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Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy, Excision And Observation vs Chemoradiotherapy For Rectal Cancer

Phase 3
Recruiting
Conditions
Rectal Cancer
Interventions
Drug: Fluoruracil
Radiation: Radiation
Registration Number
NCT06205485
Lead Sponsor
Canadian Cancer Trials Group
Brief Summary

This study is being done to answer the following questions: Is the chance of rectal cancer responding the same if chemotherapy alone is given before limited surgery compared to chemotherapy and radiation therapy given together before limited surgery? If radiation therapy is not given, is quality of life better?

Detailed Description

This study is being done to find out if this approach is better or worse than the usual approach for early rectal cancer. The usual approach is defined as care most people get for early rectal cancer.

The usual approach for patients who are not in a study is surgery to remove the rectum or treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, followed by surgery. There are several chemotherapy drugs approved by Health Canada that are commonly used with radiation therapy. For patients who get the usual approach for this cancer, about 90 out of 100 are free of cancer after 5 years.

If a patient decides to take part in this study, they will either get a combination of chemotherapy drugs called FOLFOX or CAPOX for up to 12 weeks or will get chemotherapy with radiation therapy for up to 6 weeks.

After finishing treatment, and even if treatment is stopped early, the study doctor will watch for side effects and determine which type of surgery would be best. After surgery, patients will be asked to come in every 4 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for an additional year. Then will be checked every year for 2 years. This means seeing the study doctor for up to 5 years after surgery. Patients may be seen more often if your study doctor thinks it is necessary.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
250
Inclusion Criteria
  • Histologically confirmed invasive, well-moderately differentiated rectal adenocarcinoma, mismatch repair proficient.
  • MRI stage cT1 not eligible for transanal surgery or cT2.
  • cN0 stage based on pelvic MRI - including absence of radiographic evidence of mesorectal nodal metastasis, tumour deposits or extramural venous invasion (EMVI).
  • M0 stage based on no evidence of metastatic disease by CT imaging of chest, abdomen and pelvis.
  • Mid to low-lying tumour eligible for transanal excision in the opinion of the treating surgeon.
  • Medically fit to undergo radical TME surgery as per treating surgeon's decision.
  • Participant is able (i.e. sufficiently fluent) and willing to complete the quality of life questionnaires in either English or French or Spanish.
  • Age of at least 18 years.
  • No contraindications to protocol chemotherapy.
  • Adequate normal organ and marrow function: ANC ≥ x 10^9/L; platelet count ≥ 100 x 10^9/L; bilirubin < 1.5 UNL, excluding Gilbert's syndrome; Estimated creatinine clearance of ≥ 50ml/min
  • Patient must have an ECOG performance of <2 (or Karnofsty ≥ 60%).
  • Must be accessible for treatment and follow-up
  • Women/men of childbearing potential must have agreed to use a highly effective contraceptive method during and for 6 months after completion of chemotherapy.
  • HIV-infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months are eligible for this trial.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Pathologic high-risk factors on diagnostic biopsy: high histologic grade (poorly differentiated), mucinous or signet ring histology, lymphatic/vascular or perineural invasion.
  • Patients with visible pelvic sidewall nodes on MRI.
  • Patients with unequivocal determination of nodal disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, would prohibit protocol therapy administration.
  • Previous pelvic radiation for any reason, including brachytherapy alone.
  • Patients who have had primary lesion excised prior to enrollment.
  • Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial.
  • Prior treatment for rectal cancer.
  • Patients with known dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency (DYPD).
  • Potential trial participants should have recovered from clinically significant adverse events of their most recent therapy/intervention prior to enrollment.
  • Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, patients should be class 2B or better.
  • Any contra-indications to undergo MRI imaging.
  • Presence of anterior lesions above or near peritoneal reflection rendering the patient ineligible for a transanal tumour excision.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ChemoRTFluoruracilStandard dose of infusional 5-Fluorouracil/capecitabine and radiation
ChemoRTCapecitabineStandard dose of infusional 5-Fluorouracil/capecitabine and radiation
ChemoRTRadiationStandard dose of infusional 5-Fluorouracil/capecitabine and radiation
FOLFOX OR CAPOXLeucovorinFOLFOX= Six cycles of modified FOLFOX consisting of leucovorin, oxaliplatin and bolus fluoruracil (optional), infusional fluorouracil. CAPOX= Capecitabine twice daily for 14 days and Oxaliplatin on day 1
FOLFOX OR CAPOXOxaliplatinFOLFOX= Six cycles of modified FOLFOX consisting of leucovorin, oxaliplatin and bolus fluoruracil (optional), infusional fluorouracil. CAPOX= Capecitabine twice daily for 14 days and Oxaliplatin on day 1
FOLFOX OR CAPOXFluoruracilFOLFOX= Six cycles of modified FOLFOX consisting of leucovorin, oxaliplatin and bolus fluoruracil (optional), infusional fluorouracil. CAPOX= Capecitabine twice daily for 14 days and Oxaliplatin on day 1
FOLFOX OR CAPOXCapecitabineFOLFOX= Six cycles of modified FOLFOX consisting of leucovorin, oxaliplatin and bolus fluoruracil (optional), infusional fluorouracil. CAPOX= Capecitabine twice daily for 14 days and Oxaliplatin on day 1
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Clinical response rate upon re-staging6 years
Quality of Life defined using the LARS score6 years
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Rate of downstaging to ypTO/1N0/X6 years
Bowel function assessed by Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) Score6 years
Bladder function assessed by EORTC QLQ-CR29 urinary frequency and urinary incontinence subscales6 years
Sexual function assessed by EORTC QLQ-CR29 sexual interest (men), and sexual interest (women) subscales6 years
Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) Free Survival6 years

Defined as time from randomization to the time of TME attempt or performance, local recurrence after complete clinical response (cCR), or death from any cause

Disease Free Survival6 years

Defined as time from randomization to local recurrence/regrowth after cCR that cannot be salvaged with an R0 TM, M1 recurrence, or death

Other QoL functions assessed by subscales of FIQL6 years
Other QoL functions assessed by subscales of EORTC QLQ-C306 years
Other QoL functions assessed by subscales of subscales of EORTC QLQ-CR296 years
Number and severity of adverse events utilizing CTCAE v5.06 years
Validate the magnetic resonance tumour regression grade (MR-TRG) in patients with T1 and T2 rectal cancer6 years

Trial Locations

Locations (68)

Cancer Center at Saint Joseph's

🇺🇸

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

UCI Health - Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care

🇺🇸

Irvine, California, United States

UC Irvine Health/Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Orange, California, United States

Beebe South Coastal Health Campus

🇺🇸

Millville, Delaware, United States

Helen F Graham Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Newark, Delaware, United States

Medical Oncology Hematology Consultants PA

🇺🇸

Newark, Delaware, United States

Beebe Health Campus

🇺🇸

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, United States

Emory University Hospital Midtown

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Northwestern University

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Carle at The Riverfront

🇺🇸

Danville, Illinois, United States

Carle Physician Group-Effingham

🇺🇸

Effingham, Illinois, United States

Carle Physician Group-Mattoon/Charleston

🇺🇸

Mattoon, Illinois, United States

Carle Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Urbana, Illinois, United States

Northwest Cancer Center - Main Campus

🇺🇸

Crown Point, Indiana, United States

Northwest Oncology LLC

🇺🇸

Dyer, Indiana, United States

Northwest Cancer Center - Hobart

🇺🇸

Hobart, Indiana, United States

Saint Mary Medical Center

🇺🇸

Hobart, Indiana, United States

The Community Hospital

🇺🇸

Munster, Indiana, United States

Northwest Cancer Center - Valparaiso

🇺🇸

Valparaiso, Indiana, United States

University Medical Center New Orleans

🇺🇸

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals - Butterworth Hospital

🇺🇸

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

West Michigan Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States

Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Bemidji, Minnesota, United States

Renown Regional Medical Center

🇺🇸

Reno, Nevada, United States

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center/Dartmouth Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States

University of New Mexico Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Sanford Bismarck Medical Center

🇺🇸

Bismarck, North Dakota, United States

Sanford Broadway Medical Center

🇺🇸

Fargo, North Dakota, United States

Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Fargo, North Dakota, United States

Miami Valley Hospital South

🇺🇸

Centerville, Ohio, United States

University of Cincinnati Cancer Center-UC Medical Center

🇺🇸

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Miami Valley Hospital

🇺🇸

Dayton, Ohio, United States

Premier Blood and Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Dayton, Ohio, United States

Miami Valley Hospital North

🇺🇸

Dayton, Ohio, United States

Atrium Medical Center-Middletown Regional Hospital

🇺🇸

Franklin, Ohio, United States

Miami Valley Cancer Care and Infusion

🇺🇸

Greenville, Ohio, United States

Upper Valley Medical Center

🇺🇸

Troy, Ohio, United States

University of Cincinnati Cancer Center-West Chester

🇺🇸

West Chester, Ohio, United States

Clackamas Radiation Oncology Center

🇺🇸

Clackamas, Oregon, United States

Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center

🇺🇸

Gresham, Oregon, United States

Providence Newberg Medical Center

🇺🇸

Newberg, Oregon, United States

Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center

🇺🇸

Oregon City, Oregon, United States

Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

Providence Portland Medical Center

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

Oregon Health and Science University

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

Legacy Meridian Park Hospital

🇺🇸

Tualatin, Oregon, United States

Christiana Care Health System-Concord Health Center

🇺🇸

Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, United States

Sanford Cancer Center Oncology Clinic

🇺🇸

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

Sanford USD Medical Center - Sioux Falls

🇺🇸

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

The West Clinic - Wolf River

🇺🇸

Germantown, Tennessee, United States

Vanderbilt University/Ingram Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Dartmouth Cancer Center - North

🇺🇸

Saint Johnsbury, Vermont, United States

Virginia Mason Medical Center

🇺🇸

Seattle, Washington, United States

Legacy Cancer Institute Medical Oncology and Day Treatment

🇺🇸

Vancouver, Washington, United States

Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital

🇺🇸

Vancouver, Washington, United States

Marshfield Medical Center-EC Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States

Marshfield Medical Center-Marshfield

🇺🇸

Marshfield, Wisconsin, United States

Marshfield Medical Center - Minocqua

🇺🇸

Minocqua, Wisconsin, United States

Marshfield Medical Center-Rice Lake

🇺🇸

Rice Lake, Wisconsin, United States

Marshfield Medical Center-River Region at Stevens Point

🇺🇸

Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States

Marshfield Medical Center - Weston

🇺🇸

Weston, Wisconsin, United States

CancerCare Manitoba

🇨🇦

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Ottawa Hospital and Cancer Center-General Campus

🇨🇦

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Allan Blair Cancer Centre

🇨🇦

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Saskatoon Cancer Centre

🇨🇦

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

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