Testing Nivolumab and Ipilimumab With Short-Course Radiation in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

A Phase II Study of Neoadjuvant Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab and Short-Course Radiation in MSI-H/dMMR Locally Advanced Rectal Adenocarcinoma

This phase II trial investigates the effect of nivolumab and ipilimumab when given together with short-course radiation therapy in treating patients with rectal cancer that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab and ipilimumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Giving nivolumab, ipilimumab, and radiation therapy may kill more cancer cells.

Study Overview

• Status: Suspended
• Conditions: Stage III Rectal Cancer AJCC v8; Locally Advanced Rectal Adenocarcinoma; Stage II Rectal Cancer AJCC v8
• Intervention / Treatment: Biological: Nivolumab; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Biological: Ipilimumab; Procedure: Computed Tomography; Radiation: Radiation Therapy; Procedure: Total Mesorectal Excision; Procedure: Sigmoidoscopy

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To demonstrate that neoadjuvant nivolumab and ipilimumab in combination with short-course radiation will improve the pathologic complete response rate (pCR) in microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H)/mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma at total mesorectal excision (TME).

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To demonstrate that neoadjuvant nivolumab and ipilimumab in combination with short-course radiation will improve the rate of sphincter preservation in low-lying tumors.

II. To demonstrate that neoadjuvant nivolumab and ipilimumab in combination with short-course radiation will improve 5-year disease-free survival (DFS).

III. To demonstrate that neoadjuvant nivolumab and ipilimumab in combination with short-course radiation will improve overall survival (OS).

IV. To demonstrate that neoadjuvant nivolumab and ipilimumab in combination with short-course radiation will have acceptable safety/toxicity.

OUTLINE:

Patients receive nivolumab intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes and ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 28 days for 2 cycles. Starting at least 2 weeks but no longer than 6 weeks after completion of cycle 2 of nivolumab and ipilimumab, patients undergo short-course radiation therapy of 5 fractions daily for 1 week. Patients then continue to receive nivolumab IV over 30 minutes and ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 28 days for 2 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. 8-12 weeks after completion of 4th cycle of nivolumab and ipilimumab, patients undergo TME. Patients also undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) prior to TME and during follow up, and undergo sigmoidoscopy prior to TME.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up for 5 years.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 31
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Alabama
    • Mobile, Alabama, United States, 36607
      • Mobile Infirmary Medical Center
  • Alaska
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 98508
      • Anchorage Associates in Radiation Medicine
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
      • Alaska Breast Care and Surgery LLC
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
      • Alaska Oncology and Hematology LLC
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
      • Alaska Women's Cancer Care
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
      • Anchorage Oncology Centre
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
      • Katmai Oncology Group
    • Anchorage, Alaska, United States, 99508
      • Providence Alaska Medical Center
  • Arizona
    • Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85004
      • Cancer Center at Saint Joseph's
  • Arkansas
    • Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States, 72903
      • Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
    • Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States, 71913
      • CHI Saint Vincent Cancer Center Hot Springs
  • California
    • Arroyo Grande, California, United States, 93420
      • PCR Oncology
    • Burbank, California, United States, 91505
      • Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center/Disney Family Cancer Center
    • Los Angeles, California, United States, 90033
      • USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
    • Orange, California, United States, 92868
      • UC Irvine Health/Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
    • San Luis Obispo, California, United States, 93401
      • Pacific Central Coast Health Center-San Luis Obispo
    • Santa Maria, California, United States, 93444
      • Mission Hope Medical Oncology - Santa Maria
  • Colorado
    • Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, 80907
      • Penrose-Saint Francis Healthcare
    • Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, 80907
      • Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers-Penrose
    • Denver, Colorado, United States, 80210
      • Porter Adventist Hospital
    • Lakewood, Colorado, United States, 80228
      • Saint Anthony Hospital
    • Littleton, Colorado, United States, 80122
      • Littleton Adventist Hospital
    • Longmont, Colorado, United States, 80501
      • Longmont United Hospital
    • Parker, Colorado, United States, 80138
      • Parker Adventist Hospital
    • Pueblo, Colorado, United States, 81004
      • Saint Mary Corwin Medical Center
  • Delaware
    • Frankford, Delaware, United States, 19945
      • Beebe South Coastal Health Campus
    • Newark, Delaware, United States, 19713
      • Helen F Graham Cancer Center
    • Newark, Delaware, United States, 19713
      • Medical Oncology Hematology Consultants PA
    • Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, United States, 19971
      • Beebe Health Campus
  • Florida
    • Altamonte Springs, Florida, United States, 32701
      • AdventHealth Altamonte
    • Orlando, Florida, United States, 32803
      • AdventHealth Orlando
  • Idaho
    • Boise, Idaho, United States, 83706
      • Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Boise
    • Boise, Idaho, United States, 83712
      • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Boise
    • Caldwell, Idaho, United States, 83605
      • Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Caldwell
    • Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States, 83814
      • Kootenai Health - Coeur d'Alene
    • Fruitland, Idaho, United States, 83619
      • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Fruitland
    • Meridian, Idaho, United States, 83642
      • Idaho Urologic Institute-Meridian
    • Meridian, Idaho, United States, 83642
      • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Meridian
    • Nampa, Idaho, United States, 83686
      • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Nampa
    • Nampa, Idaho, United States, 83687
      • Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center-Nampa
    • Post Falls, Idaho, United States, 83854
      • Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services - Post Falls
    • Twin Falls, Idaho, United States, 83301
      • Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Twin Falls
  • Illinois
    • Bloomington, Illinois, United States, 61704
      • Illinois CancerCare-Bloomington
    • Canton, Illinois, United States, 61520
      • Illinois CancerCare-Canton
    • Carbondale, Illinois, United States, 62902
      • Memorial Hospital of Carbondale
    • Carterville, Illinois, United States, 62918
      • SIH Cancer Institute
    • Carthage, Illinois, United States, 62321
      • Illinois CancerCare-Carthage
    • Centralia, Illinois, United States, 62801
      • Centralia Oncology Clinic
    • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60612
      • University of Illinois
    • Danville, Illinois, United States, 61832
      • Carle at The Riverfront
    • Decatur, Illinois, United States, 62526
      • Decatur Memorial Hospital
    • Decatur, Illinois, United States, 62526
      • Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois - Decatur
    • Dixon, Illinois, United States, 61021
      • Illinois CancerCare-Dixon
    • Effingham, Illinois, United States, 62401
      • Crossroads Cancer Center
    • Effingham, Illinois, United States, 62401
      • Carle Physician Group-Effingham
    • Eureka, Illinois, United States, 61530
      • Illinois CancerCare-Eureka
    • Galesburg, Illinois, United States, 61401
      • Western Illinois Cancer Treatment Center
    • Galesburg, Illinois, United States, 61401
      • Illinois CancerCare-Galesburg
    • Kewanee, Illinois, United States, 61443
      • Illinois CancerCare-Kewanee Clinic
    • Macomb, Illinois, United States, 61455
      • Illinois CancerCare-Macomb
    • Mattoon, Illinois, United States, 61938
      • Carle Physician Group-Mattoon/Charleston
    • Mount Vernon, Illinois, United States, 62864
      • Good Samaritan Regional Health Center
    • O'Fallon, Illinois, United States, 62269
      • Cancer Care Center of O'Fallon
    • Ottawa, Illinois, United States, 61350
      • Illinois CancerCare-Ottawa Clinic
    • Pekin, Illinois, United States, 61554
      • Illinois CancerCare-Pekin
    • Pekin, Illinois, United States, 61554
      • OSF Saint Francis Radiation Oncology at Pekin Cancer Treatment Center
    • Peoria, Illinois, United States, 61636
      • Methodist Medical Center of Illinois
    • Peoria, Illinois, United States, 61637
      • OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
    • Peoria, Illinois, United States, 61615
      • Illinois CancerCare-Peoria
    • Peoria, Illinois, United States, 61615
      • OSF Saint Francis Radiation Oncology at Peoria Cancer Center
    • Peru, Illinois, United States, 61354
      • Illinois CancerCare-Peru
    • Peru, Illinois, United States, 61354
      • Valley Radiation Oncology
    • Princeton, Illinois, United States, 61356
      • Illinois CancerCare-Princeton
    • Springfield, Illinois, United States, 62781
      • Memorial Medical Center
    • Springfield, Illinois, United States, 62702
      • Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
    • Springfield, Illinois, United States, 62702
      • Springfield Clinic
    • Urbana, Illinois, United States, 61801
      • Carle Cancer Center
    • Washington, Illinois, United States, 61571
      • Illinois CancerCare - Washington
  • Iowa
    • Ames, Iowa, United States, 50010
      • Mary Greeley Medical Center
    • Ames, Iowa, United States, 50010
      • McFarland Clinic - Ames
    • Carroll, Iowa, United States, 51401
      • Saint Anthony Regional Hospital
    • Clive, Iowa, United States, 50325
      • Mercy Cancer Center-West Lakes
    • Clive, Iowa, United States, 50325
      • Medical Oncology and Hematology Associates-West Des Moines
    • Creston, Iowa, United States, 50801
      • Greater Regional Medical Center
    • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50309
      • Iowa Methodist Medical Center
    • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50314
      • Mercy Medical Center - Des Moines
    • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50309
      • Medical Oncology and Hematology Associates-Des Moines
    • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50314
      • Broadlawns Medical Center
    • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50314
      • Mission Cancer and Blood - Laurel
    • Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50316
      • Iowa Lutheran Hospital
    • West Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50266-7700
      • Methodist West Hospital
    • West Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50266
      • Mercy Medical Center-West Lakes
  • Kansas
    • Garden City, Kansas, United States, 67846
      • Central Care Cancer Center - Garden City
    • Great Bend, Kansas, United States, 67530
      • Central Care Cancer Center - Great Bend
  • Kentucky
    • Lexington, Kentucky, United States, 40504
      • Saint Joseph Radiation Oncology Resource Center
    • Lexington, Kentucky, United States, 40509
      • Saint Joseph Hospital East
    • Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 40202
      • Jewish Hospital
    • Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 40245
      • UofL Health Medical Center Northeast
  • Massachusetts
    • Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, 01199
      • Baystate Medical Center
    • Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, 01655
      • UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus
  • Minnesota
    • Burnsville, Minnesota, United States, 55337
      • Fairview Ridges Hospital
    • Burnsville, Minnesota, United States, 55337
      • Minnesota Oncology - Burnsville
    • Coon Rapids, Minnesota, United States, 55433
      • Mercy Hospital
    • Edina, Minnesota, United States, 55435
      • Fairview Southdale Hospital
    • Fridley, Minnesota, United States, 55432
      • Unity Hospital
    • Maple Grove, Minnesota, United States, 55369
      • Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center Maple Grove
    • Maplewood, Minnesota, United States, 55109
      • Saint John's Hospital - Healtheast
    • Maplewood, Minnesota, United States, 55109
      • Minnesota Oncology Hematology PA-Maplewood
    • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55415
      • Hennepin County Medical Center
    • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55407
      • Abbott-Northwestern Hospital
    • Monticello, Minnesota, United States, 55362
      • Monticello Cancer Center
    • Robbinsdale, Minnesota, United States, 55422
      • North Memorial Medical Health Center
    • Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905
      • Mayo Clinic in Rochester
    • Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, United States, 55416
      • Park Nicollet Clinic - Saint Louis Park
    • Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, 55101
      • Regions Hospital
    • Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, 55102
      • United Hospital
    • Shakopee, Minnesota, United States, 55379
      • Saint Francis Regional Medical Center
    • Waconia, Minnesota, United States, 55387
      • Ridgeview Medical Center
    • Willmar, Minnesota, United States, 56201
      • Rice Memorial Hospital
    • Woodbury, Minnesota, United States, 55125
      • Minnesota Oncology Hematology PA-Woodbury
  • Missouri
    • Ballwin, Missouri, United States, 63011
      • Saint Louis Cancer and Breast Institute-Ballwin
    • Bolivar, Missouri, United States, 65613
      • Central Care Cancer Center - Bolivar
    • Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States, 63703
      • Saint Francis Medical Center
    • Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States, 63703
      • Southeast Cancer Center
    • Farmington, Missouri, United States, 63640
      • Parkland Health Center - Farmington
    • Jefferson City, Missouri, United States, 65109
      • Capital Region Southwest Campus
    • Joplin, Missouri, United States, 64804
      • Freeman Health System
    • Joplin, Missouri, United States, 64804
      • Mercy Hospital Joplin
    • Rolla, Missouri, United States, 65401
      • Delbert Day Cancer Institute at PCRMC
    • Rolla, Missouri, United States, 65401
      • Mercy Clinic-Rolla-Cancer and Hematology
    • Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States, 64506
      • Heartland Regional Medical Center
    • Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63131
      • Missouri Baptist Medical Center
    • Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63141
      • Mercy Hospital Saint Louis
    • Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63128
      • Mercy Hospital South
    • Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, United States, 63670
      • Sainte Genevieve County Memorial Hospital
    • Springfield, Missouri, United States, 65807
      • CoxHealth South Hospital
    • Springfield, Missouri, United States, 65804
      • Mercy Hospital Springfield
    • Sullivan, Missouri, United States, 63080
      • Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital
    • Sunset Hills, Missouri, United States, 63127
      • BJC Outpatient Center at Sunset Hills
  • Montana
    • Billings, Montana, United States, 59101
      • Billings Clinic Cancer Center
    • Bozeman, Montana, United States, 59715
      • Bozeman Deaconess Hospital
    • Great Falls, Montana, United States, 59405
      • Great Falls Clinic
    • Great Falls, Montana, United States, 59405
      • Benefis Healthcare- Sletten Cancer Institute
    • Kalispell, Montana, United States, 59901
      • Kalispell Regional Medical Center
    • Missoula, Montana, United States, 59804
      • Community Medical Hospital
    • Missoula, Montana, United States, 59802
      • Saint Patrick Hospital - Community Hospital
  • Nebraska
    • Grand Island, Nebraska, United States, 68803
      • CHI Health Saint Francis
    • Kearney, Nebraska, United States, 68847
      • CHI Health Good Samaritan
    • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68124
      • Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center
    • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68122
      • Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center
    • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68130
      • Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital
    • Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68131
      • Creighton University Medical Center
  • Nevada
    • Henderson, Nevada, United States, 89052
      • Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada - Henderson
    • Henderson, Nevada, United States, 89052
      • OptumCare Cancer Care at Seven Hills
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89102
      • OptumCare Cancer Care at Charleston
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89106
      • Radiation Oncology Centers of Nevada Central
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89109
      • GenesisCare USA - Las Vegas
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89119
      • Radiation Oncology Centers of Nevada Southeast
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89128
      • Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada - Northwest
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89128
      • OptumCare Cancer Care at MountainView
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89135
      • Alliance for Childhood Diseases/Cure 4 the Kids Foundation
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89144
      • Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada - Town Center
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89144
      • Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada-Summerlin
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89148
      • Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89148
      • OptumCare Cancer Care at Fort Apache
    • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89169
      • Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada - Central Valley
    • Reno, Nevada, United States, 89502
      • Renown Regional Medical Center
    • Reno, Nevada, United States, 89503
      • Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center
    • Reno, Nevada, United States, 89509
      • Radiation Oncology Associates
  • New Hampshire
    • Concord, New Hampshire, United States, 03301
      • New Hampshire Oncology Hematology PA-Concord
    • Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States, 03756
      • Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center/Dartmouth Cancer Center
    • Manchester, New Hampshire, United States, 03103
      • Solinsky Center for Cancer Care
  • New York
    • Lake Success, New York, United States, 11042
      • Northwell Health/Center for Advanced Medicine
    • Middletown, New York, United States, 10940
      • Garnet Health Medical Center
    • Mount Kisco, New York, United States, 10549
      • Northern Westchester Hospital
    • New York, New York, United States, 10021
      • Lenox Hill Hospital
    • New York, New York, United States, 10065
      • Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital
  • Ohio
    • Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45220
      • Good Samaritan Hospital - Cincinnati
    • Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45242
      • Bethesda North Hospital
  • Oklahoma
    • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73104
      • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
    • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73120
      • Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City
  • Oregon
    • Bend, Oregon, United States, 97701
      • Saint Charles Health System
    • Clackamas, Oregon, United States, 97015
      • Clackamas Radiation Oncology Center
    • Clackamas, Oregon, United States, 97015
      • Providence Cancer Institute Clackamas Clinic
    • Coos Bay, Oregon, United States, 97420
      • Bay Area Hospital
    • Newberg, Oregon, United States, 97132
      • Providence Newberg Medical Center
    • Portland, Oregon, United States, 97213
      • Providence Portland Medical Center
    • Portland, Oregon, United States, 97225
      • Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center
  • Pennsylvania
    • Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, United States, 19317
      • Christiana Care Health System-Concord Health Center
  • South Dakota
    • Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States, 57105
      • Avera Cancer Institute
  • Tennessee
    • Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232
      • Vanderbilt University/Ingram Cancer Center
    • Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37204
      • Vanderbilt Breast Center at One Hundred Oaks
  • Texas
    • Bryan, Texas, United States, 77802
      • Saint Joseph Regional Cancer Center
  • Vermont
    • Saint Johnsbury, Vermont, United States, 05819
      • Norris Cotton Cancer Center-North
  • Washington
    • Aberdeen, Washington, United States, 98520
      • Providence Regional Cancer System-Aberdeen
    • Bellevue, Washington, United States, 98004
      • Overlake Medical Center
    • Bellingham, Washington, United States, 98225
      • PeaceHealth Saint Joseph Medical Center
    • Bremerton, Washington, United States, 98310
      • Harrison Medical Center
    • Burien, Washington, United States, 98166
      • Highline Medical Center-Main Campus
    • Centralia, Washington, United States, 98531
      • Providence Regional Cancer System-Centralia
    • Edmonds, Washington, United States, 98026
      • Swedish Cancer Institute-Edmonds
    • Everett, Washington, United States, 98201
      • Providence Regional Cancer Partnership
    • Issaquah, Washington, United States, 98029
      • Swedish Cancer Institute-Issaquah
    • Lacey, Washington, United States, 98503
      • Providence Regional Cancer System-Lacey
    • Longview, Washington, United States, 98632
      • PeaceHealth Saint John Medical Center
    • Renton, Washington, United States, 98055
      • Valley Medical Center
    • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98107
      • Swedish Medical Center-Ballard Campus
    • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98122
      • Swedish Medical Center-First Hill
    • Sedro-Woolley, Washington, United States, 98284
      • PeaceHealth United General Medical Center
    • Vancouver, Washington, United States, 98664
      • PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center
    • Walla Walla, Washington, United States, 99362
      • Providence Saint Mary Regional Cancer Center
    • Yakima, Washington, United States, 98902
      • North Star Lodge Cancer Center at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital
  • Wisconsin
    • Appleton, Wisconsin, United States, 54911
      • ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center
    • New Richmond, Wisconsin, United States, 54017
      • Cancer Center of Western Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
    • Sheridan, Wyoming, United States, 82801
      • Welch Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient must be >= 18 years of age
• Patient must have histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the rectum with the inferior margin within 15 cm from the anal verge based on colonoscopy and/or flexible sigmoidoscopy
• Patient must have T3-4Nx or TxN+ disease (stage II or III) based on magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis and computed tomography of the chest and abdomen. These baseline scans must be done within 28 days prior to registration
• Patient must have MSI-H (microsatellite instability-high) or dMMR (deficient mismatch repair) tumors based on immunohistochemistry or PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
• Patient must have Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance status 0-2
• Patient must not have previously received chemotherapy or immunotherapy for rectal cancer
• Patient must not have previously received radiotherapy to the pelvis
• Patient must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Patients with impaired decision-making capacity (IDMC) who have a legally authorized representative (LAR) or caregiver and/or family member available will also be considered eligible
• Patient must not have had major surgery performed within 28 days prior to registration
• Patient must not have a history of interstitial lung disease (e.g., pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis) or evidence of interstitial lung disease on baseline chest CT scan
• Patient must not have a serious active infection requiring IV antibiotics at time of registration
• Patient must agree to not receive live vaccines while on this study
• Patient must not have active autoimmune disease or history of autoimmune disease that might recur, which may affect vital organ function or require immune suppressive treatment including chronic prolonged systemic corticosteroids (defined as corticosteroid use of duration one month or greater). These include but are not limited to patients with a history of immune related neurologic disease, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune (demyelinating) neuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, myasthenia gravis; systemic autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), connective tissue diseases, scleroderma, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, and patients with a history of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or anti-phospholipid syndrome. Patients with any of these are ineligible for this study because of the risk of recurrence or exacerbation of disease
• Patient must not have a condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (> 10 mg daily prednisone equivalents) or other immunosuppressive medications within 14 days prior to registration. Inhaled or topical steroids and adrenal replacement doses < 10 mg daily prednisone equivalents are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease. Patients are permitted to use topical, ocular, intra-articular, intranasal, and inhalational corticosteroids (with minimal systemic absorption). Physiologic replacement doses of systemic corticosteroids are permitted, even if < 10 mg/day prednisone equivalents. A brief course of corticosteroids for prophylaxis (e.g., contrast dye allergy) or for treatment of non-autoimmune conditions (e.g., delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction caused by contact allergen) is permitted
• Patient must not be pregnant or breast-feeding due to the potential harm to an unborn fetus and possible risk for adverse events in nursing infants with the treatment regimens being used. All patients of childbearing potential must have a blood test or urine study within 2 weeks prior to registration to rule out pregnancy. A repeat pregnancy test must be done within 72 hours prior to first dose of treatment if the baseline test was done outside the 72 hour window. A patient of childbearing potential is defined as anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or whether they have undergone tubal ligation, who meets the following criteria: 1) has achieved menarche at some point, 2) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 3) has not been naturally postmenopausal (amenorrhea following cancer therapy does not rule out childbearing potential) for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months)
• Patients of childbearing potential and sexually active patients must not expect to conceive or father children by using accepted and effective method(s) of contraception or by abstaining from sexual intercourse for at least one month (female patients) or one week (male patients) prior to the start of study drug and continue for 5 months after the last dose of study drug (for female patients). Investigators must counsel patients on the importance of pregnancy prevention and the implications of an unexpected pregnancy
• Leukocytes >= 3,000/mcL (must be obtained =< 14 days prior to protocol registration)
• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mcL (must be obtained =< 14 days prior to protocol registration)
• Platelets >= 100,000/mcL (must be obtained =< 14 days prior to protocol registration)
• Total bilirubin =< institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) (must be obtained =< 14 days prior to protocol registration)
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase [SGPT]) =< 2.5 x institutional ULN (must be obtained =< 14 days prior to protocol registration)
• Creatinine =< 1.5 x institutional ULN (must be obtained =< 14 days prior to protocol registration)
• Patients should have urine dipstick with proteinuria < 1. If urine dipstick > 2, proteinuria must be less than 1 g in 24 hours urine collection
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months of registration are eligible for this trial
• For patients with evidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the HBV viral load must be undetectable on suppressive therapy, if indicated
• Patients with a history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection must have been treated and cured. For patients with HCV infection who are currently on treatment, they are eligible if they have an undetectable HCV viral load
• Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial
• Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. To be eligible for this trial, patients should be class 2B or better
• Patient must not have had live vaccines within 30 days prior to registration. Examples of live vaccines include, but are not limited to, the following: measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, yellow fever, rabies, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), and typhoid (oral) vaccine. Patients are permitted to receive inactivated vaccines and any non-live vaccines including those for the seasonal influenza and COVID-19 (Note: intranasal influenza vaccines, such as Flu-Mist [registered trademark] are live attenuated vaccines and are not allowed). If possible, it is recommended to separate study drug administration from vaccine administration by about a week (primarily, in order to minimize an overlap of adverse events)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Treatment (nivolumab, ipilimumab, radiation therapy, TME); Patients receive nivolumab IV over 30 minutes and ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 28 days for 2 cycles. Starting at least 2 weeks but no longer than 6 weeks after completion of cycle 2 of nivolumab and ipilimumab, patients undergo short-course radiation therapy of 5 fractions daily for 1 week. Patients then continue to receive nivolumab IV over 30 minutes and ipilimumab IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 28 days for 2 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. 8-12 weeks after completion of 4th cycle of nivolumab and ipilimumab, patients undergo TME. Patients also undergo MRI and CT prior to TME and during follow up, and undergo sigmoidoscopy prior to TME.

Biological: Nivolumab; Given IV; Other Names: BMS-936558; MDX-1106; NIVO; ONO-4538; Opdivo; CMAB819; Nivolumab Biosimilar CMAB819; ABP 206; Nivolumab Biosimilar ABP 206; BCD-263; Nivolumab Biosimilar BCD-263; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Undergo MRI; Other Names: MRI; Magnetic Resonance; Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan; Medical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance / Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; MR; MR Imaging; MRI Scan; NMR Imaging; NMRI; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); sMRI; Magnetic resonance imaging (procedure); MRIs; Structural MRI; Biological: Ipilimumab; Given IV; Other Names: Anti-Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Antigen-4 Monoclonal Antibody; BMS-734016; Ipilimumab Biosimilar CS1002; MDX-010; MDX-CTLA4; Yervoy; Procedure: Computed Tomography; Undergo CT; Other Names: CT; CAT; CAT Scan; Computed Axial Tomography; Computerized Axial Tomography; Computerized Tomography; CT Scan; tomography; Computerized axial tomography (procedure); Computerized Tomography (CT) scan; Radiation: Radiation Therapy; Undergo short-course radiation therapy; Other Names: Cancer Radiotherapy; ENERGY_TYPE; Irradiate; Irradiated; Irradiation; Radiation; Radiation Therapy, NOS; Radiotherapeutics; Radiotherapy; RT; Therapy, Radiation; Energy Type; Procedure: Total Mesorectal Excision; Undergo TME; Other Names: TME; Procedure: Sigmoidoscopy; Undergo sigmoidoscopy; Other Names: Proctosigmoidoscopy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Pathological complete response	At the time of total mesorectal excision

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Rate of sphincter preservation in low-lying tumors	95% confidence interval will be estimated.	Up to 5 years
Disease free survival	Kaplan-Meier method will be used.	Up to 5 years
Overall survival	Kaplan-Meier method will be used.	Up to 5 years
Incidence of adverse events	Will be assessed by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0. Toxicities will be tabulated by grade and treatment relation.	Up to 5 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Kristen K Ciombor, ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 8, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 11, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 11, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): February 12, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 24, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 23, 2024
• Last Verified: April 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Digestive System Diseases; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Carcinoma; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Intestinal Neoplasms; Rectal Diseases; Colorectal Neoplasms; Adenocarcinoma; Rectal Neoplasms; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Nivolumab; Ipilimumab
• Other Study ID Numbers: NCI-2021-00912 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program)); U10CA180820 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract); EA2201 (Other Identifier: CTEP)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: NCI is committed to sharing data in accordance with NIH policy. For more details on how clinical trial data is shared, access the link to the NIH data sharing policy page.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No