Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation With RHUMAB VEGF (Avastin) for Rectal Cancer

Study Summary

Preoperative chemoradiation leads to increased pelvic control and overall survival, but both distant and local disease control remain problematic in locally advanced rectal cancer patients. Enhancing the effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy can increase tumor response as well as distant disease control. Patients who have complete response to therapy have increased sphincter preservation, and can possibly have more limited surgery (full thickness local excision). When combined with standard chemotherapy, bevacizumab \[RHUMAB VEGF, Avastin\] has been shown to improve response and median survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in a recent randomized trial, has led to increased activity in preclinical studies with radiotherapy, and has been found to be very well tolerated with chemoradiation in a phase I trial conducted at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The hypothesis is that the addition of bevacizumab to standard chemoradiation will safely lead to increased tumor response in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Primary Outcome

At follow-up evaluation after completion of neoadjuvant and surgical therapy, resected primary tumor classified based on routine pathology staining in the following manner: Pathologic Complete Response (no evidence of residual cancer); Microscopic Residual (no grossly detected disease, but evidence of microscopic residual disease); and Gross Residual Disease.

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• DRUG Capecitabine
• RADIATION Radiation Therapy
• DRUG Avastin (Bevacizumab, RHUMAB VEGF)

Study Locations (1)