Pembrolizumab before surgery for certain colon cancers
Treatments studied
Part of Cancer, Digestive system clinical trials.
This trial tests if the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab can shrink colon cancers with specific genetic features (dMMR/MSI-H) before surgery. If the tumor responds well, some patients might avoid chemotherapy after surgery. It is for people with newly diagnosed, localized colon or upper rectal cancer.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You must be 18 years or older.
- You must have a new diagnosis of colon cancer or upper rectal cancer that has not spread.
- Your tumor must have a specific genetic pattern called dMMR or MSI-H (your doctor can test for this).
- You must be well enough to have surgery and be in good general health (ECOG score 0 or 1).
- You cannot have had prior treatment with drugs that target the immune system (like pembrolizumab, nivolumab, or ipilimumab).
- You must agree to use effective birth control if you or your partner can become pregnant.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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