Colorectal Cancer Trial, Recruiting

Written by an AI model from ClinicalTrials.gov eligibility criteria and checked on a sample basis. Please confirm against the original criteria.

Who might be able to join this trial:

• People who have been newly diagnosed with rectal cancer (confirmed by biopsy), where the lowest part of the tumour is within 16 cm of the opening of the back passage, measured using a special viewing instrument.
• People whose cancer is locally advanced and shows at least one high-risk feature on a pelvic MRI scan, such as the tumour growing into a nearby organ or structure (for example, the prostate, bladder, uterus, tailbone, or pelvic wall), involvement of the lining of the abdominal cavity, cancer cells spreading into nearby blood vessels, a significant number of affected lymph nodes nearby, the tumour or lymph nodes being very close to or touching the surrounding tissue layer, or affected lymph nodes in the side walls of the pelvis.
• People whose cancer staging was completed within 6 weeks before starting radiotherapy.
• People whose blood test results show that the body is healthy enough to receive the chemotherapy combination used in this trial, including acceptable levels of white blood cells, platelets, haemoglobin, kidney function, and liver function (tested within 5 weeks before joining).
• People who are in good enough general health to carry out daily activities with minimal limitation (confirm with trial site for exact fitness level required).
• People who their oncologist considers mentally and physically fit enough to receive the chemotherapy used in this trial.
• People aged 18 years or older.
• People who are able to give written consent to participate.
• People who are able to attend follow-up appointments as required.

Who may not be able to join:

• People whose tumour has grown extensively into the upper part of the tailbone (above a certain level) or into nearby nerve roots, meaning surgery is considered impossible even if the tumour shrinks with treatment.
• People whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body, or who have a recurrence of rectal cancer.
• People with certain inherited bowel conditions (such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis or Lynch Syndrome) or active inflammatory bowel disease (such as active Crohn's disease or active ulcerative colitis).
• People who have, or have previously had, another cancer — unless it was a certain type of skin cancer or cervical cancer treated successfully, or unless the person has been cancer-free for at least 5 years.
• People with a known deficiency of an enzyme called DPD, which affects how the body processes certain chemotherapy medicines.
• People who cannot have an MRI scan, for example those with a pacemaker.
• People with medical or mental health conditions that affect their ability to give informed consent.
• People with other serious uncontrolled medical conditions.
• People who have received any experimental treatment for rectal cancer in the past month.
• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• People with conditions that affect the body's ability to absorb medicines through the digestive system, or who have significant problems with the upper digestive tract.
• People with significant or active heart problems, such as heart failure, symptomatic coronary artery disease, irregular heart rhythm (including atrial fibrillation, even if managed with medication), or those who have had a heart attack within the past 12 months.
• People who have symptoms of nerve damage in the hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy).
• People who have a pacemaker or an implanted heart device (ICD).
• People who have artificial hip replacements on both sides.

Important: Always verify eligibility with the trial site directly before applying.