Cetuximab, 5-FU and Radiation as Neoadjuvant Therapy for Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Rectal Cancer
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Rectal Cancer focused on measuring 5-FU, cetuximab, radiation, adenocarcinoma of the rectum, neoadjuvant therapy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the rectum that begins within 15cm of the anal verge as determined by sigmoidoscopy and/or colonoscopy, with no evidence of distant metastatic disease. A complete colonoscopy to the cecum is recommended prior to initiating protocol therapy.
- Staging with transrectal ultrasound or endorectal coil Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to confirm clinical stage of T3 or T4 or lymph node positive rectal adenocarcinoma
- Tumor is K-ras wildtype by method of choice at respective institution (testing codons 12 and 13)
- Performance status: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Score (ECOG PS) less than or equal to 2
- 18 years of age or older
- No evidence of metastatic disease by abdominal/pelvic (Computed tomography) CT and chest imaging
- Adequate bone marrow, renal,and hepatic function as outlined in protocol
- All patients will be evaluated by a surgeon and considered a candidate for definitive surgery
- Coumadin or heparin management for line care of other indications is permitted. The International Normalised Ratio (INR) will be monitored weekly in patients taking coumadin.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Prior treatment for this malignancy
- Prior history of pelvic radiation therapy
- Prior history of 5-FU based or EGFR receptor inhibitor therapy
- Prior history of an allergic reaction to a monoclonal antibody
- Uncontrolled serious medical or psychiatric illness
- Significant history of uncontrolled cardiac disease
- Sexually active women of childbearing potential must use an effective method of birth control during the course of the study
- Unwilling to agree to pre and post-cetuximab sigmoidoscopy and biopsy
Sites / Locations
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- South Shore Hospital
- Vanderbilt Medical Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
Cetuximab, 5-FU and Radiation
Cetuximab: Participants first receive cetuximab at the initial dose of 400 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) administered over 120 minutes, followed by weekly infusions at 250 mg/m2 over 60 minutes. Cetuximab is given as single agent during the first 3 weeks on study and then in combination with 5-FU and radiation. Radiation: Radiation therapy given as standard of care is initiated after the 3rd dose of cetuximab with a total dose of 50.4 Gray (Gy) in 28 fractions over approximately 5.5 weeks. 5-FU: Participants receive 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) continuous infusion through central venous access at 225 mg/m2/day given 7 days a week starting day 1 of radiation (no later than 3 days) and lasting the duration of radiation therapy. Duration of neoadjuvant therapy is estimated to be 9 weeks. Surgery follows at week 13-17. Sigmoidoscopy is performed for biopsy prior to the 1st dose and after 3rd dose of cetuximab before the initiation of radiation and/or 5-FU.