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Neoadjuvant Long-course Chemoradiation Plus PD-1 Blockade for Mid-low Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Phase 2
Recruiting
Conditions
Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Interventions
Combination Product: Long-course chemoradiation, with or without Tislelizumab (PD-1 inhibitor)
Registration Number
NCT05245474
Lead Sponsor
Beijing Friendship Hospital
Brief Summary

This is a phase II/III, multi-center, open-label, 3-arm, randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant long-course chemoradiation combined with Tislelizumab (PD-1 inhibitor) and subsequent TME surgery, by comparing assorted endpoints between two experiment groups (Experiment group 1: chemoradiation+concurrent PD-1 inhibitor; Experiment group 2: chemoradiation+sequential PD-1 inhibitor) with a control group (chemoradiation only).

Detailed Description

This phase II, multi-center, open-label, 3-arm, randomized trial aims to recruit patients aged 18-75 years, diagnosed histologically as rectal adenocarcinoma, without metastasis (by CT), staged II/III (by MRI, T4b excluded), with distal margin within 10cm to anal verge. All patients should have no history of immune diseases, nor history of immunotherapy or radiotherapy. Sample size was thoroughly calculated to be 186. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to Experiment Arm 1 (50.4Gy radiation, capecitabine, and anti-PD1 starting at Day 8 of radiation), Experiment Arm 2 (50.4Gy radiation, capecitabine, and anti-PD1 starting 2 weeks after completion of radiation), and Control Arm (50.4Gy radiation, capecitabine) in a 1:1:1 ratio. Randomization is stratified by different centers, with a block size of 6. For both experiment arms, Tislelizumab (anti-PD1) is scheduled to be administered at 200mg each time for 3 times, with 3-week intervals. The primary endpoint is pCR rate, and secondary endpoints include sphincter-preserving rate, adverse event rates, and DFS and OS rate at 2, 3 and 5 years post-operation. Data will be analyzed with an intention-to-treat or modified intention-to-treat approach.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
186
Inclusion Criteria
  • aged 18~75
  • ECOG score 0~2
  • biopsy diagnosed rectal adenocarcinoma, distal margin within 10cm to anal verge
  • no distant metastasis, staged II/III (T4b excluded) by MRI
  • maximum diameter of rectal cancer lesion≥10mm according to baseline CT or MRI (i.e. a "measurable lesion" as per RECIST 1.1 criteria)
  • willing and able to comply with study protocol
  • consent to the use of blood and tissue specimens for study
  • no history of previous anti-tumor treatment (e.g. radiation, chemo, immuno, bio, herbal, etc.)
  • no disorders/diseases of immune system (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic vasculitis, scleroderma, pemphigus, dermatomyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism, ulcerative colitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, HIV infection, etc.)
  • no significant dysfunction of major viscera (e.g. heart, lung, liver, kidney, etc.)
  • no jaundice or gastrointestinal obstruction
  • no acute/ongoing infection
  • no significant irregularities in blood routine test and biochemical test results, particular requirements include: neutrophils≥1.5×109/L, HGB≥80g/L, platelet≥100×109/L, serum creatinine≤1.5×ULN, total bilirubin≤1.5×ULN, ALT、AST≤2.5×ULN
  • no social or mental disorder
  • for women of child-bearing age, a negative result of serological pregnancy test is required, and effective contraception measures from inclusion till 60 days after the last dose of study drug is required
Exclusion Criteria
  • multiple cancers, or with concomitant malignant tumors besides rectal cancer
  • having received any anti-cancer treatment (surgery, drugs, etc.) in the past 5 years
  • history of recent major surgery
  • with condition that affects the absorption of capecitabine via gastrointestinal tract (e.g. inability to swallow, nausea, vomiting, chronic diarrhea, etc.)
  • with uncontrolled, severe, concomitant diseases of any sort
  • allergic to any of the ingredients under study
  • estimated survival ≤ 5 years due to any reason
  • preparing for or having previously received organ or bone marrow transplant
  • having received immunosuppressive or systemic hormone therapy for immunosuppressive purposes within 1 month prior to inclusion
  • for patients with history of disorder of central nervous system, investigator discretion is required as to whether the clinical severity prevents the signing of informed consent or affects the patient's oral medication compliance
  • with other conditions/issues that may affect the study results or cause the study treatment to be terminated halfway (e.g. alcoholism, drug abuse, etc.)
  • pregnant or lactating women, or women intending on conception during treatment period

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
CRT+concurrent PD-1 inhibition (Experiment Arm 1)Long-course chemoradiation, with or without Tislelizumab (PD-1 inhibitor)Long-course chemoradiation plus PD-1 inhibition (Tislelizumab 200mg, 3 times, 3-week interval) starting on Day 8 of radiation therapy. TME surgery is scheduled in 8\~12 weeks after completion of radiation.
CRT without PD-1 inhibition (Control Arm)Long-course chemoradiation, with or without Tislelizumab (PD-1 inhibitor)Long-course chemoradiation plus PD-1 inhibition with no PD-1 inhibition. TME surgery is scheduled in 6\~12 weeks after completion of radiation.
CRT+sequential PD-1 inhibition (Experiment Arm 2)Long-course chemoradiation, with or without Tislelizumab (PD-1 inhibitor)Long-course chemoradiation plus PD-1 inhibition (Tislelizumab 200mg, 3 times, 3-week interval) starting on Day 15 after completion of radiation therapy. TME surgery is scheduled in 8\~12 weeks after completion of radiation.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
pCR ratewithin 10 days after surgery

pathological complete response rate

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
5-y DFS rate5 year

5-year disease free survival rate

3-y OS rate3 year

3-year overall survival rate

NAR scorewithin 10 days after surgery

neoadjuvant rectal score

2-y OS rate2 year

2-year overall survival rate

2-y DFS rate2 year

2-year disease free survival rate

3-y DFS rate3 year

3-year disease free survival rate

5-y OS rate5 year

5-year overall survival rate

median DFS time0~60 months

median length (in months) of disease free survival period

immune-related adverse event ratefrom commencing of PD-1 inhibition to the 30th day after surgery

adverse event rate that is deemed to be associated with PD-1 inhibition

Grade 3+ immune-related adverse event ratefrom commencing of PD-1 inhibition to the 30th day after surgery

adverse event (above Grade 3) rate that is deemed to be associated with PD-1 inhibition

treatment-related adverse event ratefrom commencing of treatment to the 30th day after surgery

adverse event rate that is deemed to be associated with all treatments

median OS time0~60 months

median length (in months) of overall survival period

R0 resection ratewithin 10 days after surgery

rate of R0 resection

sphincter preserving rateinstantly after surgery

proportion of patients with preserved anal sphincter

nearly pCR ratewithin 10 days after surgery

nearly pathological complete response rate

ORRbefore surgery

objective response rate

Grade 3+ treatment-related adverse event ratefrom commencing of treatment to the 30th day after surgery

adverse event (above Grade 3) rate that is deemed to be associated with all treatments

incidence rate of surgical complicationswithin 30 days after surgery

incidence rate of surgical complications within 30 days after surgery

quality of life scoreduring the 5 years after surgery

quality of life score during the 5 years after surgery, multiple timepoint assessment

cCR ratebefore surgery

clinical complete response rate

incidence rate of Grade 3+ surgical complicationswithin 30 days after surgery

incidence rate of Grade 3+ surgical complications within 30 days after surgery

Trial Locations

Locations (8)

Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

Beijing Cancer Hospital

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

Beijing Hospital

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

Peking University People's Hospital

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

Peking Union Medical College Hospital

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

Peking University First Hospital

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

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