Active clinical trials for "Rectal Neoplasms"

Rationale: Approximately 800 abdominoperineal resections (APR) are performed for rectal cancer each year in the Netherlands. The extralevator approach (eAPR) reduces the rate of positive margins and improves oncological outcome in distal rectal cancer. However, wider excisions increase wound healing problems and development of perineal hernia. This has resulted in a progressive increase of the use of musculocutaneous flaps and biological meshes associated with a substantial increase of costs, which is not supported by proper data. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the cost-effectiveness of pelvic floor reconstruction using a biological mesh after standardized eAPR with neo-adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy. Study design: This is a multicenter study in which patients undergoing an eAPR are randomized between standard care using primary closure of the perineum and the experimental arm with assisted closure using a biological mesh. Study population: Patients with a clinical diagnosis of primary rectal cancer who are scheduled for eAPR after neo-adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy. A total number of 104 patients will be randomized. Intervention: The intervention in the experimental arm consists of suturing a biological mesh derived from porcine dermis in the pelvic floor defect, followed by perineal closure similar to the control arm. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary endpoint is the percentage of uncomplicated perineal wound healing (Souphampton wound score less than II at day 30). Secondary endpoints are hospital stay, incidence of perineal hernia, quality of life, and costs. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: Both primary perineal closure and biological mesh assisted closure are being performed in daily clinical practise. The potential benefit resulting from participation of the study in patients randomized for biological mesh assisted closure may be a higher chance of uncomplicated perineal wound healing and lower perineal hernia rate. On the other hand, the use of a biological mesh has been associated with increased postoperative pain and seroma formation.

During the past three years, a revolutionized radical surgical approach for rectal cancer ("down to up TME " approach or "transanal TME (TaTME)"approach, which is opposite to the conventional approach) has emerged and it is a concept that combines natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery(NOTES) and total mesorectal excision(TME) with curative intent. The feasibility, safety and reproducibility of it were first demonstrated in swine survival experiments and subsequently in human cadaver series, and then it was successfully applied to human patients in few centers around the world, most of which were performed with assistance of laparoscopy, namely hybrid transanal TME. In addition, pure-NOTES without conventional laparoscopic assistance (no scar) has also been demonstrated, though the cases were more limited. In the initial stage, our group has successfully performed this no-scar transanal TME in a series of human cadavers with satisfactory outcome. Hence the investigators conduct this study, looking to see if this pure transanal NOTES investigational procedure is a safe and effective approach to radically remove rectal cancer of the mid and lower rectum and meanwhile, if it can reduce pain, gain faster recovery and better function and life quality when gaining the best cosmetic effect.

The purpose of this study is to find out what effects, good and/or bad, the combination of the study drug, capecitabine, and radiation have on you and your cancer. Capecitabine, radiation, and the study drug kill cancer cells in different ways. Giving these treatments together may make your cancer shrink or slow down its growth more than it would if you got treated with capecitabine and radiation alone. This is a Phase I drug study of ganetespib given together with capecitabine and radiation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Ganetespib is an experimental drug; not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The other two, capecitabine and radiation, are approved by FDA for use in rectal cancer. In this study, the investigators will test different dosages of the "investigational" (experimental) drug, called ganetespib (the study drug). The study drug is "investigational" because it is not approved by the FDA for use. The study drug has been previously tested in humans. The study uses a well-established process of slowly increasing drug dosage to determine the highest dosage that can be given without causing serious side effects. In addition, the study will help researchers to determine what the side effects and drug interactions might be. The study will also look at the drug's pharmacokinetics (PK). PK is how the study drug and capecitabine with radiation work in your body (for example how long the drugs last in your body.)

This phase I clinical trial is studying the side effects and best dose of RO4929097 when given together with capecitabine in treating patients with refractory solid tumors. RO4929097 may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. 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. Giving RO4929097 together with chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells.

This phase II trial is studying how well giving azacitidine together with entinostat works in treating patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as azacitidine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Entinostat may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving azacitidine together with entinostat may kill more tumor cells.

This phase III trial included patients with low rectal adenocarcinoma which initially required APR, with a mean clinical distance between the tumor inferior pole and the levator ani of 0.5 cm. Patients were randomly assigned to receive high-dose radiation (45 + 18 Gy) or radiochemotherapy (45 Gy + 5FU continuous infusion). The surgical decision was based on the tumor status at surgery. All surgeons used a homogenous SSR technique such as intersphincteric resection. The primary endpoint was the SSR rate.

The aims of the trial are (1) to determine the tolerability rate in the setting of a multi-centre study and (2) to determine secondary tolerability endpoints, toxicity rates and complete pathologic response rate in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who are treated with an integrated preoperative radiotherapy with FOLFOX chemotherapy regimen.

RATIONALE: PD 0332991 may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying the side effects and how well PD 0332991 works in treating patients with refractory solid tumors.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of simultaneous liver resections compared to staged hepatectomies of rectal cancer with liver metastasis and to compare the short and long-term survival between the two groups.

First-Line Bevacizumab and Chemotherapy in Metastatic Cancer of the Colon or Rectum