What the trial was testing
The ANCHOR enrolled 4,446 patients with anal cancer. The study was sponsored by AIDS Malignancy Consortium and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
57% lower rate of anal cancer with treatment vs. active monitoring.
New England Journal of Medicine · 2022 · NCT02135419
These findings — that of progression to anal cancer over two years with treatment of high-grade lesions — were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 4,446 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with anal cancer, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
The treatments tested (office-based ablation, topical fluorouracil, or imiquimod) are all available now. Major guidelines now recommend that adults living with HIV aged 35 and older get screened for anal pre-cancer with anal cytology and high-resolution anoscopy. Ask an HIV specialist or colorectal surgeon about screening.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open anal cancer trials
Agnostic Therapy in Rare Solid Tumors
The ANTARES study is a phase II basket trial designed to evaluate the tissue-agnostic efficacy of the monoclonal anti-PD1 antibody, nivolumab, in patients with advanced or metastatic rare tumors. The study aims to treat rare malignancies with PD-L1 expression (CPS ≥ 10), regardless of the tumor's tissue type or location. Patients who have not responded to standard treatments will be included, and treatment will last for up to 12 months. The study will assess objective response, progression-free survival, and biomarkers such as PD-L1, ctDNA, and microvesicles, in a multicenter collaborative effort to provide innovative therapeutic options for this underrepresented population
Beyond Survival: Addressing Gynecological and Sexual Health in Women After Radiotherapy for Anal Cancer
The goal of this observational study is to learn how radiotherapy for anal cancer affects the vaginal and sexual health of women after treatment. The study will also look at whether the radiation dose to the vagina is linked to the level of vaginal problems. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * How many women develop moderate or severe narrowing of the vagina after radiotherapy? * Is there a link between the radiation dose and vaginal problems? * How do vaginal changes affect sexual health and daily life? * What care and support do women receive, and how satisfied are they with this support? Participants are women aged 18 years or older who were treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for anal cancer and are 6 to 36 months after treatment. Participants will: Have a gynaecological examination to check the vagina for changes such as narrowing, stiffness, bleeding, or scarring Complete online questionnaires about quality of life and sexual health Answer questions about use of vaginal dilators, hormone treatment, and sexual counselling Allow researchers to analyse their radiotherapy scans to measure how much radiation the vagina received Some participants will also take part in a telephone interview about their experience with guidance and support after treatment The study will include about 80 participants across three Danish hospitals. About 20 participants will take part in the interview part of the study. The results from this study may help improve how doctors and nurses prevent, detect, and treat vaginal and sexual problems after radiotherapy for anal cancer. This may lead to better support and quality of life for future patients.