Tracking rectal cancer response to immunotherapy with MRI scans
Part of Cancer, Digestive system clinical trials.
This study uses special MRI scans taken before and during immunotherapy to see if the cancer is truly growing or just appearing to grow, which is called 'pseudoprogression'. It helps doctors better understand how well the treatment is working for rectal cancer.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You have been diagnosed with rectal cancer (stage II-IV) and will start immunotherapy (PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4 inhibitors) without having any other cancer treatment before.
- You have had a special MRI scan of your rectum within 2 weeks before starting immunotherapy, and will have additional MRI scans at 6 and 12 weeks after treatment starts.
- You have had blood tests (including IL-8, NLR, LDH, S100) and clinical checks (KPS score, CEA levels, T-stage) done before and during treatment.
- If your scans show the cancer may be growing, you are willing to have a biopsy or surgery to check if it is real growth or pseudoprogression.
- You are expected to live more than 3 months and do not have any other serious health problems.
- You can sign a consent form and are not pregnant, breastfeeding, or allergic to MRI contrast dye.
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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