Short-course radiotherapy plus intensified chemotherapy and targeted therapy with immunotherapy for high-risk rectal cancer
Official title: Short-Course Radiotherapy Combined With mFOLFOX6, PD-1 Antibody and Cetuximab (for RAS/BRAF Wild-Type)/Bevacizumab (for RAS/BRAF Mutant) in High-Risk pMMR/MSS Rectal Adenocarcinoma: a Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University · NCT07549399 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether adding targeted therapy and a PD-1 inhibitor to a short course of radiotherapy and standard chemotherapy helps high-risk pMMR/MSS rectal cancer patients, compared with the same radiotherapy and chemotherapy alone.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 204 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, immunotherapy, cetuximab, bevacizumab |
| Locations | 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 20, 2026 |
| Main results expected | April 30, 2029 |
| Study ends | April 30, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | July 1, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07549399 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18-75 with high-risk, non-metastatic pMMR/MSS rectal adenocarcinoma, suitable for SCRT followed by mFOLFOX6, and eligibility for cetuximab or bevacizumab based on RAS/BRAF status.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with non-responsive disease, contraindications to immunotherapy or targeted agents, or those with significant comorbidities may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a phase III randomized study in adults with high-risk locally advanced pMMR/MSS rectal adenocarcinoma. Participants receive short-course radiotherapy followed by mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy, with or without a PD-1 monoclonal antibody and a targeted agent chosen by RAS/BRAF status (cetuximab for wild-type, bevacizumab for mutant). The trial aims to determine whether adding immunotherapy and targeted therapy improves pathological response and survival, while monitoring safety. Eligible patients have no distant metastasis, good performance status, and meet specific tumor and clinical criteria. The study builds on prior phase II data suggesting safety and potential efficacy of this intensified neoadjuvant approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, a higher rate of tumor response and potential improvements in long-term outcomes for high-risk rectal cancer patients could be achieved.
How similar studies have gone: Prior early-phase data suggested safety and promising efficacy for intensified neoadjuvant strategies combining SCRT, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and PD-1 inhibition in rectal cancer.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Before conducting procedures related to the research protocol but not part of routine care, written informed consent, voluntarily signed and dated by the subject, must be obtained in accordance with regulations and institutional guidelines.
2. Age 18-75 years.
3. Histologically or cytologically confirmed pMMR/MSS rectal adenocarcinoma; all other histological types are excluded.
4. Distance from the lower margin of the rectal tumor to the anal verge ≤10 cm.
5. Clinical staging with high-risk factors, including cT3Nx, EMVI(+), or cT4, ±MRF(+), ±EMVI(+).
6. No evidence of distant metastasis before treatment.
7. No prior anti-cancer treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy).
8. ECOG performance status of 0-1.
9. Peripheral blood counts and liver and kidney function within the following allowable ranges (tested within 15 days before the start of treatment):
* White blood cells (WBC) ≥3.0×10\^9/L or absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1.5×10\^9/L;
* Hemoglobin (HGB) ≥80 g/L; ③Platelets (PLT) ≥100×10\^9/L; ④Liver transaminases (AST/ALT) \<3.0 times the upper limit of the normal range; ⑤Total bilirubin (TBIL) \<1.5 times the upper limit of the normal range; ⑥Creatinine (CREAT) \<1.5 times the upper limit of the normal range.
10. No history of other malignancies; not pregnant or breastfeeding, and effective contraception must be used during the study period and for 6 months after the last dose.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Patients with a history of severe drug allergies (including allergies to platinum 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 prior to enrollment;
3. A history of having received anti-PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, CTLA-4, or any other specific T-cell costimulatory or checkpoint pathway-targeted therapy;
4. Severe electrolyte abnormalities;
5. Presence of gastrointestinal diseases, such as active ulcers in the stomach or duodenum, ulcerative colitis, or tumors with active bleeding that have not been resected; or other conditions that may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation; or gastrointestinal perforation that has 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; or patients receiving high-dose anticoagulation therapy;
7. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or women of childbearing potential with a positive pregnancy test before the first dose; or female participants and their partners who are unwilling to strictly practice contraception during the study period;
8. Presence of other active malignancies (except for malignancies that have been treated with curative intent and have been disease-free for more than 3 years, or in situ cancers that can be cured with adequate treatment);
9. Presence of severe ECG abnormalities or active coronary artery disease, severe/unstable angina, newly diagnosed angina or myocardial infarction within 12 months prior to study entry, or New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II or higher congestive heart failure;
10. Patients with active infections (infections causing fever above 38°C);
11. Patients with uncontrolled hypercalcemia, hypertension, or diabetes;
12. Patients with severe pulmonary diseases (interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, severe emphysema, etc.);
13. Patients with psychiatric disorders that may affect clinical treatment or a history of central nervous system diseases;
14. Patients with severe complications (bowel obstruction, renal insufficiency, hepatic insufficiency, cerebrovascular disorders, etc.);
15. Presence of any CTCAE Grade 2 or higher toxicity caused by previous treatments that has not resolved (excluding anemia, alopecia, and skin pigmentation);
16. Any unstable medical condition that may affect patient safety and compliance with the study;
17. Patients deemed by the investigator as unsuitable for participation in this clinical trial.
Where it's running
-
Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jun Huang, PhD — Sun Yat-sen University
- Study coordinator: Jun Huang, PhD.
- Email: huangj97@mail.sysu.edu.cn
- Phone: +8613926451242
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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.