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Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 3INTERVENTIONAL

Neoadjuvant mFOLFOXIRI Plus Bevacizumab in Patients With High-Risk Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Neoadjuvant mFOLFOXIRI Plus Bevacizumab Versus Induction FOLFOX Followed by Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With High-Risk Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Multicenter Randomized Phase III Trial

Neoadjuvant mFOLFOXIRI Plus Bevacizumab in Patients With High-Risk Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer (NCT04215731) is a Phase 3 interventional studying Rectal Cancer, sponsored by Yanhong Deng. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

Multimodality treatment that comprises preoperative fluoropyrimidine with concurrent radiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery and adjuvant fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy is recommended as a standard treatment of patients with stage II/III rectal cancer. However, the main target of radiotherapy is local control but no improvement in disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) has been shown with this treatment strategy, which leaves approximately 30% of patients in whom distant metastases will develop. Moreover, the short- and long-term adverse effects of radiotherapy such as chronic pain, faecal incontinence and urogenital/anal dysfunction are associated with poor quality of life. Neadajuvant chemotherpay (NACT) alone has been proposed instead of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with the aim of elimination of potential micrometastasis as early as possible while avoiding the adverse effects of radiotherapy, without jeopardizing local control. Evidence from the UK CR07 trial suggests that, without RT, a local recurrence rate of 5% (27/543) can be achieved if a complete mesorectal excision is carried out with a negative CRM. A small single-center phase II pilot trial treated patients with stage II or III rectal cancer with induction FOLFOX/bevacizumab chemotherapy followed by CRT only in those with stable or progressive disease and resection in all patients. All 32 of the participants had an R0 resection, and the 4-year DFS was 84%. Another phase II trial, which included 60 patients with stage II/III rectal cancer, assessed the R0 resection rate after FOLFOX plus either bevacizumab or cetuximab. An R0 resection was achieved in 98.3% of the participants, and the pathologic complete response rate was 16.7%. The phase III FOWARC trial, compared neoadjuvant therapy with and without radiation and found that perioperative mFOLFOX6 alone led to a similar downstaging rate as fluorouracil-radiotherapy, and no significant difference in outcomes was found between mFOLFOX6 without radiotherapy and 5-FU- radiotherapy. On the basis of the results of these trials, The investigators hypothesized that radiotherapy could be selectively omitted for patients who respond to NACT alone. The results of TRIBE showed that FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab yield a high objective response rate (ORR) (65%), early tumor shrinkage (ETS) (62.7%) and depth of response (DoR) (43.4%) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The investigators were motivated to investigate this triplet-drugs chemotherpay plus bevacizumab both by the possibility of avoiding the toxicities of radiation without compromising local control, and the possibility that earlier introduction of intensive systemic therapy might achieve rapid tumor shrinkage, and improve distant control. The investigators conducted this phase III trial to compare neoadjuvant mFOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab with selective radiotherapy with induction FOLFOX followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy in patients with high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 3 trials confirm efficacy and safety in large patient groups (often 300–3,000+) and form the evidence base for an FDA approval submission. For Rectal Cancer, Phase 3 studies typically randomize participants between the investigational treatment and either a placebo or current standard of care. A successful Phase 3 result is the threshold most treatments need to clear before regulatory approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

A target enrollment of 582 participants makes this a sizable late-stage trial. Studies in this range typically have enough power to detect clinically meaningful differences from a comparator and to characterize less-common side effects.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 1. Willing and able to provide written willing to sign a consent form. 2. Male or female subjects \> 18 years \< 70 of age. 3. Histological or cytological documentation of adenocarcinoma of the rectal (\<12 cm from the anal verge). 4. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1. 5. Evaluated by pelvic contrast-enhanced MRI as having high-risk locally advanced disease: cT3 with mesorectal fascia involvement, or cT4a/b, or positive lateral lymph nodes (TNM staging reference provided). 6. No prior systemic anti-cancer therapy for colorectal cancer, including cytotoxic drugs, immune checkpoint inhibitors, molecular targeted therapy, or endocrine therapy. 7. Adequate bone marrow, hepatic and renal function as assessed by the following laboratory requirements conducted within 7 days of starting study treatment 8. Willing and able to comply with the study protocol and visit schedule. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: 1. Evidence of distant metastasis (M1) confirmed by systemic CT, MRI, or PET-CT (at minimum including chest, abdomen, and pelvis). 2. Previous or concurrent cancer that is distinct in primary site or histology from colon cancer within 5 years prior to randomization. 3. Complete intestinal obstruction, active bleeding, or perforation requiring emergency surgery. 4. Tumor invasion into the small intestine, or presence of intestinal fistula (including but not limited to rectovesical or rectovaginal fistula), or abscess. 5. Previous or concurrent other active malignancies, except for malignancies treated with curative intent and disease-free for \>5 years, or adequately treated carcinoma in situ. 6. Prior pelvic radiotherapy, or any anti-cancer therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, biologic therapy, etc.) within 12 months prior to enrollment. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Willing and able to provide written informed consent. 2. Male or female subjects \> 18 years \< 70 of age. 3. Histological or cytological documentation of adenocarcinoma of the rectal (\<12 cm from the anal verge). 4. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1. 5. Evaluated by pelvic contrast-enhanced MRI as having high-risk locally advanced disease: cT3 with mesorectal fascia involvement, or cT4a/b, or positive lateral lymph nodes (TNM staging reference provided). 6. No prior systemic anti-cancer therapy for colorectal cancer, including cytotoxic drugs, immune checkpoint inhibitors, molecular targeted therapy, or endocrine therapy. 7. Adequate bone marrow, hepatic and renal function as assessed by the following laboratory requirements conducted within 7 days of starting study treatment 8. Willing and able to comply with the study protocol and visit schedule. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Evidence of distant metastasis (M1) confirmed by systemic CT, MRI, or PET-CT (at minimum including chest, abdomen, and pelvis). 2. Previous or concurrent cancer that is distinct in primary site or histology from colon cancer within 5 years prior to randomization. 3. Complete intestinal obstruction, active bleeding, or perforation requiring emergency surgery. 4. Tumor invasion into the small intestine, or presence of intestinal fistula (including but not limited to rectovesical or rectovaginal fistula), or abscess. 5. Previous or concurrent other active malignancies, except for malignancies treated with curative intent and disease-free for \>5 years, or adequately treated carcinoma in situ. 6. Prior pelvic radiotherapy, or any anti-cancer therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, biologic therapy, etc.) within 12 months prior to enrollment. 7. History of thromboembolic events within 12 months prior to enrollment, such as cerebrovascular accident (including transient ischemic attack), pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis. 8. Any of the following within 12 months prior to enrollment: myocardial infarction, severe/unstable angina, NYHA Class II or greater cardiac dysfunction, clinically significant supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmia, or symptomatic congestive heart failure. 9. Diagnosis of dMMR or MSI-High tumor by immunohistochemistry or PCR testing. 10. Current or within 2 weeks prior to enrollment: therapeutic antiplatelet therapy or high-dose anticoagulant therapy. 11. Major surgery (e.g., laparotomy, thoracotomy, visceral resection via laparoscopy) or severe trauma within 2 months prior to enrollment (except for colostomy performed prior to enrollment; surgical incision must be fully healed before enrollment). 12. Known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 13. Presence of interstitial lung disease, non-infectious pneumonitis, or uncontrolled systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, acute pneumonia, aneurysm, coagulation disorders, etc.). 14. Untreated active hepatitis (Hepatitis B, defined as HBV-DNA ≥500 IU/mL; Hepatitis C, defined as HCV-RNA above the lower limit of detection of the assay) or co-infection with HBV and HCV. 15. Subjects with known allergy to the study drugs or to any of its excipients. 16. Breast- feeding or pregnant women. 17. Any other severe physical or mental illness or abnormal laboratory finding that may increase the risk associated with study participation, interfere with study results, or make the patient unsuitable for the study in the investigator's judgment.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with mFOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab

Bevacizumab (5 mg/kg on day 1) plus mFOLFOXIRI (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, irinotecan 150 mg/m2, and folinic acid 400 mg/m2 followed by 5-fluorouracil 2400mg/m2 as a 46-hour continuous infusion on day 1) for 4 cycles and mFOLFOXIRI (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, irinotecan 150 mg/m2, and folinic acid 400 mg/m2 followed by 5-fluorouracil 2400mg/m2 as a 46-hour continuous infusion on day 1) for 2 cycles

PROCEDURE

Restaging

Restaging by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

RADIATION

Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy

Concomitant chemoradiotherapy (preoperative radiotherapy consisted of 50 Gy in 25 fractions, and concurrent with capecitabine at a fixed dose of 825 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1 to 5 for 5 weeks)

PROCEDURE

Surgery

Radical surgery (TME or more extended surgery)

RADIATION

Chemoradiotherapy (only when patients with MRF involved or ycT4a/b by restaging)

Chemoradiotherapy (preoperative radiotherapy consisted of 50 Gy in 25 fractions, and concurrent with capecitabine at a fixed dose of 825 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1 to 5 for 5 weeks)

DRUG

Induction chemotherpay with FOLFOX

mFOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, and folinic acid 400 mg/m2 followed by bolus 5-fluorouracil 400 mg/m2 and 5-fluorouracil 2400mg/m2 as a 46-hour continuous infusion on day 1) for 4 cycles

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT04215731), the sponsor (Yanhong Deng), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT04215731 clinical trial studying?

Multimodality treatment that comprises preoperative fluoropyrimidine with concurrent radiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery and adjuvant fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy is recommended as a standard treatment of patients with stage II/III rectal cancer. However, the main target of radiotherapy is local control but no improvement in disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) has been shown with this treatment strategy, which leaves approximately 30% of patients in whom distant metastases will develop. Moreover, the short- and long-term adverse effects of r… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT04215731?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT04215731?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT04215731. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT04215731. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-07 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.