Active clinical trials for "Rectal Neoplasms"

To determine the maximum tolerated dose of Vandetanib with a current standard first-line chemotherapy regimen, capecitabine and oxaliplatin without and then with bevacizumab for the first line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) and to define the dose limiting toxicities associated with the combination.

Pilot trial of pre-operative chemo/RT using Xeloda and external beam RT followed by definite surgery in patients with localized rectal CA

Phase II, Multicenter, Open-label, Non-randomized Study of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (CAPECITABINE-OXALIPLATIN + BEVACIZUMAB) with Selective Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy with CAPECITABINE Use in Patients with Intermediate-Risk Cancer of the Rectum Defined by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The primary objective of this study is to estimate the treatment effect on progression-free survival (PFS) of panitumumab relative to bevacizumab in combination with mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy as first-line therapy in patients with tumors expressing wild-type KRAS, unresectable mCRC.

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is frequent after treatment for low rectal cancer. Increased bowel frequency and urgency with rectal spasms and incontinence have deleterious impacts on quality of life in a third of the cases. One possible physiopathology hypothesis suggests an ongoing spastic process; different mechanisms have been postulated. These include alteration of normal anorectal sensation with loss of the recto-anal inhibitory reflex (RAIR), decreased rectal compliance and reduced rectal capacity as well as sphincter damage secondary to preoperative chemoradiation therapy or during surgery. Current available treatments are often ineffective, highlighting the need for more successful management. Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) is a neurotoxin inhibiting acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction. It is currently used for the treatment of various smooth muscle spastic diseases. The hypothesis of this study is that intra-rectal BTX-A injections could represent a medical treatment alternative for LARS. The goal of this study is to document the effects of intra-rectal BTX-A injections on sphincter function and quality of life of patients with LARS.

Primary: To assess complete pathological response rate of both strategies. Secondary: Safety profile To assess downstaging rate of both strategies. To compare relative dose intensity of oxaliplatin and capecitabine of both strategies To compare time to progression and overall survival of both strategies.

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Bevacizumab may also stop the growth of rectal cancer by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Giving combination chemotherapy and bevacizumab together with radiation therapy before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying how well giving combination chemotherapy and bevacizumab with or without radiation therapy works in treating patients with locally advanced rectal cancer

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as capecitabine and oxaliplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving combination chemotherapy after surgery may kill any tumor cells that remain after surgery. It is not yet known whether giving capecitabine together with oxaliplatin is more effective than standard follow-up care in treating rectal cancer that was removed by surgery. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying capecitabine and oxaliplatin to see how well they work compared with standard follow-up care in treating patients who have undergone surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer.

While new treatments for metastatic and recurrent colorectal cancer have become available over the past several years, this disease remains incurable with a limited life expectancy from the time of diagnosis. New strategies for treatment of disseminated colorectal cancer are needed. Under this proposal, patients with advanced colorectal cancer will receive Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) to stimulate endogenous dendritic cells and enhance anti-tumor immune mechanisms. This will be combined with standard chemotherapy and patients will be followed for response and overall survival. Detailed correlative laboratory analysis will also be performed to define the extent of dendritic cell and cellular immune system stimulation.

The purpose of this study is determine the safety of 5-fluorouracil, bevacizumab and erlotinib when administered in combination with external beam radiation therapy(Phase I portion) as well as to begin to collect information about whether this combination treatment is effective in treating(Phase II portion) patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.