Active clinical trials for "Rectal Neoplasms"

This study combines midostaurin (PKC412) with radiation and a standard chemotherapy drug call 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) for subjects with advanced rectal cancer. Midostaurin is a type of kinase inhibitor which works by blocking proteins associated with cancer cell growth. Previous studies also suggest that midostaurin may help increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy. In this research we are looking for the highest dose of midostaurin that can be given safely in combination with standard chemoradiation.

The purpose of this study is to seek the proper dose of capecitabine in post-operative concurrent chemotherapy for stage II/III elderly rectal cancer patients receiving radical surgery, and evaluate the toleration of this modality in such patients.

This phase II trial is studying how well VEGF Trap works in treating patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer. VEGF Trap may stop the growth of colorectal cancer by blocking blood flow to the tumor.

Investigating the safety and the activity of Rapamycin, administered before and during preoperative radiotherapy in patients with an operable colorectal carcinoma. The phase I dose escalation study will be performed in three steps (2, 4 and 6 mg). Patients entered in phase II will follow the same tolerable treatment regimen as patients in phase I study.

This trial is a single-arm study for patients presenting with both local and metastatic adenocarcinoma of rectum. The aims of the trial are (1) to determine the tolerability rate, and (2) to determine toxicity rates, pelvic and distant response rates in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer in the presence of distant metastasis who are treated with an interdigitating chemotherapy (oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil [5FU]) and radiotherapy regimen.

The most common long-term problems after rectal surgery are bowel problems. These problems can include needing to pass bowel movements a lot, loose or mushy stools, inability to fully clear your bowels, and/or poor control of gas and stool. The investigators believe that a major cause of these problems is too much bacteria in the bowel and treatment with antibiotic tablets will hopefully help improve these bowel problems. In order to test this idea, the Colorectal Surgery Service of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is sponsoring a clinical trial. This trial will compare the antibiotic rifaximin and a placebo (a harmless tablet that has no effect) in the treatment of these bowel problems. Following this we will attempt to see if another antibiotic metronidazole also helps to treat these bowel problems. Both Metronidazole and rifaximin are well established drugs that have minimal side effects.

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as 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. Giving radiation therapy and chemotherapy before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. Giving chemotherapy after surgery may kill any tumor cells that remain after surgery. It is not yet known whether radiation therapy is more effective with or without chemotherapy when given before surgery for rectal cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying radiation therapy given together with fluorouracil and leucovorin to see how well they work compared to giving radiation therapy alone before surgery in treating patients with stage II or stage III rectal cancer.

To compare treatment with oxaliplatin/5-FU/leucovorin plus vatalanib versus oxaliplatin/5-FU/leucovorin plus placebo in patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to other organs and are seeking first chemotherapy treatment

Biological therapies such as erlotinib may interfere with the growth of tumor cells and slow the growth of the tumor. Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of erlotinib in treating patients who have recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer.

Erlotinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking the enzymes necessary for their growth. 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 colorectal cancer by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining erlotinib and bevacizumab with combination chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of erlotinib when given together with bevacizumab, fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin in treating patients with metastatic or locally advanced colorectal cancer.