Plain-English translation of NCT03919461 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ ·
Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.
This trial is testing whether two medications—propranolol (a blood pressure medication) and etodolac (a pain reliever similar to ibuprofen)—taken together around the time of colon or rectal cancer surgery can help prevent the cancer from returning. Early research in animals and small groups of patients suggests that these medications, when used together, may make it harder for cancer cells to spread and may strengthen the body's natural defenses against cancer. This larger study will test whether this treatment truly improves survival and keeps cancer from coming back.
Surgery is stressful on the body, and that stress can actually create conditions that help cancer cells spread. This medication combination was designed to counteract that stress response during the critical weeks around surgery, potentially stopping cancer progression before it starts.
You likely qualify if…
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You will take the study medication (or placebo) for 20 days total: starting 5 days before your scheduled surgery and continuing for 15 days after surgery. The doses change slightly before, during, and after surgery as planned by your doctor. You will have blood samples taken and your tumor tissue will be analyzed to see how the medication affects cancer markers. After surgery, you will be followed for at least 3 to 5 years with regular visits to check if your cancer stays gone and to monitor your health.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 9, 2026 · Not medical advice
Israel