FOLFOX, Botensilimab, and Balstilimab for the Treatment of Localized Rectal Cancer Before Surgery (NCT06780787) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingPhase 2
FOLFOX, Botensilimab, and Balstilimab for the Treatment of Localized Rectal Cancer Before Surgery
United States26 participantsStarted 2025-05-20
Plain-language summary
This phase II trial tests how well fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and leucovorin calcium (folinic acid) (FOLFOX) with botensilimab and balstilimab given before surgery (neoadjuvant) works in treating patients with rectal adenocarcinoma that has not spread to other parts of the body (localized). Currently, neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer includes chemotherapy and chemoradiation. Despite these aggressive treatments, only about half of patients achieve a complete clinical response. In fact, over half of rectal cancer patients go on to have surgery and often suffer post-surgery complications involving urine and bowel problems. Thus, there has been an increased focus on non-surgical treatments. Chemotherapy drugs, such as fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and leucovorin calcium, 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. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as botensilimab and balstilimab, may help the body's immune system attack the tumor, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving neoadjuvant FOLFOX with botensilimab and balstilimab may improve the rate of complete response and decrease the need for surgery and radiation therapy in patients with localized rectal adenocarcinoma.
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:
* Documented informed consent of the participant and/or legally authorized representative
* Assent, when appropriate, will be obtained per institutional guidelines
* Agreement to allow the use of archival tissue from diagnostic tumor biopsies
* If unavailable, exceptions may be granted with study principal investigator (PI) approval
* Age: ≥ 18 years
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) ≤ 1
* Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the rectum
* Rectal involvement defined as involvement of the rectum within 12 cm proximal from anal verge
* Radial margin of at least 3mm from the mesorectal fascia, with no threatened circumferential tumor margin based on MRI. No more than 4 lymph nodes (LN) with short axis \> 1 cm
* T3N0, or TxN1 or TxN2 clinical stage based on MRI staging
* No evidence of distant metastatic disease based on imaging studies including CT chest and CT or MRI of abdomen and pelvis
* Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
* Without bone marrow involvement: Platelets ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
* Hemoglobin ≥ 9g/dL
* NOTE: Red blood cell transfusions are not permitted within 14 days of hemoglobin assessment
* Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) (unless has Gilbert's disease)
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 3.0 x ULN
* Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 3.0 x ULN
* Creatinine \< 1.5 x ULN or clearance of ≥ 40 mL/min per 24 hour urine test or the Cockcroft-Gault formula
* Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP): Neg…
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.