Phase I Study of Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy With 5-Fluorouracil for Rectal Cancer (NCT02270606) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 1
Phase I Study of Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy With 5-Fluorouracil for Rectal Cancer
United States14 participantsStarted 2014-12-04
Plain-language summary
This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of fluorouracil when given together with radiation therapy followed by combination chemotherapy before and after surgery in treating patients with rectal cancer that has spread from where it started to nearby tissue or lymph nodes. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as fluorouracil, leucovorin calcium, and oxaliplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. Giving additional combination chemotherapy after surgery may kill any remaining tumor cells. Giving radiation therapy and fluorouracil followed by combination chemotherapy before and after surgery may be a better treatment for rectal cancer.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Pathologically proven diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the rectum (located below the peritoneal reflection or begins within 15 cm of the anal verge on flexible endoscopy) within 90 days of registration; diagnosis of rectal adenocarcinoma must be obtained by biopsy technique that does not completely excise the lesion (eg, fine needle aspiration, core needle biopsy)
* Clinically determined to be clinically staged (American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th edition \[ed.\]) T3-4 N0 M0 or T any N1-2 M0 based upon the following minimum diagnostic workup within 90 days prior to registration:
* Colonoscopy
* History/physical examination (including medication history screen for contraindications)
* Contrast-enhanced imaging of the abdomen and pelvis either by computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or whole body positron emission tomography (PET)-CT (preferred)
* Chest x-ray (or CT) of the chest to exclude distant metastases (except for those who have had whole body PET-CT per above bullet point)
* Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) or MRI for T staging
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =\< 1
* Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1,800 cells/mm\^3
* Platelets \>= 100,000 cells/mm\^3
* Hemoglobin \>= 8.0 g/dL (note: the use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve hemoglobin \[Hgb\] \>= 8.0 g/dL is acceptable)
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \< 2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Alkaline phosphat…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Dose limiting toxicity for continuous infusional 5-Fluorouracil given concurrently with short course pelvic radiation