Testing a new immunotherapy combined with radiation for rectal cancer

This trial is testing a new immunotherapy drug called sintilimab combined with a focused form of radiation therapy to treat rectal cancer. The study focuses on patients whose cancer has specific genetic features (mismatch repair deficiency or microsatellite instability) that may make them more likely to respond to this type of treatment. You would receive both the medication and radiation before undergoing surgery to remove the cancer.

Standard rectal cancer treatment typically involves chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Researchers are exploring whether this new immunotherapy medication, which works by helping your immune system fight cancer, might be more effective or have fewer side effects when combined with radiation therapy.