View clinical trials related to Rectal Neoplasms.
Filter by:This randomized pilot clinical trial studies the side effects of giving paricalcitol together with fluorouracil and radiation therapy in treating patients with rectal cancer that can be removed in surgery. Paricalcitol may help rectal cancer cells become more like normal cells, and to grow and spread more slowly. 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. It not yet known if chemotherapy and radiation therapy are more effective with or without paricalcitol in treating rectal cancer
A research study of liver perfusion (how blood flows to the liver over time). We hope to learn whether perfusion characteristics of liver masses may be predictive of response to treatment and whether liver perfusion characteristics can be used to follow response to treatment.
To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of AZD6244 or AZD2171 when combined with pre-operative capecitabine and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.
This study will investigate short course radiation therapy using IMRT as an alternative to standard chemo radiation because prior studies have shown that this method of treatment will potentially reduce some fo the side effects of standard treatment, improve quality of life, and help to control the growth of rectal cancer cells. IMRT is a type of radiation that uses computer-generated images to match radiation to the size and shape of the tumor. Since the intensity of each radiation beam can be controlled, the radiation dose can wrap around normal tissue which allows the study doctor to deliver a higher dose of radiation to the tumor with less damage to nearby healthy tissue. The purpose of this research study is to see what impact this treatment will have on quality of life, as well as to see if there are any late side effects that come about after the participant has completed the treatment.
Cetuximab, erlotinib, and panitumumab are all recently FDA approved epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors that treat a wide variety of tumor types, such as colon, lung, and head and neck. Blockade of the EGFR results in inhibition of multiple downstream pathways, leading to slowed tumor growth. In addition, these inhibitors may enhance anti-tumor immune responses through uncharacterized mechanisms. While producing significant responses in many settings, EGFR inhibitors also result in significant skin toxicity (rash) in a high percentage of patients. Multiple studies have correlated the presence and severity of rash with clinical response. Unfortunately, severe rash can often lead to dose delays, reductions, or even discontinuation of EGFR inhibitors, thus limiting their efficacy. The mechanism of both the rash and its correlation with tumor response is poorly understood. Skin biopsies display a robust leukocyte infiltrate, but a systematic analysis of the type of infiltrating leukocytes, activation state, or homing receptor expression has not been performed. Chemokines and chemokine receptors control leukocyte trafficking to the skin and other tissue sites, and defined receptor profiles for skin-, gut-, and lung-homing leukocytes are well established. In this study, the investigators propose to evaluate the homing phenotype of leukocytes from peripheral blood and skin biopsies of patients receiving EGFR inhibitors. The investigators will use RNA microarrays to evaluate the expression of chemokines and other key genes regulated in skin during treatment. The investigators will utilize in vitro methods to investigate effects of EGFR inhibitors on imprinting of T cell tissue-specific homing receptors. The investigators will examine correlations among the pathologic data, clinical findings, and tumor response. If validated, peripheral blood evaluation could potentially be used as a predictive indicator for patients receiving EGFR inhibitors. This study may also identify novel targets for limiting skin toxicity while receiving EGFR inhibitors, thus allowing maximal dosing and clinical response from these agents.
Background: - The investigational anti-cancer drug Selumetinib (AZD6244) prevents a protein found in rectal cancer from working properly, which may slow tumor growth and allow radiation and chemotherapy treatments to destroy more cancer cells. Researchers are interested in determining whether AZD6244 can be used to improve treatment outcomes in individuals who have rectal cancer that has spread outside the rectum into the surrounding pelvis. Objectives: - To determine safe and effective doses of AZD6244, along with radiation and chemotherapy, to treat rectal cancer. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 18 years of age who have been diagnosed with rectal cancer that has spread outside the inner wall of the rectum or into lymph nodes in the pelvis. Design: - Eligible participants will be screened with a physical examination, blood and tumor samples, and imaging studies. - Participants will receive AZD6244 twice a day by mouth for 1 full week (7 days) before starting radiation and chemotherapy and every week thereafter until the end of the radiation and chemotherapy treatment. - Participants will have radiation therapy daily, 5 days per week, for approximately 6 weeks. - Participants will receive chemotherapy (capecitabine) twice daily, 5 days per week, for approximately 6 weeks. - Approximately 4 to 8 weeks after completing the AZD6244, radiation, and chemotherapy treatment, participants may have surgery to remove any tumors and affected lymph nodes. This surgery is not part of the treatment delivered on this protocol. - Participants will have a follow-up exam 3 weeks after the end of treatment, every 3 months for the first year, and then in the second and third year after the end of treatment. These visits will involve a full medical examination and imaging studies.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the activity of panitumumab in combination with standard preoperative radiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer, followed by complete surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. The main hypothesis of the study is that the association of EGFR-targeting agent and radiation therapy could be as effective or even improve the rate of pathological complete tumoral response with fewer toxicities in comparison to the standard of care using chemoradiation therapy.
Diverting ileostomies are created to protect a rectal anastomosis or in situations with a risk of intestinal perforation. Currently, the application of a rod to hinder slippage of the loop is an established technique to perform a diverting loop ileostomy. However, various "rod-less" techniques have been described and are performed with similar success. The aim of this study is to determine, whether a modification (without rod) of the current standard method of protective loop ileostomy formation (with rod) could improve ileostomy specific morbidity. Secondary endpoints include stoma care, determinants of quality of life and stoma function.
This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of cediranib maleate when given together with whole brain radiation therapy in treating patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer. Cediranib maleate may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth or by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays and other types of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Giving cediranib maleate together with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells
The investigators would like to test the safety and efficacy of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) in rectal cancer using the Photon Radiosurgery System (PRS).