Testing the Addition of an Anti-Cancer Drug, Irinotecan, to the Standard Chemotherapy Treatment (FOLFOX) After Long-Course Radiation Therapy for Advanced-Stage Rectal Cancers to Improve the Rate of Complete Response and Long-Term Rates of Organ Preservation

Overview

About this study

The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of irinotecan versus oxaliplatin after long-course chemoradiation in patients with stage II-III rectal cancer. Combination chemotherapy drugs, such as FOLFIRINOX (fluorouracil, irinotecan, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin), FOLFOX (leucovorin, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan ), and CAPOX (capecitabin and oxaliplatin) work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. FOLFOX or CAPOX are used after chemoradiation as usual treatment for rectal cancer. Giving FOLFIRINOX after chemoradiation may increase the response rate and lead to higher rates of clinical complete response (with a chance of avoiding surgery) compared to FOLFOX or CAPOX after chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Eligibility Criteria:

- Stage: Clinical stage II or III rectal adenocarcinoma defined as T4N0 or any T with
node positive disease (any T, N+); also T3N0 requiring abdominal perineal resection
(APR) or coloanal anastomosis

- Tumor site: Rectum; =< 12cm from the anal verge

- No prior systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy; or radiation
therapy administered as treatment for colorectal cancer within the past 5 years is
allowed

- Not pregnant and not nursing, because this study involves an agent that has known
genotoxic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects

* Therefore, for women of childbearing potential only, a negative pregnancy test
(urine or serum according to institutional guidelines) done =< 14 days prior to
registration is required. Female subjects agree to use highly effective contraception
combined with an additional barrier method (e.g, diaphragm, with a spermicide) while
on study and for >= 9 months after last dose of study drug, and the same criteria are
applicable to male subjects if they have a partner of childbirth potential. Male
subject agrees to use a condom and not donate sperm while in this study and for >= 6
months after the last treatment

- Age >= 18 years

- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =< 2 (or Karnofsky >=
60%)

- Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count >= 100,000/mm

- Creatinine =< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) OR calculated (calc.) creatinine
clearance >= 50 mL/min ^3

- Total bilirubin =< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) =< 3 x upper limit of
normal (ULN)

- No upper rectal tumors (distal margin of tumor > 12 cm from the anal verge)

- No recurrent rectal cancer; prior transanal excision, prior distal sigmoid cancer with
a low anastomosis

- No known mismatch repair deficient rectal adenocarcinoma

- Human immunodeficiency virus HIV-infected patients on effective anti-retro viral
therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months are eligible for this trial

- Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of
treatment with cardio toxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac
function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification1. To be
eligible for this trial, patients should be class 2B or better

- Chronic concomitant treatment with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 is not allowed on this
study. Patients on strong CYP3A4 inhibitors must discontinue the drug for 14 days
prior to registration on the study * Chronic concomitant treatment with strong CYP3A4
inducers is not allowed. Patients must discontinue the drug 14 days prior to the start
of study treatment

Note: Other protocol defined Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria may apply.

Eligibility last updated 3/25/2024. Questions regarding updates should be directed to the study team contact.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Krishan Jethwa, M.D.

Open for enrollment

Contact information:

Cancer Center Clinical Trials Referral Office

(855) 776-0015

Jacksonville, Fla.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Jeremy Jones, M.D.

Open for enrollment

Contact information:

Cancer Center Clinical Trials Referral Office

(855) 776-0015

Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Christina Wu, M.B., B.Ch., M.D.

Open for enrollment

Contact information:

Cancer Center Clinical Trials Referral Office

(855) 776-0015

More information

Publications

Publications are currently not available