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Recruiting NCT04525989

NCT04525989 Preoperative Short-Course Radiation Therapy With PROtons Compared to Photons In High-Risk RECTal Cancer (PRORECT)

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT04525989
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor Alexander Valdman
Condition Rectal Cancer
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 254 participants
Start Date 2021-04-20
Primary Completion 2028-03

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age N/A
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Radiation therapy

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

This trial targets 254 participants in total. It began in 2021-04-20 with a primary completion date of 2028-03.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

To investigate a potential toxicity benefit of preoperative radiation therapy with protons compared to conventional photon beam radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion Criteria - Primary tumour characteristics * Biopsy-proven, newly diagnosed primary rectal adenocarcinoma, i.e. with the lowest part of the tumour less than 16 cm from the anal verge detected using a rigid rectoscope. * Locally advanced tumour fulfilling at least one of the following criteria on pelvic MRI indicating high risk of failing locally and/or systemically: * Clinical stage (c) T4b, i.e. infiltration of an adjacent organ or structure like the prostate, urinary bladder, uterus, sacrum, pelvic floor or side-wall (according to TNM version 8). * cT4a, i.e. peritoneal involvement. * Extramural vascular invasion (EMVI+). * N2-status regarded as metastatic according to ESGAR consensus criteria * Positive MRF, i.e. tumor or lymph node one mm or less from the mesorectal fascia. * Metastatic lateral nodes (lat LN+) according to ESGAR consensus criteria Inclusion Criteria - General * Staging done within 6 weeks before start of radiotherapy. No contraindications to chemotherapy with CAPOX including adequate blood counts, (within 5 weeks prior to randomisation): * white blood count ≥4.0 x 10\*9/L * platelet count ≥100 x 10\*9/L * clinically acceptable haemoglobin levels * creatinine levels indicating renal clearance of ≥50 ml/min * bilirubin ˂35 µmol/l. * ECOG performance score ≤1 * Patient is considered to be mentally and physically fit for chemotherapy with CAPOX as judged by the oncologist. * Age ≥18 years * Written informed consent. * Adequate potential for follow-up. Exclusion Criteria: * Extensive growth into cranial part of the sacrum (above S3) or the lumbosacral nerve roots indicating that surgery will never be possible even if substantial tumour down-sizing is seen. * Presence of metastatic disease or recurrent rectal tumour. Familial Adenomatosis Polyposis coli (FAP), Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC), active Crohn's disease or active ulcerative Colitis. * Concomitant malignancies, except for adequately treated basocellular carcinoma of the skin or in situ carcinoma of the cervix uteri. Subjects with prior malignancies must be disease-free for at least 5 years. * Known DPD deficiency. * Any contraindications to MRI (e.g. patients with pacemakers). * Medical or psychiatric conditions that compromise the patient's ability to give informed consent. * Concurrent uncontrolled medical conditions. * Any investigational treatment for rectal cancer within the past month. * Pregnancy or breast feeding. * Patients with known malabsorption syndromes or a lack of physical integrity of the upper gastrointestinal tract. * Clinically significant (i.e. active) cardiac disease (e.g. congestive heart failure, symptomatic coronary artery disease and cardiac dysrhythmia, e.g. atrial fibrillation, even if controlled with medication) or myocardial infarction within the past 12 months. * Patients with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. * Patients with pacemaker or ICD * Patients with bilateral hip protheses

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Alexander Valdman, MD, PhD

✉ alexander.valdman@regionstockholm.se

📞 +46(0)700021317

Principal Investigator

Alexander Valdman, MD, PhD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Department of Radiotherapy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT04525989 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Rectal Cancer. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT04525989 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT04525989 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at alexander.valdman@regionstockholm.se for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT04525989 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Stockholm, Sweden, Gävle, Sweden, Gothenburg, Sweden, Linköping, Sweden and 5 additional locations.

Who is sponsoring the NCT04525989 clinical trial?

NCT04525989 is sponsored by Alexander Valdman. The principal investigator is Alexander Valdman, MD, PhD at Department of Radiotherapy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. The trial plans to enroll 254 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: September 2026  ·  Data Methodology