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Recruiting Phase 3 NCT03671252

NCT03671252 Prospectively Randomized Control Clinical Trial of FOLFOXIRI Preoperative Chemotherapy Alone on Rectal Cancer in Local Advance Comparing to Oral Capecitabine Combined With Long-term Radiation

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT03671252
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 3
Sponsor Sun Yat-sen University
Condition Rectal Cancer
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 776 participants
Start Date 2018-11-16
Primary Completion 2025-09-25

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 75 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
FOLFOXIRIXELOXChemoradiotherapy

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.

Phase 3 trials are large pivotal studies comparing the treatment to current standard of care or placebo. Your participation directly contributes to the evidence needed for regulatory approval.

This trial targets 776 participants in total. It began in 2018-11-16 with a primary completion date of 2025-09-25.

⚠ 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

Preoperative radiation and chemotherapy is the standard treatment for local advanced rectal cancer. The addition of oxaliplatin to capecitabine combined with radiotherapy does not improve local control and long-term survival. Most importantly,chemoradiotherapy significantly increased surgical complication and poor long-term quality of life .In the absence of effective measures of predicting chemo-sensitivity, there is considerable risk of using any two-drug regimen for neoadjuvant therapy. Simultaneous use of the three chemotherapeutic drugs may be able to reduce the likelihood of resistance to both dual drug regimen and single drug regimen. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of three chemotherapeutic regimen known as FOLFOXIRI (the drug 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, Irinotecan) with standard radiotherapy combined with capecitabine in neoadjuvant therapy for local advanced rectal cancer. The drugs in the FOLFOXIRI regimen are all FDA(Food and Drug Administration) approved and have been used routinely to treat patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * 1)Age: 18 to 75 years old; * 2)Histological diagnosis of rectal adenocarcinoma; * 3)Distance form anal margin ≤ 5cm: cT3-4aN + M0, there is no distant metastasis, lymph node positive, or the tumor breaking through the muscular layer, no invasion of the adjacent organs , positive MRF, it is estimated that R0 resection can be performed; * 4)From the anal margin\>5cm: cT3c-4aN+M0, there is no distant metastasis, lymph node positive, or the tumor breaking through the muscular layer with invading the mesorectum more than 5mm, no invasion of the adjacent organs, positive MRF, it is estimated that R0 resection can be performed; * 5)Preoperative staging method: All patients undergoing anal examination, high-resolution MRI and/or EUS for preoperative staging. The diameter of parenteral lymph node ≥10mm, lymph node shape or the MRI characteristics is consistent with typical lymph node metastasis. If combined with EUS, the material should be submitted to the central assessment team for judgment when there is a contradiction in the staging method. Preoperative chest and abdomen CT, pelvic MRI are used for excluding distant metastasis; * 6)Confirmed as the lower edge of tumor is located within 12 cm from the anal margin by MRI examination * 7)There is no signs of intestinal obstruction, or obstruction of intestinal after treating with proximal colostomy has been relieved; * 8)Patients did not previously receive rectal surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy , biological treatment , except for endocrine therapy; * 9)ECOG Performance Status :0-1 * 10)Life expectancy: more than 2 years; * 11)Laboratory values:Hematology: white blood cell count\>4000/mm3; Platelet count\>100000/mm3; Hemoglobin \>10g/dL; Liver function: SGOT and SGPT \< 1.5 upper limit of normal(ULN); Bilirubin\< 1.5mg/dL; Renal function :Creatinine \<1.8mg/dL. Exclusion Criteria: * 1)Tumor invasion of surrounding tissue organs (T4b) by preoperative staging assessment; * 2)Obturator lymph node metastasis; * 3)Arrhythmia requires treatment with antiarrhythmia (except for beta-blockers or digoxin), symptomatic coronary artery disease, myocardial ischemia (myocardial infarction within the last 6 months) or congestive heart failure exceeding NYHA class II; * 4)Severe hypertension with poor control; * 5)History of HIV infection or active phase of chronic hepatitis B or C infection with high copy viral DNA; * 6)Other active serious infections according to NCI-CTC version 4.0; * 7)There is preoperative evidence for distant metastasis outside pelvis; * 8)Cachexia and organ function decompensation * 9)History of pelvic or abdominal radiotherapy; * 10)Multiple primary cancer; * 11)Patients with epilepcy requiring treatment ( steroids or antiepileptic treatment); * 12)History of other malignant tumors within 5 years, except for cured cervical carcinoma in situ or skin basal cell carcinoma; * 13)Drug abuse and medical, psychological or social conditions interfering patient participation in research or the evaluation of research results; * 14)Any allergy to clinical research drugs or any drugs associated with this study; * 15)Any unstable condition or condition that may endanger safety and compliance of patients; * 16)Pregnancy or the lactating female without adequate contraception.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

ZhiZhong Pan

✉ panzhzh@sysucc.org.cn

📞 8613719388166

Principal Investigator

Rui-hua Xu

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Sun Yat-sen University

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT03671252 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 75 Years, 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.

What phase is the NCT03671252 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 3 trials are large-scale studies comparing the new treatment to existing standards of care or a placebo. They provide the evidence needed for regulatory approval. This trial targets 776 participants.

Is NCT03671252 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT03671252 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at panzhzh@sysucc.org.cn for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT03671252 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Guangzhou, China, Guangzhou, China.

Who is sponsoring the NCT03671252 clinical trial?

NCT03671252 is sponsored by Sun Yat-sen University. The principal investigator is Rui-hua Xu at Sun Yat-sen University. The trial plans to enroll 776 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: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology