJCC v8Stage IIB Rectal Cancer AJCC v8Stage IIC Rectal Cancer AJCC v8Stage III Rectal Cancer AJCC v8Stage IIIA Rectal Cancer AJCC v8Stage IIIB Rectal Cancer AJCC v8
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.