Clinical trials
Rectal Cancer clinical trials
Below are recruiting rectal cancer clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 398 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT05972655RecruitingPhase 2
Testing shorter rectal radiation with chemotherapy plus immunotherapy
This Phase 2 study tests whether a shorter course of radiation, combined with chemotherapy (CAPOX) and an immunotherapy drug (tislelizumab), can control middle and low rectal cancer. It may also help people who strongly want to keep their anus, if the cancer and overall health fit the study rules.
Hanzhou, ZhejiangAges 18–75 - NCT07281157RecruitingPhase 2
Liposomal irinotecan, capecitabine and enlonstobart with short radiation for rectal cancer
This trial tests a combination of short-course radiation, two chemotherapy drugs (liposomal irinotecan and capecitabine), and an immunotherapy drug (Enlonstobart) for people with locally advanced rectal cancer. The goal is to see if this approach can shrink the tumor before surgery.
Tianjin, Tianjin MunicipalityAges 18–75 - NCT06740357Recruiting
Shared decision-making for rectal cancer organ preservation
This trial tests a program that helps you and your doctor decide together whether to avoid surgery and keep your rectum after chemo and radiation. It's for people with early-stage rectal cancer who have not had prior treatment for this cancer.
DijonAges 18–80 - NCT07098182Recruiting
Preserving blood supply during colon or rectal surgery
This trial tests a technique during colon or rectal surgery to preserve a specific blood vessel (the left colic artery) that helps keep the remaining colon healthy. It is for people with left colon, rectal, or ovarian cancer who are scheduled for surgery.
Montpellier, HeraultAges 18 years+ - NCT07095439RecruitingPhase 2
Sandwich treatment for stage 2 and 3 rectal cancer
This trial tests a new way of giving radiation and chemotherapy before surgery for rectal cancer that hasn't spread. It aims to see if this 'sandwich' approach is safe and works better than standard treatment.
CairoAges 18–70 - NCT06904365Recruiting
Ovarian-sparing radiation for young women
This study tests a way to give radiation therapy that avoids the ovaries as much as possible, to help preserve fertility and hormone function in young women.
St Louis, MissouriAges 18–50 - NCT06380101Recruiting
Special diet with standard therapy for rectal cancer
This trial tests a special medical food that limits certain amino acids (building blocks of protein) during standard treatment for rectal cancer. The goal is to see if this diet helps the treatment work better while reducing side effects.
Tampa, FloridaAges 18–100 - NCT04525989Recruiting
Short-course proton vs photon radiation before rectal surgery
This study compares two types of pre-surgery radiation—protons versus standard photons—in people with high-risk rectal cancer. The goal is to shrink and control the tumor while safely getting you ready for surgery, and to see which approach works better.
Stockholm, SolnaAges 18 years+ - NCT03190941RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
T-cell therapy for HLA-A11:01 and KRAS G12V tumors
This trial tests a custom immune-cell treatment made from your blood that targets the KRAS G12V change in certain cancers. It is for people with advanced cancer who have already tried standard treatments, and it may help your immune system recognize and attack tumor cells.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–72 - NCT07786493Recruiting
3D-printed internal radiation for rectal cancer
This study tests a new way to deliver internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) to rectal cancer using a 3D-printed guide. It may help people who cannot have or do not want surgery, with the goal of preserving the rectum.
Tianjin, Tianjin MunicipalityAges 18–80 - NCT07469709Recruiting
Cancer risk study using genetics and monitoring
This study looks at genetic and other factors in people with certain cancers to better understand personal cancer risks and improve monitoring. It may help find ways to detect changes earlier.
Candiolo, TurinAges 18 years+ - NCT07292298RecruitingPhase 2
Rectal cancer brachytherapy after treatment to avoid surgery
This trial tests a special type of internal radiation (brachytherapy) for people with low-lying rectal cancer that did not fully go away after standard chemoradiation and chemotherapy. The goal is to shrink the remaining tumor enough to avoid major surgery like removing the rectum or colostomy.
Aurora, ColoradoAges 18–100 - NCT07145255RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Study of MBRC-201 for advanced solid tumors
This trial tests a new drug, MBRC-201, for people with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatments. The goal is to find the best dose and see if it helps shrink tumors or slow their growth.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03064646Recruiting
Preserving tissue in near-complete rectal cancer response
This trial studies whether it’s safe to preserve the rectum (instead of removing it right away) for people with locally advanced rectal cancer who respond very well after pre-treatment radiation and/or chemotherapy. It may help some patients avoid major surgery, but eligibility depends on response seen on exam, scope, and MRI, and on having no spread to distant organs.
Elche, AlicanteAges 18 years+ - NCT05300269RecruitingPhase 2
Test drug SHR-1701 with chemo and radiation for rectal cancer
This trial studies whether adding SHR-1701 to standard chemotherapy and long-course radiation can improve treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer that can be removed by surgery. It’s mainly for people who have not had prior rectal cancer treatment and who fit several health and cancer-spread requirements.
Shanghai, Shanghai MunicipalityAges 18–75 - NCT04527861Recruiting
Minimally invasive single-incision surgery for colon cancer
This trial compares a single-incision laparoscopic operation versus the usual laparoscopic operation for colorectal (colon or “high rectum”) cancer. It looks at cancer outcomes and may help determine which approach is safer and works better for the right patients.
Lanzhou, GansuAges 18–85 - NCT03466424Recruiting
Short radiation then chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer
This trial tests a short course of radiation given before chemotherapy for people with locally advanced rectal cancer (cancer that has grown into nearby tissue and/or nearby lymph nodes but can still be removed). It may help shrink the tumor and make treatment more effective while assessing how well this approach works.
Fuzhou, FujianAges 18–70 - NCT06194708Recruiting
Why some temporary stomas are never reversed after rectal cancer surgery
This trial looks at why some people who had a temporary stoma (a bag for waste) after rectal cancer surgery never get it reversed. It collects information from medical records to find patterns that might explain this.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–100 - NCT05245474RecruitingPhase 2
Before-surgery chemoradiation plus PD-1 for locally advanced rectal cancer
This trial studies giving long-course radiation and chemotherapy before surgery, plus an immunotherapy medicine (PD-1) to help the tumor shrink more. It’s for people with stage II or III rectal cancer that has not spread to distant organs.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–75 - NCT06462053RecruitingPhase 2
Short radiotherapy plus chemo and immunotherapy for early low rectal cancer
This study is testing whether a short course of radiation combined with chemotherapy and an immunotherapy drug works better than the standard longer radiation and chemotherapy for early-stage rectal cancer that is low in the rectum. The goal is to see if this shorter treatment can help patients avoid surgery or have a better outcome.
ShanghaiAges 18–75 - NCT06653452Recruiting
PET/MRI for rectal cancer treatment response
This study uses a special scan called PET/MRI to see how well treatment works for locally advanced rectal cancer before surgery. It may help doctors choose the best treatment plan for you.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–75 - NCT07686640RecruitingPhase 3
Short course radiation plus chemo with or without immunotherapy for rectal cancer
This trial tests whether adding two immunotherapy drugs (iparomlimab and tuvonralimab) to standard short-course radiation and chemotherapy improves outcomes in people with a common type of locally advanced rectal cancer (pMMR/MSS). It is for those with stage II or III cancer that has at least one high-risk feature and is within 12 cm of the anal verge.
Jinan, ShandongAges 18–75 - NCT07527026RecruitingPhase 2
Camrelizumab and chemotherapy with radiation for advanced rectal cancer
This trial tests a combination of an immunotherapy drug (camrelizumab) with chemotherapy and radiation to shrink advanced rectal cancer before surgery. The goal is to help more patients have successful surgery with complete tumor removal.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–75 - NCT07494201Recruiting
MIMICC study for people with colorectal cancer
This trial is studying patients with colorectal cancer who are scheduled for surgery. Researchers want to learn more about the cancer to improve future treatments.
Candiolo, Torino (TO)Ages 18–75
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for rectal cancer?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 398 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.