Stereotactic body radiation therapy for unresectable locally recurrent rectal cancer
Official title: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer: A Prospective, Single-arm, Phase II Study
Run by Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University · NCT07297004 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will try high-precision stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to control unresectable locally recurrent rectal cancer in adults who cannot have curative surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | November 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | November 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | April 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07297004 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–75 with histologic, cytologic, or radiologic confirmation of unresectable locally recurrent rectal adenocarcinoma, ECOG 0–1, without uncontrolled distant metastases and meeting prior radiotherapy constraints are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with uncontrolled distant metastases, poor performance status (ECOG >1), recent high-dose pelvic radiotherapy or severe prior radiation toxicity, or those already eligible for curative resection are unlikely to 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 single-arm, open-label phase II trial enrolling about 40 adults with unresectable locally recurrent rectal adenocarcinoma who are not candidates for R0 resection. Participants will receive stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) targeted to the recurrent pelvic lesion and will be followed for safety, local control, and survival outcomes. The primary endpoint is 1-year local progression-free survival, with secondary endpoints including R0 resection rate, overall survival at 1 and 2 years, and treatment-related adverse events. The study is planned to run from December 2024 through November 2027 at The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, SBRT could improve local tumor control, relieve symptoms, and potentially convert some lesions to resectable status, which may extend survival.
How similar studies have gone: Small retrospective series and limited prospective reports have shown promising local control with SBRT in recurrent rectal cancer, but high-quality prospective evidence is still limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Written informed consent;
2. 18-75 years of age;
3. Histologically, cytologically, or radiologically confirmed tumor recurrence, and the MDT assesses that the recurrent lesion cannot achieve R0 resection (unresectable defined as: 1) Pelvic MRI shows infiltration of S2 or above, 2) and/or lateral pelvic invasion, 3) and/or neurovascular invasion of the pelvic, 4) No indication for R0 resection after MDT discussion);
4. No clear distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis of locally recurrent rectal adenocarcinoma or MDT assesses that oligometastatic lesions are resectable or controlable (UICC 8th edition);
5. No previous radiotherapy for initial treatment, or more than 6 months between completion of initial radiotherapy and start of re-radiotherapy, with a previous radiotherapy dose of less than 50.4 Gy, and no grade 3-4 radiotherapy side effects in the small intestine or bladder;
6. ECOG score for performance status is 0-1 (Appendix 1);
7. Peripheral blood cell counts and liver and kidney function within the following acceptable ranges (tested within 15 days before treatment):
* White blood cell count more than 3.0×10\^9/L or neutrophils more than 1.5×10\^9/L;
* Hemoglobin more than 80 g/L; ③ Platelets more than 100×10\^9/L; ④ ALT or AST less than 3 times the upper limit of normal; ⑤ Total bilirubin less than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal; ⑥ Creatinine less than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal;
8. No history of other malignant tumors, non-pregnant or lactating patients, participants must use effective contraception during the study and for 6 months after the last treatment;
9. Expected survival more than 12 months.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Patients with a history of severe allergies to drugs, including platinum-based drugs, 5-FU, LV, and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists;
2. Patients who have participated in or are participating in other clinical trials within 4 weeks of enrollment;
3. Severe electrolyte abnormalities;
4. Presence of gastrointestinal diseases, such as active ulcers in the stomach or duodenum, ulcerative colitis, or unresected tumors that are actively bleeding; or other conditions that may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation; or unhealed gastrointestinal perforation after surgical treatment;
5. History of arterial thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis within 6 months; evidence of bleeding history or bleeding tendency within 2 months;
6. Pregnant or lactating women or women with a positive pregnancy test before the first medication; or female participants and their partners unwilling to strictly use contraception during the study;
7. Brain metastases with a diameter greater than 3 cm or a total volume greater than 30 cc;
8. Clinical or radiological evidence of spinal cord compression, or tumors within 3 mm of the spinal cord on MRI;
9. History of other active malignant tumors (except for those who have received curative treatment and have been disease-free for over 3 years or in situ cancers that can be cured with adequate treatment);
10. Severe ECG abnormalities, active coronary artery disease, or severe and uncontrolled angina, newly diagnosed angina, or myocardial infarction within 12 months before participating in the study, congestive heart failure of NYHA class II or above;
11. Patients with active infections (fever above 38°C due to infection);
12. Patients with poorly controlled hypercalcemia, high blood pressure, or diabetes;
13. Patients with severe pulmonary diseases (interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, severe emphysema, etc.);
14. Patients with mental disorders affecting clinical treatment or a history of central nervous system diseases;
15. Patients with severe complications (intestinal obstruction, renal failure, liver failure, cerebrovascular disorders, etc.);
16. Any unresolved toxicity from previous treatments that is grade 2 or higher according to CTCAE (excluding anemia, alopecia, skin pigmentation);
17. Any medical condition that is unstable or may affect patient safety and study compliance;
18. Patients deemed unsuitable for participation in this study by the investigator.
Where it's running
-
The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jian Zheng
- Email: zhengj48@mail.sysu.edu.cn
- Phone: +862085655905
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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.