Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, affecting about 150,000 people each year. Treatment typically combines surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, with the approach depending on how far the cancer has spread. Recent advances include immunotherapy for tumors with certain genetic markers and targeted drugs that attack specific mutations.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing immunotherapy combinations for tumors with mismatch repair deficiencies, KRAS inhibitors for previously untargetable mutations, antibody-drug conjugates that deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, and minimal-residual-disease testing to guide post-surgery treatment. Studies also focus on less invasive approaches for early-stage rectal cancer and on preventing cancer in people with inherited risks.
KRAS G12C inhibitors
New drugs now block a KRAS mutation present in about 3-5% of colorectal cancers, a target long considered impossible. Trials are testing these drugs alone and combined with other treatments.
Circulating tumor DNA testing
Blood tests can detect tiny amounts of cancer DNA after surgery, identifying people at high risk of recurrence. Studies are testing whether chemotherapy guided by these tests improves outcomes while sparing others from unnecessary treatment.
Rectal cancer de-escalation
Some people with early rectal cancer can avoid surgery after chemotherapy and radiation shrink their tumor completely. Trials are testing whether immunotherapy can expand this watch-and-wait approach to more patients.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on cancer stage, prior treatments, specific mutations like KRAS or mismatch repair status, and overall health.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new chemotherapy combinations, targeted drugs, or immunotherapy to shrink tumors or prevent spread. These often compare a new drug added to standard treatment versus standard treatment alone.
- Minimal residual disease trials — Using blood tests to detect microscopic cancer after surgery and testing whether chemotherapy based on these results improves survival.
- Immunotherapy trials — Testing checkpoint inhibitors and other immune treatments, especially for tumors with mismatch repair deficiencies or high mutation burden.
- Prevention trials — Testing whether drugs, diet changes, or screening approaches can prevent colorectal cancer in people at high risk due to polyps or family history.
- Surgical approach trials — Comparing different surgical techniques or testing whether some people can avoid surgery entirely after other treatments work well.
Recently added Colorectal Cancer trials
Efficacy and Safety Exploration of Short Course Radiotherapy Followed by Surufatinib and Toripalimab in Neoadjuvant Treatment of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Why is this study conducted? The purpose of this study is to improve treatment efficacy, particularly the pathological complete response rate, in patients with high-risk/extremely high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). While advances have been achieved with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with immunotherapy in recent years, regional recurrence and distant metastasis remain unresolved. New therapeutic strategies for this patient population are therefore urgently needed. Rectal cancer management typically includes surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Treatment paradigms are shifting toward neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus immunotherapy, which has demonstrated promising potential in several clinical trials. These data indicate that short-course radiotherapy combined with anti-angiogenic agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors may improve patient prognosis and tumor response. Nevertheless, the efficacy and safety of this regimen in high-risk patients require further validation. Against this background, the study evaluates a novel regimen of short-course radiotherapy followed by surufatinib and toripalimab (anti-PD-1) to raise the pathological complete response rate. The investigators also explore efficacy-related biomarkers including RAS/BRAF status and gene expression profiles to support personalized treatment. This study aims to optimize therapy for LARC patients and inform future treatment strategies. Why are participants invited to participate in this study? Participants are considered eligible for enrollment upon diagnosis of high-risk or extremely high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer consistent with study inclusion criteria. Eligibility requires confirmed pathological diagnosis, appropriate tumor location, and absence of severe comorbidities or exclusionary diseases (e.g., recurrent rectal cancer, cardiac dysfunction). Final enrollment decisions are made by study physicians based on individual clinical conditions. What do participants need to do to participate in this study? Study participation requires adherence to predefined procedures. Participants receive scheduled medical assessments including blood tests, imaging scans and anorectal function evaluation. During the study period, participants may complete questionnaires and provide biospecimens (e.g., blood samples) for efficacy analysis. The study team defines the frequency and content of each follow-up to maintain continuous monitoring throughout treatment. Compliance with study procedures supports evaluation of regimen efficacy. What are the risks of participating in this study? This study applies neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy, anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody (toripalimab), and anti-angiogenic therapy (surufatinib). Potential risks for participants are listed below: Risk of neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy: Participants may develop grade ≥3 adverse events including, but not limited to, severe diarrhea, grade 3 neutropenia and grade 3 radiation dermatitis, which may impair quality of life. Risk of anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody: Toripalimab may induce immune-related adverse events (irAEs) across organ systems. Common irAEs include skin toxicity (papules, pruritus; incidence 30%-40%), diarrhea/colitis (8%-19%), fatigue (16%-24%), immune-related hepatitis (5%), hypothyroidism (4%-10%), and hyperthyroidism (4%). Approximately two-thirds of patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors develop irAEs of varying severity, and serious adverse events are non-negligible. Risk of anti-angiogenic therapy: Surufatinib may trigger adverse events related to anti-angiogenic and immunomodulatory effects. Common adverse events (incidence \>20%) include proteinuria, hypertension, bleeding, liver dysfunction and diarrhea. Among grade ≥3 adverse events, hypertension (29.7%), proteinuria (14.5%), liver dysfunction (12.8%) and bleeding (4.5%) predominate. Rarely, treatment-related death may occur secondary to gastrointestinal hemorrhage or cerebral hemorrhage. Handling of research related injuries? This interventional study introduces no extra risks beyond standard clinical care. Any harm arising from study participation will be addressed for compensation and liability in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Multicenter Study of SIS Patch in High-risk Colorectal Anastomosis
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Small Intestinal Submucosa (SIS) material used for anastomotic reinforcement in patients with high-risk factors for colorectal cancer to prevent anastomotic leakage. It will also explore the molecular biological mechanism of SIS/polycaprolactone-acrylic acid (PCA) patches in promoting tissue regeneration and verify the biological versatility of the new SIS/PCA patches at the cellular level. The main questions it aims to answer is: Can the use of SIS reinforcement patches effectively reduce the incidence of anastomotic leakage in patients with high-risk colorectal anastomosis after surgery (within 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months of follow-up)? This is a single-arm, non-randomized, open-label, multi-center exploratory study. All eligible patients will be in the intervention group and receive SIS reinforcement patch for anastomosis during surgery; there is no control group for comparison. Participants will: Sign an informed consent form during the screening period (7 days before surgery) and provide basic clinical information, medical history, and undergo assessment against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Undergo gastrointestinal anastomosis using SIS reinforcement patches during surgery (Day 0 of the study), with intraoperative observation of the immediate stapling effect and recording of anastomotic conditions and complications. Complete follow-up visits at approximately 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days after surgery. During follow-up, they will undergo assessments of anastomotic leakage, healing status, adverse events, and effectiveness; they will also cooperate with the recording of concomitant medications/implanted devices and filling out of Case Report Forms (CRFs). Have their relevant perioperative indicators collected by researchers to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the SIS material anastomotic reinforcement patch.
Find Colorectal Cancer trials matched specifically to you
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll show you trials that fit your situation.