A Phase 2 interventional study of Total neoadjuvant therapy integrating iparomlimab/tuvonralimab with chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Malignant Neoplasms, sponsored by Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute. Recruiting at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-18.
Sponsored by Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
In colorectal cancer (CRC), ICIs show strong therapeutic associations with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) status, while patients with proficient mismatch repair/microsatellite stable (pMMR/MSS) tumors exhibit poor responses. Dual immunotherapy may represent a promising strategy for MSS populations. The Dutch NICHE trial reported a 27% pathological response rate (4/15) in MSS CRC patients with clinical stage I-III disease treated with neoadjuvant ipilimumab plus nivolumab. In advanced or metastatic CRC, a study by Jin Li et al. demonstrated that iparomlimab/tuvonralimab combined with bevacizumab and the XELOX regimen achieved an objective response rate of 70.6% (95% CI: 56.2%-82.5%).
Radiotherapy may synergize with ICIs through multiple immunomodulatory mechanisms. For pMMR/MSS LARC, combining CRT with ICIs holds promise to overcome the "immune-cold" tumor microenvironment and improve therapeutic efficacy. In this clinical trial, the investigators aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of integrating immunotherapy with CRT as a novel total neoadjuvant therapy for pMMR/MSS rectal cancer.
The "sandwich" approach, combining preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with total mesorectal excision (TME) and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, has been shown to improve pathological complete response (pCR) rates, local control rates (LCR), and sphincter preservation rates in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). However, this strategy does not significantly enhance overall survival (OS) or distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), a novel treatment paradigm, involves administering chemotherapy either before neoadjuvant CRT (induction TNT) or after neoadjuvant CRT (consolidation TNT). This approach improves treatment compliance, reduces chemotherapy-related toxicity, and increases pCR rates. Patients achieving pCR following TNT exhibit lower risks of local tumor recurrence and improved survival outcomes.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become a cornerstone of cancer therapy. Antibodies targeting negative immune regulators-such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1)-have demonstrated efficacy across multiple solid tumors. In colorectal cancer (CRC), ICIs show strong therapeutic associations with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) status, while patients with proficient mismatch repair/microsatellite stable (pMMR/MSS) tumors exhibit poor responses. Dual immunotherapy may represent a promising strategy for MSS populations. The Dutch NICHE trial reported a 27% pathological response rate (4/15) in MSS CRC patients with clinical stage I-III disease treated with neoadjuvant ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4) plus nivolumab (anti-PD-1), including 3 major pathological responses and 1 partial response. In advanced or metastatic CRC, a study by Jin Li et al. demonstrated that iparomlimab/tuvonralimab combined with bevacizumab and the XELOX regimen achieved an objective response rate of 70.6% (95% CI: 56.2%-82.5%).
Radiotherapy may synergize with ICIs through multiple immunomodulatory mechanisms, including enhanced tumor antigen release, activation of innate immune pathways, increased T-cell infiltration, improved antigen presentation, and modulation of immunosuppressive cells. For pMMR/MSS LARC, combining CRT with ICIs holds promise to overcome the "immune-cold" tumor microenvironment and improve therapeutic efficacy. In this clinical trial, the investigators aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of integrating immunotherapy with CRT as a novel total neoadjuvant therapy for pMMR/MSS rectal cancer.
Exclusion Criteria:
Total neoadjuvant therapy integrating iparomlimab/tuvonralimab with chemoradiotherapy
Combination Product: Total neoadjuvant therapy integrating iparomlimab/tuvonralimab with chemoradiotherapy
1. Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy location: primary site and the corresponding draining lymph node. Radiotherapy techniques: IMRT/VMRT. Radiotherapy dose and fractionation pattern: conventional external irradiation, 50Gy/25 fx/5 weeks or 25Gy/5fx/1 week. 2. Chemotherapy: Long-course radiotherapy concurrent with chemotherapy: capecitabine 825mg/m2, bid, d1-5/week. Short-course radiotherapy without concurrent chemotherapy. Consolidation chemotherapy and immunotherapy: QL1706 (iparomlimab and tuvonralimab 5mg/kg, d1) and CAPOX (Oxaliplatin 130mg/m2, d1 + capecitabine 1000mg/m2, bid, d1-14), repeated on a 21-day cycle, for 6 cycles. 3. Surgery or watch-and-wait Total mesorectal excision (TME), or watch-and-wait (for patients with clinical complete response).
Overall complete response (CR) rate
Overall complete response (CR) rate, meaning the rates of pathological complete response (pCR) plus clinical complete response (cCR).
Time frame: 1 year
Overall survival (OS)
From date of radiotherapy initiation until the date of death from any cause or last follow-up, whichever came first.
Time frame: 3 year
Rate of surgical complications
Rate of surgical complications, such as intraoperative hemorrhage, anastomotic leakage, intestinal obstruction, etc.
Time frame: 1 year
Organ preservation rate
Time frame: 1 year
3 year disease free survival (DFS) rate
From date of surgery completion until the date of first documented progression or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 36 months
Time frame: 3 year
3 year local recurrence free survival (LRFS) rate
Time Frame: From date of surgery completion until the date of first documented pelvic failure, assessed up to 36 months
Time frame: 3 year
The incidence and grade of adverse events
The incidence and grade of adverse events, determined according to NCI-CTCAE 5.0 criteria.
Time frame: 1 year
Plan to share: No
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Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute