Clinical trials
Rectal Cancer clinical trials
Below are recruiting rectal cancer clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 405 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT06312982RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Chemo, radiation, and immunotherapy before rectal cancer surgery
This trial tests whether a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and an immunotherapy drug (tislelizumab) before surgery can improve outcomes for people with locally advanced rectal cancer that has specific protein/gene markers (pMMR or MSS). It’s designed for those who have not yet had any treatment for their cancer.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–75 - NCT04842006Recruiting
Personalized treatment plan for rectal cancer before and after surgery
This trial looks at a personalized treatment approach for rectal cancer. It aims to guide the best chemotherapy and (if needed) radiotherapy before and after surgery, based on scans and specific test results.
Helsinki, UusimaaAges 18–100 - NCT05563922RecruitingPhase 2
Testing a plan to preserve the anus after rectal chemo-radiation
This Phase 2 study tests a “total neoadjuvant” (chemo plus radiation before the main treatment) plan to see if some people with low rectal cancer can keep their anus. It may help you avoid permanent colostomy if your cancer responds well and you meet the study rules.
Shanghai, Shanghai MunicipalityAges 18–75 - NCT05752136RecruitingPhase 3
Pre-surgery radiation plus immunotherapy and chemo for rectal cancer
This trial tests whether a short course of radiation before surgery, combined with the immunotherapy drug envafolimab and the chemo regimen CAPEOX, works better for shrinking locally advanced rectal cancer. It is aimed at people whose tumor is not “MMR-deficient” (it is pMMR/MSS), and it asks participants to be able to return for repeated checkups and treatments.
Hangzhou, ZhejiangAges 18 years+ - NCT05772481Recruiting
PET-MRI scan test for rectal cancer after pre-surgery treatment
This study looks at whether a special scan called PET-MRI can better show how rectal cancer responds to treatment given before surgery. If it works well, it could help doctors plan the right next steps after chemoradiotherapy.
StrasbourgAges 18–75 - NCT06631443Recruiting
Asian Watch-and-Wait Study for Rectal Cancer
This study is for people with rectal cancer who have had treatment like radiation or chemo and their tumor has disappeared or nearly disappeared. Instead of surgery right away, doctors will closely monitor the cancer with regular check-ups to make sure it stays gone.
Mumbai, MaharashtraAges 18 years+ - NCT06646341Recruiting
Can scan findings predict colorectal cancer spread?
This study looks at whether signs of blood vessel involvement (called EMVI) seen on scans can predict if colorectal cancer spreads to other organs. You might join if you already had surgery to remove the cancer from the colon or rectum and any distant tumors, and your before-surgery scans are available for review.
Basingstoke, HampshireAges 16–100 - NCT06822634Recruiting
Advanced imaging for rectal cancer treatment response
This trial uses advanced MRI scans to see how well rectal cancer is responding to radiotherapy. It may help doctors better understand which treatments work best for patients with more advanced disease.
GlasgowAges 18 years+ - NCT07108348Recruiting
ADAR1 levels in rectal cancer
This study looks at a protein called ADAR1 in rectal cancer tissue. It aims to see how ADAR1 levels might be related to the cancer and help doctors understand the disease better.
Konya, MeramAges 18–90 - NCT07154316RecruitingPhase 2
Short radiation plus drugs for MSS rectal cancer
This trial tests a shorter course of radiation therapy followed by a combination of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and a pain-relief medication, compared to the standard approach. It is for people with a certain type of rectal cancer that has not spread.
Fuzhou, FujianAges 18–75 - NCT07372300RecruitingPhase 3
Heat therapy plus standard care for advanced rectal cancer
This trial tests whether adding modulated electro-hyperthermia (a gentle heat treatment) to standard therapy (radiation and chemotherapy) before surgery helps control locally advanced rectal cancer. It is for people whose cancer has not spread to other parts of the body.
Chiayi City, Dalin TownshipAges 20 years+ - NCT07448142RecruitingPhase 2
Low-dose radiation plus immunotherapy and chemo for rectal cancer
This trial tests whether adding a very low dose of radiation to a combination of immunotherapy (pucotenlimab) and chemotherapy (CAPEOX) can help shrink rectal cancer tumors that have not spread. It is for people with locally advanced rectal cancer that is pMMR (meaning the cancer cells have normal DNA repair).
Guangzhou, GuanggongAges 18–75 - NCT07470658Enrolling by invitation
Surveillance after positive FIT and normal colonoscopy
This trial studies the best way to follow up with people who had a positive FIT stool test (high blood level) but a normal colonoscopy. It aims to find the right schedule for future screening to catch any problems early.
TaipeiAges 45–74 - NCT07026422RecruitingPhase 2
Combination immunotherapy with chemoradiation for high-risk rectal cancer
This trial tests a combination of two immunotherapy drugs (iparomlimab and tuvonralimab) plus standard chemotherapy and radiation before surgery for people with a specific type of high-risk rectal cancer. The goal is to see if adding these drugs can improve treatment results.
Jinan, ShandongAges 18–75 - NCT05912075RecruitingPhase 1
New pre-surgery radiation plus ASTX660 for rectal cancer
This early-phase trial tests adding ASTX660 (a new drug) to pre-surgery radiation for locally advanced rectal cancer. It aims to improve control of the tumor before surgery, making it more likely that the surgeon can remove it with clear margins.
Lyon, RhöneAges 18 years+ - NCT06770270RecruitingPhase 2
Immunotherapy with radiation and chemo before rectal cancer surgery
This trial tests adding an immunotherapy drug (pucotenlimab) to standard radiation and chemotherapy before surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer. The goal is to see if this combination can shrink the tumor more effectively and improve outcomes.
Hangzhou, ZhejiangAges 18–75 - NCT06787625Recruiting
Growing tumor models from colorectal cancer and liver metastases
This study takes samples from colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver and grows them in the lab. The goal is to create models that can help researchers understand the cancer better and find new treatments.
RomeAges 18 years+ - NCT06812728RecruitingPhase 2
Chemo and radiation before surgery for advanced rectal cancer
This trial tests giving a strong chemotherapy combination (FOLFIRINOX) followed by radiation before surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer. If you have stage 3 or high-risk stage 2 rectal cancer that has not spread, this approach may shrink the tumor and improve outcomes.
Shibīn al Kawm, MenoufiaAges 18–70 - NCT07433673RecruitingPhase 2
Gemcitabine, cisplatin, nab-paclitaxel, and cemiplimab for locally advanced bile duct cancer
This trial tests a combination of four drugs to see if they shrink locally advanced bile duct or gallbladder cancer that cannot be removed surgically. It is for people who have not had prior treatment for this cancer.
New York, New YorkAges 18 years+ - NCT07462143RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
New drug plus chemo for advanced colorectal cancer
This trial tests a new drug (RC148) combined with standard chemotherapy as a first treatment for colorectal cancer that has spread or cannot be removed. The goal is to see if this combination works better than chemotherapy alone.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–75 - NCT07478731RecruitingPhase 2
Combination therapy for advanced rectal cancer before surgery
This trial tests a new drug called SHR-1701 combined with standard chemotherapy and radiation for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. The goal is to shrink the tumor before surgery, making it easier to remove completely.
Wuhan, HubeiAges 18–75 - NCT07555210Recruiting
Bone Density Changes During Cancer Immunotherapy
This study tracks how a type of cancer treatment called anti-PD-1 immunotherapy affects bone strength over time. Researchers want to understand whether this treatment causes bone density loss and help develop ways to protect bones during cancer care.
Nashville, TennesseeAges 18 years+ - NCT05585814RecruitingPhase 2
New chemo plus immunotherapy before rectal surgery
This trial tests a combination of chemo, a medicine that blocks blood vessel growth, and an immune checkpoint drug given before rectal cancer surgery. It’s for people with locally advanced rectal cancer without distant spread, to try to shrink the tumor and improve surgical results.
ShanghaiAges 18–75 - NCT04927897Recruiting
Testing where to aim extra rectal radiation before surgery
This trial tests the best place to target an “extra boost” of radiation inside the rectum for certain rectal cancer patients. It may help guide more precise treatment planning before they have total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery.
Maastricht, LimburgAges 18 years+
Hear when a new Rectal Cancer trial opens
We’ll email you when one opens — at most once a week, no account needed, unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for rectal cancer?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 405 recruiting rectal cancer studies from the U.S. registry, each rewritten for real people, not researchers, so you can see what it’s testing and who it’s for.
- How do I know if I qualify for a rectal cancer trial?
- Each study lists its eligibility criteria — rules about age, diagnosis, and prior treatments. On every Clin2 trial page we explain these in words written for real people and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Does it cost anything to join a rectal cancer trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what’s covered before you decide.
Related conditions
Beyond the search
We also like to point to nonprofits doing real good in this area. We aren’t affiliated with them — we just admire the work.
- Stand Up To CancerPeople facing cancer across many types, through the research that leads to better treatments.
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.