Plain-English translation of NCT03961776 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Rectal cancer is often treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation before surgery. This trial is testing whether a special type of MRI scan—one that measures water movement in tumors—can tell doctors early on whether the treatment is working. The goal is to help doctors know sooner if the current plan is helping, so they can make adjustments if needed.
Currently, doctors often have to wait until after surgery to know for sure whether chemotherapy and radiation worked against the cancer. This trial hopes to find a way to get that information much earlier, during treatment, so doctors can adapt the plan if the treatment isn't working as well as hoped.
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You would receive chemotherapy and radiation therapy as planned by your doctor—this trial does not change your standard treatment. The main difference is that during your treatment, you will have special MRI scans (called diffusion-weighted imaging) done regularly to help doctors monitor how your tumor is responding. After your chemotherapy and radiation are finished, you will have surgery as planned. The study team will follow your progress to see whether the MRI scans helped predict treatment success.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 21, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
France
Sponsor
Institut Paoli-Calmettes
Collaborators
University of California, Los Angeles
Enrollment target
~39 participants
Started
June 2020
Primary completion
May 2022
This trial's estimated completion date has passed — the record may not be fully up to date.
Age range
18 Years and older
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in May 2021.
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Central contact
Dominique GENRE, MD
Institut Paoli-Calmettes
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.