Active clinical trials for "Rectal Neoplasms"

The purpose of this study is to help answer the following research questions: If the study drug Pemetrexed can help patients with rectal cancer; If molecular biological parameters are correlated respectively changing due to cytotoxic treatment with Pemetrexed; To evaluate adverse events

RATIONALE: Bortezomib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth and by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as fluorouracil, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Giving bortezomib and fluorouracil together with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of bortezomib when given together with fluorouracil and external-beam radiation therapy in treating patients with stage II, stage III, or stage IV 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 phase II trial is to determine the efficacy and safety of the combination of oxaliplatin, capecitabine and radiotherapy as preoperative therapy in locally advanced cancers of the rectum.

Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of radiation therapy plus chemotherapy followed by surgery and additional chemotherapy in treating patients who have advanced nonmetastatic primary cancer of the rectum. Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Combining chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery may be an effective treatment for rectal cancer

Drugs used in chemotherapy 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 and cetuximab, 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 colorectal cancer by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Giving combination chemotherapy together with bevacizumab and cetuximab may kill more tumor cells. This phase II trial is studying how well giving combination chemotherapy together with bevacizumab and cetuximab works in treating patients with stage IV colorectal cancer that cannot be removed by surgery.

Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody therapy in treating patients who have recurrent or persistent metastatic colorectal cancer. Radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies can locate tumor cells and deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. Radiolabeled monoclonal antibody therapy may be effective treatment for colorectal cancer

This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of giving 7-hydroxystaurosporine together with irinotecan hydrochloride in treating patients with metastatic or unresectable solid tumors, including triple-negative breast cancer (currently enrolling only patients with triple-negative breast cancer since 6/8/2007). Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Giving 7-hydroxystaurosporine together with irinotecan hydrochloride may help kill more cancer cells by making tumor cells more sensitive to the drug.

Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of erlotinib in treating patients who have metastatic or unresectable solid tumors and liver or kidney dysfunction. Biological therapies such as erlotinib may interfere with the growth of tumor cells and slow the growth of the tumor

This randomized phase II trial is studying how well SB-715992 works in treating patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as SB-715992, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.